Page 14 of Love Bites

“Perhaps we should take a break in the negotiations to think on what both sides can bring to the table the next time we meet?” I offered, making a grab for the check as it arrived.

“I’m not sure there is a next time to meet. We are not handing over our candy recipes. End of that story. And the head toad can sit on that little lily pad of information and croak for all I care.”

I did enjoy how his eyes sparked when he talked about his candy. He had pride.

“My grandfather is not a toad,” I calmly reminded him, although of late I too was beginning to think of him as a crusty old amphibian making tons of noise just to hear himself make noise. “I’ll be happy to reconfigure our offer but you’ll lose a substantial amount of cash. Money that could be banked for your grandmother’s retirement or for a new opportunity for you in some other town.”

I handed over my business credit card. Lydia rang us out with a thank you then slipped off as I folded the receipt and placed it into my wallet. “I can have my team get a new offer without the recipes but keeping your customer lists ready say in a day? That would give you time to present what is now on the table to your M&A advisor for their input.”

“Doesn’t your Opa have to okay it?” He shoved a ten dollar bill across the table. I rolled my eyes but took the bill and added it to the cash in my billfold.

“My grandfather is the owner and emeritus CEO of Brauning Chocolates but his role is mostly in an advisory one. I am the head of mergers and acquisitions as well as the acting CEO of our company,” I explained as I rose. “So while he wields some power, in the end it is me who will decide what the final offer will be.”

“Do you like it?” He asked, rising as well, his poncho catching in a strong fresh gust.

“Do I like what?”

“Buying up little shops that are struggling in order to wipe out any competition?”

He crossed his arms over his flighty poncho.

“Rest assured there will be plenty of competition in America. And yes, I do enjoy my job. I not only get to help ensure that the business that my family started after the Second World War in a country that had been decimated thrives and grows, but I can also help smaller shops find financial security in a world where the nostalgia of cottage shops and local stores is being replaced by e-commerce and niche market designer shops. If one is not willing or able to ride the wave of new ideas into a more efficient future then one is left behind. You look stricken, and I am sorry to be the one that tells you this but it is a fact that we all must learn to live with.”

“The mighty eat the weak. Got it.” He exhaled deeply. “I’m tired of talking about this. Did you say you had something else for us to do? If it’s more talk about letting robots take over the world then I’m going to pass on hooking up to Skynet, thanks anyways.”

Right. We’d get no further today. “Do you like to kayak?”

He blinked at the sudden change of topic. “Uhm maybe? I only ever went once with the guys and it was okay since they avoided the rapids at the bend of Culpepper Point. Why?”

“I thought we could kayak down around this beautiful lake for a bit.” He stared at me as if I had a flock of chickens doing the allemande on my head. “You look shocked. I rather enjoy kayaking back home. When we finalize this deal—”

“If. And it’s a big if,” he interjected.

“Of course.Ifwe finalize this deal I’ll fly you to Munich to sign the official documents. You can tour our facilities there, enjoy the first of what will be many vacations you will take, andperhaps join me in a leisurely row down the Isar. I try to get out at least once a week if possible.”

“You and me. Kayaking. Down the Isar. Seriously?

“Why not?”

He stared up at me with something indefinable in those bright blue eyes. “Sounds like some sort of romantic outing.”

That made me smile. “You say that as if it were to be a bad thing.”

“Business and romance don’t mix, Herr Brauning.”

“You’d be amazed at how well I could juggle love and business, Mr. Gray. So, would you like to paddle down the river with me today?”

I could see the wheels churning. “I’m only saying yes so that I can get a better understanding of my enemy.”

“Of course. What other reason would there be?”

MY HOPES OFkayaking Harmony Lake were dashed when we checked in at the small shed beside the clear blue lake to request a kayak rental. The young man with four whiskers on his chin informed us that all the kayaks had been taken out by a group and were, as we spoke, heading up the river that fed the lake.

“I got a Hilda Hippo paddle boat that you could use,” Mr. Teen Angst informed me with a wave of his gangly arm at what could only be described as an abomination from some twisted child’s nightmare. “She’s old but she’s still seaworthy.”

“Wouldn’t that be lake-worthy,” I commented dryly as I stared at the huge pink fiberglass hippo floating by the rental shack. “I’m not sure—”

“We’ll take it!” Haider shouted then bounced, much like that tiger he was so fond of, down to the end of the dock to pet Hilda on her rather large nose. I sensed this was his way of stuffingthe tastefully dressed and rather self-possessed rival into an embarrassing pedal boat where everyone near the lake could see.

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