Welcome To Winterville by Carrie Elks

18

“Oh. My. God.” Everley leaned over the laptop she’d set up on North’s breakfast bar. “We’ve sold out already.”

“Of the VIP tickets?” Alaska asked, peering over her shoulder.

“No. All the tickets. Every last one of them.” She looked pale. “Kris only put them on sale an hour ago. I don’t believe this.”

Holly grinned at her. “Believe it. Gray’s a superstar, and everybody wants to show their love for Candy. You should be proud of yourself.”

“I’m more scared that I’m making a huge mistake,” Everley whispered. “What if I can’t pull this off and end up looking like an idiot in front of all those people? Not to mention Gray damn Hartson. My name will be mud.”

“You’re not going to make a fool of yourself.” North gave her a reassuring smile. “The show’s going to be amazing, and so are you. We’ve got your back, kiddo.”

“We’ve already started dividing the work up between us,” Holly assured her. “North and Gabe are going to help Alaska with the staging. I’ve already spoken to Kris and I’m going to take over the admin side so he can concentrate on the technology side. And you just need to work on the show itself.” Holly hugged her. “Stop worrying. You’ll do a great job.”

Gabe looked at the sales numbers. “Our fighting fund is going to be big.”

Holly’s laptop was open next to Everley’s, and it started to buzz, letting her know that Natalie had started their video call.

“Are you all ready?” she checked with her cousins. They nodded and she clicked to accept the call.

They crowded around her, staring at the screen as it flickered to life. Damn, her reflection looked exhausted. She had enough bags under her eyes to stock Target.

“Hey!” Natalie said, grinning. She was sitting at a boardroom table next to a handsome, brown haired man in a suit. Holly bit down a grin at the fact that their shoulders were touching. “This is Ryan Simpson. Ryan, the one in the center with brown hair is my friend, Holly.”

“Hi Holly,” Ryan said, his smile genuine. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Natalie was blushing, and Holly bit down a smile.

Holly introduced her cousins, and they all exchanged pleasantries. Natalie shifted in her seat. Were her legs brushing Ryan’s underneath the table?

“So, we should probably get into it,” Ryan said, his gaze shifting to Natalie. “We have a table booked for eight.”

“Of course.” Holly nodded. “Natalie said you might have found something we can use.”

“Yeah.” Ryan glanced at the printouts in his hands. “These are copies of the original deeds for Winterville,” he said. The casualness had gone from his voice, he was all business now. “There are a few interesting clauses in there, but I wanted to check that they’d been recorded with the county. Which they had, but the original paper records hadn’t been transferred to the computerized ones. Which means the purchasers have no idea of the stipulations.”

Holly blinked. “What kind of clauses and stipulations?”

“There’s one that I think could help your case. In the original deeds, your grandma had it written that any tenant would have the opportunity to buy their property at market value if they gave written notice.”

“I don’t understand,” Everley said, frowning. “What does that mean?”

“It means that according to the deeds, anybody who owns a business in town could buy the building as long as they have the money, and the new purchasers couldn’t do anything about it.”

Holly exchanged glances with North. He got it, she could tell by looking in his eyes.

“But they’d have to buy it at market value?” North said.

“Yes. And with cash. That’s also in the deeds.”

North shook his head. “Then it won’t help us. The shops here don’t have that sort of money hanging around.”

“What about the proceeds from the concert?” Alaska asked.

“Still not enough.” North shook his head.

“This is where Ryan is a genius,” Natalie said, shooting him a smile. “Because you don’t need to buy every building in Winterville. Just a few strategic ones. Buy those, and they won’t be able to create a ski resort because the businesses will be in the way.”

Holly’s mouth dropped open. “That is genius.”

“Do you know how much that would be?” North asked.

“I don’t know the local market well enough to say. You’d need to have them properly appraised,” Ryan told him. “But if you’re strategic about it, it’s definitely do-able. Especially if you have these funds your cousin was talking about.”

“We do.” Everley nodded, her eyes wide. “We’ll have the money real soon.”

“So all we have to do is tell Gerber Enterprises that we want to buy the businesses?”

“Yes, but there are a few things you need to consider.” Ryan glanced down at his notes. “First of all, Gerber Enterprises could claim they didn’t know about the clause. And they don’t, because the papers were buried. I had to use considerable charm with the recorder’s office to have them found.”

“What else?” North asked, his expression animated. He was excited, Holly could tell.

“You only have two weeks to complete your transaction after notifying the company. Which means you want to have the money liquid and available.”

“When will it be here?” North asked Everley.

“It gets released the day after the concert. Except that’s Christmas Day, so we’ll have to wait for the twenty-sixth.”

North sighed. “Damn, that’s forever away.”

“No, that’s a good thing,” Ryan said, smiling. “You can notify them on Christmas Day and that starts the countdown. If their offices are closed for the holidays, it gives them less time to try to stop you legally. Once the two weeks are up and you’ve paid them, they have no choice but to transfer the rights to the current tenants.”

