Page 73 of Flippin' Cowboy
With admiration, Winnie noted that Karla’s regret actually seemed genuine. Thanks to a stream of texts and email updates during the holiday break, Winnie knew her producer wanted even less to do with this new project than she did.
Geoff’s pale skin flushed with anger. “You’re not being fair,” he complained.
Mike put a soothing hand on his shoulder and turned back to the camera. He shook his head. “Y’all don’t seem understand. Our audience polls indicate that people wouldloveto see Winnie and Geoff reunited on-screen. And, as I mentioned before, there are already a couple of hit shows where the lead couple broke up, but then continued working together. It’s a road-tested concept.”
“Not interested,” Winnie said through gritted teeth. “There isn’t enough money in the world to pay me to work with Geoff Schaefer again.”
Karla nudged her foot sharply. Winnie shot her an innocent look.
Hey, I didn’t use any four-letter words. What more do you want?she thought.
She braced herself for the backlash. She hadn’t been exaggerating when she warned Nick that a “no,” no matter how firm, would be treated as the opening salvo in a negotiation.
Sure enough, Mike traded a look with Geoff. Then he cleared his throat and stretched his bearded lips in a smarmy smile. “Now, Winnie, honey,” he drawled, his tone setting her teeth on edge. “You know as well as I do that you don’t want to get a reputation as bein’—how shall I phrase it?—difficult. Not if you want to keep workin’ for my good friend, Miz Donna Morris, and The Renovation Channel.”
“Yeah,” Geoff chimed in with a triumphant smirk. “Ms. Morris told us she’sreallyinterested in seeingRestoring Seattlereturn soon. She was a big fan of the show.” He put his palms on his trendy jeans and leaned in to his webcam. “We’re giving you guys until tomorrow to reconsider your answer.”
∞∞∞
Winnie ruthlessly tamped down her simmering rage at the unfairness of it all and forced herself to complete the day’s tasks.
Nick proved no help in calming her down. If anything, he was even angrier about the situation, and no wonder, since his job was on the line. They both knew that there wouldn’t be any place for him on aRestoring Seattlereboot.
In despair, she cornered Autumn during a quiet moment. “I really need to talk to you. In private,” she said. “Can I drag you over to Jenna’s Java for coffee? I’ll even buy you one of those chocolate and almond croissants you adore.”
Autumn studied her for a moment, then enfolded Winnie in a hug. “What’s wrong, sweetie? And you know you don’t need to bribe me.”
Winnie heaved a sigh and hugged her sister back. “You willnotbelieve what Geoff is trying to do to me now!”
“Oh, crap, not that jerk again,” Autumn said, stepping back. “Let me go find my coat.”
“And I’ll go tell Karla and Nick I’m taking a break offsite,” Winnie said. “Meet you at my truck in five.”
∞∞∞
Jenna’s Java & Bakery was housed in a historic two-story beige brick building located directly across the town square from The Yummy Cowboy.
Festive swags of real fir branches tied with wide red velvet ribbons hung above all the windows, including the large plate-glass store windows on the ground floor, and a large sign over the front door advertisedJenna’s Java & Bakery - Locally Owned & Operated - Fresh Daily - All Natural.
Autumn and Winnie entered the café and were greeted by the comforting smells of baked goods and freshly roasted coffee.It was mid-afternoon, just an hour before the bakery closed for the day, and they were the only customers.
A large blackboard hung from the ceiling behind the register. It advertised salads, soups, and sandwiches, plus a long list of coffee drinks. On either side of the register, clean, lighted display cases held a depleted selection of tempting pastries.
They ordered cappuccinos and croissants from the young man working behind the counter, then settled themselves at a table.
“It’s been a while since I saw you this upset,” Autumn commented, tearing off a piece of buttery, flaky pastry from the end of her croissant. “Why don’t you start from the beginning?”
Winnie took a deep breath. “Remember how Geoff and some producer named Mike showed up at the worksite just before we shut down for Christmas?”
“Of course,” Autumn said. Her smooth brow creased. “Don’t tell me they’re still hassling you about going back to Seattle and working with Geoff?”
“Got it in one,” Winnie replied gloomily. Then she told her sister about this morning’s video call, finishing with, “Can you believe it?Geoffwas the one who torpedoed the wedding and the show, andI’mthe one they’re warning about—” She raised her hands and hooked her fingers in angry air quotes. “‘Being difficult.’”
It was hours later, and rage still washed through her every time she remembered the conversation.
“Unbelievable,” Autumn agreed. Her warm hazel eyes studied Winnie with sympathy. “What are you and Karla going to do?”
“I don’t know,” Winnie answered in despair. “I was hoping you could offer some advice how I can avoid going back toRestoring Seattlewithout tanking my career or making an enemy of Donna Morris.”
