What’s going on with you today Rachel? You’re all jittery and you keep looking at the clock. Do you have a hot date tonight?” Kelsi Clapper, the cafe manager, and one of the Weston family that owned River’s End Ranch, was leaning against the counter with one hand on her hip while the other reached for the pot of coffee that was almost done brewing.

Rachel McIntyre laughed as she noticed both Jaclyn and Simon lean in from their seats at the counter to hear her response.

“No, I don’t have a hot date. But I do have an audition, at four this afternoon. I’m equally excited and nervous.”

“What are you auditioning for? Another commercial?” Kelsi asked. Rachel had done a few commercials for local businesses and recently finished up a theater production of A Streetcar Named Desire. The small Idaho town of Riston wasn’t exactly a hotbed of acting opportunities, but Rachel did her best to keep working and auditioning for whatever she could.

“No, it’s for the new show that’s filming at the ranch. I’m meeting with Adiel Bozeman, the showrunner.” It would be her second time meeting him. The first time, he came to see her play, along with Anna and Ben, who he was good friends with. Ben was also an investor in the film, yet neither one of them had mentioned their connection with the show when they congratulated her on her performance.

Rachel knew Anna from coming into the cafe, Ben too, and now the two of them were married. They’d seemed to really like her work in the play, so she was unusually hopeful for this audition. Working on an actual television show would be a huge next step in her career and it was sheer good luck that they’d decided to film in Riston, her hometown.

Kelsi looked impressed. “That’s fantastic news. Good luck, or rather break a leg I guess I should say.” She grinned. “Though you can’t break a leg, we need you here!”

“Thanks! I don’t think I’ll be leaving any time soon.”

Jaclyn had a mischievous gleam in her eye. “You never do know dear. A whole new world could be opening up for you.”

Rachel knew she was right, but she didn’t want to get her hopes up.

“I’ll just do my best. If it’s meant to be, it will be.”

Jaclyn nodded her approval. “Wise words.” She turned as the door opened and an older woman who looked to be about the same age as Jaclyn and Simon, early seventies or so, came in and made her way to the counter. She smiled at Simon and patted the stool next to him.

“Is anyone sitting here?”

“Looks like you are!” Simon said with enthusiasm.

Rachel noticed that Jaclyn’s eyes narrowed a bit as the other woman settled onto the stool and looked her way.

“Hello Jaclyn. Lovely to see you this morning.”

“Same to you, Betty.”

Rachel brought a menu to Betty and filled her cup with hot coffee.

“Bob’s specials are on the board. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, the stuffed raspberry French toast is getting raves.”

“Oh, I’ll have that! Thank you, dear.”

Rachel put Betty’s order in and a few minutes later, offered to top off Simon and Jaclyn’s coffee. Simon nodded yes as Jaclyn shook her head no.

“We’ll just take our check dear. We need to get going.”

“We do?” Simon looked surprised.

“Yes, I have cookies to make.”

Betty looked disappointed too. She smiled up at Simon and batted her eyelashes. Even at her age, Rachel couldn’t help notice that she was quite stylish. Her silvery hair was curled and fell softly just below her chin and her eyes were a clear, light blue.

“I should have gotten here earlier. I’ll remember that next time.” A moment later, Bob rang the bell and Rachel picked up Betty’s French toast and delivered it to her.

“Keep the change, Rachel.” Simon handed her their check folded in half with the money in the middle.

“Thank you.”

“Will we see you at trivia this week dear?” Jaclyn asked as she and Simon stood to leave.

“Oh, maybe. Cameron suggested we go this week too.”

“Trivia? Maybe I could join you all too? That sounds like fun!” Betty said.

“We play on Thursdays at the restaurant at the ranch. You should come,” Simon said cheerfully.

“Yes, by all means, join us,” Jaclyn said. Rachel noticed that she didn’t look all that happy at the idea though and thought that was interesting.

After Jaclyn and Simon left, Rachel walked over to see how Betty was enjoying her breakfast and to top off her coffee mug.

“Thank you, dear. This was a wonderful suggestion. Please tell Bob how much I’m enjoying it.”

