Barefoot Bay: The Billionaire's Convenient Secret (Kindle Worlds Novella) (9 page)

Through the phone, she heard David tapping his pencil against a hard surface. The sound set her teeth on edge.

“Sunday, then,” he said at last. “In the meantime, a few new wrinkles have developed in the Favor Oil expansion. Are you alone so we can talk?”

She glanced around at the tastefully appointed villa that felt far too empty without Josh there to share it with her. “There’s no one here. We won’t be overheard.” Grabbing a pad and a pen, she put the phone on speaker and collapsed onto the couch, ready to take notes.

“First off, I wanted to warn you to expect a downsizing in Mergers and Acquisitions once the Favor deal wraps up. It looks like at least half the staff will be let go before the first of the year.”

Her stomach sank. In all likelihood, the company would wait until the week before Christmas to hand out the pink slips. W&B was all heart like that. She mustered up enough courage to ask, “And where, exactly, do I fall in that lineup?”

“First in, first out. That’s the usual rule. There are exceptions, and I want you to be one of them, but that hinges on your current assignment.”

“So, basically, complete the purchase of the Super Min or bring my resume up to date,” she said, jotting a note on her pad.

“I wouldn’t put it quite like that, but yes. I wish that were all, but Grant managed to land those six mom-and-pops I mentioned, plus one more.” Somberly, David doled out more bad news. “That gives him an edge over you since you both joined the firm about the same time. So you can see why I’m concerned, Charlie. You’re really going to need to step up if you have any hope of coming out on top.”

She tugged her lower lip between her teeth, stifling a protest. Yesterday, she’d been so far ahead of the rest of the pack that she’d agreed to take the weekend off. Now, she’d have to sign both the small stores she’d been negotiating with, plus the Super Min, just to stay in the game.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got this,” she said, although she felt a lot less certain than she had before. Not wanting to share her doubts with her boss, she prodded the conversation forward. “You said there were several things. What else is happening?”

“There is one more thing, but no one else in the office knows about it yet. I’m only telling you because I thought, if you ran into any problems down there, you’d need the added ammunition. You remember that survey Favor Oil had us run before they decided to acquire all the mom-and-pops?”

Annoyed by a strand that kept falling onto her forehead, she whipped her hair into a loose bun. “Yeah, I remember it. In all but one or two cases, the results supported renovations by a wide margin.”

“The Mimosa Key store was one of those exceptions. The age and general condition of the building make it expensive to bring old wiring and plumbing up to new codes. Favor Oil has taken another look at those figures and slated the Mimosa Key store for demo.”

“When?” The boiled peanuts she’d eaten earlier must have upset her stomach, because she suddenly felt nauseated. She swallowed dryly. “And how long will it take to rebuild?”

“Once construction actually starts, maybe twelve to fifteen months. The biggest problem will be getting the local government on board. I’ve heard people in Mimosa Key can be pretty resistant to change.”

You think?

Based on her experience with Josh, she’d say that was a definite. She collapsed against the sofa cushions.

“Not a word of this can leak, Charlie. I’m only telling you because Favor wants to turn the Mimosa Key store into a flagship, of sorts. An example, if you will, of how to do things right. So a lot of eyes are focused on you right now. If you pull this off, it’ll be a definite feather in your cap at W&B.”

And if she didn’t?

With her eyes closed, she mouthed the words David expected to hear—that she was excited about this new opportunity, that she wouldn’t let him down. Blah. Blah. Blah. But as they said their good-byes, her thoughts raced.

Possibly more than a year without the Super Min? The ripple effect would spread throughout the community.

She felt a little more sick to her stomach when she considered the changes Favor would make to the store. The new owners would never agree to sell the boiled peanuts that had become her new favorite treat. The oil company would certainly put an end to free delivery service. While she couldn’t fathom the island’s white-haired senior citizens hobbling along sidewalks beneath a sweltering sun, as long as the Super Min existed, they’d still be able to get milk for their morning coffee. Destroying the store, though, would rip a huge hole in the very fabric of life on Mimosa Key.

Her head swam. This new plan was all well and good for Favor Oil, but what would happen to the people who depended on the Super Min? The tourists who crossed the bridge from Naples, intending to stock up at their favorite mom-and-pop would have to circle back and buy their snacks from a store on the other side of the bay. Josh, and others like him, would lose their jobs. Without the income he earned from the Super Min, his dream of starting his own vineyard would die on the vine before the first grape leaves unfurled.

How could she let that happen, much less be a part of it?

