Chapter Six
Andrew
“I’m looking for Trixi Worth,” I said over the music to a topless woman who was more interested in my wallet than in what I had to say.
“She’s busy, but I’m not.” She ran her hand up my chest and I brushed it off. .Most guys wouldn’t mind her attention, even if it was just because she wanted their money. I’ve never paid for attention or sex, and wasn’t about to start now. Didn’t matter if she was in a business suit, she wasn’t my type. I prefer…Someone like Anne.
Where that thought came from was beyond me. That sweet innocent look usually made me want to run. Yet while I was here, I wouldn’t mind crossing paths with Anne again. But fuck, I hated thinking about her on that dance stage peeling her clothes off for a bunch of horny guys. I clenched my fist. That thought shouldn’t piss me off, but it did.
“Like I said, I’m here to see Ms. Worth. That’s all,” I growled.
Oh, fine. I’ll find out if she can see you. What’s your name?”
“Heart,” I said. She looked me over one last time, huffed, and walked away.
Since I’d given Trixi my card yesterday and hadn’t heard, it called for another unannounced visit. This time I wasn’t leaving until she heard what I had to say.
Having coffee with Anne last night reinforced my feeling of urgency over getting Trixi to sign the damn papers. The first thing I’d do when she did was close the doors of The Treasured Chest. No longer would people like Anne feel trapped to work there. I found her to be…intriguing, and she should be free to follow her dreams, whatever they were.
It didn’t take long for Trixi to come out of the office. “Hey, you’re the guy who came by yesterday.”
“I am. I left you my card. You were supposed to call,” I reminded her.
“Actually, you asked me to call, I just didn’t. Truth is, I lost your card. It was a busy night and, well, guess it slipped my mind. So, what did you want again?” she asked.
“To talk about the club. Would it be possible to go into your office where we can discuss in private?” I asked.
“I have someone in my office, so that wouldn’t really work. Maybe you can just tell me what this is about.”
“I am interested in The Treasured Chest,” I stated.
“Obviously, you’re here after all.”
“Not as a…patron. I’m interested in purchasing the club,” I explained.
“You want to buy the place?” she said, louder than I had wanted her to.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to keep this between you and me for now. The fewer people who know about it, the better.”
“Give me another one of your cards.”
I pulled one out and handed it to her. She scanned it and said, “Andrew Heart?” I nodded. Then she looked me over and said, “I don’t think this conversation should take place here. How about you come by later tonight after the club closes? We can talk then.”
That meant returning here at two a.m. I’d been hoping to get out of Bermoose with just one overnight, but I wasn’t leaving until Trixi and I talked.
“I’ll be here,” I said.
“No, not here. I don’t want anyone thinking we are….providing something…extra to a patron, if you know what I mean,” she whispered. “We run a reputable business here.”
I highly doubted the police would be staking out the place waiting to catch them in the act. But I hadn’t had a chance to get a feel for the law enforcement here. My focus had been elsewhere.
“Okay. You can come to my motel room if you’d prefer,” I offered.
Trixi wrinkled her nose and said, “Like that’s any better. How about you come to my house? We can talk there. And trust me, it’s on a street that no one will notice you coming or going.”
“Fine.” At this point I’d be willing to stand on my head. I knew that if I could get her to hear me out, she’d sign and this would be done. My only concern was that she didn’t seem to have business savvy. Then again, a name like Trixi sounded more like she should’ve been one of the strippers.
“Great. Now either come and enjoy the show, or we’ll see you after we close. You look a bit…stuffy for this place and I don’t want our guests to become…distracted.”
“Please text me your address and I’ll see you at two-thirty.”
“Perfect. Come hungry, because we always have pizza and beer after work,” she said.
So much for having her undivided attention. I nodded and left. I had six hours to kill. At least I knew how to fill that time. There was a set of blueprints in my motel room that needed one more review. I wanted to have it set for tomorrow so I could submit them alongside Trixi’s sales contract.
Before I even got back to the motel, I received a text from Trixi.
CHANGE OF PLANS. CAN YOU PICK UP THE PIZZA ON THE WAY? WE ALREADY HAVE THE BEER.
PREFERENCE? I asked. I like mine loaded with meat, but I wasn’t sure Trixi felt the same.
NO SUCH THING AS A BAD PIZZA.
When left to decide, I always did what I like. Meat lovers’ pizza it is.
I didn’t want to open this line of communication up too much, as we wouldn’t ever get down to talking business if we did. She seemed to be a chatterbox, but I had no interest in getting to know her personally. Even having pizza and beer with her was more than I wanted. Yet after my many failed attempts with Carl, I was willing to bend if it meant making this damn deal.
Several hours later, I found myself pulling up a long tree-lined driveway with a small log cabin at the top. It fit the location, but it wasn’t the sort of place I imagined Trixi feeling at home. She was all glitz and glamour, and this was…country.
I parked and brought the pizza to the door. Trixi opened it up while I was climbing the steps.
She reached out and grabbed the pizza from me and said, “Oh, thank God. We’re starving.”
We? I still knew very little about her. But if she was married, that explained why she felt comfortable having me at her home.
