Don’t Hesitate

by Winters, Jeannette

  Don’t Hesitate

  Jeannette Winters

  An original work of Jeannette Winters, 2020.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Contents

  Jeannette Winters

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Epilogue

  Also by Jeannette Winters

  By Jeannette Winters & Lena Lane

  Jeannette Winters

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  This book is dedicated to Leah and Elizabeth. You ladies rock. You're always there when I ask. Couldn't ask for a better team! Thank you both so much for always cheering me on!

  And also thank you to Jade Webb at https://meetcutecreative.com/ for another amazing cover!

  And to my readers. You continue to challenge me and I love it. Please keep those emails coming!

  Don’t Hesitate

  Andrew Heart

  I’ve always known what I wanted, power, success, and wealth. Nothing has ever stood in my way from obtaining them.

  That was until I crossed paths with Anne Worth. She might be tiny but she was head strong and refused to bend. I need her to sell me her land or my new development is going to tank. No way am I going to walk away empty handed.

  But when I learn the truth as to why she won’t sell, I find myself questioning my motives. I have a choice to make. Encourage and help her carry her burden or sit back and watch her fail and then her land is mine.

  There is a price for business, and that is to win, someone had to lose. But the price of getting what I want, might be losing what I need.

  Chapter One

  Anne

  “I don’t understand. Why me and not you?” I asked my father. I hadn’t wanted Uncle Carl to leave me his business. I had been extremely close with him, but so were my parents. It sure as heck wasn’t my career choice. I had a job offer in Boston as a paralegal in a major law firm. How was I supposed to follow my dreams while keeping his alive?

  “Carl did what he wanted, Anne,” my father responded grimly, turning the pages of his newspaper noisily from his easy chair in the living room.

  I knew he was still struggling with the loss of his brother, and the meeting with the attorney for the reading of the will earlier today hadn’t helped matters. It was obvious from my parents’ reaction that no one had expected me to be left responsible for anything of Carl’s. But there it had been, in black and white. Sorry, Dad. I wish I could change things.

  “Paul, you know darn well why he didn’t leave The Treasured Chest to you,” my mom called from the kitchen. “We’d end up in divorce court just like Carl and Trixi did.”

  I could understand that. Who would want their husband running a strip club?

  At the reading of Carl’s will, the attorney explained I’d need to run the place and keep it in the black for a year, or no one would see a cent of their inheritance. My parents aren’t rich, and the money Uncle Carl set up in a trust for them could ensure they’d have a more comfortable retirement. And Aunt Trixi probably needed her money, too. I was the one person who didn’t need it, so of course it fell to me to make sure everyone else could get it. This new development would change all my plans, and worst, it would just tie me down here. The price of freedom is one year of hell.

  Dad rustled his newspaper in agitation, and his snappy tone as he replied to my mother was only proof, as always, that Mom was right.

  “Just because Carl married one of his employees doesn’t mean I would’ve,” he snarled. “He didn’t leave it to me because he knew you couldn’t handle my running it.”

  Wait? What did Dad just say? I had to be hearing wrong. This was the first time anyone had ever mentioned that Aunt Trixi worked for Uncle Carl. I clutched my coffee mug with both hands, fighting off the chill of this unwelcome information. “You mean she helped him run The Treasured Chest, right?” I was hopeful, but as I heard the words leave my mouth, I knew I was wrong. I loved my aunt, and she was amazing with people, but she definitely didn’t have a head for running a business on her own. Uncle Carl used to joke that she couldn’t balance on one foot, never mind balance a checkbook. If she’d been a dancer at the club, I guess Uncle Carl had just been teasing Aunt Trixi. But he must’ve known she couldn’t do it alone. Or maybe they just never talked about it. Hell, he never gave me the heads up of the responsibility he was dumping on me either. But I knew Aunt Trixi was a lot smarter than people gave her credit for. She just didn’t give a damn what anyone thought about her. She lived her life the way she wanted. I loved and admired her for that.

  But she still never felt like she could tell me she had been a stripper. Why? I had to assume it had something to do with my parents. They were always trying to protect me, but never understood, they weren’t doing themselves any favors. I learned about sex and the real world long before either of them ever told me. And what I didn’t learn on my own, I just had to ask Aunt Trixi.

  “Are you going to tell her, or am I?” Mom asked, arms crossed and lips in a tight, thin line. She was angry, and I still couldn’t understand why.

  I could see Dad glaring at her from his La-Z-Boy throne, and with a huff he said, “You might as well, because I know you’re only going to correct whatever I say.”

