AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His brows gathered as his lips pressed into a firm line. For a moment no words were spoken as he seemed to come to terms with the fact that he had to deal with her, and she wasn’t the yes-sir type.
Just then Lucy stepped up to the table. “Can I get either of you anything?”
They both ordered coffee, but it wasn’t until Lucy walked away that Josie wondered if consuming more caffeine might be a mistake. This man already had her fired up, and right now it was important she keep her emotions in check.
He leaned back in the seat and gazed at her as though sizing her up. “How much do you want for your half of the inn?”
He wanted to buy her out? This didn’t surprise her. A partnership came with complications. However, she wasn’t so eager to part with her share. There was a reason Sandra had entrusted her with it.
She leaned back. “I don’t want anything for it.”
“Of course you want something. No one just gives away their property out of the goodness of their heart. Even you aren’t that much of a do-gooder.”
She didn’t like the name he’d hung on her. She didn’t see herself as a do-gooder. She just tried to be kind and honest with people. Although, if she was around Lane much longer, she might find a side of herself that she didn’t like so much.
She shook her head. “You don’t understand what I’m saying. I’m not giving up my portion of the inn.”
He sighed and then mentioned an outrageous amount of money.
For a brief second, she thought of all the things she could do with that money from helping her family. Her parents could at last take that trip to Scotland. She could help Grant with his loans for medical school and there’d be plenty to share with her other three brothers. The next thought was how much she’d miss the inn’s employees, who were like an extended family, and their regular guests that she’d come to know.
No amount of money would replace the relationships she’d made at the inn. And then there was the fact that Sandra had instilled her trust in her to keep the inn going. She wouldn’t let down her friend.
With an unwavering gaze that met his, she said, “I’m not selling my portion, not to you—not to anyone. So, it looks like we’re partners. If you go back to California, I’ll send you your share of the profits.”
Lucy brought Lane a cup of coffee and then proceeded to pour the steamy brew. As though Lucy could sense the tension at the table, she quietly retreated to the counter at the rear of the restaurant.
“Not going to happen.” Lane’s voice held a firm tone. “I’m here to sell the inn.”
His words stunned her into a momentary silence. “Sell it?” The coffee in her stomach made her nauseous. “But why? It’s profitable.”
“Because I don’t have time to oversee a little inn on the east coast. My business is in San Diego.”
“That’s what you have me for.” She pushed away her cup of coffee. “I’ll look after the inn, just like I’ve been doing.” The doubtful look on his face had her raising her voice. “You won’t have to worry about anything.”
“I’ve seen the place. It’s going to need a lot of maintenance. Eventually, the inn will cost more than it’s worth. Speaking of which, I’d like to review all of the inn’s financials. Could you send me copies of the files?”
She didn’t want to do it. She knew it started with just a look, and the next thing she knew he’d be making changes. Still, she didn’t have any reason to withhold the information since he was an owner.
“It’ll take me a bit to gather the information.”
“Tomorrow will be fine.”
Tomorrow?She struggled not to sigh. Somehow, she had to get him to see the inn as more than just a spreadsheet full of pluses and minuses. Because she couldn’t deny that the inn did take a lot of maintenance. It was old but it was also sturdy. It was worth fighting for.
“Doesn’t it matter to you that the inn has been in your family for two hundred years?” Her gaze searched his, hoping her words would trigger some sort of emotional response.
“No. It doesn’t. Those people weren’t my family.” He threw down some money on the table, got up, and stormed out the door.
When Josie glanced around, she noticed a number of people openly staring at her. It appeared their conversation would have been better suited for behind doors, as both of them had raised their voices. And that was not common for her. Usually, she only raised her voice in excitement, but she was in no way excited about this news from Lane. Not excited in the least.
What did they do now? She was in a stalemate with a total grump.
That had not gone well.
Lane returned to the bungalow, only to realize he’d never even had a sip of his coffee. He’d been too distracted by Jo. He thought of walking to the inn for coffee, but he wasn’t ready to face Jo again. She was too perky—too sun-shiny—too unwilling to face reality.
A frown pulled at the corners of his mouth as his gaze surveyed the large great room. The stone fireplace in the center of the far wall had a mantel full of framed photos and knickknacks. He inwardly groaned. What was he supposed to do with it all?
