Catriona dressed to impress in a conservative pantsuit that nipped in at the waist and flared at the hips. She paired it with black boots that would have Lara Croft weep with envy and a silk scarf in the colors of the northern lights, giving her green eyes an otherworldly cast.
Nerves skittered under the surface, but only those who really knew her would be able to notice. Hopefully Hank Dawson wouldn’t. She needed this deal. The two-story clapboard house across from Pulse Bistro Café would be perfect for her shop. The location couldn’t be beat as it resided right on the Main Artery where everyone drove by coming in and out of town.
She entered Dawson Realty and Development to find Hank walking up to her with a huge smile on his face.
“Catriona, I can’t wait to get started on this project of yours. I have a few properties to show you. One, that I think is perfect.”
“Actually, I already have my heart set on the Mood Property.”
His expression fell. “I’m sorry, Cat, that’s tied up. I don’t know when it will be free to lease. It could be years. Family drama, you see.”
“But don’t you own it?”
He flushed. “Technically, with my ex-wife, and that’s where the drama comes in. I don’t see anything being resolved any time soon with that property. My ex could give a bull moose lessons on how to stand his ground.”
Catriona almost asked which ex-wife before biting back the words. Her disappointment must have shown on her face, for Hank laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Now, don’t give up hope. I think I’ve found you a property better than that old place.”
The oldness was one of the things that appealed to her. She loved the character of the historic homes that had been built around the turn of the nineteenth century when gold had been king in Heartbreak.
Hank shrugged into his sheep-lined coat and grabbed a leather satchel. “Shall we take my truck?”
“That would be great.” Before she knew it, Hank had bundled her into his 4x4 crew cab Sierra. It seemed every man in Alaska drove some kind of pickup. Sportscars were for men in the lower forty-eight who were either compensating for something or had something to prove. Alaskan men didn’t fall into either category. Not when living here challenged them every day and if they couldn’t make it, they ended back “Outside” or dead.
“Pickings are slim right now for commercial properties,” Hank said, turning off the Main Artery and onto Pulmonary Lane. He parked in front of a run-down shack. The definition of shack was being generous. “This one would require some vision and a lot of work on your part. But with your family, you have the vision and skillset to turn this into something—well, if not beautiful, at least functionary.”
Catriona’s spirits fell. He had to be kidding. This property called for a match and a can of gasoline to put it out of its misery. Hank named the amount of the lease, and she almost choked. “Are you joking?”
“Sorry, Cat, I know that isn’t what you want to hear, but summer is coming and the tourists are still flocking in for the upcoming Ice Festival. Commercial property is in high demand right now. Don’t lose heart. I have a few more buildings to show you.”
They didn’t get any better.
One was too far off the beaten path. Customers wouldn’t be able to find her without a GPS locator. The other sat next to a tire shop and no amount of incense would mask the rubber smell that permeated the air.
“I have one more to show you. I’ve been saving it as I believe it will be perfect.”
“It can’t be as bad as the one on Heartbreak Ridge.”
“True. Just keep an open mind.” He pulled onto Coronary Corner and drove down until the street ended.
“This is the Pump House,” Cat said.
“Not here. There.” Hank pointed across the street to the cute, two-story clapboard with Victorian gingerbread trim and Second Chance Books scrawled on a sign hanging above the door. A “Going out of Business” banner hung in the window.
“Jill Knudsen is wanting to move somewhere tropical since the winters are taking a toll on her arthritis. The place just came on the market. When I told her of your plans, she mentioned that she’d be willing to make you a deal on her remaining inventory of books, candles, and trinkets if you purchase the place. I held it until last as she isn’t looking for a lease option, but a full buyout. I didn’t know if that was something you would be interested in.” He named the amount and she had to ask him to repeat it.
The price was reasonable, but could she swing it?
“I don’t know if I have enough credit for the bank to carry a loan for that much.”
“Well, that’s the beauty of this deal. She might, and I caution might, carry the loan for you.”
“You’re kidding me, right?”
“With a good word from a few of us, I think she’ll jump at it. Besides, she thinks highly of your family. She was friends with your mother. Want to take a look inside?”
“Yes, please.”
She climbed down from the truck, slid on the ice in her rush to join Hank, and corrected herself with her arms wind-milling. She looked like an idiot, but it kept her from planting her butt in the snow.
“Now, don’t get so excited that you hurt yourself,” Hank cautioned with a grin, holding the door for her.
Her first order of business would be to change out the door with solid glass, something maybe etched with mystical fairies. The door opened into a large room with bookcases already built into one wall. They were still stocked with used books and she couldn’t wait to sift through for hidden gems if she bought the place. A large, plate-glass window flanked the front and she could already see crystals and dream catchers hanging there catching the light and spilling their prismatic colors into the room.