  “That’s because you leave out certain…details. Anne isn’t a child any longer. I think she can handle the truth,” Mom said sternly.

  I hated seeing my parents fight over something so trivial, and I especially hated the way their words breezed across me in both directions as though I wasn’t right there. At times like this I didn’t like my parent's open floor plan and felt a wall between the kitchen and living room might be beneficial right now. I needed to say something before it got out of hand. “Actually, you’re right, I’m old enough to figure it out myself,” I snapped. “Aunt Trixi was a…stripper, right?”

  They both looked at me in shock. I almost never raised my voice. I’m the docile one in the family. And look where it got me. Left in the dark.

  Mom shot Dad a look, and eventually he nodded. “Yes.”

  It was a short and simple answer. They couldn’t have hated it that much if they still named me after her. Then again, they never called me Trixi, either. Now I knew why they used my middle name instead. It w
as a shame, because growing up I thought the name Trixi sounded so cool. I still felt that way, but no way was I mentioning that to my parents. That would take this conversation in an entirely different direction. One I didn’t want to deal with at the moment. Some day I’ll have to tell them exactly how I feel. Just not now.

  “So what? She took her clothes off for money,” I said. “That doesn’t make her a bad person.”

  “I never said she was,” she said.

  Just implied. I felt the need to defend Aunt Trixi, knowing darn well that she didn’t need my help at all. She wasn’t someone who got walked on. “You’d be surprised what I did for money in college.”

  My mother gasped. “You…didn’t….” she choked.

  My jaw dropped. “I did assignments for others, Mom. God, it’s like you don’t know me at all.”

  My dad burst out laughing. “Gloria, you should have seen the look on your face. I thought you were about to faint.”

  Mom stalked halfway across the kitchen with a wooden spoon pointed at him and said, “You’re telling me you weren’t afraid of what Anne was about to say?”

  Rocking back in his recliner, he shook his head. “Nope. We may have named her after her aunt, but our little Anne is as sweet and innocent as they come.”

  I bit my lip. Oh, Dad, you just keep believing that. My mother looked at me, and before she could question it, I quickly changed the subject.

  “So there’s nothing we can do about this? I have no choice but to run The Treasured Chest?” I asked.

  “The lawyer was clear. Carl said he doesn’t want his employees to lose their jobs. You need to run that place for at least one year. If you’re not successful, then you lose The Treasured Chest,” he said. “And you know it’s not just their jobs riding on this.”

  Great. Thanks, Uncle Carl. Not like I don’t have enough to do already. I let out a big sigh, but as the air went out, guilt crept in. How could I be thinking like that? Uncle Carl was always thinking about others, and I’m sure deep down he meant well when he put all these ridiculous stipulations in place. He must have left the club to me for a reason. Probably because he knew I would do anything not to let him down.

  “Don’t worry, Dad, I’ll do what I need to.” I’d need to call and decline the amazing job I’d been offered the other day.

  “It’s only a year, Anne. Before you know it, The Treasured Chest can go up for sale. And by the way, all the surrounding property has been purchased and demolished, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re able to sell it at a good price,” he said.

  “Don’t you think Uncle Carl would’ve sold it when the others did if that was the case?” I asked.

  My mother shook her head. “Your uncle was stubborn. He wasn’t letting go of that place no matter what the offer was. But I know you’ll do the right thing, and if someone makes you a good offer, don’t hesitate. Take it, just not until the year is up. And whatever you do, don’t get yourself tied down to that place like Carl did.”

  No chance in hell of that happening. “Don’t worry, Mom, I know what’s expected of me.” I’ve always done what was expected, and look where it’s gotten me. Stuck in the same small town I swore I would never live in again. But they were right, it was only for 365 days. I’d just need to take it one day at a time. Before I could even plan how to pull it off, I needed to get out of here and call the one person I knew could help me.

  “Need any help with the dishes, Mom?” I asked like always. Thankfully she gave her usual answer.

  “No, dear. I’m sure you have plenty of things you need to take care of,” she said.

  More than I probably even know. I got up from the kitchen table and kissed them both. “Love you guys.”

  Dad gave me an extra-long squeeze and said, “I know Carl left you this club with a hell of a lot of strings attached, but if you don’t want to do this…”

  “No, Dad, I do. Besides, it gives me a reason to stay in Errol a bit longer.”

  He smiled as he released me. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll change your mind and decide to stay here for good.”

  “Dad, I didn’t go to college to let it go to waste. Besides, there is a big world out there that I want to see.” It’s bad enough I was twenty-six and my parents believed I was…innocent. The thought of living at home for the rest of my life was enough to make me cry. I could put my dreams on hold for a short time, but no way in hell was I giving up on them. Not for Uncle Carl, not for his employees, not even for my parents. “I’ll be staying in Bermoose.”

