Page 19 of Bear In Mind

“I could set up all of the accounts online in a matter of days.It’d take me a couple weeks to photograph the inventory and a couple months for a site to be built with an interactive online store.To begin seeing a return, safely, I wouldn’t expect anything for about six to twelve months.Now that’s with online sales.You should see an increase in store traffic much sooner if we plan well.I would aim to do online ads targeting residents in the neighboring towns and as far as the city.I can create a basic website fairly quickly, which could link to the online store once it’s launched.Until then, I would put a note on the site I created alerting all customer traffic to the online store coming soon to hopefully build a bit of momentum ahead of time.”

A single brow rose.“And you can do this and the books in twenty five hours a week?”

My excitement waned a bit as I shook my head negatively.I wasn’t about to lie to the man.“No, sir.But I would be willing to forego the overtime wages in exchange for the profit sharing you mentioned earlier.”Darn it.I should have kept my mouth shut.I should have accepted his bookkeeping offer and went on my way.Now I could be back at square one.

For five years I let Stuart miss opportunities.Mugshad a Facebook page, but nothing more, not even a website.

Harry wasn’t Stuart, though.I respected Mr.Adler.Nuts & Boltshad been in business for thirty years because he worked hard, and, from what I’d heard, he priced fairly.He treated everyone with kindness, especially me.

And that was the difference.Even when he was having a bad morning, he was polite and gratuitous.As much as I loved what I did atMugsand customers like Harry, I wantedNuts & Boltsto succeed more, because I felt like the Adlers deserved it more than Stuart.

“I’m not all that comfortable with putting in hours and not getting paid for them.Just doesn’t sit well with me.But I like what you said, and, between you and me, it’s probably the only way I could afford to retire.Orson Constructiongives me a lot of business, but I give them a good deal for it.”He wrapped one arm across his chest, tucking it beneath his other.“With that ad stuff, how soon do you think folks will start filing in?”

I worked my lower lip.Truth was, it was speculative.“An increase in awareness of your store existing is guaranteed, but foot traffic isn’t.”

His brows knit together.“But you think it will.”It was a statement.

“Yes.If we brand you well, as a small family-owned business, and reach the right audience, then I think it will.”My stomach knotted.Learning all of this in school seemed easier than implementing it.The more we talked, the bigger the project seemed to become, and the less hopeful I was that it would happen.If it did manifest, though, it could all prove well worth the investment on both of our parts.

He stood quietly.He was looking at me, but I knew he wasn’t seeing me.

The bell chiming over the door broke his trance.Glancing up, he issued a quick, “Excuse me for a minute, Bryn.”He moved past me.“Hey, Bear.What can I do for ya’?”

My eyes widened.Bear.Suddenly my confidence slipped, replaced with uncertainty.

He was the perfect example of a strong, ambitious businessman.In school, and even now, he was who I tried to exemplify.He was smart.He was composed yet intimidating somehow.He didn’t conform to what others expected.He promised only what he could deliver.

And, the truth was, I wasn’t sure if I could deliver a successful online store to Harry.It would take a lot of work, and, even if I pulled it off, I doubtedNuts & Boltswould ever grow to achieve the level of successOrson Constructionhad.

It wasn’t impossible, though.For that simple reason, I had to hold onto hope.In speaking with the other business owners before Harry, I realized, there weren’t as many jobs as I’d expected available.No one was hiring or knew of anyone hiring.Hair Todaywas hiring for a hair stylist, but I wasn’t trained or licensed for that field.

No.I had to believe that this was fate.I had to hold fast to ‘everything happens for a reason.’

Glimpsing over my shoulder at the man I admired, my breath caught.

His gaze bore into me.Honey striations flickered like electrical currents lighting his eyes.He still hadn’t shaved.Impossibly, his shirt seemed tighter than it was this morning, his frame more buff.

The sight of his muscles threatening to shred the fabric had heat pooling in my womb.The thought of those muscles encasing me as he took me had me shuddering.Crap!My cheeks warmed as I forced myself to look away from him.

“Actually, Harry, I’m here for Bryn.”

Spinning on my heels, I faced them.“What?”

Mr.Adler’s gaze traveled between us.“I take it she knows.”

Bear nodded his head.“She knows.”

The older male frowned.Smoothing his features, he met my gape.“Listen, hun, I don’t usually pry into the affairs of others, but is it because he’s a shifter?Because we’re one in the same, and as much as I like you and what you’re suggesting, I can’t work with someone who doesn’t like our kind.”

Guilt stabbed me, momentarily stealing my breath.I’d never considered that- “I…is that what you think?”I looked at Bear, my heartbeat quickening.

He didn’t say anything.He remained fixated on me but didn’t respond, which left me grappling.

Regardless, I wasn’t comfortable with the possibility of him believing that, of either of them believing that.Shaking my head negative, I expelled a small breath.“No.I don’t have a problem with shifters.I-” I bit my bottom lip.Anxiety snaked through me, paralyzing me with uncertainty.Once I said it, there was no going back, and that scared the crap out of me.

Remorse was heavier than humiliation, though.Forcing myself to meet his hard gaze, I felt a tremor flutter through me as my nerves surfaced.“I would be with you in a heartbeat if things were different, Bear.You’re what every single woman in town wants, I think.”A wistful smile curled my lips.“All I can say is that I’m sorry.I feel awful that you’re tied to someone who isn’t your type.If I thought I could lose the weight and keep it off-”

“What?”He roared, the sound echoing around us.His eyes flashed, like lightning striking; his brows furrowed.In two strides he was standing before me, searching my depths.He cupped my face in his palms.“Is that whatyouthink?”

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