She squeezed her eyes shut. This wasn’t her problem. She didn’t live on Mimosa Key. She’d barely met any of its residents. She didn’t have to care. It wasn’t too late. She could still do her job and walk away.

Yeah, right.

If it was really nothing to her, why were her hands shaking? Why did her heart hurt for all the people whose lives would be affected by the store’s closure? Worse, why did her heart hurt so much she could barely breathe when she thought of Josh giving up his dream, losing his life savings, when she could prevent it?

Not if she loved him, she couldn’t.

She stopped, her heart hammering.

Did she love Josh? Had she, despite all her warnings to the contrary, despite her firm insistence that she wouldn’t, fallen head over heels in love with a man whose goals and dreams were at the opposite end of the spectrum from her own?

Twin rivers of tears ran down her cheeks. Heaven help her, she had.

She drew in a thready breath. Putting her new resolve into motion was the hardest thing she’d ever done, but she retrieved the phone from the coffee table where she’d abandoned it. After hitting the speed dial, she counted the rings until someone picked up. By the time she’d disconnected a few minutes later, she’d scheduled an appointment with David for Monday morning.

Which gave her roughly forty-eight hours to come up with a plan to save the Super Min. She pulled her laptop out of its case. Her fingers flew over the keys in search of ownership and sales records for mom-and-pop stores, facts and figures to back up her ideas. She kept at it for hours until, as the first rays of a new day struck the wide deck outside her villa, she shut down her computer and collapsed into bed.

In a few hours, Josh would arrive, expecting them to spend the day relaxing on the beach and making love. As much as she wanted to do exactly that, as much as she hated to disappoint him, their plans would have to wait. Because, right now, the only things that mattered were saving the Super Min and protecting Josh’s dreams of the future.

Chapter Four

Whistling, Josh made his way down Casa Blanca’s flower-lined path to the Rockrose. Whistling because he couldn’t believe how lucky he’d been to be standing behind the counter when Charlie walked into the Super Min. He’d never clicked with someone like he had with her. Had it really been only two days ago? It felt like he’d known her forever. Like a part of his soul had been searching for hers his entire life. Now that he had her, he didn’t want to ever let her go.

His footsteps slowed. The tuneless whistle died on his lips. Did he really want to spend the rest of his life with Charlie?

A shaft of sunlight arrowed down through a gap in the canopy of plants and bathed him in warmth. He nodded. He couldn’t imagine living without her. At some point, he’d fallen hook, line, sinker, rod and reel for the willowy blonde. No doubt about it, he was in love. Yet, the change had snuck up on him. He rubbed his forehead, trying to pinpoint the exact moment when he’d gone from being deeply in lust with a girl he liked to falling undeniably in love with the green-eyed beauty.

He was pretty sure it hadn’t been while she shared stories from her childhood over lunch yesterday. When she recalled how excited she’d gotten about the hand-me-down outfit she’d worn on her first day of school, his gut had actually twisted. But that had been sympathy, not love. Later, when she admitted she’d been in college before she realized that not everyone shopped at Goodwill, he’d nearly given in to an urge to buy out an entire shopping mall for her. As powerful as that urge had been, however, it hadn’t been love.

Nor had he fallen for her when they visited the property near the harbor. He’d wanted that piece of land in the worst way. Wedged between the highway and the water, the busy site made an ideal spot for The Grape, but not for a vineyard. Still, he’d considered purchasing the site until he noticed the frown that bunched Charlie’s eyebrows and pursed her delicious lips. It had been refreshing to hear someone disagree with him, refuse to back down until she’d voiced her concerns. Salt blowing off the water would stunt the vines, she’d insisted. And wouldn’t diesel fumes from the boats taint the grapes? She was right, of course, and, from that moment on, he’d looked at her with a new respect for her intelligence and knowledge. But that alone hadn’t been enough to make him fall in love with her.

Maybe he’d lost heart and soul to her when they kissed.

He shook his head. As amazing as that experience had been, as responsive as Charlie was to his touch, as much as he ached for her, this wasn’t his first dance. He knew it took more than lust to form the basis for a lifelong commitment.

So, no. He couldn’t say when he’d fallen for Charlie. But he had. Completely. His heart in his hand, he rapped on the door, eager to get the day started. He wanted to fill the next twenty-four hours with sun and sand. With long talks and room service. With promises that led to a night of passion. He couldn’t wait to confess his love and hear her whisper the same words in return.

But what if she didn’t?

