Page 33 of A Family Affair: The Plan
“Are you worried about the vet?”
Hope kept her expression even, the emotion in her voice buried. “I’m worried about everyone. I told them I wanted to duplicate the Heart Sent and find a town like Magdalena. I didnotsay I wanted to take over Magdalena.”
He sipped his scotch, studied her until she looked away. “You’ve never been able to make the tough calls, have you? No, you always let emotion get in the way even when you said your choices were all business decisions.”
She swung her gaze back to him, hands fisted in her lap. “If you think I showed emotion because I wanted to do the right thing for my clients and not push them? Then fine, think what you want.”
“You’re no different than me. You just use the touchy-feely technique to convince them what they want, and it makes you feel better. I tell them they have a choice to sell to us, or I’ll move on and make someone else rich…and they’ll be the losers. Mimi Pendergrass will have the same choice. Sell her place to us and she can keep running it, or we’ll build our own and make hers insignificant.”
“Build our own? What does that even mean? You think you’re going to come into Magdalena, buy up property, and build your own bed-and-breakfast?”Was he serious?“That would never happen. And if you?—”
“That’s exactly what I think. And the guy who was here tonight? His father’s business is sitting on some prime real estate and that will be the first place we go after.”
16
After her conversation with Kent, Hope made her way upstairs, wondered if Sam would be in her room. She pictured him in bed, reading about a surgical procedure or the most effective way to create a rehab environment and the modalities involved.
But he wasn’t in her bed and while they’d spent every night together since that first night, part of her was relieved. How could she face him after what she’d just heard? Bad enough Kent had divulged that the company wanted to buy Mimi’s place, but worse, that if those plans fell through, they wanted Edgar Harrington’s property. Not only that, there was also a plan to take over a few of the businesses, pump them with cash and renovations in hopes they would increase visitors to the area. Goodness, she couldnotlet this happen. It would ruin the town. If Mimi sold, it would ruin the Heart Sent. If she didn’t sell and they went after Edgar’s place? It would destroy the Heart Sent and it would kill anything she and Sam shared.
How had this happened?What was going on, and why would Martin agree to it? Hope tortured herself with these thoughtsall night, and at seven fifteen the next morning she dialed his personal number.
“Hello?”
Martin was an early riser, and she’d counted on that. “Martin? We need to talk.”
“Hope, how are you? I take it you’ve seen Kent?”
“Seen him? He rolled into town last night, dispensed of courtesy and any form of politeness, and told me there’d been a change of plans to the project.” She gripped her cell, drew in a steady breath. “Please tell me that isnottrue.”
A three-second hesitation and then “That depends on what Kent said. If he told you I’m interested in purchasing the Heart Sent, then yes, I would entertain a conversation with Mimi Pendergrass. I would even welcome a few conversations with the businesses there—the diner, the grocery store, the bakery. But nothing’s been decided.”
“First, that isnotwhat we discussed, and second, Kent made it sound like you were ready to barrel into town and if Mimi won’t sell, you’ll try to buy up another place…” She sucked in a breath, pictured Sam learning the news. “Like the vet’s place and the land attached to it.”
Big sigh. “Kent knows how to close a deal, but that boy is always trying to read into what hasn’t happened yet. I said I wouldconsiderit; I didn’t say I woulddoit. Same with Mimi Pendergrass and the Heart Sent. I’ll consider it. That’s all.”
“Martin, you can’t do this. People are starting to trust me and I don’t want to lose that. Please, what Kent’s suggesting will ruin this town. Can’t you see that?”
The man who’d called her a member of the family insisted he hadn’t decided yet and wouldn’t until he had more facts. When Hope finished the conversation, she tossed the phone aside, stared at the pillow. Sam had slept beside her the past several nights, his body next to hers, strong arm tucking her againsthim. Hope grabbed the pillow, clutched it to her, inhaled. His scent had already disappeared, as though he’d never been here, never touched her, never scorched her soul. Kent should not have come and yet, he would consider his presence necessary to get a deal, no matter what happened to the town.
Doing the right thing wasn’t always about convincing someone it was the best deal, and she should have seen that long before she arrived in Magdalena. Hope had been here less than a month, and yet her entire outlook on success, happiness, and contentment had shifted.
Was it because she’d taken time to slow down and look at the world and the people in it? Was it because she’d actually listened to what they had to say? And what part did Sam Harrington play? That last question snuffed out everything but the need to talk to him, make things right between them so they could continue on this path, that neither had wanted but could not ignore. She cared about him and it would be foolish to deny that. Hope rolled out of bed, headed to the shower, and thought about what she wanted to say to her ex.
Forty minutes later, she found Kent in the dining room, reading a newspaper and sipping coffee, a plate of blueberry pancakes and poached eggs in front of him. He glanced up when she entered, gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Someone’s been chatty this morning.”
Hope moved toward him, stopped when she was a foot away, and lowered her voice. “If you’re referring to Martin, then yes, I did tell him, and I suspect that comment means he spoke with you.”
An eye roll, a sigh, and then, “Yes, Saint Martin spoke to me and lectured me all about respecting other people and staying in my own lane, not taking their toys.” A laugh, a shake of his head. “My uncle always means well, but he knows who to turn to when something absolutely needs to get done. Go ahead and be the do-gooder, but when I put the numbers together and present them to Martin, he won’t be able to refuse.”
Ah, so Kent was going to play the “uncle” card. “Not necessarily. You had an opportunity with Reunion Gap, but before you were able to gather enough information, it sounds like you blew it because of your own self-interest and ego.” Oh, how she’d wanted to say this to him for so long, and now she wasn’t going to stop. “Have you ever thought about anyone other than your own self-interest? Ever considered doing the right thing and helping someone instead ofconvincingthem your way was the right way?”
The laugh said he found her amusing. “That is so rich, especially coming from you. How many times have you put on that sweet smile and spoken words to people who were undecided about what to do?You’rethe one who convinced them. Smile, encourage, tell them they deserve better.” His blue eyes turned hard, his mouth shifted into a frown. “Don’t pretend you’re any different than I am. I’m just willing to call it what it is, unlike you, who smiles and manipulates people to make them believe they’re doing what they want to do.”
Maybe shehadbeen like that, but her eyes were open and she wasnotgoing to do that any longer. “You are not going to hurt these people. Martin gave me his word that you’d leave today.”
“Sure. I’ll do that, but first, I think I’ll enjoy my coffee and newspaper and these blueberry pancakes.” His gaze landed on the plate in front of him. “I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve had poached eggs but I intend to enjoy every bite. You can join me if you like. I welcome the company, but if you find that idea repulsive, perhaps you should dine elsewhere.” Pause and then “I wonder if the vet’s free.”
