by Deanna Chase
“That’s fair,” Jacob said with a nod. “But I wasn’t suggesting opening a coffee shop, just an espresso station where it will be convenient to get coffee and lattes without having to walk a mile to the café. Your one-cup Nespresso machine isn’t enough to accommodate specialty drinks for a crowd of customers.”
“It’s not a mile to the Pelshes’ café,” Yvette said with exasperation. “And really, who do you think you are, coming in here on your first day and making unilateral decisions on the direction of the bookstore? In case you didn’t notice, Mr. Burton, Hollow Books does just fine. We don’t need any fancy espresso makers to keep our customers happy.”
Just fine? Jacob thought to himself. When was the last time she’d looked at the financials? He tightened his grip on the book in his hands and cleared his throat. “I thought you wanted to go into business with someone who would help your store grow.”
“I did!” She placed her hands on her hips and fixed him with a determined glare. “What I did not expect was for someone to come in here and ride roughshod over me just because he made a name for himself turning his daddy’s bookstores into a multi-million-dollar franchise.” She waved at the book in his hands. “I already told you I’m not interested in turning my store into another Bayside Books.”
“That’s not—” he tried to break in, but Yvette was on a roll.
“You told me you were buying into my store because you were interested in a slower pace, something meaningful, and building community. Well, we already have that, Mr. Burton. We don’t need any fancy espresso machines or your, quote, ‘award-winning smile that can charm the pants off of every sales rep from coast to coast.’ All we need is personalized attention and well-stocked shelves, just like your little book here says in chapter two.”
Jacob’s lips twitched as he tried to hold back a smile. She’d not only read his book, she’d memorized one of the quotes that was buried deep in one of the later chapters. He loved that she’d done her research on him. It meant he hadn’t made a complete mistake partnering with her, even if she was being too stubborn to so much as listen to his ideas.
“Nothing to say, Mr. Fix-it?” she quipped.
“Sure. I have plenty to say, but I was waiting to see if you were done yet,” he said with a shrug.
“I’m finished,” she huffed out.
Jacob slid the book back onto the shelf and tucked his hands into his pockets. “You’re right. I should have spoken to you before I ordered the espresso machine.”
“Damn right,” she said, keeping her expression neutral.
He ignored her jab and continued on as if she hadn’t spoken. “The reason I jumped right in is because when I was going over the numbers for last year, it was obvious that the store isn’t in trouble, but it will be if something doesn’t change. I might’ve been a little overzealous—”
“What are you talking about? My store isn’t in trouble,” Yvette said.
“Yet,” he said and rocked back on his heels, all of his amusement at her outburst fleeing as irritation set in. This was business and if she couldn’t be rational, this partnership was not going to work. “Listen, Yvette—”
“You listen, Jacob. I think I’ve heard just about everything I need to hear this morning. Thanks for considering investing in my store, but I think it’s clear we’re on two separate pages. It’s probably better if we call this whole thing off and you just go back to Bayside Books or whatever it was you were doing before you got here.”
Jacob blinked. Was she serious? They hadn’t even had a full conversation about the store yet. And there was no way in hell he was headed back to Los Angeles. Not after everything that had gone down there. Like it or not, she was stuck with him… for now. “You can’t just unilaterally decide this arrangement isn’t going to work and toss me out. We signed contracts. Money has changed hands. I am the co-owner of this book store now.” Fifty percent co-owner. He’d insisted upon that. In business, he was never silent. “We’re just going to have to figure out a way to make this work.”
Yvette frowned, her brow crinkling. “Contracts can be voided, and I’ll find a new investor. One whose vision for the store is the same as mine. Thank you for your time, Mr. Burton, but it’s pretty clear we’ve both made a mistake.”
Then without another word, she turned and stalked right out of the bookstore.
He stood there in the aisle, watching as the door slammed shut.
Footsteps sounded behind him, and he spotted Noel moving toward him. Her wavy blond hair was spilling out of a messy bun, and even though she was just wearing ripped jeans and a T-shirt, she looked like she’d just stepped out of the pages of a fashion magazine. There’s no shortage of good looks in the Townsend clan, he thought. Though, while Noel was pretty in an all-American-girl way, Yvette’s beauty was less obvious. Her features were darker, more angular, and she was full of fire.
“That went well, I see,” Noel said as she walked over to him, a sympathetic smile on her pretty girl-next-door face.
He let out a bark of laughter. “You must’ve heard a different conversation.” Shaking his head, he added, “What kind of crazy did I just walk into?” The woman he’d spoken to on the phone had seemed bright, intelligent, and receptive to his early ideas on how to grow Hollow Books. The one he’d just met, well, irrational and defensive were the adjectives that came to mind.
“Listen,” Noel said, putting a light hand on his arm. “She’s been through a lot in the last few months. This bookstore has been the one constant in her life, the one thing that’s still hers.
But it wasn’t anymore. At least not all hers. Jacob had invested a significant chunk of money in the place, and he wasn’t going to sit back and let it burn just because his new business partner was having trouble adjusting.
“Just… give her a little time,” Noel said. “Trust me. She’ll come around sooner or later.”
