“I can completely see that happening.” For all the wrong reasons. “Excuse me, I’d like to say hello to Carla and Noah.”
“Of course. Blessings to you, Miss Anderson.” The way Kyle says this feels more like a curse, so formal and forced.
I make another attempt for the lobby when the mogul speaks again.
“Ben, I saw you at the altar praying. What a splendid idea. You’re going to need a miracle to keep your little store open now that my company plans to purchase it.”
So that’s what the letter in Ben’s office was about.
I turn so I’m at Ben’s side.
“You’re the one that needs to approach the altar, Swarthmore. You have no right sending letters to my mom and grandmother. Your fancy words and letterhead don’t scare them. We don’t plan to sell. In fact, I’m meeting with Fred to discuss the expansion.”
Kyle throws his head back with a hearty laugh. “So naïve. You can’t possibly think meeting with a retired banker who hasn’t a clue what the market is like these days will help, do you? That plan has disaster written all over it.”
“I think it’s time to go. Right, Ben?” I slip my hand under the crook of his elbow.
“Yes. Let’s leave.” He turns and takes a step.
“You know, you gave a very telling statement just now. You said your mom and grandmother weren’t scared by my official proclamation to purchase your little store. I believe you.”
“Thanks. I can sleep at night knowing that.” Ben starts to move again.
“It’s what you didn’t say. You’re the one that’s scared, Ben. I can tell. And a successful business venture always takes place when we apply pressure to the weakest link.”
Chapter Fourteen
Janice Beebe has a feast prepared for Ben, Fred, and me. Tossed salad, all from her garden. Spareribs. Corn on the cob. Rhubarb pie.
“You did too much. This is an amazing spread.” I gush.
Ben wastes no time reaching for the tongs and helping himself to the lettuce. “When I know I’m having dinner here, I don’t eat all day. Always looks like a banquet, even if it’s just a small group.”
She shrugs it off. “You kids rate high enough for a little extra food.”
Fred picks up an empty silver-rimmed plate to show us. “Apparently you’re worth her getting out our wedding china, too.” He smiles.
As we sit and chat before the business portion of the evening, Fred explains their newlywed days. “I had to entertain a lot of banking officials from Syracuse, Albany, Buffalo, and sometimes New York City.” He rubs his chin. “Given much of Speculator Falls shuts down after Labor Day, it was up to Janice to give them a first class restaurant experience.”
Ben wipes his mouth with the linen napkin then returns it to his lap. “You sure delivered tonight, Janice. I hope your husband here can supply some good news to me. Fred, you ready?”
“Let’s do this.” Fred rests his utensils back on the table and stands.
I follow suit, and our host leads Ben and me to his den. The room is full of golf trophies.
Ben pitches his proposal with the paperwork we worked on at Jack Frosty’s. “I know I’m not the wealthiest Hamilton County resident, but JB’s meets a need, and I think my plan justifies expanding.”
Fred nods and gives an “uh huh” every minute or so, but nothing more. He’s too silent, and I’m trying my best not to fidget.
Ben clears his throat. “So. What do you think, unofficially?”
Fred leafs through some papers, making pencil notes in the margins before putting them down. “It’s obvious you’ve done your homework. You’re thinking of all the things I was going to ask you. It’s a comprehensive report, and it looks good.”
I smile.
Ben doesn’t. “I feel a ‘but’ coming on.”
“Ah, you know me too well.”
My smile disappears.
Fred stands and paces back and forth, obviously measuring his words. Finally, he speaks. “Timing is a funny thing. So is location. If you had this vision five years ago, three years ago, you would have had banks fighting over you. Thing is, we’re in a different financial climate. The economy isn’t bouncing back like we thought it would.” Fred stops walking for a moment, but looks to the carpet, not Ben. He paces again. “Institutions need guarantees their investment will bring about a positive ending, not a failure. Your vision is great. I can picture it, and I personally love it. As someone with a financial background, though, I have to tell you, I don’t see any local banks approving this.”
