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“Anyway,” Philip said, “my meeting got canceled, so all of a sudden I had some free time. I’m sorry you drove all the way out here for nothing.”
“It’s not a problem. We’re going to grab some produce for the tea shop as well,” Theodosia explained. She stepped closer to Philip, deciding this might be the perfect time to confront him about the money. “And just so you know, Holly pretty much told me the whole story about the money she loaned you.” She tilted her head to one side and cast a questioning glance at him. “I believe you have some serious explaining to do.”
“So Holly spilled the beans, did she?” Philip looked almost relieved.
“She told me that she basically financed your restaurant,” Theodosia said.
“Holly is... beyond generous,” Philip said. “We both knew it wasn’t the smartest move in the book to use the money like that, but we rolled the dice and took a chance.”
Drayton gazed at Theodosia. “Did I miss something here?”
“Remember when we talked about the money Holly received from her silent partner?” Theodosia said to him.
“Indeed I do,” Drayton said.
“Well, Holly gave Philip a good portion of that investment,” Theodosia said. “Most of it actually. So he could get his restaurant up and running.”
“Oh my,” Drayton said. He touched a hand to his bow tie. “That could prove to be problematic.”
“It already is,” Theodosia said.
“No,” Philip said. He reached his hands out and patted the air in a calming gesture. “Believe me, it’s all going to work out. We’ll be opening the Boldt Hole in less than a week. Not just takeout, but the whole shebang. Sit-down dining, catering, and private parties. Everything under the sun. I’m talking one hundred, maybe even a hundred and fifty covers every night.”
“So you’re really all set? Your liquor license is squared away?” Theodosia asked.
“Absolutely everything’s in place. The situation couldn’t be rosier,” Philip said.
“And of course you have that world-class wine cellar,” Theodosia said in a somewhat chiding tone.
“Putting that collection together was a labor of love,” Philip said.
“Even though you used someone else’s money?” Drayton asked.
“Look,” Philip said to both of them, “The Boldt Hole is going to pay off. Probably sooner than later. This isn’t my first rodeo. I know what I’m doing. The takeout has already been going gangbusters and my customers have all been begging for full-service dining. Like I said, Holly and I took a chance using that money, but in six months or so, I firmly expect to pay it all back. With interest, if need be.”
Theodosia wasn’t completely convinced, she didn’t like the underhandedness of the deal, but she had to admit that Philip was a go-getter. Charleston had turned into a major foodie town, so there was an excellent chance Philip would turn a fairly decent profit even as he turned his dreams into reality.
“Okay,” Theodosia said, knowing she was conceding. “What’s done is done, all you can do now is give it your best shot.”
“I promise you,” Philip said. “It’s going to be okay. Better than okay. I’m not some crazy gambler or wild-cat risk taker. This is me, mild-mannered Philip. You look in Webster’s dictionary under mild-mannered and you see a teensy little picture of me, right?” He held up his hands to frame his face.
At which point Theodosia couldn’t help but laugh.
“And you guys...” Philip gestured at Theodosia and Drayton. “I want you to be my guests of honor on opening night. Okay?”
“Okay,” Theodosia agreed.
Philip looked at Drayton. “That sound righteous to you, Mr. Conneley? I know you’re a wine connoisseur, so I’m sensing you probably have a discerning palate as well. Am I right?”
“You’re not half wrong,” Drayton said.
“Great,” Philip said. “Then it’s settled.”
Theodosia looked back toward the car park but didn’t see Lucket anywhere. A nugget of worry bubbled up inside her, then she gazed out over acres of rolling green fields and decided she’d be safe enough. “So,” she said to Philip, “what do we do? How does this work?”
“You can buy produce at the stand—they’ll even pack it for you and carry it to your car. But I prefer to pick everything fresh myself,” Philip said. “That way I know I’m getting the best selection and that it’s really farm to table.”
“Like when you pick your own apples or fresh strawberries up in the Piedmont,” Drayton said.
