Page 96 of On One Condition

“I think Sharpe International is undeniably receptive and astute and already has things in the works to fix Grossman’s requests. People are talking around town, and I think the tide might slowly be turning in your favor. Adding The Fields to your . . . guest options isn’t going to affect him one way or the other. But what does it hurt? The Retreat gets a booking fee for simply offering the opportunity. Your guests get a unique experience.”

“And you get business.”

“Yes. That is the point, after all,” I say without apology. My nerves have given way to confidence now. I’ll be doing this with or without the resort’s partnership.

“How are we supposed to tie this into The Retreat?”

“You don’t. We’re a lavender farm. You’re a large upscale resort. It’s simply another adventure they can take like the skiing or the outdoors packages you are offering through your concierge services.”

“And the venue area is ready to go?”

“It will be in the next month.” I hope. If I can secure the loan. Let’s hope the questions I was answering with the bank on the way over here are another positive step in doing just that.

Silence falls in the office as Hillary flips through the paper version of my presentation. My pulse races and my knee begins to jog again.

This is the first time I’ve ever had the opportunity to take a chance like this in my adult life. The Fields was always Gran and Pop’s. It always had to be run their way because you don’t fix what’s not broken. But now it’s essentially mine, and until this moment, I didn’t realize how bad I wanted this.

How much I needed something more to define myself with.

“It’s not a bad idea by any means,” Hillary muses, her eyes still looking at my proposal. “Your numbers are fair and your ideas sound.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m currently reviewing several other proposals to complement the packages Ledger and I are securing. I’ll definitely take yours into strong consideration when I make my decision.” She looks back up and gives me an all-business smile. “I don’t mean to sound cliché when I say I’ll be in touch, but I’ll be in touch.”

“Thank you.” I rise from my seat and reach across the desk to shake her hand. “I appreciate your time.”

It’s not until I am clear of the building that I think I actually exhale.

Now it’s time to go spend some time with Gran to take my mind off waiting for an answer.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Asher

“It looks nice.”

“What does?” I ask Nita as I plop down on the couch across from where she’s seated.

“The house. You’re slowly making it yours.”

“You mean I’ve taken down all of the embarrassing photos that Gran and Pop had hanging of me everywhere?”

“Well, there’s that.” She laughs. “But it feels more like you than like them now.”

“I know. It’s been a gradual process and a hard decision to make to start doing it, but I had to come to terms with the fact that Gran isn’t coming home and Pop is gone. I figured if I’m updating the barn, I might as well incorporate more of me in here as well.”

“And how does that make you feel?”

“Proud. Sad. Resolved. Pop and I never specifically talked about what I’d do when they were gone, but he always told me he loved my ‘Ash style.’ And so, now it’s both them and me. What they built with a little bit of me thrown in.”

“Well, it looks great. Bright and clean with pops of color. I like it, and I think he would have too.” She shimmies her shoulders to add some levity. “It’s like I’m looking at an all-new Asher in so many different ways these days.”

“Well, this all-new Asher is getting antsy waiting for Ledger to do whatever it is he’s going to do.”

“Hey. I didn’t expect to hear from you until later. What’s up?”

“So . . . I know you’re going to be pissed, but just go with it,” Ledger says.