Her Lifelong Dream

by Judy Kouzel

  It was an idea that made her head spin. A partnership? With Jo Anne? Jo Anne who knew enough about the business to manage ten restaurants. Jo Anne who tackled every problem with an energy that Leedy envied. Jo Anne who had become a dear friend.

  "I never thought about a partnership," Leedy stammered. "It isn't a bad idea."

  "I heard that the old bakery on the corner of seventh and Market Streets is available to buy," Terry said. "That might be just the place you two have been looking for."

  "We could go look at it, Leedy," Jo Anne said. "What do you say?"

  "I guess it couldn't hurt to look," she said, reeling.

  "So, you will think about it?" Jo Anne asked, gleefully.

  "Yes," Leedy said. "I'll think about it." It was an idea that had never occurred to her before, but now that the seed had been planted, she was starting to like it. Suddenly the idea of two people with the same dream working together seemed like the obvious solution to both of their problems.

  Jo Anne reached across the table and squeezed her other hand. "I have a feeling this is the start of something great," she said, echoing Leedy's sentiments.

  "We have lawyers at the bank who can help you put together a partnership agreement," Terry offered. "You will need to present a business plan, and a ..."

  "Stop talking like a banker, Terry!" Jo Anne warned. "I'm too excited to think about the business details. Right now, I just want to revel in my euphoria!"

  "Okay, okay!" he laughed. "But Leedy hasn't agreed to anything yet. Give her a few days to get used to the idea. Then she will be able to make up her mind."

  "She's already made up her mind," Jo Anne insisted. "I can tell. And we'll work out all of the details later." Leedy looked at Jo Anne and smiled. "This is it, kid!" Jo Anne gushed. "What you and I have both been working for! I know we can make it happen!"

  The waitress set down the plates of food onto the table, but no one seemed hungry. Jo Anne was too excited about her business proposal and Leedy couldn't seem to take her eyes off Terry. The events of the evening had become too much to take in. First Krissy Montgomery was cast away, once and for all, then Jo Anne made her stunning proposition. And throughout it all, there was Terry. He was sitting close enough for her to feel his firm body next to hers and smell his fragrant masculine aroma. It was all too much for her to contemplate in one night.

  Jo Anne's face broke into a smile and she suddenly stood up and stretched across the table so she could give Leedy an enormous hug. The position was an awkward one so Leedy had to let go of Terry's hand so that she could span the distance of the table and return the embrace.

  She shut her eyes while they hugged and, suddenly, she could see the restaurant she had been dreaming of for so many years. The vision only lasted for a fleeting moment, but she could see it so clearly, she could almost touch it. There it was, in an old building with large windows all around. There were black shutters on the upper-level windows and a dark green canopy framed around the front door. Leedy knew, just from the outside, that this restaurant was hers. And she knew it was beautiful. It was grand and comfortable, elegant and sophisticated, all at the same time, and the food offered was the best in town. She could barely see herself standing inside the doorway. But she was not standing alone. In the doorway to her dream restaurant, Jo Anne was standing with her. They were both smiling and waving, welcoming in the hungry patrons. It was a won derful sight, Leedy and Jo Anne together in the doorway of this grand restaurant. Standing side by side, working to make their dream come true.

  She returned the hug with an enthusiasm that came from deep inside her. This was the moment when Leedy and Jo Anne became partners. A union formed by necessity and sealed with an embrace between friends.

  Jo Anne pulled away, wiping a tear from her eye. "I'm so excited!" she gushed. "This went much better than I dared to expect." Terry pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. She softly wiped her eyes, clutching the soft white cotton as tears spilled down her cheeks. Then they sat down to talk about the restaurant that would come to be while they ate their cheeseburgers.

  They were sipping a second cup of coffee when Jo Anne suddenly jumped to her feet. "This has been the best night of my life," she said. "Well, almost the best ... I'm not that pathetic! But if you two don't mind, I'm going to go home and tell my husband the good news."

  She pulled on her coat and grabbed her purse before Terry barely had a chance to get to his feet. "Stay for dessert?" he offered.

