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“Okay!” Jade was out the door before he could stop.
She’d no sooner when his phone rang, and he saw it was Mandy. His heart did a flip.
“Hi, Mandy,” Mike greeted her.
“Hey, Mike,” Mandy greeted him back. “I have news.”
“Okay,” Mike said, holding his breath as his heartbeat accelerated.
“Nicky agreed to your terms of a three-month trial partnership,” Mandy told him excitedly. “She asked if you could meet us tomorrow at my office.”
“Sure, what time?” Mike asked, clearing his throat, realizing he sounded breathless.
CHAPTER 8
Nickysatonthedeck of Scott House, savoring the deep red hues painted across the sky as the sun dipped below the horizon. She was in the company of her sisters, Lorry and Steph, who stared at her in surprise after hearing her news about investing in the bookstore two days ago.
Stephanie, the younger of the two, broke the silence, her voice laced with awe. “Wow, Nicky.”
Lorry, the more cautious of the sisters, expressed her concern. “Are you sure it’s a good idea? Aren’t you stretching yourself thin financially, especially with all your recent investments?” She swirled the red wine in her glass. “Not to mention the trust you set up to help Megan Riley with her tuition fees for med school, and you’re looking at buying Riley Cottage from her.”
Nicky waved away Lorry’s worry, explaining, “I won’t be paying the full amount upfront, and I’m genuinely excited about running a bookstore.” Excitement bubbled within her, and she continued, “You know, I’ve always dreamed of owning Sully’s Corner.”
“Okay then.” Lorry raised her glass, offering a supportive toast, and they all chimed in, “To dreams coming true.”
“Where is Mom?” Steph asked, glancing towards the glass door. “She’s been going out a lot lately.”
Nicky shared the recent changes in their mother’s behavior. “She’s been spending more time with friends from the tennis club.”
“Maybe she’s got a secret boyfriend?” Steph speculated.
Lorry, doubtful, interjected, “I doubt that. Dad was the love of her life.”
Changing the subject, Nicky turned her attention to Lorry, “What about you, Lorry? Isn’t it time to move on from your divorce?”
Steph joined in, “It’s been seven years, Lorry.”
Lorry sighed, admitting, “You’re both right. But you know I’ve dedicated my life to my daughter, our family, and the hotel.”
Nicky, concerned for her sister’s happiness, encouraged, “You need to take some time for yourself and find someone you deserve.”
“I’ve been telling her that since her divorce,” Steph told Nicky before looking at Lorry.
The conversation shifted to their father, and the sisters contemplated the mysterious bank account he had maintained. Nicky was suspicious, given her own experiences.
“You don’t think dad had another family, do you?” Lorry’s brow was knit tightly together as she looked from Nicky to Steph.
Steph remained skeptical. “No way!” She shook her head emphatically. “There must be another explanation.”
“I still think it was just so weird how Mom swooped in and stopped us from trying to discover why Dad had set up that account,” Lorry said, chewing the side of her mouth thoughtfully.
“You said Mom got angry when you and Steph tried to push the matter.” Nicky looked at Lorry.
“Oh, yes.” Lorry’s eyebrows shot up as she pulled a face and blew out a breath. “I’ve never seen her so angry.”
“Does she know that you’ve stopped payments to the account?” Nicky looked at her two sisters worriedly.
“No!” Steph answered. “Luckily, Dad left Lorry in charge of all money matters.”
