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It wasn’t that I didn’t want a partner. I had been considering that idea already. Was it because it was Candy Winston and her sister-in-law? Did I want to tie myself to the Winston family? What would it do to the relationship that I was building with Candy?
I frowned. Candy didn’t want a relationship. She said so tonight when she told me she didn’t want to put a label on it. I had never pegged Candy for a love-them-and-leave-them kinda girl, but maybe she was. Perhaps I was more appealing to her now that I had hung up the patch. Had she noticed me before? I wasn’t sure. She had been cordial when I had seen her at the tavern, but she had always turned away quickly after ordering or getting her drink.
What had changed? That was the question that carried me off to sleep that night.
* * *
The following day, I woke up and stretched, and memories of the night before exploded into my brain. I grabbed my phone and was about to send Candy a message when I received one from her.
Nope, haven’t changed my mind. Laney would like to know if you can meet for dinner tomorrow night to discuss this.
I was off on Tuesday nights and had no plans. I might as well see what she had to say.Let me know the time and place. I would rather it not be here at the tavern.
I will get back to you in a few, and by the way, good morning, sexy.
I smirked and set my phone down to use the bathroom. Perhaps I should have responded to that comment. I would do it later.
When I got back, she had her reply.Laney’s house at six. Does that work?
Yeah, that works. Where does she live?
I will send you her address later. Gotta run. I have a crazy day. I will talk to you later.
Talk later, sweetheart,I replied and couldn’t wipe the grin from my face as I went down to prepare for morning deliveries.
* * *
Later that morning, Howard was at the tavern doing paperwork. While he was up in the office, I slipped up to talk to him.
“Hey, Howard, you got a few minutes?”
“Yeah, sure. What’s on your mind?”
I sat and rubbed my hands over my thighs. “Remember I mentioned that I might be interested in purchasing the tavern?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, did you think about that at all?”
“I did, but there is no way I can go down as much as you need me to, Mike. The best that I would be able to do is drop the sale price down by sixty. It really is the best that I can do.”
I nodded. “Okay, if you were to drop it down by sixty, would you consider selling it to me for that?”
He observed me for a few seconds. “You’re serious? You can come up with the extra to make it work?”
“I might be able to. I’ll know for sure tomorrow night. I am having dinner with someone tomorrow night who is local and considering investing with me.”
He frowned. “It’s not the bike club, is it? Not that I have anything against them, but this is a family establishment.”
I put my hand up. “Not the bike club. A good upstanding member of society, actually two.”
He nodded slowly. “Okay. Well, let me know if you can come up with that extra sixty, and we will call it a deal.”
A shot of excitement rushed through me. “Seriously?”
He stood up, holding out his hand. “Mike, I couldn’t be happier with the thought that you might take over as the owner. If it weren’t for my parents needing my help in Georgia, I’d stay here and keep it. I love this place, but they need me more.”
I shook his hand. “I appreciate that, Howard. I'll meet with them at six tomorrow night. I’ll give you a call as soon as I speak with them and let you know the final answer.”
