Page 26 of Shar: A Woman Alone

“I need a word with you,Grant,” Sharp states, and it sounds like he’s not going to accept anything butthat.

“Oh, okay, follow me andwe’ll have coffee. Sabrina always keeps me a table in a corner so I can drinkin peace.” Mr. Stonewall walks toward the coffee place, and I give Sharp aquestioning look.

“He’ll know if there are anybusinesses that are needed in town. That way, we’ll not mess with somethingthat could easily fail. Come on, let’s get this done with. Trip, I hope you arenot going to be bringing men back to the clubhouse, ‘cause you know the clubwomen are not going to be happy about that.” Sharp smirks at me as he turns,then whistles as he walks away. I hear Trip cursing under his breath and can’thold back the laughter, much to Trip’s disgust.

Sitting with a coffee infront of me, I remain quiet as I listen to Sharp speaking with the mayor. Theycover the formalities of politeness before Sharp gets fed up with that.

“What businesses does thetown need that we at the club could cover? Nothing stupid either, not a fancyass thing that nobody would want to spend money on. But something my boys couldget their teeth into.” Sharp is leaning forward and waiting for the mayor’sreply.

“Hm, that’s a good question.I saw you were coming out of the closed salon. Do you have eyes on that?” Themayor now also leans forward, placing his elbows on the table and clasping hishands together.

“Yes, Gunner’s daughter isgoing to be training as a stylist and she’s going to own the place with theclub as partners. We’ve had a good look at it and all seems as it should. We’llput in a low offer and see what happens,” Sharp replies.

“If you say it’s for a youngwoman to start out, and she has sponsors to help her, or even a plan you canshare with the owner, I’m positive she would let you have it for a low price.She’s a good person, and she’ll be happy to help a young person get a start.”

“We can do that. I’ll getTrip to take a plan to Thomas.” Sharp chuckles as Trip growls. Me, I remainsilent but would love to have a good belly laugh.

“Apart from that, I’mthinking how much time are you willing to spend on a place? I have an idea, butit would mean someone probably living on the property.”

“Spit it out, Grant,” Sharpsnaps.

“Well, there is the junkyardon the edge of town. At the moment, it’s like a dumping ground. It needscleaning up and organizing, but it is a business that is necessary, and wouldbe profitable if run right.”

“That’s a good idea, and oneI think RedLight may like,” Trip adds to the conversation.

“What about the two thatleft? Would they like something like this? It could bring them back to thefold, and they’d not be at the clubhouse, so would feel less under the club’scontrol, but still answerable?” I add to the conversation.

Sharp studies my face as he’sthinking, then winks at me. “That is a good idea, but I don’t know if they’d gofor it. Let’s think about it, and I’ll speak to the officers for theirthoughts. But Grant, that is something we can seriously think about.”

Grant must seize theopportunity as he quickly speaks again. “Think about a butcher shop, a techstore, and a hardware store. All these we have lost due to owners moving awayfrom town. Now people in town have to travel to other towns or order it online,which takes time to arrive. You know the mail is crap at the best of times.”

“You know we don’t do illegalshit and need to expand because the bank isn’t going to hold up long if wedon’t get some businesses bringing in the dollars.”

“I know you have cleaned upyour club, and it’s been a good thing for the town. It’s surprising how many ofthe townsfolk think of you all as security for them, keeping out the bad thatwe hear about in other places. I’m sure the Sheriff is happier these days, ashe’s gotten fat of late. I told him to get out more and stop eating all thecookies his wife makes him.” Grant laughs at his own comment, and I’m not sureif the sheriff is fat or not, so I’m keeping quiet.

“Okay, I’ll get back to youon some of these ideas. Thanks Grant.” Sharp stands and shakes hands with themayor, and both myself and Trip follow suit before we all head back to the SUV.

Riding back to the clubhouse,I state my thoughts, “If the two men you had go nomad want to step back fromthe club some, but still want to be brothers, then they could take a look atthat junkyard and maybe have a large trailer or build something if there isspace. I don’t know what is there so my thoughts are random ones.”

“I reckon they’ll go for it,especially if they are given free license to do what is needed. They are goodbrothers, but I think going fully legit worried them as to how they were goingto make enough cash,” Trip states as he turns into the compound.

“We’ll have a discussionabout it, but bring Croc into it, as he’s been a tight brother with them foryears. He may be the deciding factor for them having a go.” Sharp opens thepassenger door, grabs his cut and opens the back door for me to climb out.

Once inside, I am met withSnore, who is looking to see if I have any bags to carry. “No, I have nothingfor you to carry, Snore, but thanks for taking the time to check.”

“No problem. Anytime I canhelp, I’m up for it.” Snore starts to walk away, then steps back to me. “I’mgoing to work at the garage, so I may not be around as much, but you know ifyou need me to give me a call.”

“I have you on my phone, andthanks for being a great friend, Snore,” which I’ve said with great sincerity.He has shown he’s a friend and I more than like him as such. He’s like having ayoung brother who is yet to start the pranks.

Gunner passes me in thecorridor as I head to my room, giving me a head nod as he passes, but then Iremember something. “Oh, Gunner, have you got a minute?”

“Sure, what’s up?” Steppingback towards me as he replies.

“You know that woman,Clarice?”

“Yeah, I know who she is.”

I cringe a little at the wayhe replies. “Well, can you watch out and warn her to stay away from Zara? I’vetold her she’s not welcome here or around anyone. Which, by the way, nearly gotme in trouble with Sharp. But, if I catch her bullying Zara again, I’m going tobeat her butt.”

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