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Clayton returned the firm handshake then ran a hand over his bald head. “Geez, girl, looking at you makes me feel old.” When Harper nibbled her lip, trying to figure out where she knew him from, he chuckled. “You don’t remember me?”
“No, I’m sorry,” she said with a cringe.
“That’s not much of a surprise, really. I used to play tennis with your father when you were little.”
Awareness suddenly filled her mind, childhood memories overwhelming her. “Oh, yes, it’s coming back to me now. I knew you looked familiar, I just didn’t know where from.”
“It’s been a long time.” His eyes saddened. “How’s that brother of yours doing?”
“We’re both doing great. Thank you.”
Clayton smiled. “Good to hear it. Your parents were good folk. Sad what happened to them.” Thankfully, he didn’t linger too long on that topic and moved along. “The agent was telling me that you’re looking to open a restaurant here in River Rock?”
Harper smiled at Emma. “I just recently decided this, yes.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear it,” Clayton said seriously. “I’ve been holding onto this place for a few years longer than I wanted, in hopes I would find someone local.” He leaned forward and gave her a knowing look. “You know how things are going around here. All the outsiders coming in.”
Harper smiled. “Sure do.” Actually, no, she didn’t, but she wasn’t going to argue with the man.
Clayton glanced around his restaurant with obvious pride shining on his expression. “This place has been home to me for nearly thirty years now. I want to leave it in good hands.”
“You’re not opposed to a name change and renovations, though?”
Harper glanced over her shoulder, finding Megan kneeling in the booth, her arms resting on the top. She gave Harper a quick smile. Of course, the business-minded one of them would think to ask such things.
“Nah, I’m good with that.” Clayton leaned against the side of the counter, crossing his arms. “I know this place needs to get with the times.” He paused and chuckled deeply. “I’m sure the missus would think I do too.” When his smile faded, he gestured at the booth. “Go take a seat, girls. I know it’s morning, but you can’t come in here and not have one of our famous milkshakes. Is vanilla good?”
“I can’t think of a better breakfast than a milkshake.” Harper grinned at him before following Emma to the booth.
Emma dropped in next to Megan, and as Harper slid across from them on the shiny red cushion, Emma asked, “So what do you think?”
“It’s got potential.” She took in the tiles on the walls, then studied what she could see of the kitchen where the chef stood wearing a hairnet. “But this place would need a lot, and I mean a lot, of work.”
Megan nodded. “It’s in pretty rough shape.”
“Exactly,” Harper said. “Not only would the main area here need to be gutted and then redesigned, but I suspect the entire kitchen would need to be updated.”
Emma studied the area then asked, “So, it would depend on how much Clayton was selling the place for?”
“Yup.” Harper nodded, placing the key to Megan’s house in her purse.
“That’s what happened with the Spurs too,” said Megan. “Gerald gave me a good price because of all the work that needed to be done. Maybe Clayton would do that too because you’re the someone he’s been hoping to buy the place.”
Harper agreed with a nod. “That’s a possibility.”
“All right,” Emma said, all but bouncing in her seat. “So, this place isn’t a no?”
Harper smiled. “It’s a maybe.”
“It’s a maybe,” said Emma, grinning at Megan, her eyes twinkling.
Megan laughed.
Clayton returned to the table then and set down three vanilla milkshakes in vintage glasses with red-and-white straws. “Enjoy, ladies. On the house.”
“Thank you.” Harper pulled one of the milkshakes closer to her.
Emma stirred her straw in the milkshake. “What could you see doing to the place?”
