Page 2 of A Family Affair: The Plan
“You and Kent are working on this?” Mention of her ex-boyfriend’s involvement in this project didnotmake her happy.
His gaze narrowed the slightest bit. “The man’s a brilliant strategist and he delivers results. He should be joining us soon.” A three-second pause and then, “Is this going to be a problem?”
Of course, it was a problem. She didn’t want to hear anything her ex-boyfriend had to say, including the reasons he’d slept with an old girlfriend or how it had been a horrible mistake driven by too much alcohol and too little common sense.I’m sorry. Please, give me another chance. I’ll spend the rest of my life making you happy.As if those words could snuff out what he’d done.
Martin cut through thoughts of her ex with comments about one of the small towns. “I had our people do some preliminary groundwork on the two potential locations, but I want you and Kent to draw your own conclusions. I’m very curious about the man from Chicago who moved to the town you’ll be visiting. He’s part owner of an investment firm, a confirmed bachelor who got married at fifty and now has a wife, three kids,anda restaurant. Word has it, he’s some sort of godfather to the town. Helps people in and out of ‘situations’ with the help of an old Italian man who apparently talks to his dead wife.” He rubbed his jaw, blew out a long sigh. “Most of the men I know don’t want to converse with theirlivingwives. Odd man. And why would the investment company owner leave Chicago?” Another sigh, this one louder. “Makes no sense, but I’m almost more curious about the woman who convinced him to settle down.” His laugh spilled across the desk. “She must be something.”
Hope didn’t want to talk about “forever” relationships or how someone could give up everything for the right person. “So, you want me to visit the town, study the people and pretend I’m just there on vacation?” That might be a hard sell unless she added words like burned out, needed a break, unplug, even overwhelmed. As if she would ever utter those words, even if they were true.
“Of course not. I’d never ask you to lie. I want you to be honest about why you’re there, and I want you to find out what’s so special about that town and the bed-and-breakfast. Big money’s been visiting and some are moving there, and from the few tidbits I’ve heard, they’re not regretting it. How does that happen? What’s so compelling about a small town that doesn’t even have a fast-food place or a strip mall? And the people? A middle-aged former Chicagoan who’s been dubbed the ‘godfather’ of the town and an Italian sidekick who talks to his dead wife?” He rubbed his jaw. “It’s baffling, but there’ssomething here, Hope. It could be the key to a new part of our business, with unlimited opportunities and I want you involved.”
If Martin felt so strongly about this, then she needed to be more open-minded, embrace the small-town idea, and snuff out reminders of her bed-and-breakfast experiences. It’s not like she’d be cooking or cleaning, and she definitely wouldn’t have to share a room. If she were lucky, she’d be the only guest there.
“It won’t be that bad.” Martin smiled, let out a chuckle. “If I can convince Alice to step away from the garden club and her charity work, maybe we’ll take a trip to one of these towns. I’m curious to experience it all firsthand. But for now, you and Kent will have to be my eyes and ears.”
“I won’t disappoint you, Martin. Thank you for having faith in my ability. I truly appreciate it and?—”
Three knocks interrupted the rest of her words, followed by a door opening and the voice she wished she could forget. “Sorry I’m late. My flight was delayed.”
Kent Barclay stepped into the office, closed the door, and moved toward them with a wave and a flash of white teeth. Tall, handsome, self-assured with an answer for everything, even if it were manufactured. “Hello, Hope.” His gaze landed on her, his smile spread. “A pleasure, as always.”
There’d been a time when that look could make her forget to breathe…and that voice could steal her thoughts. “Welcome back.”
“Chicago’s great, but it’s always good to get back here.” He slid into the chair next to hers, crossed a leg over his thigh. “So, Martin’s told you about the bed-and-breakfast idea?”
“Yes, and I understand you were involved in it.” Why had Martin thought Kent could offer perspective on expansion into the small-town market? Maybe the real question was why hadn’tthe man includedher? Was it because of her past connection with Kent a.k.a. ex-boyfriend status?
