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“What?” Her mouth gaped.
“I promise to make it a lucrative deal with you receiving a percent of future sales.” Normally, he wasn’t a generous businessman, but this wasn’t just any business deal. He was dealing with the mother of his child—the woman who’d given Christmas back to him.
“But why?”
He smiled. “I guess I skipped right over that part.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve mentioned the Pet Playground store chain that we’re opening.” When she nodded once again, he continued. “I knew there was something missing from it—something that would take it from being just another pet store to something exceptional. I’d been racking my brain for that special element and then you presented it to me. A gourmet bakery in each store. It will cater to the pet owner that wants something special for the four-legged friend.” When Pepper didn’t immediately respond, he started to worry. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea.”
“Would you consider being my partner? You know, with the recipes, making sure the bakeries are set up properly and approving the staff?”
She didn’t say anything for a moment. “I’ve never been involved in something like this. It sounds enormous.”
“It would be, but it won’t work without you.”
“I like the idea. Really, I do. But I have my hands full getting the bakery back up and running.”
“I thought you might say that so...” He reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a business card. “I took some liberties and contacted my best contractor. This is his card.” He handed it over to her. “He’s waiting for your call. His men have been on standby, waiting for the building to be given the green light.”
She accepted the card and read it. “You mean these men are being paid to stand around, doing nothing, while waiting for my call?”
He nodded. “I hope you’re not upset, but I wanted to help.”
She didn’t say anything and he worried that perhaps he’d gone too far. He knew waiting times for contractors could be quite long—especially in the city. He’d only wanted to help.
She pulled out her phone.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m calling your contractor—who is now my contractor. I’m giving them the go-ahead to clear the debris. And those binders you were so nice to carry to the car have my original notes and plans for the bakery. I’d like to make it look as close to the original plan as possible.”
“I like that idea. The bakery was perfect.” And there was one more thing he needed to know. “And the idea for the gourmet pet bakery?”
“I love it. But I have one condition.”
He’d thought that he’d proposed a very generous offer, but it wouldn’t hurt to hear what she had in mind. “Let’s hear it.”
“I’d like a portion of sales to be donated to animal shelters.”
He smiled. “That’s a fabulous idea. It’s a deal.”
They shook on it.
He had a feeling that both of their futures were going to benefit greatly from this union. Now Pepper would be in his personal life as they raised their child, and in his business world too. The thought of her always being around brought him a happiness he’d never known before.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“WE HAVE A PROBLEM.”
The next afternoon, Pepper gripped the phone tighter. “What sort of problem?”
Stephanie sighed. “I don’t think we should discuss it on the phone. Can you come to the shelter right away?”
“Actually, I’m on my way to meet with my insurance agent—”
“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t urgent.” There was a desperate tone to Stephanie’s voice that Pepper had never heard before.
She’d just been at the shelter yesterday afternoon. Everything had been all right then. What could have gone so wrong so fast?
