“I know it was you who tried to lure me to that job in Manhattan. I got a great night in the city out of it, so thank you for that. But I’ve found my groove right here. I think I can do the most good right where I am.”
“So, when will this restaurant of yours be opening?”
“I uh, that information isn’t public yet. Rest assured, it’s on a fast track.” Libby was now lying through her teeth to Stirling Stone.
Hope was not convinced of the idea of opening a restaurant. And if she said no? Libby wasn’t prepared with a solid backup plan. But she gave Stone a confident stare, nonetheless.
“Well, I’d like to invite you to the grand opening of Ellston’s at the Pier. Celebrity Chef Rami Ellston will be opening his flagship restaurant on July 3rd. The grant committee will also be there.”
“I thought Applebee’s was committed to that space?” Libby had read Covert Pier’s proposal. Applebee’s was clearly in the plan.
“Yes, they were. But after talking with Chef Ellston in Vegas and telling him about the potential, well, it all fell into place. He’s going pretty high-end. Honestly, Rami is the next Emeril or Wolfgang. He’s going to do a restaurant concept at the Stirling Grand too.”
Libby saw the writing on the wall. She might not have been lured by Stone’s big money, but most would be. Stirling Stone had seen how she was trying to find a chef to open a restaurant, and he’d one-upped her.
“How wonderful for him. Thanks for the invite.”
“You’re welcome. I was in town and just thought I’d be sure you knew you’d be an honored guest at Ellston’s on the Pier opening night.”
While Libby was working to convince a reluctant and bruised Hope, Stone was throwing money at a superstar, super-confident, big-name chef.
“Thanks, but I’ll be pretty busy here that week.” She smiled and tried to look confident that her plans were all set too.
“Well, the offer’s open if any of your plans fall through.”
Libby did not reply.
Stone nodded and went back to his car. She watched as he drove away. Stone wanted her to quit, and seeing how she had won, so far, at every turn, he was trying new tactics. She was infuriated.
Libby was also in a panic. This tightened their time frame. The entire house of cards could collapse if she didn’t get commitments for the buildings downtown. Hope just had to do the restaurant, and it had to be amazing.
With the five hundred thousand dollars, they could finish the renovations on the buildings on the lakeside and think about the strip across the street. If they did that, Stirling Stone would have zero case to make for tearing down Irish Hills. Zero.
If they failed, well, she knew that business owners here were struggling. Stone would be able to convince the town council that his plan was a windfall for them.
A familiar sound from the lake diverted her spiraling panic.
She walked around back and broke into a little run to get to her dock. Keith was there, with his baby, a lovingly restored 1966 Chris-Craft.
It was a welcome sight, and she grabbed the line and helped him softly dock.
“Q, looking gorgeous as usual.”
“What?” Libby barely heard him. Her mind was occupied with the realization that Stone was putting up new obstacles to her plan. “Sorry, K. And that’s sweet. Thank you.”
“What’s wrong?” Keith took her hand in his.
“I just had an unwelcome and aggressive visitor.”
“What? Are you okay? Where?”
“No, no, I mean Stirling Stone, he was here to let me know how he’s going to sabotage our grant proposal.”
“Wow, so what’s his evil plan?”
“He’s recruited Rami Ellston to open a restaurant in Covert Pier.”
“Well, great for them.”