I steal a glance at Ben, who winces.
Fred’s still talking. “It’s all too risky. You might have a chance with a bigger institution, but most likely not. Your clientele, for the most part, is only here three months of the year. It’s suicidal from that standpoint.”
Ben lowers his head for a minute, eyes closed.
Is he praying? Hyperventilating?
“Son, this isn’t all bad news. I’m helping you bypass a step. Let’s focus on resolutions, so you have that to add to your plan.”
Ben opens his eyes and returns to an upright position. “I’m trying to see it that way.”
“Good. First thought. Forget the local places around here. Go corporate. Big name. They’re coming back from hard times and taking more risks. In the scheme of things, JB’s won’t bury them if it fails.” Fred looks to Ben. “Which I don’t believe it will.”
I hear an exhale and realize it’s my own.
“Great idea. I figured a regional bank would work because they understand the Adirondack based business. You make an excellent point.” Ben jots some notes on his papers.
“Anything else you suggest, Fred?” I ask.
“If local is the way you want to go, this suggestion is a must. Even at the corporate level, I think it’s worth pursuing to protect you.”
Ben nods, his eyes aiming with laser focus on our friend. “Okay, sure. What is it?”
“Find a partner with good collateral assets. Someone who can sign with you that has a solid fiscal reputation.”
His suggestion hits my chest like a block of concrete.
Ben’s expression seems to darken. He stands and paces a few steps before facing Fred. “Kyle wants to buy JB’s. He’s communicated with my mom and grandmother. You can’t mean someone like him.”
The retired banker drops his pen and lets out a low whistle. “He has the money to cover the loan if you were in danger of defaulting.”
Ben returns to his seat and rakes his hand through his hair. “Whether I paid the loan or not, if he were my partner, he would take over the store.”
Fred stands. “Looks like we have some things to pray about.”
Not even crickets chirp on the drive back to my quaint cabin. Ben navigates through the four corners and onto Maple Lake Road.
“What do you think you’ll do?”
Ben sighs. “I’ll pray, but I’m pretty sure I won’t seek a partner. At least not with Swarthmore Enterprises. He couldn’t care less about the store.”
“I’m glad you aren’t quitting. I know that wasn’t the best news in there, but you’re doing a great job pushing through the fear.”
He mutters, pulling into my steep driveway. He puts the vehicle in park but doesn’t touch the ignition. Or make a move to walk me to the door.
“It’s tempting. That’s for sure. I fail, JB’s is done. My grandfather’s legacy that my entire family trusts me with. I can’t let that happen.”
I nod and slowly put my hand on the door handle. “I understand. I had the same panic when I accepted the job here. I left everything and everyone to live in this area for my job.”
He grunts in agreement, but I sense his thoughts aren’t with me. “It’s not quite the same, Jenna. I fail, and I ruin a staple in the community that pays my bills. Things don’t work out for you? You get to move back home to Ohio to your family.”
I can’t open the latch fast enough, even though deep down I know it’s his fe
ar speaking. “Good night. Hope it works out for you.” I climb out and hold the door for a moment. “But you’re wrong about one thing. My home is here. And I hope you’ll adopt the perspective I have about my new life—failure isn’t an option.”
With July Fourth and a long weekend around the corner, I figure it’s time for a break. The work week’s been full of prom planning and building improvement grant research. I’m ready for a change of pace and decide to get fireworks going early by visiting Ben. Like it or not, he needs to be done obsessing over Fred’s suggestions.
Once I lock up the center with my JB’s folder in hand, I drive to the store. With my fast steps, I swing the folder in rhythm, heading to the automatic doors, thoughts on encouraging Ben.
“Please, Lord, don’t let him be cranky.”
Just as I finish my quick prayer, I slam full weight into Howard, knocking him off balance and swiping his ribcage with my manila organizer. The folder drops, but my attention is on my friend.
