“Come in.”
She stepped inside, and paused at the opulence of his house. Neat. Precise. As if it were a museum where no one lived. Which was odd, because he was so laid-back.
“Do you have a connection at the bank here in town? I’m going to buy Porter’s myself. I’ll make it work. I’ll do it with Misty at my side. She’s the rightful heir of Porter’s, isn’t she?”
“What I did, what I had to do, when I sold Porter’s was allow someone else to breathe new life into what I’d started. Those buildings were dying. No one wanted to take it over. Now they’ll have new jobs. The town will grow again. And now people in this town are ready to fight for Porter’s.”
“It’s worth fighting for.”
“Is that what you want? To stay here in this little town and run that old factory?”
“Yes, but bring it into the current times. Add a couple fresh new products. Have you ever had Lilene’s cookies made from the fruitcake seconds?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Me too. I think they’d be a hit. Especially if we don’t call it fruitcake. Not important. The bottom line is, yes. I want this. I want to be a part of it.”
“You’d be happy here?”
“I don’t know. I think so. I have to try.” She sucked in a breath. “It’ll be different, but the risk is low. If I don’t like it, then I adjust.”
“Perspective.”
“Exactly like you said. I was listening.” She pulled her hands together. “There’s something about Fraser Hills. Look at you and Anna. I’ve never seen her so happy.”
“I like her. She’s a real good lady.”
“She likes you too.”
“I think you like my pigheaded grandson.”
“I’m going to stay out of your feud, but I’d recommend this as being the right time to get it all out on the table. I’m looking forward to grooming Misty to take over Porter’s one day. She’s a brilliant young mind.” She ran her hand through her hair. “Look. A few weeks ago, I was madder than fire to be sent down to do the dirty work, but something has happened here. It’s like all of these unanswered prayers brought me something bigger. Better.” She smiled. “I have a new perspective.”
“You think this town is big enough for you?”
“You’re not going to challenge me to some kind of country gunslinging duel, are you?”
“No, ma’am. I’m going to do you one better.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
Mike still couldn’t believe the rumor, although Lilene was never one to assume. If she said she heard Porter’s was closing with her own ears from corporate… it was the truth.
He couldn’t stop shaking his head, though.
She really snowed me.
And what ticked him off the most was that he’d been fine, perfectly fine, before she came along. She interrupted the flow that he and Misty had perfected. Tossing all these new emotions into the mix.
He rested his forearms on the steering wheel as he sat at the stop sign staring at the dark red building that had been Porter’s as long as he’d been alive.
Across the way, coming out of the attorney’s office, Mike saw Vanessa walk out to the sidewalk.
His heart lurched. How could he have actually thought hemight spend time with her? Share personal parts of his life with her?
A moment later he saw his grandfather walk out and join her. The two stood there talking.
He had no idea what he was going to do or say. All he knew was he couldn’t stop.
