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Livingston Memorial Hospital
Tuesday, June 14
“If you’re willing to reconsider your opposition to having Summer help you make the diner profitable,” Abigail said, “and if some additional conditions are met, then I’ll forgive the mortgage and all of the diner’s outstanding business loans.”
Brock’s breath caught. He’d inherited all of Mama’s debts along with the business, and they’d only grown over the past year as he struggled to run the place. “What conditions?”
“Here’s what I’m thinking,” Abigail replied. “I’m willing to give you and Summer each a fifty percent stake in the diner, debt-free, if you agree to the following conditions: first, the two of you have to work together while Summer is in town, and you split the profits evenly. Second, the diner must be operating with a minimum five percent profit margin by September fifteenth. Third, if either of you ever quit this project, you must sell your stake to the other partner. You can’t bring in any outsiders.”
She smiled benevolently at him and folded her hands on the thin hospital blanket. She waited for him to catch his breath, then said, “Now, how does that sound? Can you bring yourself to work with my granddaughter for ninety days?”
Brock swallowed hard.Debt free!he thought, dizzy at the prospect. On the surface, this was an unbelievable stroke of good luck.
But of course, amazing offers always came with a catch. This one was no different.
“That’s a really generous offer,” he said cautiously.
“But?” Her smile vanished.
He decided on brutal honesty. “But it’ll be a nightmare if I’m answerable to a business partner who swoops in to criticize what I’m doing at The Yummy Cowboy Diner before swanning off to her fancy, big-city restaurant again.”
And that was the best-case scenario.
Worst case, he’d be stuck with Summer breathing down his neck for the next three months.
Should I risk it? Can I put up with Ms. Fancy Pants Chef trying to run things in return for the next step up in my dream?
Because if he could make the diner profitable, he’d finally have the financial stability he needed to pursue hisotherdream.
He wanted a wife and a family of his own. And that was impossible if he couldn’t pay his bills.
Not to mention that he didn’t actually have time for dating right now.
“Summer has promised me that she’ll stay in Montana until September. If your partnership doesn’t work out, you could offer to buy her out anytime after the ninety-day period ends,” Abigail pointed out. “If I know her, she’s champing at the bit to return to San Francisco. I’m sure she’d be more than happy to sell you her share of The Yummy Cowboy Diner once the two of you have made the place profitable.”
Brock thought about it. Summer Snowberry was bossy, annoying as fuck… and disturbingly attractive. And whatever happened, he’d probably be stuck with her until he could afford to buy her out… which wouldn’t be for a while, not at five percent profit.
But he could put up with her for three months, if it meant owning his diner free and clear. Right?
Right. He made his decision.I can put up withanythingfor ninety days. Even Ms. Fancy Pants Chef.
He stood and offered Abigail his hand. “Okay. I’ll work with Summer for the next three months and make the diner profitable, and in return, you’ll cancel out the diner’s mortgage and all of the outstanding loan balances.”
She beamed up at him, and closed her cool, dry fingers around his. “Brock Michaels, you have yourself a deal. I’ll talk to Summer as soon as possible, then have my lawyer draw up the necessary paperwork.” She released his hand and settled back against the pillow. “Now, dear, tell me about the changes you’ve already made…”
When Brock left Abigail’s room a half-hour later, he couldn’t help wondering whether he’d just scored a win or made the biggest mistake of his life.
Then he spotted Summer heading straight towards him. She wore a pair of stylish khaki shorts and a pink crop-top that left her midriff bare. Her head was bowed and she was apparently so deep in thought that she wasn’t aware of his presence.
He halted and waited for the inevitable fireworks.
And damned if he wasn’t looking forward—just a little—to seeing her expression when she realized she wasn’t going to have the last word in changinghisdiner.
∞∞∞
Summer
Summer sighed as she walked down the hospital corridor, heading for her grandmother’s room. Yesterday, she’d been determined to stand her ground in the face of Grandma Abigail’s outrageous request.