Jacob met Noel’s kind gaze and nodded. “Thanks.”
“Sure. And welcome to Keating Hollow.” She headed for the door, but just as she grabbed the door handle, she glanced back. “Jacob?”
“Yeah?”
“Be careful with her. She acts tough, but if you look closely there’s no missing the heart she wears on her sleeve.”
Jacob didn’t answer as he watched Noel exit the store and disappear out into the streets of Keating Hollow.
Chapter 3
Yvette was fuming as she strode into her dad’s brewery and hopped up on one of the stools at the bar. “Rhys, give me the tallest glass of Clay’s New Year brew.”
The broad-shouldered, handsome assistant manager glanced up from his clipboard and eyed the clock. “It’s nine-thirty in the morning. We’re not even open yet.”
She glared at him. “Is the tap broken?”
“No.” Chuckling, he grabbed a thirty-two-ounce glass and started filling it from the tap. “I’m just surprised to see you. Tough Monday?”
“You can say that again.” She stood and disappeared into the kitchen. A moment later, she returned with a slice of berry pie that was covered in a mound of whipped cream.
Rhys placed the beer in front of her. “Want to talk about it?”
She shoved a forkful of pie into her mouth and shook her head.
“Got it. Let me know if you need anything else.” He moved back to the other end of the bar and resumed concentrating on his paperwork.
A time machine? Then she could go back and undo the mess she’d made for herself. First on the list would be to not go into business with Mr. Franchise. Second would be to not take him home after Abby’s wedding. The only problem was no one had exactly been beating her door down to invest in the bookstore. In fact, Jacob had been the miracle she’d been praying for. If she hadn’t been able to buy Isaac out, she’d have been forced to close and liquidate all of her assets. Then she’d have lost her marriage and her beloved business.
Her threat to buy back Jacob’s investment had been just that. She didn’t have the money. She owed t
oo much on her house to leverage it and she’d already tried a business loan. None of the banks were willing to lend her that much. That’s how she’d ended up with Jacob as a partner in the first place.
She picked up the beer and closed her eyes as she took a long, fortifying sip.
“Yvette?” Her dad’s voice startled her, and she sputtered, spraying part of the beer on the counter.
“Dad? What are you doing here?” she asked as she ran behind the counter to find a towel to clean up her mess.
Her father was standing in the doorway of his office, the one that Clay usually occupied these days. “I was going to ask you the same question. I’m filling in for Clay while he and Abby are on their honeymoon.” He glanced at her dish and raised one eyebrow. “It’s a little early in the day for beer and pie, don’t you think?”
“It’s never too early for pie.” She moved her plate and beer glass aside, sprayed the counter, then wiped up the spatter of beer. “You taught me that, remember?”
He chuckled. “I guess so, but I don’t remember washing it down with beer.”
“Some days it’s necessary. Trust me.” She put the towel away and retook her seat at the bar.
Her dad walked over and leaned on the counter. “Want to talk about it?”
Talk about it? Gads no. How could she tell him she’d slept with Jacob? There were some things that fathers never needed to know. She studied him, noting the dark circles under his eyes had all but disappeared and his color was normal again, not gray from the chemo. He was still too thin, but all things considered, he looked good. She’d always tried to remain positive that her dad would beat the cancer, but now, seeing him recovering, something inside of her was starting to let herself believe it.
Some of the tension drained from her shoulders, and she decided maybe he was the person she needed to talk to… just as long as she kept Saturday night out of it. “I think I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life.”
Lin Townsend pursed his lips as he regarded her. “No wonder you’re drinking before ten in the morning.”
Yvette let out a sad chuckle that was half amusement, half sob. “You have no idea. I think this discussion calls for another slice of pie.”
She started to slide off her stool, but her dad straightened and raised one hand. “I’ll get it. Extra whip?”
“Yes, please,” she said, pushing her empty plate toward him.
“You got it, Rusty,” he said, using the nickname he’d given her when she was a kid. Of the four Townsend girls, she was the only one with chestnut hair. The other three were blondes.
While her father was in the kitchen, Yvette used the opportunity to refill her beer glass. Then she poured a cup of coffee for her father, knowing that would be his beverage of choice.
When Lin Townsend returned, he carefully lowered the plates, and it was then she noticed his slight tremble. Her plate wobbled just as he let go, and it clattered onto the counter. Lin winced and closed his eyes.
A sliver of fear cut through Yvette’s heart, but she remained silent while he took the stool next to her.
Lin picked up his cup of coffee, and this time his hand was steady. After he took a sip, he set it back down and turned to Yvette. “Go on. Say it.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything.” She forked a piece of pie and shoved it in her mouth.
Her dad shook his head. “You never were a very good liar.”
Yvette swallowed her pie and turned to look at her dad. “When did the tremors start?”
“It isn’t a tremor.” He held his hand out to prove his statement. “It’s just because I’ve been working more hours than usual since Clay’s been gone on his honeymoon, and I’m possibly overdoing it a bit.”
“Oh. I guess I thought your strength was improving,” she said quietly. “You look so much like your old self.” She did her best to keep the emotion that was seizing her insides from showing on her face.
