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Robin handed me my share of tips from the tip jar. “Who stole your joy?”
“One guess.”
George clutched his chest as I busted through the swinging door, into the kitchen. “Sorry I startled you.” I pulled on my winter coat and flipped up my hood. “See you tomorrow.”
“Don’t forget your food.” He shoved a plastic container into my hands. This act of kindness happened each night I worked. George admonished I needed to add pounds to my skinny frame. I think he felt sorry for me.
I kissed his cheek. “You’re the best.”
While I sat in the cold car, waiting for the heat to kick in, the Swazay family piled out of the bar. As Emery helped his sisters climb into the big ranch trucks, I made a mental note to stay clear of any man who thought he could buy me.
Mondays were our heaviest delivery days. Normally, Mom and Dad didn’t come in early. I had insisted on that when I moved back, so I was surprised to see lights on in the office and the front door unlocked.
My parents were huddled together, busy doing something near the computer.
“Good morning.” My voice was loud inside the quiet office.
They both jumped.
“Maybe I better blow a horn to announce my entry next time.” I unwrapped my scarf. “What are you two doing here this early?”
They produced some wide grins I’d never seen in my life. I mean every bit of their teeth showed. Today was getting weirder by the second.
“We have some great news to share,” Mom said with a squeal at the end.
“Cool. I’m always happy to hear good news.”
“We have a potential buyer.”
I fell onto a stool at the counter. As much as I hoped Dad would find a buyer so they both could retire, I also knew that might mean I’d no longer have a job. Moving to Pleasant Valley was what I needed to do. In six months, I set down roots, made friends, and grew to like the small community. I loved my job. Flying inside a small aircraft centered me every time.
It worked wonders on healing my heart and quieting my soul.
Likely a new owner meant new employees. They might not want me around.
“Don’t you worry,” Dad assured. “This potential buyer said he’d keep all the employees.”
Had Dad read my mind?
“That’s good.” And it was good because we had some very loyal employees. “Where did you find this mysterious buyer?”
A cold draft filled the room as someone stepped through the door. Mom and Dad glanced over my shoulder and smiled that weird grin again.
Suddenly, the air energized with an electrical charge. Call it a premonition, a gut feeling, or just plain dumb luck, but I had the feeling the new owner had just walked into the room. Without even turning around, I knew who he was.
Emery Swazay strode past me. He handed my parents store-bought coffee cups. “Glad to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling.”
My fingers fisted along my sides. “Don’t tell me he’s your buyer?”
Mom scrubbed her hands together, and Dad lifted his eyes to the ceiling. They had to be remembering the way I talked about Emery the first day I met him. How much I loathed his condescending ways.
“Potential buyer.” Emery spoke low, firm, his trimmed black brows lowering. “I put a deposit down. For the next thirty days, I’ll scour the financial records and observe the operation. If I find the business is a sound investment, I’ll buy it. If I find it’s not a viable company, they can keep the deposit.”
Emery had thought of everything to make my parents bend to his will. I told him the other night I’d never work for him. And I meant it.
“Lanie.” Dad held his palms out. “Mr. Swazay put down enough earnest money for your mom to stay home for a month and rest. If you and I show him how we brought this little airport into a successful business, he’ll pay the asking price. That means your mom and I can retire.”
Yup. Emery had hedged his bet to win. Was there anything worse than a man who thought he owned the world and was the puppet master of the inhabitants?
