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Sips and Flips was a cozy tea and bookstore off the beaten track of the downtown hussle—if such a thing was possible in Sweet Falls. It was close enough to get foot traffic for those that wanted to seek it out. As far as small-town shops went, it was nice. Stuffed bookcases, overstuffed chairs and sofas for reading. Distressed table over by the café decorated with floral tea cozies, cups and saucers, and the place smelled of leather-bound books with the hint of money.
The ambiance was perfect for reading and while Bret appreciated the place he was never much of a reader and not a scholar. Still for a book signing, the place would do. He met the owner. An uptight young librarian looking woman who wore a tight bun to go with her pinched nose, but she was nice enough with an awkward smile and a burst of laughter.
A table for him had been setup with a green table cloth and on it was a stack of his Wilderness Billionaire books. He poised on a rock, one leg bent, the other one straight behind him. His smile was pleasant and relaxed and the photo was complete with a misty mountain in the background. The book was filled with on location color photographs and were his favorite thing about the book.
They showed off the beauty of the world and what was his show was all about. The money and fame were nice but just a bonus perk. Kind of like the women who fawned over him in droves. Nice but just window dressing. None of them were the type who hung around and it meant Bret had more time to do what he loved.
Rock climb, hike, and see the world through the unfiltered lens of his eye.
Tracy, his PR rep who handled the tour through his publisher, adjusted the books and the sign behind the table. She wore her hair in a no muss, no fuss, ponytail that whipped around when she glanced up. “Store’s just about open. Crowd’s lining up to meet you.”
“Naturally,” he said with a broad grin. “That’s why we’re here. You don’t need to look so glum about it.”
“Camera crew from the station isn’t here. We’re supposed to be on the morning news to drive the foot traffic in.” Tracy glanced at her wrist watch as if this would hurry everyone along.
“Would some tea help?” The shop owner asked from her place behind the counter.
“Tea never hurts!” Tracy shot out.
A buzzer rang out from the back-service door. Tracy hurried along to go answer it and squeezed past an ocean of bookcases. Tracy breathed out a sigh of relief.
“See? What’d I tell you? I bet that’s them now.”
“We’ll see Mr. Mitchell. Do you ever get stressed out?”
“I try not to. It just ages you, you know.” Bret figured she did know thanks to the row of tiny wrinkles around her eyes. It wasn’t unattractive but it did make her look older than she actually was.
“They’re here!” The shop owner hurried along with tiny steps. A camera man and someone with a boom mike followed right behind her. Straggling behind was a woman in a blue pencil skirt and a blue blazer. As she hurried along, Bret could barely make out her face.
“Hello,” he said and stuck his hand out as she approached but the woman barely paid him any mind. It was an odd reaction and Bret felt off kilter as she breeze past him.
“Get setup here and here. We’re going to open the doors and get a few reaction shots of the crowd. Maybe a scream or two.” The camera crew nodded and it was only then she turned her attention toward Bret. She was a beautiful woman in an understated way. Her makeup was professional, she wore small pearl earrings, and her luxuriously shiny brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail.
She looked so familiar as they shook hands and then it dawned on Brett. He had seen her the day before when out to lunch. In fact, she had slammed right into him. Funny how life could be sometimes.
Bret chuckled with a good-natured wink. “You’re late.”
“Just barely,” she answered without a hint of humor. “We’re going to open the doors and get some footage of the line forming. Get some live reactions and statements from the crowd. We’ll take some footage of you signing a few books, smiling hopefully.”
“I always smile when dealing with the public. It’s part of the deal. I have no reason not to give them what they want.”
“I’m sure.” She smirked in a nonthreatening way but didn’t elaborate. Bret was beginning to suspect she didn’t like him. “Let’s film the interview first. It’ll be a short segment and it’ll be good to secure it before the chaos starts.”
“You’re in charge, though I don’t even know your name yet.”
She snapped her fingers and one of her camera men handed her a microphone. “It’s Stephanie,” she said but didn’t bother to look back at him. The camera man lifted his camera up to his shoulder and counted down his fingers to one. At that point Stephanie smiled at the camera. “Greetings, Sweet Falls! This is Stephanie for the early morning news and boy do I have a treat for you! Bret Mitchell—the Wilderness Billionaire, here right in our town. Good morning, Bret.”
He smiled at the camera, relaxed and shifting her weight to his left leg. His arms were crossed at the wrist, accentuating the rippling muscles in his chest and forearms. “Morning, Stephanie. Thanks for having me on your show.”
“Oh, it’s my pleasure! Now you’ve put out a memoir of sort about your time in the wilderness. Everyone in town is a fan of your show so I guess what I’m wondering is, will they see a different side of you than they see on TV?”
“Absolutely,” Brett nodded. “The show is fast paced and a lot of things get weeded out. Those slow, mundane times when we can really take nature in. Revel in her beauty. In the book, I’m able to put that back in. I’m hoping my conservation beliefs and my love for animals, will be able to take centerstage.”