“I will.” Rachel liked Betty. The older woman had moved to the area a few weeks ago and came in for breakfast several times a week.

“Tell me. Are those two an item?”

“Jaclyn and Simon? I don’t really know to be honest. They say they’re just friends, but they do everything together.”

“Funny, everyone I’ve asked seems to say the same thing. No one really knows.”

Adiel Bozeman was having one of those crazy days when absolutely everything seemed to be going wrong. Gabby, the actress playing Frankie, one of the main characters, just informed him that she was several months pregnant. She’d had no idea, although she was newly married and couldn’t understand why she was gaining weight. He’d had to calm her down and ensure her that they’d find a way to work around it, shoot her from the waist up, whatever it took.

And it meant that the role he had in mind for Rachel might need to be expanded and made even bigger than he’d first thought. The more he thought about that, the more the idea appealed to him. He’d been impressed when he saw her perform in A Streetcar Named Desire. There was something fresh, and raw about her. A likable quality that he thought might translate very well to television or film. He was curious to meet with her and see if his initial impression was on target. Though he knew in his gut that it was. He’d never been wrong yet when he got that feeling about someone.

His assistant, Andi, texted him that Rachel had arrived for their meeting. He went out to the reception area to greet her.

“Rachel, so nice to see you again. Come on back to my office so we can chat.”

Adiel led the way down the hall to his small office. Their situation at the ranch was a makeshift one for now while construction was underway for a larger building. Coop Weston just gave them the update that the housing building for the cast and crew would be ready in a few weeks. He settled at his desk while Rachel took a seat facing him. She seemed nervous, so he tried to put her at ease. She looked just as lovely as he remembered with her long, chestnut brown hair and a perfect complexion. Her eyes were her best feature. They were big and deep brown with long lashes that were real.

“Thank you for coming in to see me. Are you familiar with what we are working on here?”

Her face lit up, and she leaned forward with enthusiasm. “Yes, I’ve been following it closely. I absolutely loved the book that the show is based on and I admire some of the actors and actresses that you’ve already cast for the show. It would be an honor to work with them in any capacity.”

Adiel thought about that and realized that Rachel probably thought she was there for a bit part. He hadn’t said much of anything about what he had in mind.

“I was thinking of you for the role of Susan.”

Rachel’s jaw dropped. “Really? But, that’s a huge part isn’t it? She’s the main character, Frankie’s best friend! She wasn’t already in the pilot?”

Adiel smiled. “No. Her storyline will be starting soon and her role will actually be bigger than in the book.”

“Oh!” Rachel looked shocked at first and then eager to hear more. Adiel told her what he had in mind and how he envisioned the role. By the time he finished filling her in, she was all smiles.

“That makes perfect sense for where that character should go. It’s exciting! And that’s the role you want me to audition for?”

“No, I don’t want you to audition.”

Rachel’s face fell. “Oh, okay. Well, like I said, I’d be happy to be considered for anything you think might be a fit.”

Adiel looked at her carefully. He didn’t need her to audition because he knew. Just seeing her again validated his initial impression and as she spoke he felt it….the goosebumps when he was onto something big. She didn’t know it yet, but this role was likely to launch her further than she’d ever imagined.

“Rachel, I don’t need you to audition, because the role is yours. If you want it. I saw what you’re capable of. I just needed to know if this part would interest you.”

Her eyes grew wide and wet and she looked ready to burst into tears. He had to hold back the urge to wrap his arms around her, to comfort and protect her. It was a unique quality that he knew the viewers were going to adore. They were going to love her.

“Of course it interests me. I just can’t believe it. Thank you!”

Adiel grinned and pushed an already prepared contract toward her.

“Great! Take this home and review it and then either email or drop off a signed copy. We’ll need you on set next Monday, a week from today. Does that work?”

“Yes, yes of course.”

“I look forward to working with you Rachel. See you soon!”

Adiel was still smiling as Rachel walked out of the room, clutching the contract and looking like she was in a daze. It gave him a special sense of satisfaction to know that he’d just given her her first big opportunity, one that should work out very well for both of them.