  "And keep you two dunderheads from finally talking to each other alone?" Jo Anne exclaimed. "Not a chance!"

  Leedy gazed at Terry pensively and saw that he was smiling gratefully at Jo Anne. "Thanks," he said, helping her on with her coat. He kissed her on the cheek and gave her a hug. "I'll call you in the morning and let you know the time of the first of many meetings."

  "No, Terry," Jo Anne said, grabbing him around the neck and planting a sloppy wet kiss on his check. "Thank you! You have been wonderful! Neither Leedy nor I could have come this far without your help. And, if we somehow manage to get this thing up and going, you're the one who has made it all possible."

  "Shut up," Terry said, grinning. "I did not do any such thing. You two are the most resourceful women I've ever met. You each would have made your restaurant eventually. I didn't do anything but teach my stupid class."

  "That's not the way I see it," Jo Anne said, grinning. "The three of us are a team now, Terry. I can feel it in my bones! And we are going to do just fine with our one restaurant." With that, Jo Anne slapped Terry on his rear end, gave Leedy a bawdy wink and took off out the door before another word could be said.

  "I don't know what to say," she told Terry. "I feel happy and confused and overwhelmed ... all at the same time."

  "Do you like the idea?" he asked. "Because if you feel the slightest bit of apprehension, you should put it out on the table now."

  "It's not that," she said. "I think Jo Anne and I will make a wonderful team. We'll work through any snags that might come up. I know it won't be easy, but we're both smart, savvy women who understand the restaurant business. Right? Naivete was never the problem for either of us. No, I think Jo Anne and I will build a great restaurant together. And it will be successful too. Heaven knows, we both have worked hard to get it."

  "That's true."

  "And we want the same thing. The motivation is there for both of us."

  "And you both are blessed with similar easygoing personalities," Terry pointed out. "If you should happen to disagree on something, you'll both be willing to sit down and discuss it."

  Leedy cocked her head to one side. "Right," she said. "It's not like I would run out of anyone's office in tears or anything."

  "That was before," he said. "You've changed since then."

  "I have, have I?" she noticed the grin on his face. "Don't be so sure of that," she warned. "I could cry at the drop of a hat."

  "No," he said. "It was only one little teardrop, and it's okay to be human. Take your time and think this over before you give Jo Anne an answer. It is your decision and only your decision. Don't rush into any business arrangement until you have considered every pitfall."

  "Don't worry," she said. "I will. But, Jo Anne was right when she said I had already made up my mind. I have."

  "You have?"

  "Yes," Leedy said. "Or rather, let's just say my mind is ninety-eight percent made up."

  "You're that certain?"

  "Yes. I don't know why, but as soon as Jo Anne said it, I knew it was a great idea. I can't explain it, but I have a good feeling about this."

  "I can't explain it either," Terry said. "But I do too ... And I'm notoriously cautious about recommending business partnerships. However, in this case, it just makes good sense."

  They sat there next to each other in the close booth, despite the recent vacancy in the seat across from them, and looked at each other. Leedy suddenly became very aware of the proximity between them. She could feel him, barely touching her b
ody with his, and for a moment she simply enjoyed the closeness of his body. Neither one spoke.

  She swallowed and took a deep breath. "Look," she said and winced at the sound of her shaking voice. "I ... um ... There's something I have been meaning to ask you."

  "What is it?" he asked.

  Leedy was determined to say what she had to say before she chickened out. "Do you remember my friend from Mr. Hobo's? Brittany?"

  "Yes," he said. "Cute blonde girl, right? She's the one getting married?"

  "Yes," she said. "As a matter of fact, her wedding is next Saturday and I was wondering if ... I know this is short notice ... But I was wondering if you ..."

  "I would love to," he said. His voice was low and sexy and he was almost whispering in her ear.

  "But you don't know what I was going to ask you yet," she said.

  "Were you going to ask me to escort you to your friend's wedding?" he asked.

  "Yes. I mean ... if you're not too busy, that is."

