by Terra Little
His father puffed up his chest and cleared his throat. “No deal I’ve ever tried to negotiate stinks! This is an opportunity for Martin Enterprises to own more than boutique hotels. We’ve talked about expanding into the medium-size hotel market for years, and that’s what this chain will do for us.”
“Where is the hotel?” Laurent asked with a little more bass in his voice this time.
Raising his chin and looking down his nose at his son, Thomas Martin let him know he didn’t appreciate the tone. “It’s in Danville, Kentucky. A short drive from Lexington.”
Laurent tilted his head and blinked. “Where in the hell is that?”
“You’ve heard of the Kentucky Derby, haven’t you?”
“Of course I have.”
“Well, there’s another horse track in Kentucky. Keeneland is in Lexington, and this place isn’t too far from there. We can even relocate one of the hotels to Lexington to take advantage of the racing industry.”
Laurent shook his head. “I knew it. So you’re sending me to some little hick town while Marquis and Aubrey get the more appealing jobs. Why do I feel as if I’m being punished for my negotiating skills?”
The waiter returned to refresh Laurent’s water. Thomas paused until he left to continue.
“You’re not being punished. I’ve been watching you over the years, and I’m fully aware of the fact that you’ve wanted to put your own stamp on a property just as your brothers have done. So I’m going to offer you something better than what your brothers have. Son, you have a creative side to you that extends beyond the realm of business. I have no doubt that given the opportunity, any property you control will be a huge success. That’s why I’m prepared to give you complete ownership of one of the hotels.”
Everything inside Laurent’s body screamed yes. His spine stiffened as he sat up straight and nodded. He needed to conceal his excitement until he heard all the details of his father’s offer. The old man could be generous, but he could also be calculating.
“You don’t have to thank me now, but a little show of appreciation wouldn’t hurt. I’m giving you something both of your brothers would die to have.”
“I do appreciate it. As a matter of fact, it sounds too good to be true, so I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. What’s the catch?”
Thomas shook his head. “None. You’ve earned this. All you have to do is return with a signed deal for the chain and you have your very own hotel to do with as you please. Of course, if you want input from me or your brothers, we’re always here for you. Once it’s yours, you can keep working with the current staff, or establish your own staff—it’s up to you. But I need you in Danville next week.”
Laurent couldn’t contain the corners of his mouth as they turned up into a smile. How long had he expressed his desire to strike out on his own and establish something totally different from the luxury five-star hotels his family owned? Each hotel was a one-of-a-kind creation with its own personality based on the location. Abelle’s, for example, with its French theme, served an elite clientele that demanded nothing but the best.
“Thank you. I think I’ll be taking the first flight to Danville on Monday morning.” Laurent beamed with so much excitement he could hardly contain himself.
“You’ll have to fly into Lexington and drive to Danville, but it’s a short trip. When you arrive you can check in to the hotel like a regular guest. No need to alert anyone as to your intentions right away. Let’s meet Monday morning to go over the current offer, then you can be on your way.”
Laurent finished lunch with his father on a good note. This had to be the best lunch they’d ever shared.
Chapter 2
Laurent pulled up to the Rival Hotel in a rented, dark blue Hyundai Elantra. The car was a calculated choice for who he needed to be this weekend. His father had tried to work with Mr. Patel, the hotel’s owner, with no success. No doubt it was his father’s overconfidence, often mistaken for arrogance, that got in the way. Laurent had met with his father to go over all the particulars of the offer, which was very generous. However, after that meeting he postponed his departure until Friday, in order to do some of his own research. Mr. Patel had said he’d have to think it over and discuss it with his family, but he hadn’t gotten back to Thomas.
Laurent’s presence was to push those conversations along while making the family feel comfortable that they were getting the best deal possible.
He’d traveled in his athletic gear, another calculated choice, and left his Gucci luggage at home. He’d purchased a Samsonite duffel and an inexpensive suit bag especially for this trip. He got out of the car and looked up at the hotel, which was in need of a little TLC. The location in the middle of town was a plus, and probably what attracted his father in the first place. However, the building merely faded into the background, with very little curb appeal. Now he was curious as to the condition of the interior.
The front doors slid open as he carried his gear into the hotel lobby. The first thing that hit him was the overly perfumed smell. What were they trying to cover up? The hotel was about ten years old, but the choice of decor gave it a much older feel. For a Friday afternoon, things were kind of slow. There weren’t very many cars in the parking lot, and only one person sat in the lobby reading a magazine. Laurent walked over to the front desk to check in.
“Good afternoon, sir, checking in?” A young, studious-looking Indian guy in thick wire-rimmed glasses greeted Laurent with a smile.
His plaid shirt didn’t look like a hotel-issued uniform, which meant things were probably pretty lax at the Rival. Laurent returned the smile. “Yes, I am. Laurent Martin.”
The young man glanced down at the computer, inputting information until he found Laurent’s name. “I have you here, sir. Laurent Martin, a king room for a week. Is that correct?” he asked.
“It is,” Laurent confirmed as he reached into his pocket for his license and credit card.
