Page 80 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“Yeah? Am I hiding it now too?”
She shook her head as she laughed quietly. “Not so much.” Her heart fluttered around in her chest. Needing to redirect the conversation, she gestured toward the figurine in Christopher’s hand. “I think the castle got donated too. I carried it inside.”
“Are you trying to sell me Castle Grayskull? Jo would be proud of you for that.” He set the He-Man doll back in the pile. “Some kid will happily take it off your hands. As for me, I need to get to the post office before it closes. And hope my mom doesn’t decide to order more stuff she doesn’t need while I’m away.” He shook his head. “I don’t think she’ll be able to live alone much longer. She likes her independence, but I’m thinking I’ll be moving in with her soon. I’ll keep my own place, of course.” There was something delicate in his eyes. A pain he couldn’t hide.
“So we’ll be neighbors again,” Melody said.
“At least until the end of the summer.” He looked at her for a moment. “You’re staying until then, right?”
“That’s the plan, at least. I think it’ll probably take a while to sell this place.” That wasn’t the only reason she wanted more time in Trove Isle. She was working on rebuilding relationships. And perhaps creating a new one with Christopher. Was that foolish? Ultimately, she wasn’t planning to move back. Anything she started with Christopher was destined for heartbreak. Right?
The bell above the front entrance jingled as someone else stepped inside the store.
Christopher glanced in that direction. “Looks like you’ve got a customer. See you later, Mel.”
“Bye.” She watched him walk out the door. Then she carried the lavender dress toward the front counter and carefully folded it, placing it next to her purse. She couldn’t wait to take it to Liz and see what she thought. Melody took a seat on the stool behind her counter and watched the woman who’d stepped into the store. The woman was probably in her mid-to-late fifties. She was tall and blond, towering over the racks of clothes as she aimlessly weaved through. “Do you need help finding something?” Melody finally asked.
The woman beelined in Mel’s direction. “I heard this store is for sale.”
Melody sat up straighter. “Oh. Yes, it is. It was my great-aunt’s thrift store. I’m looking for a buyer to keep the store operating as is. Are you interested?”
The woman really didn’t look like she belonged among the used items. She was well-dressed in clothing that was likely all brand-new. “This storefront would be perfect for my boutique,” she said.
Melody shook her head. Maybe the woman hadn’t heard her correctly. “I’m seeking a buyer who agrees to run this building as Hidden Treasures Thrift Store.”
The woman’s lips pinched tightly. “Is that even legal? Once someone purchases a storefront, they’re free to do with it as they please. It’s their property.”
“I guess legally that’s true.” Melody shifted uncomfortably on her stool. This woman obviously wasn’t a good prospect for taking over Jo’s store. She didn’t even look like she belonged here standing in front of the glass case. “I guess the agreement would be in good faith.”
The woman set her purse on the counter. “I will pay over your asking price. It’s not about money for me. This piece of real estate is gold. I can make you an offer you can’t refuse.”
The arrogance of this woman!Melody had no intention of selling Jo’s beloved store to the likes of this lady. Taking a calming breath, Melody smiled back at the potential buyer. “I’m sorry, but if you don’t intend to run this store as is, I’m afraid I am refusing.”
The woman leaned closer. “Thirty thousand over asking.”
Melody felt like the breath had been knocked out of her. Surely she had heard that wrong. “What? You don’t even know what my asking price is.”
“Of course I do. The store is for sale. It’s public knowledge and I do my homework. So?”
The offer was a lot of money. Melody wouldn’t have to worry about covering her expenses for a long time. That kind of money was a down-payment on a house.
“You heard me.” As if it was already a done deal, the woman extended her hand to shake.
Melody stared at the woman’s hand. “I . . . I’m not sure what to say.” She swallowed past a suddenly tight throat. She needed a glass of water. She needed time to process. “Can I . . . can I think about it?”
On a huff, the woman withdrew her hand. “Fine. You have until the end of the week. Then my offer drops to ten K over asking price. No one else is going to give you that. Note to the wise, take the offer and run, honey.”
Run.All the thoughts racing through Melody’s brain skidded to a sudden stop. She was done running though. Wasn’t she?
* * *
At four o’clock, Melody turned the sign in the front window to CLOSED and stepped out of the store, carrying a bag and the lavender dress for Liz. She glanced down Seagull Street toward the pink polka dot awning, hoping Liz was still working The Bitery. She couldn’t wait to give her the dress. She also needed to tell her about the offer on the store. It really was an offer she’d be hard-pressed to turn down.
“Melody!” Liz was grinning ear to ear as soon as Melody pushed through the front entrance of The Bitery. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Melody approached the counter, wondering at her friend’s good mood. “What’s going on?”
“I sold two photographs.” She gestured toward the wall where her work was displayed and for sale. “And one of the buyers asked if I could be a photographer for their upcoming anniversary party. And I said yes!” Liz was practically jumping up and down behind the counter. “I can drive now, so there’s nothing holding me back. Except the fact that I’m using my parents’ car and when they return, I won’t have consistent access.”