“Howard, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” I reach for him, checking to make sure he isn’t injured.
He bats my hands away, his expression as sour as if he finished sucking a lemon. He then massages his temples. “Fine, I’m great. Just go and do your business.” Howard drops his hands and proceeds to his truck, not once looking back at me.
“Are you sure I didn’t injure you? I was walking pretty fast and—”
Before I have a chance to finish, Howard’s in his vehicle. Almost as fast as I ran into him, he starts the engine, revs it, and leaves.
“Okay, then. Nice talking to you.” I roll my eyes and walk through the entry, ready to take on my next curmudgeon.
Ben greets me before I’m halfway through the slow, grinding automatic doors. “Hey, Jenna, I was hoping to see you.”
A burst of air conditioning hits me as I enter and walk over to him.
“Here I am. Are you in a better mood than the last time I saw you?” I stand opposite of him. He gestures for me to follow him to where he’s stocking watermelons in a floor display.
I stand to his left and hold the folder eye level.
He reaches for it, grinning. “What’s in there? New ideas? Lottery ticket? A column from the paper announcing Kyle’s moving away?”
I yank the organizer from his grasp and hold it close. “Just notes from the other night. You’ve had a few days to clear your head. I thought we could revisit what Fred suggested. The solutions. Not the problems.”
He returns to the watermelons. “Oh. Well, I pass.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m still working with Fred. I met with him yesterday.” He keeps stacking the summer fruit.
“Then what are you saying no to?”
“Not what. Who. You, Jenna.”
I drop the folder. My voice squeaks as I bend down to scoop up the papers. “What? I’m not the enemy. I want to help.”
He stops, dusts his hands off on his JB’s apron, and walks over to help. “I know you do, and I appreciate it.” He grins. “Most of the time. It’s that I got thinking that we’re working closely on business ventures lately, and it won’t be long when the town council will reconvene. Then I have to vote on your plans for the center. I thought maybe I should keep you at arms’ length when it comes to business.”
“I don’t understand how your ideas to expand are the same as my budget.”
He hands a final paper to me. I absently stack it in the folder, and we both stand.
“You’re a great cheerleader, and I’m going to need it as I move ahead with the expansion. But to have you get involved further with my work distracts me. You smell so nice and your smile, wow. You’re so full of life. And as you know, I get kind of intense.”
There’s an understatement.
“It’s also to protect you. We’re looking at July now, but soon it will be September, and you’ll hand the council your budget, and I’ll be partly in charge of your future at the center. I’d rather keep us like this.” He slides his arms around my waist.
“Which is?” My hands gravitate toward his shoulders.
“Arms’ length for business, and within reach otherwise.” He leans in, his mouth barely on mine.
The old door opens and heavy footsteps stomp in. “Hey, Ben, I’m here for work.” Noah calls out, footsteps coming closer.
Ben and I back away from each other, but not in time for Noah to see a glimpse of our almost kiss.
“Man, you guys are as bad as the kids at school. Can’t even get to my locker sometimes.” Noah shakes his head and walks back to the office.
I’m pretty sure my heartbeat could measure on a Richter scale.
“Hey, Jenna?”
Ben returns to the watermelons. “Thanks for not giving up on me.”
I want to say something encouraging and memorable, but my mind reels from his affection and what he doesn’t quite say.
It sounds like Ben’s preparing to destroy my plans for the senior center.
Chapter Fifteen
Independence Day takes on new meaning, my first year on my own. I glance at our last Christmas portrait. Dad and his trademark holiday sweater. Mom and her kind smile. Poor Meg and the awkward angle the photographer asked her to hold while he took his sweet time to capture the image.
“God, thanks for keeping me so busy I haven’t had time to be homesick. Help me enjoy today, no matter how lonely I am.” I turn from the portrait and reach for the phone.
Mom answers my call. “Jenna, what a sweet surprise. We didn’t expect to hear from you until the weekend.”