He stilled. Silently, he let his hand fall to his side as doubt shook him to his very core. He was so used to having women throw themselves at his feet that he guessed he’d never stopped to consider the alternative. That maybe, just maybe, Charlie didn’t feel the same way about him. And why would she? She was a rising star at W&B, one of the most prestigious finance offices in the state. She was going places. Women like her didn’t fall for the plain ol’ Joshes of the world. They didn’t give their hearts to clerks at the local convenience store. And that’s all he was to her, wasn’t it?

But if he told her the truth…

Groaning, he stumbled back a step. While it was true that the moment he crossed the bridge from Mimosa Key to Naples, he’d resume his position as one of the wealthiest men in America, he couldn’t risk getting involved with another woman who loved him only for his money. He’d made that mistake—with Bessie and with others before her—often enough that he’d earned the proverbial T-shirt. He couldn’t use his wealth, his prestige to win Charlie’s heart. She had to love him for who he was, not what he owned, or they’d never have a future together.

“Well, this is a fine kettle of boiled peanuts,” he muttered.

Realizing he’d created the situation himself, he reached down deep, summoning more courage than he’d needed when he applied for his first expansion loan, and knocked on Charlie’s door. His excitement for the day ahead of them took another hit when she answered wearing a wrinkled T-shirt and capris. Barefoot, she’d shoved her hair into a messy twist he was more than halfway certain she hadn’t combed since rolling out of bed that morning. If, that was, she’d spent any time in bed at all. Which was doubtful, considering the dark shadows under her eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asked. Concern swept through him. He felt for his cell phone, determined to overrule her objections and send for his private physician if she had even the slightest fever.

“I’m fine, but I must look a sight.” She ran a hand through the bird’s nest of hair. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop. There’s just so much to do.”

“You need a rain check?” he asked, aware their time on Mimosa Key grew shorter with every minute. By midweek, he’d be back in Atlanta, his brief respite from the responsibilities of running a multinational company at an end.

“Um, no. Well, yes.” She tugged on his hand. “Come in, please? We need to talk.”

“Talk?” Unease sank its icy claws into his stomach. Was this it? Had she decided a poor boy from Mimosa Key had no place in her life? He gulped, certain she was about to give him the brush-off. Refusing to cross her threshold, his stubborn feet sank their roots into the wooden deck outside her door. “Whatever you have to say, you can say it here and now.” He squared his shoulders, determined to take the news like a man and hide his heartbreak until he was alone. Bracing himself, he stared at the confusion that swam lazy laps in Charlie’s green eyes.

“You’re not going to break up with me?” he whispered.

“Why would I do that?” The saucy grin he’d grown so fond of played around her lips. “It’s not like that at all, Josh. I’ve been up all night trying to find a way to save the Super Min. I think I’ve found an answer, but it’s going to take both of us to get the job done.”

He leaned closer. “You’re not making a whole lot of sense.” But what else was new? Ever since Charlie had stepped foot on Mimosa Key, she’d thrown his life into turmoil. Breaking his feet loose from their cement galoshes, he stepped forward and cupped her face. “Ready for what? Charity will be home tomorrow. She’ll tell you she never intended to sell the store, and that will be that.” Releasing his hold on her, he brushed his palms together. The deal, as they said, was practically done. Or, in this case, un-done.

Charlie tucked a hank of loose hair behind one ear. “There’ve been some, um, developments. Come on in, and I’ll bring you up to speed.”

He gathered, from Charlie’s demeanor, that this wasn’t the time to profess his undying love. Shelving his plans, he sank into an overstuffed sofa and asked, “Now what’s this all about?”

“In the interest of time, I’ll give you the short story. I can flesh out the details later while we work.” She pulled a clip from her hair. Blond curls cascaded onto her shoulders. Before he had a chance to reach out and run his fingers through a single strand, she gave the locks a casual twist and anchored them to the back of her head. One glimpse of how sweet and sexy she looked sitting there, and his mouth went dry, making him doubly glad he wasn’t the one doing the talking.

“David, my boss, called last night,” Charlie began. “Favor Oil has taken a second look at the mom-and-pop stores they’re buying.”

He studied Charlie’s bunched expression, and his heart thudded. “Judging from the look on your face, I’d guess that’s not good news.”

“No.” In a move that telegraphed her nervousness, she bit her lower lip. “Remember the plan to remodel all the mini-marts?”

He nodded. She’d said the store would be closed for a day. Two, at the most.

“They’ve changed their minds about the Super Min—they’re going to raze it.”

Unable to remain seated, Josh stood. “When is all this supposed to happen?”