“But we’ll need to keep things quiet until then, right?” Everley said. “Otherwise they might try and overturn the clause?”

“Exactly.” Ryan nodded. “If you can work out what buildings will cause the most problems by being bought, I can draft up the contracts and letters, and have them ready for you to issue on Christmas Day. Everybody concerned, including the tenants, need to keep quiet, that’s all.”

“Didn’t I tell you he’s amazing?” Natalie said, grinning.

“Gerber Enterprises can’t find out,” North said, glancing at Holly.

“Of course they won’t,” Everley said quickly. “We’re not stupid. And we can all keep a secret, right?”

Her cousins turned to look at Holly. She had no idea what North and Gabe knew about her relationship with Josh, but Everley and Alaska knew where she’d been disappearing to these past few nights.

“Right, Holly?” Everley repeated.

“Right.” Her stomach did a little flip flop.

“Thank you,” North said to Ryan and Natalie. “Seriously, we’re all really grateful for what you’ve done.”

“I’ll send Holly an email with all the details,” Ryan said. “First thing in the morning. Because now this beautiful lady and I are going out for dinner.” Natalie grinned and waved at them, saying goodbye as she clicked to end the call.

“Oh my God!” Everley cried out, when the screen went black. “We’re going to save Winterville. Can you believe it?” She hugged Holly. “This is all thanks to you.”

“This calls for champagne,” Gabe agreed, walking over to North’s wine refrigerator, and pulling out a bottle. “We have a lot to celebrate.”

North was grinning. Alaska was hugging Everley. And Gabe was winking at Holly.

She smiled back, because this really was a good thing. It was everything they’d wanted.

They’d be able to save their grandma’s town, and the homes of all the people who lived in it.

It was what she wanted, right?

* * *

“Are you okay?” Everley asked her later that night, as they accompanied Holly back to the Inn. Alaska had walked over to talk with the night receptionist, leaving them waiting at the elevator for a lift to arrive.

“I’m good. Why do you ask?” Holly gave her a tight smile.

“Because you were really quiet tonight. And you hardly drank any champagne. Unlike Gabe.” She wrinkled her nose. “Who knew he was such a lightweight? I swear he could barely walk by the time we left.”

“I’m just tired.” Holly gave her a reassuring smile. “Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t cure.” It wasn’t a lie, either. Spending her nights with Josh Gerber was anything but restful.

Crazy. Sexy. Emotionally perfect. But definitely not restful.

“Are you worried about what’s going to happen with Josh?”

The elevator arrived and three guests walked out. Everley and Holly walked inside, and Everley pressed the button for Holly’s floor.

“Are you walking me to my room?” Holly tried not to grin.

“Kinda. Alaska will be forever, so at least I get to talk with you while I wait for her. So why have you got a long face?”

Holly leaned against the rail. “I just don’t like keeping secrets. It feels wrong.”

The doors closed, and Everley shot her a speculative look. “You really like him, don’t you?”

“He’s a good man. I guess it would be easier if he wasn’t.”

“I mean like him, like him.” Everley lifted an eyebrow. “You’re falling for him.”

It wasn’t a question, but Holly still found herself trying to find the right answer. “I think I could easily fall for him if I let myself,” she finally said.

“Will you let yourself?” The elevator arrived at her floor, and Holly walked out with Everley close behind.

Would she? The thought of it made her want to panic. “I just want to enjoy it for what it is.”

“But you wish you didn’t have to hide this thing from him.”

“Something like that.”

“I think you’re worrying over nothing.” They’d reached Holly’s door, and Everley leaned against the wall while Holly found her key.

“You do?” Holly frowned.

“Yeah. Josh is a businessman. He’ll know this is purely business.” Everley shrugged. “Put it this way, do you expect him to tell you all his plans for demolishing this place?”

Holly shook her head. “No.”

“Has he told you anything about what will happen once the escrow goes through?” Everley persisted.

“No he hasn’t. We don’t talk about the sale very much.” They were too busy doing other things.

“Then he wouldn’t and shouldn’t expect you to share anything about this with him either. Let’s face it, he knows that you’re opposed to the purchase, just like the rest of us. He doesn’t need to know the details.”

“I guess…” Holly slowly nodded. Everley was making sense.

“I haven’t seen you this happy in years,” Everley said, as Holly pressed her key against the reader. “Stop overthinking this. And for god’s sake don’t sabotage it. You deserve this, Hol. You deserve to be happy.”

Her heart clenched. “So do you.”

Everley’s smile was tight. “I’m not talking about me. Josh will understand. He will. I’ve seen how he looks at you. Just try to enjoy this time you have together, and stop sweating this.” She bumped her shoulder against Holly’s. “And if you’re still feeling guilty, just do something extra nice for him.”

“Like what?”