  "Then, I would love to go," he said again.

  "Are you sure?" she said. "Isn't Deanna coming home for the weekend? I don't want to mess up your plans. I was going to ask you last week, after class, but ..."

  "But Krissy was there?" he asked, finishing Leedy's sentence. Her face flushed and she nodded.

  "Are you seeing her?" she asked. She knew she had no right to ask, but she had to hear the truth from him about his relationship with Krissy. No matter what it might be.

  Terry softly took her by the hand. "I wanted to talk to you after class last week too," he began. "But Krissy asked for a ride to the garage, and ..."

  She looked into his eyes and she saw the familiar expression again. The expression of yearning and passion. It was a look of longing that made her forget all about Krissy Montgomery.

  "Leedy, you have nothing to worry about with Krissy," he said. "I never had any interest in her whatsoever. I've been wanting to tell you that for weeks, but ..."

  "But what?" she asked.

  "But you were so dedicated to your restaurant," Terry admitted. "And you were afraid of what people would think if we were together. Not that I care about what people think ..." His hand tightened on hers and he looked at her mournfully. "It is just that I was not sure if you had room in your career plans for a monkey wrench like me." He was looking into her eyes, drinking her up.

  Leedy felt her insides ache with desire as she melted into his arms.

  "You wouldn't be a monkey wrench in my plans," she said, her voice quivering. "As a matter of fact, you would be helpful. Um ... Jo Anne and I may need some help filling out all the forms and ... paperwork. You know all about financial paperwork, right?"

  Terry slid closer to her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Yes. I know all about forms. I can help you and Jo Anne with the loan application," he said softly. "The Approval Committee meets next week. If we work quickly, we can get the application to them by then."

  "Okay," Leedy said, breathlessly. He was so close she could feel his warm breath and smell his aftershave. Terry looked into her eyes.

  "I'll help you..." he murmured, his voice low. He reached out and gently touched her chin, caressing it softly. "I'm sure we can hammer out all the details," he whispered, just before he kissed her.

  His mouth closed over hers, deliciously soft and warm. Leedy returned the kiss with an urgency that surprised her. It was as if she had been waiting for his kiss for almost as long as she had been dreaming of her restaurant. His tongue hungrily found hers and she felt as if she would explode with yearning.

  "I've been wanting to kiss you again ever since that first time," he whispered.

  "Oh?" she said dumbly, her head in a fog of passion.

  "Yes," he said. "I've wanted to kiss you since the moment I laid eyes on you. Ever since the day you walked into my office." His mouth found hers again and they kissed for a long, burning moment. "I think about you all the time. I can't eat. I can't sleep. I can't think of anything but you." He kissed her again, his mouth moving down to her neck.

  "Ahem," a voice said from above them. Leedy and Terry looked up and saw the waitress standing at the table next to them, a wide grin on her face. "Can I get you two anything else?" she asked. "More coffee? Some dessert? Or maybe you're ready for the check?"

  His face reddened. "Just the check, please," he said and Leedy broke into embarrassed giggles. He looked at her and then he began laughing too.

  "We should learn to use some self-control when we're out together in public," he said, kissing her again.

  "I don't know," she said, holding him tightly. "This way is kind of fun too."

  The old bakery building on the corner of Seventh and Market Streets was more spectacular than either Jo Anne or Leedy expected. The two-story structure was made of weathered grey stones, and it sat far back from the street, but not so far as to be hidden. Although it was more than one hundred years old, the previous owners had renovated it in all the important places while not disturbing the building's timeless beauty. The corner building was blessed with large front windows that overlooked the bustling main street of downtown Madison.

  "We could put an awning up over the doorway," Jo Anne said.

  "A big, black awning, like at Nickoby's," Leedy added.

  "Perfect."

  "And maybe a green canopy for the front of the door."

  "Great idea," Jo Anne said

  "I think there's enough room for a dining area outside when the weather is nice. On the side facing Market Street perhaps."

  "We could put up some wrought iron rails to mark off the dining section," Jo Anne said. "If we keep the area narrow and we use both sides of the building, there should be plenty of room for at least eight or nine tables."

