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All were standing outside with bright smiling faces, Aspen practically dancing on her toes.
Drake helped me out of the car, his arm circling my waist as we walked toward the bar, which understandably was empty on a Monday morning at nine o’clock.
“Cassie, it’s so good to see you,” Mr. Barlowe greeted, shaking my hand with one, but placing his other hand over the top and holding them steady for a second so he could hold my eyes. “I’m so glad to see you out here, smiling.”
The support from this man and his wife had been so genuine. He’d offered to help with medical expenses, help find us a house, and one day his wife just showed up with a damn pot of chicken soup. Like we were neighbors or friends who’d known each other for years.
There was a sincere kindness to this man, and I couldn’t wait to see why we were here, what exactly the business meeting was about, and how it involved Mr. Barlowe.
“Are you guys buying the bar?”
No one answered, but Aspen hooked her arm through mine, us girls falling back as we followed the three men down the street to almost the end of the block, all dressed in their fancy suits, looking like they knew what they were doing and talking about.
They paused at a couple of stores from the end, and my eyes grew wide.
The ‘For Sale’ sign hung in the window.
It was skinny and had a little stoop out the front, just a couple of steps that led up to a beautiful large door. One that I knew meant the inside had extra tall, old-style ceilings. But I could’ve missed the meaning of every single one of those things, not understand at all why we were here if it weren’t for the sign hanging outside. The dark, ornamental metal that held the wooden sign was magnificent.
However, it was seeing those words ‘Seedlessly Yours’painted delicately onto the wood with painted leafy embellishments—that was where I lost it.
I sniffled, dabbing at my nose with a tissue. “What actually is happening right now? What about Sandy and Leaf It To Me?”
“Her arthritis was just too much. She was ready to step back and retire,” Drake explained, holding out his arms in front of the empty storefront. “She only leased her store, and the building she was in wouldn’t have worked. But Sandy offered to sell you her inventory so you could get started with your own store a lot quicker.”
“Drake…”
We’d had these talks. Talks about how I didn’t want a handout. I wanted to work hard like he did and earn my business. The man was worth millions, his business over a billion-dollar valuation. He could make things happen, but this meant more to me than just having it.
Seedlessly Yours was going to be proof of me fighting back.
It was going to be about me making something beautiful from something so dark and destructive.
I’d found my love for flowers at a time I needed something to brighten my day, and I was in love with the idea that I could spend the rest of my life possibly doing the same thing for someone else.
Even one person.
But…
“I didn’t buy it for you,” Drake insisted. “Mr. Barlowe wants to be an investor.”
“Cassie, my company puts its money toward people who I know are worth it. They back up their worth with hard work and even though you’re starting from practically nothing, I see a fire in you I know will only grow over time with your love and passion for what you do.”
Tears.
They were stuck in my throat.
This wasn’t Drake trying to step in and give me things just because he could afford them. He was offering me opportunities to create something of my own. Just like he stood back and allowed me to stand my own ground with Emmett.
These were the things that meant more to me than money or a fancy lifestyle. It was this man who understood me, who heard me, who allowed me to be me and only ever lifted me in the most amazing ways.
This man I loved.
“Of course, we could talk more about the details,” Mr. Barlowe explained with a wide grin when he realized I was struggling to speak. “We basically just want to help you with the capital you need to get started, and we can discuss the rest in another meeting if you’re on board.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. “Thank you for believing in me.”
He shook his head. “When people show a belief in themselves and knowledge and excitement for what they do and the things they love, that’s special. Never lose that…”
