AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her blonde hair is falling down around her shoulders. I haven’t seen her hair down except for that one night at the bar. Now I want to send out a memo banning updos at the office. The fading sun is filtering through the windows and giving her a golden hue. I thought she looked like an angel before. This is on a whole other level. I think she might be glowing.
I know that I’m standing here staring at her like an idiot, but I can’t seem to think of anything to say. My eyes roam all over her as if they can’t stop on any one detail.
She shifts uncomfortably in front of me. I’ve obviously been gaping too long. “There was a shop next to the hotel. I didn’t want to go to dinner in what I walked around in all day,” she explains to me.
“Let’s go.” I can tell that my voice is coming out much harsher than I mean it to by the way she gets a crease in her brow, like she can’t understand why I’m being so rude. Thankfully, she doesn’t put up any resistance and follows me out of the hotel.
When we’re out on the street, I once again place my hand on the small of her back, guiding her down the block towards the upscale Ember restaurant, making sure she’s on the inside of the sidewalk. You can never be too careful.
We arrive at the meeting to discover that Caroline DuPont is already waiting for us. We’re ushered into a private dining room near the back of the eatery that’s spotted with numerous fireplaces, giving the place a homey atmosphere.
Mrs. DuPont raises from her chair and quickly greets both Hollie and me. She’s a rather statuesque woman in her sixties with gray hair that’s so vibrant I’m not sure it isn’t a dye instead of natural aging. She’s dressed in a navy blue sheath dress and is drinking a martini, hard eyes assessing the two of us.
After some polite conversation and placing our orders with the waiter, it seems Caroline DuPont is ready to get down to brass tacks.
“Mr. Clarke, I appreciate you coming down here to meet me and that you’ve been so accommodating today. My grandson fell ill, and I needed to look after him.”
“Oh, no,” Hollie chimes in. “I hope he’s doing better.”
“Yes, he’s doing much better and his mother is home with him now.” She gives Hollie a small smile before turning her attention back to me. “I’ll cut to the chase. I’m not sure if there is a deal to be had between us. Something should go into that space that’s going to enrich Santa Cruz’s residents and community. I’m highly skeptical that a resort the size you’re proposing could accomplish that.”
I concentrate on projecting a calm and confident facade while Hollie hands her a copy of our updated proposal. I’m so close to making this happen that I can taste it.
“If you’ll join me on page—”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Clarke,” she interrupts me before I can even get started. “I’m sure you put a great deal of time into this, but I can review it later.” She waves the monogrammed Clarke Hotels folder at me before setting it back on the table. “I want to hear from you what your plan is, without all the numbers and business jargon.”
“Of course,” I say, homing in on her. “A resort the size we’re proposing would be a source of employment for residents. Our guests would boost the local food and tourist economy.”
“I understand that, but what will your hotel bring me that any other hotel won’t? Yes, it will bring in some money to local businesses, but there’s more to life than money, don’t you think?”
I’m momentarily thrown off my game. I knew she wanted to have something go in that took care of the community, but I didn’t think she was going to discount money all together. What does she want to put there? An animal shelter? Before I can get my thoughts in order, Hollie jumps in. “I agree with you, Mrs. DuPont. It isn’t always about the money. Today was the first time I’ve ever been to Santa Cruz and I think I’ve fallen in love a little.”
A flush covers her cheeks and I can see the expression on Mrs. DuPont’s face soften as she listens to Hollie speak. Apparently, I’m not the only person who can fall under her spell so easily. “There’ll be activities on property for our guests like snorkeling, windsurfing, boat tours, surfing lessons, you name it. We could offer a special discount to residents and workers in the city. That way, they can take part without breaking the bank. I would have loved to have something like that where my sister and I grew up.”
She’s looking over at Hollie while taking a thoughtful sip of her martini. Hollie and I never talked about that discount and it’s not in the presentation, but if Caroline DuPont likes it, it’s in. I could probably even get around having to have the board’s approval for that. Finally, Mrs. DuPont says, “That’s an interesting thought, Miss. Simmons. I must admit, it’s not something I had considered before. It would be nice for some of our lower income residents and workers to take advantage of Santa Cruz’s beauty. Not merely the affluent.”
I see an opening and don’t hesitate to build on Hollie’s success. “We’re also planning to put a program in place that will donate a percentage of the resort’s proceeds to local charities that you and I can choose together. This would be an ongoing program, not a one and done. That could go a long way to helping people here.”
Our food arrives, and it seems she’s heard our pitch and isn’t interested in discussing it any longer. We spend the rest of dinner switching between eating and light conversation. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not but it’s out of my hands at this point.
Caroline has certainly taken a liking to my assistant. The two of them are chatting like old girlfriends by the time the evening comes to a close. We’re about to leave the restaurant when she puts her hand on my forearm, drawing my attention to her.
“Mr. Clarke, I want to thank you and your lovely assistant again for coming down here to meet with me. I’ll take everything you said to heart and review your official proposal.” God help me, but I’m feeling optimistic before she continues with, “I’m not entirely sure that a resort is the best thing for Santa Cruz, but I’ll think about it. I’m sure you realize I have several other parties interested in the property and I want to hear their proposals as well.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“I’m sure you think I’m a sentimental old fool for guarding who I sell my land to so closely, but it’s something that’s dear to my heart. My husband, Charles and I, ran The Village and our children grew up there. It’s an important place to me and since none of my children are interested in taking it over, I don’t want to worry about running it myself.”
“I completely understand,” I assure her with a smile. If the woman only knew how sentimental I was about the project, she wouldn’t be questioning my motives so closely. However, that’s not something I’m going to spread around. Telling Hollie was probably too much. I’m certainly not going to tell a woman who could spread my less than professional interest in this property to my competitors.
“Yes, thank you. I also wanted to give you a word of warning. I’m not sure what is going on between you and Patrick Shaw, but he certainly has it in for you. Before he even heard about the property, he was already telling me how dishonest you were and how I shouldn’t trust you.”
My entire body turns to stone at the mention of his name. Fucking Patrick Shaw. “I can assure you, Mrs. DuPont, Mr. Shaw and I have crossed paths many times over the years and there is nothing he wouldn’t say to keep me from obtaining something I want.”
“If I didn’t already suspect he was full of shit, I wouldn’t even have told you. I didn’t get to where I am in this life by blindly trusting men like Patrick Shaw. I prefer to form my own opinions.”
“Of course. I’m glad to hear that.”