I sit cross-legged on the couch and hold the cordless phone tight. “I realized I didn’t have anything going on, so I thought I’d see how everyone is doing. My guess is it’s hot and humid with the central air running full blast, right?” I glance toward the deck where the screen door lets in a warm breeze. The mountain’s gentle winds are the only A/C anyone in Speculator Falls needs. “In fact, I’m sure if Meg isn’t working, she’s in the pool.”
Mom chuckles. “She misses her swim partner, but you’re right, she’s in the pool. I’m waving at her right now so she knows it’s you on the phone.” Mom asks me about work, remembering Howard started grouchy but has warmed up for the most part, and Shirley is my assistant with thick glasses. Before long her questions move to the mothering kind, right down to if I’m eating vegetables.
“Absolutely. Sara is always bringing me her latest garden harvest, and JB’s store, has fresh produce.” The mention of JB’s takes me right back to the almost kiss with Ben.
Mom rambles, but I miss a chunk of her conversation until she asks a question with a shaky voice. “Jenna, do you like it there? Do you want to come home?” Her voice falters when she says home.
A lone tear rolls down the corner of my eye. “I like it, a lot. There are challenges, but I feel less like an outsider each day. I haven’t forgotten you guys, and I miss you. So much.”
Before I finish, she takes in a deep breath, and suddenly my sister is on the other line.
“Hey, sis, good going. Mom’s crying. But then again, she does that over that one coffee commercial with the brother and the sister.”
Meg is a natural jokester, and I’m giggling as she tells me about her own antics at work, plans for her fall semester, and the goofy things Mom and Dad do. After a few minutes she clears her throat. “It isn’t the same without you. I’d talk more about how I think you should pay my way to visit you so I can meet a lumberjack, but Dad’s giving me the look that says it’s his turn.”
“I haven’t met an ax man, yet, but I’ll let you know when I do. I’ll talk to you again soon, Meg. I want to talk to Dad.”
“Jenna.” His baritone voice causes such a stir in my heart I let out a small cry at the sound of my name. I pray he doesn’t hear it, but after the token pleasantries he dives in. “So, sweet pea, what’s his name?”
Even in my relaxed position, I almost fall off the couch. “His name is—Daddy. I think this call is all
about missing home a little bit. You know, picturing you in the dining room checking the mail and doing a dance when we have good coupons.”
“Uh-huh, right. Give your old man a break. What’s his name?”
He’s good. I sigh. “It’s Ben, the grocer. The town council member that had the center shut down last year. He’s afraid of a lot of things because he’s lost so much, but he’s trying to trust God.”
“I imagine you’re encouraging him as you always do when someone is struggling.”
“Maybe too much so.” I uncross my legs. “It’s so confusing. Like a push-pull friendship with him. He involves me in things, but then pushes me away. Daddy, Ben wants to expand the store, something his grandfather wanted before he passed. But Ben’s afraid the project will fail, and there’s Kyle, a mogul who seems ready to pounce and buy the store from Ben’s family. Kyle’s nice to me, but it’s clear he wants Ben to fail. And speaking of fail, the council starts back this fall, and I have to present my budget. There’s a chance it won’t pass, and guess who gets to vote? Ben.”
There are a few moments of silence before he chuckles. “How much coffee have you had?”
“None. I guess I’m so excited to share with you I’m rushing my words.”
“Just keep doing what you’re doing, honey. Sounds like this young man has some pretty high walls to protect himself, and God is tearing them down. You’ve been there. Keep being salt and light and having skin like a rhino and a heart…”
"Like a dove."
“That’s my girl.” He chuckles.
Ten minutes after hanging up with Daddy, the phone rings. I make a dash for the living room, tripping over a chair leg en route.
“Took you long enough.” It’s Carla. “I have the day off, and Noah and I are going to Lake George for the day. It’s high time you see another part of Adirondack Mountain’s majesty.”
Entrusted (Adirondack Surrender Series Book 1) Page 9