Page 2 of Holiday Reunion
“So? He must have realized he couldn’t hack it in the city and now he’s returned with his tail between his legs.”
“Far from it, actually.” Brie shifted uncomfortably. “He’s the one buying up all the shops. Well, actually it’s his company. Apparently, he made it big and now he wants to change the whole harbor.”
“What do you mean he wants to change the whole harbor? This place is an institution to Hollyberry Harbor. He can’t just come in and change everything.”
“I don’t think he wants tochangeeverything… it’s more like he wants to make improvements.”
“Sounds an awful lot like changing everything. The harbor is perfect the way it is. We don’tneedimprovements.”
The look Brie gave her made it appear as though Brie didn’t agree. Her lips pressed into a thin line and she lifted one brow. “I don’t know, Sarah. This place is pretty dead. Don’t you think it would be nice to finally have customers again?”
“We have customers,” Sarah scoffed.
Brie gave her a pointed look. “You know what I mean. I’ve heard the stories. Back when you were a kid, this place was so packed with people you couldn’t move two feet without bumping into someone.”
She was right. One of the reasons Sarah had insisted on getting a location on Lake Harbor Avenue was because of those memories. She couldn’t recall a single bad day when her father would bring her here. “We just need some new businesses to come in and take over the empty spaces.”
“Maybe that’s what James is doing.”
Sara scrunched up her nose with disgust. “You and I both know when he says he wants to make this place more modern,he’s going to do something that'll change this place so much we won’t be able to recognize it.”
Brie shrugged. “I think maybe we should give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“You do that. I’m going to stick to tradition and get these butter cookies put in the oven.” As soon as Sarah did that, she hurried to the front of the store. She couldn’t show just how worried she was about this place failing and Brie’s talk about making changes only made those concerns a bigger reality.
She placed her hands on the front counter and hung her head for all of two minutes before the door opened. Sarah glanced up. “Speak of the devil,” she muttered.
James smiled wide and swept into the room like the snake oil salesman he was. He placed his briefcase on the countertop and flipped it open. “I wanted to talk to you about something. I’m glad I caught you.”
“Whatever it is, the answer is no.”
The charming grin coupled with his perfect hair and his stylish suit might have made a weaker woman swoon. He leaned one elbow on the counter, getting so close she stumbled backward to avoid touching him by accident. “I’m sure you’ve heard of the plans for this strip.”
“I’m. Not. Interested.” She ground out.
“It’s going to be the facelift this place needs to get this town back on its feet.”
“This town is doing just fine. It doesn’t need your modern take on things.”
James poked the counter with his finger. “And since you the last one to hold out on me, I’m going to make you an offer you can’t refuse.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You know what they say about selling your soul to the devil, right?”
He chuckled. The sound was like warm caramel drizzled over a fresh cup of hot cocoa. “Who’s the devil in this scenario?” James waved his hand through the air dismissively. “Doesn’t matter. Here, take a look at this.” He pulled out a folder and flipped it open.
Her eyes flicked to the document, seeing a hand drawn sketch of Lake Harbor but she pushed it away just as quickly. “Not. Interested.”
“Not even if it meant all your financial debts would be paid free and clear? And all you would have to do is follow the plan laid out by my project manager. You could even maintain majority ownership.”
Sarah had a momentary lapse of judgement. She’d be able to keep her bakery and she wouldn’t have to worry about paying back the bank.
She shook her head, coming around the counter to help him gather his things. “I’m not going to let you manipulate me into changing my values just so I fit your cookie cutter idea of the perfect harbor front scene. Please leave.”
TWO
James shuffled his feet against the linoleum floor as Sarah continued to push him toward the door. “If you send me packing, you’ll be making the biggest mistake of your life.”
She stopped and he turned to face her. Sarah’s face was flushed but whether from exertion or fury, he couldn’t be certain. “Is that a threat?”