Page 15 of Flippin' Cowboy
“But—” Nick protested, ready to launch into his case.
Karla made a sharp, imperious gesture with her hand, cutting him off. “Winnie is the sole reason we got the network to pick up this show.She’sthe celebrity draw here, not you.”
“That’s not fair—” Nick tried again.
“No Winnie, no show,” Karla said firmly. “Do I make myself clear?”
“Besides, as this building’s owner,Iget the final say on whether you get to work on the restoration, young man,” Mrs. Snowberry added.
Two pairs of eyes, one dark brown and one bright blue, stared at him challengingly. Heat rose in his face.
After a long moment, Karla said, “This is how it’s going to be, Nick. Either you show up for the filmed walkthrough with Winnie tomorrow and play nice, or we’ll refund your investment and find someone else who’s willing to take on this restoration as part of ourReviving Snowberry Springsproject. You have until the end of the day to make your decision.”
“I—I see,” Nick managed. In his wildest dreams, he never thought his big break would play out like this.
“Now, if you’d like to look at the rest of the house, you’re welcome to do so,” Mrs. Snowberry said, unsmiling.
“That would be great,” Nick said numbly.
Tablet in hand, he trudged up the stairs.
His thoughts whirled as he mechanically took photos of the damaged second floor and wrote himself notes.Can I do this? Can I really work with the woman I’ve publicly criticized and mocked for years?
He could only imagine the firestorm of commentary that would descend on his head if he announced that he and Winnie-fucking-Snowberry were partnering up on a restoration project.
Was selling out to HomeRenoTV a price worth paying to achieve his dream of preserving Montana’s unique heritage?
Chapter 6: Showdown at The Yummy Cowboy
The Yummy Cowboy Diner
Four hours later
“So, I’m thinking of bringing in Nick Evans to help with the restoration of your great-great-grandmother’s home,” Grandma Abigail said, sipping from her tall mug of steaming spiced cider.
She shot a slyly interested glance across the table at Winnie, clearly waiting for her granddaughter’s reaction.
She’s a pro at this, thought Winnie.
Most people couldn’t help glancing nervously at the TV cameras recording their conversation from every angle. Not to mention the microphone dangling from a long boom overhead and blindingly bright handheld lights and reflectors held by other members of the camera crew arrayed in a semicircle around the table.
Because of the filming, the diner was closed to the public tonight. The only people seated in The Yummy Cowboy’s dining room were a small group of carefully selected locals. Karla hadinstructed them to ignore the cameras and converse in low voices to provide some background color.
Winnie recognized several of her brother’s friends from the volunteer fire department at nearby tables, as well as a few of the town’s older residents seated on the banquettes built along one wall.
“He’s a respected preservationist. And a fourth-generation Montanan, just like you, Winnie,” added Grandma Abigail.
Winnie sat back in her chair. “I think anyone who’s been on social media over the past couple of years also knows that he’s one of my biggest critics,” she pointed out, just as they’d rehearsed. “I don’t know if he’d be interested in working with someone he clearly doesn’t respect.”
Karla, standing behind Jake Lee, their director of photography, gave Winnie the thumbs-up.
Conflict attracts eyeballs, she’d advised Winnie earlier, while they were setting up for filming.Be honest but don’t be nasty. This is supposed to be your redemption. We want people to root for you,and they won’t do that if they think you’re bitter and angry.
Grandma Abigail sighed dramatically in response to Winnie’s comment. “But, dear, who else would be interested in a project like this? The Livingston Vintage Railroad is scheduled to begin operations next summer, and this town desperately needs the Snowberry Springs Inn fixed up and ready to receive guests before the grand opening day of the new Livingston-to-Yellowstone service. I’ve left the organizing of the first annual Vintage Railroad Festival in your sister Autumn’s capable hands, but without a hotel, our visitors won’t have anywhere to stay.And we’re located so close to the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, too.”
Okay, that sounded a teeny bit rehearsed, Winnie thought. But Karla wasn’t wincing, so it was probably okay.
“I know how much this project means to you, Grandma,” Winnie said, doing her best to radiate warmth and sincerity in the face of this on-camera plea by her sweet, silver-haired grandmother. “Ofcourse,I’ll consider working with Nick Evans… ifhe’sgame.”