Once inside, I looked around. The interior didn’t match the exterior at all. It looked like most women’s apartments I’ve been in. Bright, colorful, and flashy.
“Why don’t you sit, and I’ll get some plates?” She pointed to the couch and I did as she suggested.
“Aunt Trixi, you know I can’t hear you when I’m in the bathroom. What did you say?” I heard another woman’s voice call out from behind a closed door on the far side of the room.
Trixi had left the room and I was the one left to respond. “She’s in the kitchen.”
I heard the sound of flushing and then water running. The door opened and she came out with only a towel wrapped around her, and another twisted up on her head. My eyes could roam over that sweet half-naked body of hers forever, but it was her face that I couldn’t stop looking at. Those lips and the cute nose. I didn’t even need her eyes to meet mine to know. Anne? My jaw dropped. She is related to Trixi? My mind was trying to connect the dots but couldn’t. Why didn’t she tell me when we had coffee? My gut said that might have been intentional.
“Aunt Trixi, I have no idea why you always try talking to me when I am on the toilet. It’s even worse than when you barge in asking questions when I’m in the shower.” Anne bent over and pulled the towel off her head and began rubbing her long auburn hair vigorously. “It might be just me, but I enjoy my privacy.”
I cleared my throat. She stopped what she doing and turned her head in my direction. In a flash she was standing upright and holding the towel against her. “What the hell are you doing here!?” she snapped. “Are you…stalking me?”
I smiled and shook my head. “Actually, I had no idea you lived here.”
“Then why are you here?” Anne asked.
“Because I invited him,” Trixi said as she returned to the living room.
“You what? Is this some sad attempt at fixing us up? Because I don’t need your help, Aunt Trixi. And besides, Andrew isn’t in Bermoose on vacation. He’s here
on business,” Anne snarled, as though it was a bad thing.
“I know. He came by the club the other night, but I lost his card. So when he returned to talk business, I thought it would be better if we had him over and did it in private,” Trixi said.
Anne huffed. “A little warning would’ve been nice,” she said.
“Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you. Sorry. I’m just not used to having a roommate,” Trixi said. “Maybe you want to put some clothes on before Mr. Heart here can’t breathe. He looks like he’s in shock.”
Anne turned back to me and her sweet honey brown eyes weren’t sweet any longer. I could almost feel daggers flying in my direction.
“If you want, we can discuss business while Anne gets dressed.” I needed to have my full attention on what I was offering, and Anne would only be a distraction.
Trixi asked, “You already know each other?”
“We met the other day,” I said.
“Yes. He’s the guy I went to have coffee with. I can’t believe you asked him here.” Anne sighed and left the room.
Trixi walked over and placed the plates, silverware, and napkins on the coffee table before taking the seat across from me.
“Guess we can talk while she’s gone and eat when she joins us, if that’s okay,” Trixi suggested.
“Sounds good. I’m here to discuss The Treasured Chest. I want to purchase it,” I said.
Trixi raised her brows. “Really? How much?”
This was too easy. But maybe she didn’t want it, either. I could start low and test that theory, but I needed this done. “I’m not going to play games with you, Trixi. I’m giving you my best offer. Five hundred thousand dollars.”
“Wow. That sounds like a fair offer,” she said.
“So do we have a deal?” I asked.
She shrugged. “I’m not able to answer that. You’d need to speak to the owner.”
Once again, I was lost. “I checked with the town and was told the owner is Trixi Worth. Is that not you?” Boy, I was going to be really pissed if this lady had been playing me.
“I’m one of them, just not the one you’re looking for.”
Fuck! “Do you know where I can find the correct one?” I asked, trying unsuccessfully to bite back the frustration in my tone.
“I sure do,” she said. “Hey, Anne, are you decent yet?”
Anne came out of the bedroom wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Her wet hair pulled up on her head in some odd mess that looked like a bird’s nest. “Are you done talking already?”
“Yes, but I need you to be here now,” Trixi said.
“Me?” Anne asked.
“I don’t think so. Unless you have information that Trixi doesn’t,” I stated.
“I doubt it, but feel free to ask,” she said.
“I’m looking for the address of Trixi Worth,” I said.
“You’re at it,” Anne replied.
“No. Not this Trixi Worth. The other one. The one that owns The Treasured Chest,” I clarified.
Once again she said, “You’re at it.”
“Wait. Your aunt just said she didn’t own The Treasured Chest,” I stated firmly.
“She doesn’t. I do,” Anne said, head held high.
“You? But they said Trixi Worth owned it.”
“They are right. I’m Trixi Worth, but use my middle name, Anne. And before you even ask, my answer is no,” Anne said.
“You don’t even know what I’m going to ask,” I stated.
“Oh, but I do. You’re the person who has been buying up all the properties around the club. And if I’m right, Uncle Carl shot you down when you made him an offer, too. So whatever you’re going to offer me now, the answer is no,” she said firmly.
“You might want to hear me out first.”
“I’ve already told you, I have to do this. Not for me, but for my parents and for Aunt Trixi, too. Not to mention all the employees at The Treasured Chest. I don’t care if you offer me a million dollars, it won’t change my mind.”