“Soon.” Refusing to look him in the eyes, Charlie studied her hands. “Once Charity signs the contract, they’ll come in with bulldozers. In a matter of weeks, all that will be left is an empty lot.”

“And if she doesn’t sign?”

“She has to. Favor Oil isn’t giving her any choice.”

“How, exactly, have they forced my aunt to go along with their plan?” Every muscle in his body tensed. He’d suspected from the beginning that Charity was being pressured into selling the Super Min. Sensing they’d finally arrived at the crux of the issue, he let his eyes bore into Charlie’s.

In a low voice that matched her downcast face, she answered, “If Charity doesn’t sell the Super Min to them, Favor will pull their franchise for the gas station part. Without gas to draw people to the store, she’ll be on the verge of bankruptcy within six months. Then Favor can swoop in and buy it for a song.”

With no income from the convenience store or the pumps, his aunt’s business would fail, taking her plans to open a new store along with it. Faced with the choice of selling now and walking away with something to show for her life’s work, or holding out hope for a miracle, Charity had taken the best option available to her. With a heavy heart, he eyed the woman who’d dropped this disaster into their laps. “You’ve known this for a while, haven’t you?”

“Not about razing the store. I only learned about that last night. But you’re right about the franchise.” Her breath shuddered. “Charity knew, too. I told her when I made the initial offer.”

“You should have told me.” His fists clenched. Deliberately, he reminded himself that Charlie was only the messenger, not the creator of this mess. Slowly, he uncurled his fingers. “You shouldn’t have kept this a secret.”

Her chin lifted then, her gaze sharpening. “It really wasn’t any of your business. This was between Charity, me and W&B. Besides, what could you do about it?”

She had no idea.

He crossed his arms, blocking the feelings of betrayal that threatened to undermine his love for her. He turned away and stared out the window at the harsh glint of the sun on the surface of the water. None of this was Charlie’s fault. Of course, she hadn’t turned to him. Why would she?

Calmly, he pushed aside his feelings for her and concentrated on ordering his thoughts. Six months ago, one phone call to the right person, a whispered word here, a nudge there, and the powers that be at Favor Oil would’ve been convinced to focus their interests in another direction. Now that their plans were already in the works, he couldn’t stop the takeover entirely, but he had the resources to save his aunt’s store.

That was the only thing that mattered now.

It was one thing to close the store for a day, a week, hell, even a month. It was something else entirely to tear it down and rebuild. Even if everything fell into place—permits, contractors, materials—a year, possibly two, would pass before the new store opened. By then, everything would change.

The Super Min was the very heart and soul of Mimosa Key. The grapevine that telegraphed news to every corner of the island had its start there. Inside its doors, people shared their greatest joys and heard about their fellow residents’ darkest secrets. They depended on his aunt Charity to keep them entertained and in the know. He tried to imagine life on the island without the store and failed.

The businessman in him urged him to walk out, make some phone calls and pull whatever strings he had to to save his aunt’s livelihood and the island’s conscience. But his heart argued for giving Charlie a chance. Slowly, his heart won out. He lowered himself onto the couch, determined to hear what she had to say. “So, now what?”

“Even though I’ve only been here a few days, you’ve shown me how beautiful it is here on Mimosa Key, Josh. I want to help preserve its sense of community. To keep things the way they are for Mrs. Yoder and others like her. To do that, we need to buy Charity some time to develop a strategy that will save her business permanently. For now, though, I think the key is W&B. We have to convince them to back away from the table. If we’re successful—and I think we will be—it’ll be years before Favor can try this kind of takeover again.”

He had to admit it—Charlie’s passion was contagious. He loved seeing her enthusiasm sparkle in her eyes and leaned forward. Propping his elbows on his knees, he offered encouragement. “I bet you have a plan for putting the wheels in motion.”

“I do.” She nodded. Several long tendrils had escaped her makeshift bun to curl around her face. She tucked a strand of hair behind one ear. “I want to stage a coup. I’d like to bring in all the store owners who haven’t sold to Favor yet and sit down with one of the partners at W&B. We’ll present our case. I have some compelling arguments for leaving the convenience stores in the hands of the current owners.”

Intrigued by her plan, he ran a hand through his hair. “How can I help?”

“I found a website loaded with facts and figures supporting privately held mom-and-pop stores. Did you know there are studies that show individually owned convenience stores actually bring in more business for the oil companies than the ones they own?” She didn’t stop for an answer, but shrugged and kept talking. “I have all the raw data, and I’ve pulled together some talking points. We need to assemble it all into a presentation.”