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Chapter Twenty-Four
Latham
By the time lunch is served, I’ve been introduced to everyone, including Sawyer Randall, AJ’s husband, who used to be a professional baseball player. Harper’s nephew, Max, monopolizes as much of his time as possible, including playing catch. I’ll admit, I’m starstruck almost as much as the little boy. Twice I’ve heard him say he’s going to be a professional ball player, just like our cousin, Sawyer.
I’m chatting with Linkin and Levi when my phone rings. I glance down and see Pete’s name on the screen. I’m not expecting his call with the final decision on the building until tomorrow, so I’m quite surprised to see his name appear. “Hello?”
“Hey, Latham, it’s Pete. I have news,” he says.
“Hold on,” I say into the phone. “Excuse me a minute,” I then say to the guys, excusing myself from the small group. “Okay, what’s up?” I ask finally when I’m alone away from the party in the backyard.
“I’ve heard from Mrs. Morton’s family. She made a decision. You win. The building’s yours, man,” he boasts. Pete goes on, but I don’t hear him. I turn around, my eyes immediately seeking her out. Harper’s beside her cousin and sister, laughing at something one of them says. She looks completely carefree and full of life. So beautiful and happy.
Until we get back to her place and I tell her the dream of expanding her business isn’t going to happen.
“Did you hear me, man?”
Clearing my throat, I answer, “Yeah. I heard you.”
There’s silence before he asks, “Aren’t you happy? This is what you wanted.”
“Yes, of course. I’m happy.”
Am I really?
“She wants to do this ASAP. Her lawyers will draw it up Monday, and as long as the financing you were preapproved for goes through, you could own that building by end of the week. Do you hear me? End of the week!”
I hear him. Loud and clear.
My heart pounds in my chest, but I’m not sure if it’s from happiness or dread. Both, probably. With this one phone call, I have a feeling the entire course of my future has been altered. Something tells me everything I wanted, hoped for, planned is about to erupt in my hands, like a grenade with the pin already pulled.
“…when you have confirmation from the bank. I’ll get back with you when I have everything lined up,” he says, earning a noncommittal noise in response.
He signs off, leaving me standing there with my phone in my hand. Dropping it back into my pocket, I take a few moments to collect my thoughts. The bed and breakfast is positioned in a clearing of trees. You can hear the distant sound of the ocean, and any other day, I might actually enjoy my surroundings. But not now.
Not since the phone call.
Scrubbing my hand over my face, I turn back toward the beauty with auburn hair. The sun hits the crown of her head, illuminating the smile she wears on her face. The face I love. The one who won’t be very happy with me when I tell her about the building.
But she needs to hear it from me.
As soon as we can get to her place, I have to tell her. She’ll be disappointed, definitely. Maybe a little upset. But she’ll understand it was business. If the shoe were on the other foot, I’d feel the same way. Then, maybe after I tell her about the building, I’ll tell her how I really feel about her. That I’m crazy about her.
Totally and completely in love with her.
I’ll even be able to help her with her spacing problem. I could help her build more shelves or redesign the space to optimize room. This could work out, maybe even better than expected. She’ll see that, right?
Something tells me I have a better chance of walking on water than getting Harper to understand this is a good thing.
I better wear my nut cup for this conversation.
Just as I start to make my way back to Harper, Jensen stops me. He’s visiting with Marissa and Rhenn. “Latham, did I hear Douglas Hardware is trying to stock a few new lines, including outdoor yard tools?”
My throat tightens as I think about the new lines we’ll be able to carry now that we have more space. “Well, we’re always on the lookout for ways to better serve our customers,” I reply, politically.
Jensen laughed. “You sound like your dad,” he replies with a smile. “I hope you guys can get it done. I have a few new pieces of equipment in my budget for next spring. I’d rather buy them local, if I can.”
“We’ll see what we can do for you,” I comment to Harper’s younger brother.
