AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He sat down and tilted his head. “What’s that?”
“I know that you’re not quite there yet, but I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the tourist trade. I believe there’s a real opportunity. We’ve already talked about the small-town getaway idea, but I decided to do some market research, and it turns out it’s a growing trend. Disconnecting from city life is a huge selling point. You’re close enough to Chicago to make it a great weekend getaway. You’ve got the river. And quiet. The town is undergoing changes, and I think you can attract more businesses if you try and capitalize on it.”
He nodded, shifting forward in his chair a little. “I agree, but I want to be careful not to ruin those aspects of the town that make it home.”
“I couldn’t agree more. And after meeting a lot of the citizens of Revival I don’t think they’d be happy with Revival, turning into a tourist town. They like what they have and don’t want it to change. You want a happy medium, something that will make it attractive to small businesses but not so much that you ruin what’s great about this place.”
“And you think you have an idea?”
“I think I have the beginnings of an idea.” She folded her hands on the desk. “What if, instead of some sort of smaller resort like we talked about earlier, we jump on the tiny house trend? I’ve looked at the land and talked to the city planner, and I think you could reasonably build fifteen tiny houses that will still feel really secluded. You could maintain the forest feel, preserve the trees and nature that would be ruined by a resort, and as an added bonus, we could build some awesome tree houses. I’ve looked, and people are really into this. It would be unique and different. I also think it would be attractive to people year-round because you’re close to several skiing areas. It’s also far enough away from the river citizens to make them not feel invaded.”
She’d put a lot of thought into this and done a lot of research. This could work. She felt it in her bones. It would increase revenue to businesses but keep Revival intact. She grabbed a printout of the spreadsheet she’d been working on and pushed it at Griffin. “These are only down and dirty numbers, but I think you’ll see very conservatively it would help the town without displacing it.”
He picked up the spreadsheet and studied it with intent. He was an accountant by trade, and numbers were his business. He nodded. “Sophie, this is brilliant. The question is, how? I mean, it’s a great idea, I love it, but obviously this would require investors, and the project seems too small to be attractive to anyone in the hotel game.”
She beamed. “I’ve already thought of that.”
“Of course you have.” He chuckled. “What was I thinking?”
This was what she loved about her job. What she was good at. Finding opportunities other people overlooked. It was how her blog had become so successful. Everyone knew the flashy places, the big scores, but she’d sought out the hidden gems. The ultra-cool places with a unique vibe. She always recognized it when she saw it, and her instincts had never failed. She didn’t think they would fail her now. “I know a lot of people. More specifically, a lot of rich people. I’m thinking we could do some sort of investment consortium. I’m not sure if it would work—or if they’d be interested, but we could invite them all for the weekend and try and sell the opportunity. For most of them it would be a pet project, nothing that would make or break them, but I think I could sell it as a fun opportunity. We’d have a lot of things to do before that happens, but I’m going to Chicago in a couple of weeks, and if you’re okay with it, I’d like to talk to Shane Donovan, who has ties already in the community and uncanny business acumen. He’s also a no-bullshit guy. If he doesn’t think it would fly, he’ll say so. But if he does, and he’s interested, we can come up with a plan. What do you say?”
Griffin blinked at her and shook his head. “Darcy’s right, I am a little bit in love with you.”
She laughed. “So you’re in?”
“I’m in. What do you need to put together for Shane?”
Excitement bubbled inside her, and Sophie realized she cared about this job. She cared about Revival and wanted the town to be a smashing success. Even if she wouldn’t be here to see it, she’d leave this place better than she found it. “I’ll put together a list. We have a few weeks and Ryder is going with me, so we can talk to Shane together.”
“The two of you are very convincing.” Griffin met her eyes. “You make an awesome team.”
“I think so too.” Because she did. Together they fit and she loved being with him, loved working with him, and loved everything about the way he thought. “Should I set up a meeting for the three of us to sit down and brainstorm?”
“Please.” He stood and turned to go, only to stop in the doorway. “Soph, I’m glad you’re here.”
Pleased, she smiled. She’d always loved doing a good job. “So you don’t regret taking a chance on me?”
“You were never a risk. I knew I was getting a bargain.”
“It’s been fun, and I’m glad to help.”
A sly expression crossed his features. “Any chance I could convince you to stay permanently?”
Her heart skipped a beat. She laughed and waved him away. “Get out of here.”
His head tilted and he shrugged. “We’ll see.”
He walked away and her throat tightened. She didn’t like the reminder she was leaving. Not because she didn’t want to go home, but because it reminded her of how deeply invested she was in Ryder. How much she needed him and wanted him. How he was starting to feel like home. An unusual and unheard of feeling. Home was something that happened to other people, not her.
She looked down at her phone. He’d texted her. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes with Starbucks.
She texted back. You’re a god among men.
I get that all the time, darlin’.
She had no doubt that he did. He was a keeper.
An ominous shadow dimmed her happiness.