“Think about it. If you’re doing this to help all those people, don’t you think taking my offer would be what helped them most of all?” I asked. It was a logical resolution to her problem.
Anne crossed her arms and said, “If it was only about money, then I want to know what you offered Uncle Carl. Because he didn’t sell to you.”
Oh, Anne definitely was going to make me work for this. “I trust you, it was a fair offer. He just wasn’t ready to sell.”
“Or didn’t want to sell to you,” Anne stated. “See, you don’t know my uncle like I do. He liked working and the club was important to him, but not as important as the people who worked there. He treated each with respect and knew that they were there to support themselves and their families. I have a feeling there’s only one thing you think about, and that is your bank account.”
“You’re right Anne, or Trixi, or whatever you want to be called. I didn’t know Carl like you did. But you also don’t know me. I want to bring a mall to Bermoose. This would create hundreds more jobs than The Treasured Chest does. So I would say I think about the entire town, and not just a select few. Will I make money from this deal? Of course. No different than you will from the sale. And if you aren’t interested in making money, then maybe you should give all your drinks away free and not take a paycheck.”
That was a bit rough, but it was accurate. I’m not a hammer, like many of my colleagues, out to crush anything and everyone. I’ve dealt with people like that and come out on top many times. It’s all about knowing when to stand your ground and when to walk away. Anne had no reason to hold onto the club. She didn’t want to be there. She’d practically told me so the night before. I needed to remind her of that, without pushing too hard. I’m an ass, but not an asshole. Anne really believed she was doing what was best for her family and employees.
“Okay. I think you two both made some great points,” Trixi said. “But I don’t think anyone should make a rash decision. Anne, I won’t tell you what to do, but I do believe you should take some time to ponder what Andrew has said. And Andrew, I think you should spend some more time in Bermoose to get better acquainted with the town. We are not like Boston. And honestly, we don’t want to be.”
“Aunt Trixi, I don’t need to think about it. I know my answer,” Anne said.
Normally I’d agree with Anne. But if Trixi was willing to give me a chance, then maybe with a bit of time, Anne would as well. I just needed to her be open-minded. I know you can be. You went to Boston University. That means you wanted more, too.
“Although the accommodations aren’t the best, I’m willing to stay a few more days.”
“Make it a week and you can stay here,” Trixi stated.
“What? You’re going to let him stay with us? Have you lost your mind?” Anne said, obviously agitated at the entire conversation.
“No. I figured it would give us a chance to get to know him better as well. I mean, maybe he’s telling the truth about thinking about the entire town. If that’s the case, then maybe Carl was wrong,” Trixi said.
Anne just shook her head in defeat. I turned to Trixi and said, “I’m sure we can accomplish the same thing without my staying here with you.”
Anne nodded. “He agrees.”
Trixi turned to Anne and said, “That’s because you aren’t being very hospitable. And besides, I have a few things that need repairing. We can put him to work at the same time.”
Anne snorted. “I bet he’s never even used a screw gun.”
“Thank you, Trixi. I’ll take you up on your offer. And for the record, I was an Eagle Scout and even know how to build a fire with just two sticks.”
Anne glared at me. I shouldn’t really enjoy this victory. A place to stay for a week wasn’t my goal. But I would use this time to win Anne over. She was upset now, but there had been a time when she didn’t consider me a threat, and I wanted to get back to that.
“Does this mean we can eat now? Because I’m s
tarving,” Trixi said as her stomach growled.
“I think I’ll head back to my motel. There are a few things I need to take care of before checking out.” I got up and said, “I’ll see you ladies tomorrow.”
Anne rolled her eyes. “Oh, joy,” she said.
Trixi said, “Why don’t you come by for lunch? We eat a late one before we head to the club to open up. This way I can also show you your room and you can get settled in.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you both later. Good night.”
I hadn’t even had a chance to close the door behind me when I heard Anne’s voice. “Aunt Trixi, I can’t believe you just did that to me. That man is…impossible.”
“Actually, he’s kind of cute. Or at least that’s how you described him to me,” Trixi replied.
Not sure she thinks I’m cute anymore. As I got into my car I looked at the log cabin one more time. A week. Damn it. I thought I’d be back in Boston before then.
I misread Anne. She might turn out to be even more difficult to negotiate with than her uncle. But she’s going to be a hell of a lot more fun to deal with.
Chapter Seven
Anne
“You’re still not speaking to me?” Trixi asked.
“I’m not giving you the silent treatment,” I said. I just don’t have anything to say that you want to hear.
“Then I guess you’re going to have to just listen then, because I can’t take it another second,” she huffed. “Now, Andrew should be here any minute. What do you think about his proposition?”
“It doesn’t matter. You know damn well what the will said. I have to keep The Treasured Chest in the black for one year or you and my parents get nothing. Do you want to see that happen?” Didn’t anyone get that I was putting my life on hold so they would have a stable future?
“I can’t believe Carl did this. What was he thinking? I mean, it’s not about the money, it’s about putting you in the position that it all falls on your shoulders. I know how you are - you will do it for us, and not even think twice about what you’re giving up,” Trixi said.
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