  "That will work," Leedy said thoughtfully. "It was nice of the agent to give us the key. I'm glad we have the chance to look at the place by ourselves."

  "It was not nice of her," Jo Anne corrected. "She already has two other buyers interested in this building. She knows she will have a contract by the end of the day no matter what. So why waste her time personally showing it?"

  "Two other buyers?" Leedy asked, her heart sinking. "Do we have a chance?"

  "I think so," Jo Anne said. "Terry says we have to act fast. He says the real estate firm owes him a favor, too. But we still have to make the best offer."

  "This building does not look this big from the outside," Leedy remarked, swinging open the door into the dark and empty building.

  Jo Anne led the way through the front room, snapping on lights as she went along. "We'll need to knock down some walls to make room for a big dining room. And that old storage area could be made into a banquet room. It looks as if it's plenty big enough."

  The women worked their way quickly through to the back of the bakery. To the room they both wanted to see most.

  "Thank goodness," Jo Anne said.

  "They've modernized it," Leedy said, finishing her thought. They walked through the kitchen, pulling open cabinets and looking into drawers.

  "I think these ovens will do just fine," Leedy said. "I'm happy to see they're gas. And it's a good thing too. Have you seen the prices the new commercial ovens are going for these days?"

  "They're through the roof," Jo Anne agreed. "I hope these have not been sitting for too long. They don't appear to be that old. We certainly aren't lacking for oven space. There are, what, a half-dozen double ovens in this kitchen. We may need another cook top though." They opened and shut more drawers and cabinets and lingered in the enormous kitchen.

  "Probably," Leedy remarked. "And the floors need some work."

  "The real estate broker said there is hardwood underneath the industrial-duty olive green carpeting in the lobby area, but the kitchen floor is another matter."

  "It looks as if it's been painted with a high-gloss paint." Leedy examined the chipped, worn red paint that covered the kitchen floor. "I bet it could get pretty slippery when it's wet," she noted. "Maybe some black and white no-skid commerc
ial-grade floor tiles might work out for us. We should research the facts first though."

  "I like the stainless steel cabinets," Jo Anne commented. "After a good scrubbing, they will be fine. Shoot, we could get my boys in here and they'll have it clean as a whistle in no time. We'd have to cough up a few bucks though. But, don't worry, they work cheap."

  "This place is perfect," Jo Anne said and Leedy agreed.

  "The square footage is enormous!"

  "Bigger than either of us had hoped for."

  "We'll need to hire an architect to remodel the floor plan. And the bathroom facilities could use a facelift."

  "Terry already has scheduled a meeting for us with an architect," Jo Anne said.

  "He's that confident we'll get the loan?" Leedy asked.

  Jo Anne shrugged. "I don't know. All he said was this architect was booked solid for the next year, but he's the best in town and he has agreed to work with us. Another favor he called in on our behalf."

  "The location is perfect," Leedy mused. "We won't have any problems getting people to notice us. It will be ideal for romantic dates, homecoming parties, weddings ..."

  "And being on the corner gives it a strong curb appeal," Jo Anne added, imitating Terry's classroom voice perfectly. Leedy giggled.

  "Speaking of the infamous professor," Jo Anne said. "How goes it with Mr. Foster?"

  "Fine," Leedy said, with a twinkle in her eye. "As a matter of fact, the last time I saw him he seemed like the happiest man in town." It was all she could do to keep from swooning like a love-struck schoolgirl.

  "Have you seen him lately?"

  "We went to lunch yesterday," Leedy said.

  "More smooching in public places?" Jo Anne asked.

  "A little, but we're trying to keep it G-rated."

  "How is Deanna taking this new and improved Uncle Terry?"

  "She's happy for us," Leedy said.

  "She isn't putting you through her boot camp?" Jo Anne asked, surprised.

  "No."

  "No whipped cream in your purse or thumbtacks on your chair?"

  "Of course not!" Leedy said. "Deanna is my friend."