Everley winked. “I’m pretty sure you can think of something. Now I’m going to move Alaska along. It’s been a long day and tomorrow will be even longer.”

“Let me know if I can do anything to help.”

“You’re already doing enough. Taking over the admin is a huge help.” Everley kissed her cheek. “Good night, Holly.”

“’Night, Everley.”

* * *

She couldn’t sleep. Which was laughable, because her whole body ached as though she’d competed in two Ironman Triathlons in a row. Instead, she was staring at the patterns in the plaster of the Winterville Inn ceiling, wondering why her stomach was still tied in knots.

Because you’re not a liar. Or at least, she wasn’t a good one. And she’d never wanted to be. She prided herself on honesty and integrity. That’s what made her job all the more delicious.

A glance at her phone told her it was just after midnight. There was a message from Josh on there wishing her sweet dreams. She tapped out a quick reply.

Are you awake? – H

A moment later, Josh’s reply appeared on the screen.

I’m just getting ready for bed. Are you okay?– J

Instead of replying, she hit the call button. He answered before she could even exhale.

“Hey.” His voice was warm and soft. It sent a shiver down her spine. “Are you missing me already?”

Her shoulders relaxed. “A little,” she confessed. “But my lady parts aren’t. They just sent me a thank you note for giving them the night off.”

Josh laughed. “How was your night?”

“It was good.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Do you have a plan for what happens to Winterville right after the escrow goes through?”

Josh paused, as though considering her words. “Yeah, we do. But I figure you wouldn’t want to know about that.”

“I don’t think I do.” Damn, this was confusing. “Would you in my position?”

“No.”

“Okay then.” She exhaled heavily.

“And I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to. It would be commercial suicide. If something went wrong because I opened my mouth I’d have to explain that to our investors and employees.” He paused for a moment. “You understand that, don’t you?”

More than he knew. “Yeah, I understand.”

“Are we still good? Because this isn’t personal. It’s not about you and me. That’s completely separate.”

Just like Everley said. “We’re still good,” she said softly.

“I’m glad.” His voice was warm. “Because I don’t want to spend another night without you. My bed is way too big.”

She smiled. For the first time all night, it felt genuine. “I can’t sleep without you, either,” she confessed.

“You want me to come over?”

Her smile widened. “No. Because then we definitely won’t get any rest. Maybe just talk to me for a while. Your voice might bore me to sleep.”

He laughed again. Damn, he was sexy, even over the phone. “Have you checked your purse today?”

“Yeah.” She tipped her head to the side. Why was he talking about her purse.

“How about in the pocket at the front?”

“I don’t use that pocket.”

“Look in it,” he urged.

She switched him over to speaker and climbed out of bed, grabbing her purse. Sliding her free hand into the pocket, she felt the cool, smooth surface of a pebble.

Josh’s pebble.

It felt heavy in her hand. “I found it,” she said softly.

“I’m surprised you didn’t find it before. It’s been there all day.”

The corner of her lips curled up. “Why did you put it in there?”

“I don’t know.” He sounded almost shy. “Maybe since I can’t be with you tonight, I wanted a little part of me with you instead.”

That was so sweet it made her heart ache. She’d never have believed him to be the kind of man who kept something so sentimental for all these years. Or who’d anticipate that she’d need that sentimental something to make her feel safe while all alone in her bed. It warmed her insides.

Is this what it was like to fall for somebody? She felt off balance, like she’d just stepped off a rollercoaster and was swaying to one side. It would be so easy to fall in love with Josh Gerber if she let herself.

And so easy to get hurt by him. He was confusing and beautiful and so different to anybody she’d met before. Not the heartless businessman she’d written him off as that first day at the Inn.

“I’ll look after it,” she promised. “And give it back to you tomorrow.”

“It’s weird, because I keep shoving my hand in my pocket and being surprised it isn’t there.”

“Do you always keep it in your pocket?”

“Yeah.”

“For all these years?”

He laughed. “You think I’m crazy, right?”

“Not at all. Some guys have a security blanket, you have a security pebble. It’s quite sweet.”

“Ugh. The curse of quite sweet. No guy wants to be called that.”

“What do you want to be called?”

“A sex god.”

It was her turn to laugh. She lay back on the bed, phone in one hand, the pebble in the other. And it was weird, but she did feel better holding it in her hand. “Maybe you can be both. A sex god with a pebble fetish.” Her voice was heavy. She was starting to feel sleepy now.

“I’ll take that.”

“You do that.” She yawned.

“Are you tired now?” he asked gently.

“Getting there.”

“Want me to keep talking?”

“Yes please.”

He started telling her a story about a phone call he’d had with one of his investors, whose wife had gone out for the day, leaving him with three children under the age of four. He hadn’t even gotten to the punch line before her eyes had fluttered closed and her breath had evened out. Hearing his low, warm voice was enough to make her feel content.

Secure.

And a little bit in love with the one man she shouldn’t fall for.