  “And not here in Errol with us?” he asked.

  “Yes, Dad. The club is there, and it only makes sense for me to be close by. You know, to monitor everything.” And to have some privacy.

  “But I made up your room,” Mom said.

  “If I get a break, maybe I’ll come and spend a night or two. I think the club is going to take up a lot of my time,” I said.

  “Just make sure you take time for yourself, too. Carl lived and breathed that place.”

  “One year, Mom. That’s all,” I stated. Smiling, I grabbed my purse and keys and headed toward the door. “I’ll call you tomorrow once I’m settled in. Thanks for breakfast.”

  Once I was in my Honda and pulling out of the driveway, I called my aunt.

  “Hello? Anne, is everything okay?” Trixi asked.

  “Well, yes and no. I mean, I was hoping you and I could talk.”

  “Sure. Do you want me to come to Errol?” she asked.

  “Actually, I’m heading to Bermoose. A hotel room until I can find an apartment.”

  “A hotel? Why don’t you come and stay with me? I have plenty of room here,” she offered.

  I had been hoping she’d offer but wasn’t sure how welcome I’d be after the reading of the will. The look in her eyes as the lawyer made the horrible announcement was one I wouldn’t forget. Trixi seemed as shocked as my dad. Giving her an out, I asked, “Are you sure?”

  “Of course. You’re my favorite niece.”

  I rolled my eyes, wondering how she could still bring herself to joke after all she’d been through this week. Maybe, like me, her tears had dried up and she had to fill the emptiness with something. Might as well make it humor. “I’m your only niece,” I reminded her jokingly.

  Trixi chuckled. “Gee, how could I forget? After all, you sign all your cards, ‘Your one and only niece’.”

  I could tell my concerns were misplaced. There’d be no awkwardness - Trixi was the most laid-back individual I knew. Staying with her while I sorted everything out was just what I needed. Hopefully, she’d feel the same after our chat.

  “Aunt Trixi, I’m on my way now. Do you want to grab a bite to eat while we…talk?”

  Trixi asked, “Does this conversation have to do with The Treasured Chest?”

  I wasn’t about to lie to her. “Yes.”

  “How about we talk now and eat when you get here? That is if you’re on Bluetooth in your car,” she said.

  She was always watching out for me. “Yes, I am. I guess we can talk now.”

  I hadn’t even thought through what I was going to say. But time wasn’t going to make it any easier. So I just blurted out, “Want to work at The Treasured Chest again?”

  Trixi huffed. “Again? I guess your father told you how me and your uncle met.”

  Shit! I already slipped up. That last thing I wanted was to put her on the defensive. “No. I kind of knew.” Once they hinted at it. “But I was actually looking for your help in managing the place. You know so much more about the club than I do. If I walk in there blind, they’re going to take advantage of my ignorance.”

  “Manage? You’re joking, right? I mean even your uncle knew better than to put me in charge,” she said bitterly.

  “I think he just liked running it by himself,” I said.

  “Yes, he did. But I wanted more. Hell, I needed more. I didn’t want to be a trophy wife. But he said no wife of his was going to work. Guess what I do now? Work. Oh, wait. That’s b
ecause I’m not his wife anymore.” Her voice sounded choked.

  In a soft voice, I said, “I’m sorry, Aunt Trixi. Maybe my staying with you isn’t a good idea. I don’t want to upset you.”

  “Changing your mind will do just that. I…I want your company. Actually, I need it. And if you really want my help with the club, I’d be happy to give it. You’re right. They would walk all over you. You’re too sweet and innocent for that place,” she said.

  “Not you, too,” I sighed.

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “My parents just accused me of being ‘innocent’. I’m not a virgin, you know,” I said firmly.

  Trixi laughed. “I’m not talking about your sexual activity. I meant on the business side. The vendors will try to jack up their prices and the ladies will be asking for schedule changes left and right.”

  “Oh. Guess I’m just a bit…stressed.”

  “You just left your parents. I don’t expect you to be anything but stressed. Not to put your folks down, but they are….high-strung,” she said.

  I couldn’t argue with her on that. “They just like their life the way it is. Change isn’t something they handle well.”

  “I’m glad you’re not like them. Actually, you’re a lot like your uncle.”

  “Guess all those vacations together really paid off,” I said. If it wasn’t for Uncle Carl, I’d probably still be sitting in Errol with no plans of ever going anywhere.

  “Gee, I was hoping I could get some credit,” she laughed.