The clerk accepted his cards. “I’ll be right back.”
The minute he walked away, Laurent shook his head. The clerk shouldn’t have to leave the front desk with the customer’s information. That would have to change once he took over the hotel. He turned around and took another look at the uninviting lobby. Everything was square, with sharp edges and small bursts of colors. There seemed to be no theme at all, just some stiff furniture and a table that held what looked like brochures from local establishments.
“Hello, Mr. Martin!”
Laurent turned back around at the sound of his name spoken in a much deeper voice than the front desk clerk’s. A taller man, also of Indian descent, with a thick mustache and eyebrows, greeted him with a huge smile on his face.
“I’m Raji Patel, but please call me Raji.” He reached his arm across the counter to shake Laurent’s hand. “My father informed me of your visit. He’s looking forward to meeting with you.”
Surprised, Laurent returned the handshake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Raji. I’m looking forward to meeting with your father as well.”
Raji reached back and took Laurent’s identification from the desk clerk and handed the cards back to Laurent. “Here you go. I’m sorry, but our card reader out here isn’t working at the moment.”
Another situation Laurent would have to fix. He placed his cards back in his pocket. “No problem. I understand.”
Raji finished checking Laurent in while the young clerk moved over to help an older couple who’d just walked in.
“I’ll get you your keys so you can check out your room. I’m sure you’re tired after that long flight,” he said as he smiled up at Laurent.
“It wasn’t that bad. I practically live on airplanes, so I’m used to it,” Laurent said as he accepted the room keys from Raji.
“Man, I couldn’t take all that flying. I fly about two or three times a year because I have to check on our other hotels. Didn’t e
xperience any turbulence, did you?” he asked.
Laurent smiled and shook his head. “No, none.”
“Good for you. My dad tells me your family owns a chain of hotels as well. Are you the head sales guy or something?”
“No, I’m VP of lifestyle brand management.”
Laurent watched Raji’s faraway look as he nodded his head. “In other words, I represent the company with regards to new developments, proposals and negotiations. I offer suggestions on brand and type best fit based on the proposed market and location. Along with managing guest satisfaction and a host of other responsibilities.”
Raji nodded. “I started working for my dad right out of high school. Worked my way up to general manager.”
Laurent smiled. “Will your father be around this evening?” he asked, wanting to get things started and over with as soon as possible.
“My dad probably won’t be around until tomorrow afternoon. Along with my brother, Arjun. You’ll meet them then. If you’re up to it, I can give you a tour of the property once you’ve rested? All of the hotels have this same layout, but the decor is different.”
“That would be great. Let me make a few phone calls and I’ll be back down.”
“Sure, take your time. I’ll be in the office. Just ring the bell on the counter when you come back.”
Laurent found his third-floor room and was pleasantly surprised by the clean design and decor. It wasn’t fancy, but appropriate for the location. After checking out the room and making a few phone calls, he decided to return to the lobby for that tour. Before he could ring the bell, the younger desk clerk popped out from the back room.
“Raji will be right with you. He said to make yourself at home.”
Laurent did just that and walked over to the couch and had a seat. He leafed through the current People magazine before Raji walked out to greet him.
“Well, that didn’t take long at all,” Raji pointed out.
Laurent stood up. “No, I’m kind of eager to check things out.”
Raji began the tour by pointing out where breakfast was served every morning. There was a small gym down the hall, and a pool, which happened to be closed at the moment. Laurent made mental notes as Raji gave him an in-depth look at the property Thomas wanted so badly.
“This hall gets the most traffic.” Raji pointed down a corridor with lots of closed doors. “Conference rooms. Almost every group in town meets here for one thing or another.” He walked down the hall, calling out the names of the rooms.
Laurent looked at the well-traveled, outdated carpeting and wondered how any proprietor could let his property get this far out of hand.
“It might not be the Taj Mahal, but it’s clean.”
The irritated tone to Raji’s voice let Laurent know he hadn’t been able to hide the displeased look on his face. While he hadn’t meant to insult, he was afraid he had just made a tactical error. Mistake number one.
* * *
After the tour, he found a pizzeria within walking distance of the hotel. He returned and settled in for the night. His cell phone rang while he was catching up on the news. He picked up the phone to see Marquis’s name.
“So what do you think of the place?” Marquis asked, sounding as if he had a smile on his face.
“It’s a dump. The location is perfect, but this place needs a major overhaul.” Laurent adjusted the pillows against his back and grabbed the television remote to mute the sound.
“Of course. Once we take ownership, the entire chain will transform into something that’s up to Martin Enterprises standards.”
“You mean once I take ownership, don’t you?” Laurent was certain his father had informed his brothers that he was giving him a hotel. He shared everything with them.
Marquis laughed. “That’s right, this one’s all yours. If you can pull it off, anyway. Have you seen your old fishing buddy yet?”
“What fishing buddy?” Laurent could count the number of times he’d been fishing on one hand.
“Sam Kane, your buddy from Berkeley? Didn’t he used to take you guys out on a fishing boat all the time and come back empty-handed?”