Stephanie’s eyes widened with interest. “Fascinating! And you’ll be here signing books from....”
“Ten to two. But I’ll also sign posters, t-shirts, whatever people bring by.”
“How nice of you Well, I can’t wait to see how it goes! But first, a few questions. You burst on the reality television scene five years ago. Since then you’ve had two successful shows and a few advertising deals go through. How did you get into this business? Or perhaps you merely fell into it.”
Her tone had changed and her line was questioning sounded more serious than it had previously. Still, Bret couldn’t be rattled. “Ha, ha! I never fall, Stephanie. Seriously though, I’ve always loved hiking, canoeing. Our family growing up, we spent a lot of time outdoors. The show started as a way to show off the beauty and wonder I spent so much time seeking out. The survivalist spin was born to teach people something.”
“You’re most recent show, you get dropped off by helicopter for five days, sometimes a week.”
“Scary stuff for most people,” Bret said with a nod. Lucky for him, he wasn’t most people.
“Do you scout out the areas in advance? Are supplies you’ll need to survive placed where you can find them?” The skin around her eyes creased and Bret saw a glint of anger. Did she think he was some sort of con artist?”
Bret uncrossed his arms. “Now, wait a second. I hear your veiled accusations and they’re unfounded. My show speaks for itself. I might know what state or country I’m going to but I don’t scout them in advance.”
“Shows can be edited. You have a camera man with you. Internet rumors state you’ve been spotted at hotels when you should be filming. So my questions are simple. Does the network helicopter you in and out for filming only? Is everything a well-manicured lie to sell merchandise and books?”
Bret stared at her. His anger simmering to be accused during an interview that was supposed to be a fluff piece. He moved his lower jaw from side to side. “No. None of what you’ve just asked is true. Let my show and my book, speak for itself.”
Stephanie turned back to the camera with a good natured smile. “And there we have it! Come judge for yourself down at Sip and Flips from ten to two! I’m Stephanie [Last Name]for Good Morning, Sunshine!”
The camera man made a cutting motion with his hand. Stephanie sighed and handed the microphone back to him. “Wrap it up and get the shots we need. Thank you, Mr. Mitchell.” She took her time stepping around him, her eyes barely gazing at his. Her pace quickened and Bret couldn’t just let her go without saying his piece.
“Now, you wait a second!” Bret sprinted after her. When he caught up with her, he grabbed her wrist.
Stephanie stopped and gazed at him and then her wrist. “You might want to unhand me, Mr. Mitchell.”
Bret held his hands up. He hadn’t meant to be perceived as threatening. “I’m sorry but don’t you think your questions are unfair? I’m here for publicity and not to be the subject of an expose to further your career.”
“My career,” her eyebrow arched, “is fine.”
A television reporting for Sweet Falls? Bret couldn’t think of a more depressing career other than maybe working at a gas station or a fast food joint. “Whatever the case, I don’t need my integrity called out on television, even if only a few hundred people will see it.”
Stephanie’s cheeks reddened and it was clear, he had angered her—just as he hoped. “People deserve to know how much of your show is made in the editing room. The pacing, the story. It’s perceived as real and we both know it’s phony. Even if you won’t say so.”
Anger churned in his gut. “What I think isn’t up for debate. You’re a professional and I expect to be treated the same as anyone else. Respectfully. So, don’t run the last questions. You have enough material you don’t need to air it.”
“And if I do?” Stephanie asked, tossing her hair back.
“I’ll speak with your boss.”
“My work speaks for itself. I don’t need to worry about my job. Nice to see I was right about you though. You’re a big strong tough guy whose afraid of the truth. Afraid he’ll be found out. You smile and use your good looks to get people’s attention but you’re nothing special underneath, are you? Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get the footage quickly edited and ready to air quickly.” Stephanie started away toward the back door.
“You’re making a mistake!” Bret called out after her. Stephanie didn’t stop or even slow down. She heard him, but she pretended she hadn’t. He couldn’t believe her gall, her audacity. Bret had to stop her. How dare she talk to him that way after only meeting him briefly. It wasn’t fair and it reminded him of why he distanced himself from people.
And threw himself into nature.
Maybe it was just one reporter in one small dinky town but Bret’s reputation was important to him. He wasn’t going to let one woman with a chip on her shoulder get in his way.
Tracy tapped him delicately on the shoulder. “Are you okay? I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was going to ask you questions like that. Or I would’ve requested we go on the local radio instead.”
“I don’t blame you, Trace.” Bret slipped both his hands into his pockets.
“You think she’s really going to air it?”
Bret really didn’t know but he couldn’t risk it. He hated the idea of getting someone in trouble with their boss but he had tried to warn her. “I do and we can’t let that stand. While I’m here at the book signing, I’m going to need you to head to the station right away.”
Tracy nodded. “At once, Mr. Mitchell!”
“And find that reporter’s boss. You let him know what happens when someone messes with the Wilderness’s billionaire. Get that footage. Whatever means necessary.”