“We’ve been toying with this possibility for a while.” Kent shrugged. “Nothing firm.”
Hope sucked in a breath, blew it out as though she were not upset by this information. “And yet I had no idea.”
Martin cleared his throat. “You were busy with the Amsdell project and I wanted you to focus on that. You know Conrad Amsdell is very particular. Besides, we weren’t fleshing out concrete plans, and Kent’s very good at considering all of the options.”
“Hmm.” He hadn’t considered all of his options when he’d hooked up with the old girlfriend and then tried to keep it from Hope. Why couldn’t Martin have selected someone else to work on this project? The truth settled in her brain, forced her to acknowledge the truth. Kent might be a lousy personal partner, but he possessed a keen insight into the hotel business and the personality to close a deal while making the other party believetheywere the ones getting a deal. “So, what are the potential locations?”
Kent’s face lit up. “This is where it gets interesting. Remember Nick Borado, heir to the V. Classico clothing line?”
“Who doesn’t remember him?” Way too handsome, a daredevil playboy who traveled the world and then supposedly settled in a small town where he apparently reconnected with a woman no one had ever heard about, married her, started a casual clothing line,andworked at his father-in-law’s bar. It sounded unbelievable. Maybe it was dramatized gossip and the man was actually living in Paris.
“It’s crazy, right?” His laugh pulled out the dimples on the side of his mouth. “Imagine that? And when he created a catalog for his Borado Casual line, he used the men from the town as models. Not sure if either of you saw the catalog?” He blew outa low whistle, shook his blond head. “These are not your average models. One guy looks like a real mountain man, the kind you want to avoid. Very clever marketing. The catalog is how I found the town where Borado lives. I got curious and started doing a little research, discovered a bed-and-breakfast owned by a woman whose daughter runs a similar one in Pennsylvania. What are the odds ofthathappening? But—” he sat up, his voice spilling excitement “—the Pennsylvania bed-and-breakfast is where the man who created Langston Turnings lives. Hope, do you remember the bowls and vases we saw in the storefront in Chicago? This guy created the pieces and kept his identity hidden for years.”
Oh, yes, she’d heard his story. “You’re talking about Daniel Reese. He created a collection for his future wife as a way to show her he loved her.”
Kent reached out to touch her forearm, stopped. “That’s not the whole story. He lied to her, pretended he was someone he wasn’t…and then she found out.”
The huskiness in his voice said he wasn’t just talking about Daniel Reese. He was talking about himself and Hope and the lies he’d told. “Yes, I remember.”
“He made a public announcement in front of everyone and asked her forgiveness. Can you imagine? For a guy to make that sort of confession and pledge his love?” He blew out a sigh, his voice turning huskier. “I’m guessing he could have doneanythingand she would’ve forgiven him.”
“Not anything.” She pushed aside visions of the texts from Kent’s ex-girlfriend where she provided graphic details of their night together and turned to Martin. “These are very interesting stories and I’m sure they’ll provide a good tale to attract visitors, but I want to clarify something. You’re asking me to analyze the town as well as the bed-and-breakfast and then provide feedback on how we can emulate them in other locations. Is that correct?”
Martin nodded. “When you read about some of the affluent people who have either visited or moved to these towns, I think you’ll be intrigued. Yes, there are a few who were raised in these towns or met someone who lived there, but they should only serve as a starting point. What you two do with that information and how you infuse it into your plan will decide which location we emulate.” His tone shifted, filled with conviction. “That will be a huge win for one of you, and if all goes well, you could be lead on the entire project.”
Goodness, what an incredible opportunity! She’d share a bathroomandmeals for a chance to run lead on a project of this size. “Thank you, Martin. I’m excited to get started.”
Kent eased back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest. “I love a good challenge.” His gaze darted to Hope. “You up for this?”
“Of course.” Did the man not possess an ounce of humility? The smug expression on his face and the comment indicated he already thought he’d won.