Laurent laughed. “Yeah, we called it fishing, but every trip turned into a yacht party. It’s hard to concentrate on fish with so many women on board.” A brief picture of bikini-clad women dancing around the boat brought a smile to his face. “Man, I haven’t seen Sam in years.”
“When Dad told me you were going to Danville, I remembered running into Sam’s father a couple of months ago. Sam met a girl from that area and moved to Kentucky. He’s a professor at the local college in Danville. I wasn’t sure if you knew that or not.”
“I had no idea.” He thought about how boring the town had looked on his drive in. “Why in the hell would he give up life in California for this place?”
“Hey, the love of a good woman will make you do some crazy things. I think he’s married with kids and all. You should look him up.”
Laurent shook his head. In college, Sam had had a different woman every semester. Sometimes more than one a semester. He loved to party and show everybody a good time. “I’m going to do that. But married with kids—man, I might not even recognize Sam.”
“Tell him I said hello when you two hook up. Well, I just wanted to offer my assistance if you need anything. I know you’ve got these negotiations down pat, but I’m here for you if you need me.”
“Thanks, Marquis, that means a lot.” Marquis was a numbers man who could quickly provide Laurent with statistics on anything he needed in a matter of hours.
“No problem, bro. I’ll be going back to Grand Cayman over the weekend, but I’m available by cell.”
The Caribbean. Did he have to rub it in? “I don’t think I’ll have any problems, but if I need you, I’ll reach out to you or your assistant.”
“Oh, that would just make Lonnie’s day. You know she has a crush on you. Every time you come to my office, it takes her several minutes to pull herself together after you leave.”
Laurent laughed. “That is not the truth. But tell her I said hello anyway.”
They shared playful laughter before Laurent ended the call and decided to call it a night. He’d skip looking over the hotel paperwork; he’d read enough on the plane. Instead, he’d hit the sack early and have a good run in the morning. That was the best way to see the surrounding area and survey what he was getting into. Then he’d have to look up his old buddy Sam. Hopefully, he hadn’t changed too much and could still show him a good time while he was in town.
* * *
Tracee kept glancing in the rearview mirror at the boxes strapped into the back seat. She’d prepared a sample wedding cake along with a dozen cupcakes in various flavors for Melanie Jefferson’s cake tasting this afternoon.
“Are you nervous?” Mae asked from the passenger’s seat.
“As hell! I just hope he likes my cake. I know Melanie likes them, but if this fella of hers doesn’t, we’re sunk.”
“Girl, don’t worry—he’ll probably like whatever she likes. I’m also eager to check out this space that you’re wanting to lease.”
“When the Rival Hotel first opened, my grandmother had a little coffee and pastry spot there. When she passed, my cousin Betty took over. The space grew into this small café, and she ran it until she passed a few years ago. So you can kind of say the space has been in my family for years. It has its own separate entrance and everything. After my cousin’s passing, Mr. Patel closed the coffee shop’s doors. I don’t think it was ever very lucrative. I’d forgotten all about it until I was helping Corra and Tayler with one of their Color of Success events. The windows have this fancy paper on them so you can’t tell what’s inside. They opened the room to store some of the larger items for the event and I saw this space that would be perfect for our café—with a little remodeling, of course.”
�
�And the location is perfect. We can take advantage of the hotel crowd as well as the downtown business community. I’m getting more and more excited about this venture.”
“Me too,” Tracee said after taking another glance at her precious cargo in the back seat. She pulled into the Rival Hotel’s parking lot and found a space by the back door, which was closer to the hotel’s small kitchen. She needed to store her baked goods in their refrigerator while she set up everything else for the meeting.
The front desk clerk unlocked the small meeting room she’d reserved and had the kitchen provide a side table with water and glasses. The room wasn’t the most elegant of places to meet, but it did provide the privacy she needed and a backdrop for her to display her cakes without taking anything away from them. Within minutes, she and Mae had their brochures on display and had made sure the temperature in the room was just right.
Mae rubbed her palms together. “Time to bring in the cakes.”
Tracee’s heartbeat pounded in her chest. This was it. The moment she’d been waiting for. It was time to put her best foot forward. Mae’s naturally flawless face and short curly hair always gave her a professional, polished look. She, however, had tried to tame her curls by pulling them back into a ponytail, but loose tendrils of hair were touching the sides of her face and neck.
They entered the kitchen and collected their cakes from the woman on staff. Tracee carried the sample wedding cake, while Mae followed her with the box of assorted cupcakes. Under her arm was a sleeve that held the cutting utensils Tracee liked.
The kitchen door opened into the corridor that led to the meeting rooms, the pool and the gym. Because her hands were full, Tracee turned around and, using her butt, pushed on the door. Immediately, something didn’t feel right.
Chapter 3
Downtown Danville was about as slow as Laurent thought it would be. In some ways it reminded him of the small villages in Quebec he used to frequent with his mother when he was a child, only there were no French-speaking people here. He’d wanted to get up early for his run but overslept when he forgot to set his phone. His morning runs cleared his head and readied his mind for the work to come. Instead, he pulled on his running gear and went for a jog rather than eating breakfast.