But she obviously failed, because her dad covered her hands with his and squeezed. “I just need to give it time. Don’t worry, Rusty. Your old dad isn’t going anywhere. I still have plenty of living to do.”
Tears stung the backs of her eyes and she silently cursed herself for being too emotional. She just couldn’t help it. The tears started rolling silently down her cheeks.
“Come here.” He draped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a sideways hug.
She gladly wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. Even though he was thinner, he was still solid, and his hug made her feel just as safe as it had when she’d been a little girl. She sniffed back her tears and said, “I know Clay’s out of town and you love the brewery, but—”
“I know what you’re going to say,” he said, still holding her against his shoulder. “But I’m taking care of myself. Just half days to watch over the brewing process and keep up with paperwork. Rhys is stepping up and doing a great job. The truth is, we could hand everything over to him if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m going stir crazy at home.”
She glanced up at him. “I assume your doctor said it’s okay?”
He laughed. “Yes, Yvette. I’m all cleared. Want to see my doctor’s note?”
“Yes.” She smiled up at him and dabbed her eyes with her napkin.
“Of course you do.” He kissed the top of her head and released her. “Too bad the dog ate it.”
“Which one? Buffy or Xena?” She was betting Xena, her sister Faith’s puppy who her sister described as the devil in shih tzu’s clothing.
“I’m not ratting anyone out.” His eyes crinkled at the corners in bemusement as he took a bite of pie. After he washed it down with a sip of coffee, he said, “Enough about me. Want to tell me what’s driving you to drink so early in the morning?”
She sighed. “I think I’ve made a huge mistake.”
“How big is huge?” he asked as he put the fork down and gave her his full attention.
“Life altering.” Her stomach pitched as she thought of Jacob Burton and the fact that she now had to share her store with a perfect stranger. Well, not so much a stranger anymore, she thought. She stifled a groan and silently cursed Isaac. Nothing about what had happened in the last few months was fair. Isaac had already moved into a fancy house across town with his accountant, and now also he had a nice sum of cash. What did she have? Her highly leveraged home and half her business.
“You made the mistake?” he asked surprised. “That’s impossible. The Yvette I know is far too careful.”
“If only I had been this time, Dad,” she said sullenly into her beer. “My new business partner, Jacob Burton, isn’t going to work out. He’s not… well, let’s just say he isn’t at all what I expected.”
He frowned. “What does that mean?”
“He’s trying to take over the store and make big changes without even talking to me about it. It’s my store. Can you believe it? He’s acting like he’s CEO and I’m just one of his underlings. I won’t let that happen. No man is going to pull the rug out from under me again. I won’t stand for it.”
Her dad’s face darkened, and his frown turned to a scowl. “He’s only been there ten minutes. How could he possibly know what changes your store needs?”
She gave him a tiny smile, her heart swelling with love, knowing that no matter what, her father was always on her side. “That’s pretty much what I said.” Yvette filled him in on the café plans and how Jacob had already ordered supplies. “There’s also an entire action plan with a calendar in place, none of which he talked to me about.”
The irritation on her father’s face vanished. “A café? What would it serve?”
“Dad!” Yvette stared at him with her mouth open. “You aren’t on his side, are you? We can’t compete with Incantation Café. That’s just wrong.”
“Of course I’m not on his side, sweetheart. I’ve always got my girls’ backs. Your new business partner definitely should have spoken to you first. No doubt about it, but I was just thi
nking that a café in the bookstore isn’t a bad idea—”
“I will not take business away from the Pelshes.” Her eyebrows pinched together as she stared at her father in confusion. “Dad, how could you even suggest such a thing?”
“What if it wasn’t competition?” He waved a hand at the coffee mug sitting in front of him. “You are aware we get our coffee beans from Incantation Café, right?”
“Of course I am, but you’re not serving lattes and pastries.”
He laughed. “What do you think the pie is? And the only reason we don’t serve lattes and other fancy coffee drinks is because our customers don’t request them. But if they did, I’d work something out with Mary.”
Mary Pelsh and her husband owned Incantation Café. They were good friends of the Townsend family, which was just one of the reasons Yvette had been so adamant about not competing with them. But her dad’s words made her reconsider. “So you’re thinking something more like a partnership, rather than competing for the same customers.”
“Exactly.” He shrugged one shoulder. “The more cups of coffee we sell here at the brewery, the better it is for Incantation’s bottom line.”
She nodded. He had a solid point. In fact, she loved the idea and couldn’t wait to go talk to Mary about the possibilities. The only problem was that now she was going to have to eat crow where Jacob was concerned. Dammit. He’d think he’d won that round. Still, if they were going to give a bookstore café a try, they were going to do it on her terms.
“Thanks, Dad,” she said and pushed her empty pie plate away. “As usual, your advice is spot on.”
“You’re welcome.” He cast her an appraising glance. “Does this mean you aren’t going to cut Jacob Burton loose just yet?”
Now that she saw a way around her biggest objection, she had to admit that his café idea wasn’t a terrible one. And he certainly did understand the book business. But if he tried to steamroll right over her again, things were going to get ugly fast. “Maybe not just yet. We’ll definitely need to work out some ground rules, though.”