Hank took her through the house which consisted of three rooms on the main floor with a small bathroom and galley-size kitchenette. Up the stairs there were three other rooms.
“Are any of these walls load bearing?” she asked, taking in the space, loving the pitch of the roof and the dormer windows.
“I’d have your dad check to make sure, but with the roof line, I don’t believe so.”
“Would Jill be open to serious renovations?”
“You settle on a price and the place would be yours to do with as you see fit. What are you thinking?”
“Well, if I could open these two bedrooms up by taking down this wall, it would be the perfect place to hold yoga classes.” That would leave the other bedroom and bathroom for her to use, saving on rent and finally giving her a place of her own to live.
She followed Hank back outside.
“Take the keys so you can show the place to your dad or your brothers to see if the remodeling can be done.” Hank handed them over to her.
“Are you sure?” she asked, reaching out for the keys.
“You’re in love with the place. I can tell. So, yes, I’m sure.”
“It’s perfect.” Cat sighed, looking back over the quaint two-story. Then she turned and saw Avery marching toward them from the Pump House.
Well, it was almost perfect.
“What’s going on here?” Avery demanded. He hadn’t taken time to put on a coat, bustling over in a short-sleeve, black, form-fitted t-shirt and worn jeans. His breath escaped in white plumes.
“Catriona is looking to buy Jill’s place. She’s opening her own business. The Mystic Heart,” Hank said, as though he was proud of her.
“Not here she isn’t.” Avery planted his hands on his hips.
“That’s really none of your concern,” Cat said, the hair on the nape of her neck rising.
“The hell it isn’t.” He pointed to the Pump House. “I have my own business to think about and I don’t want some—” he turned to Hank— “what did you call it?”
“The Mystic Heart,” Cat supplied before Hank could.
“Right, whatever. A business like that will impact my customers.”
“How? You don’t even know what kind of business it is.” She
stood nose-to-nose with Avery now, hating that he smelled so good. A mix of pine needles and cedar. Hank stepped back to watch the fireworks, a silly grin splitting his weathered face.
“What hell kind of business is it then?” Avery growled out.
Did she tell him? What if he treated her ideas like Todd had? She had no problem taking that negative crap from Todd, but Avery…
When it came to him, she didn’t know if she could take the disappointment.
“You’ll have to wait and see, neighbor,” she said instead.
He opened his mouth, closed it, and opened it again. “You can’t just open any kind of business. It has to be approved by the city council.”
“Not a problem there,” Hank piped up. “Catriona’s paperwork is all in order and the town council is pleased with what she will be adding to the town.”
“Adding what?” he asked again through tight lips.
“Like I said, you’ll have to wait and see.” She turned to get into Hank’s truck. “Oh, and I’ll need you to keep your customers on your side of the street and not impact mine.” She gave him a Cheshire-cat grin and shut the door on his expletive. He stomped back across the street to the Pump House, opening and slamming the door behind him.
“You enjoyed that,” Hank said, sharing an amused look with her.
“That I did, and if I’m not mistaken, so did you.”
Hank laughed, the sound filling the interior of the cab. “I do believe my boy has met his match.”
Chapter 4
Avery watched through the large plate-glass window of the Pump House as Catriona drove away with his dad. The traitor. What the hell was Hank Dawson up to? He knew how Avery felt about Catriona. Well, not all of it. He didn’t know that he thought of Cat too much, even dreamt of her.
Hell, he couldn’t have her across the street from him. He’d see her every day. How would he not weaken?
She’d never mentioned anything about wanting to go into business for herself when they had been dating. She had a good job working for that tool, Todd Ellis. The thought struck him that if she quit Heart Springs Eternal, she would no longer be working closely with Ellis. Not that he should care. Besides, she broke up with the cocky operator last night.
Avery caught himself grinning. Cat had seen right through Ellis’s bullshit.
That was his girl.
No, not his girl. Shit. He had to move on from her, but how would he do that with her in his corner of the world.
He could try and buy the place. That would keep her from opening her business across the street from his.
Now there was an idea.
He didn’t know what he’d do with the property. But he wanted to invest in something. The Pump House was bringing in more money than he knew what to do with. He needed to diversify. His family had been in real estate and development since his grandfather’s time. Investing in property was a good idea. He needed to call his lawyer.
“He what?” Jack barked in the phone at Hank after hearing that Avery had put in an offer on Second Chance Books.
“Hey, no one is more pissed about my son’s actions than me,” Hank said. “But I have an idea to thwart him. Jill hasn’t seen the offer yet. I can delay it for a time so Cat can get her offer in first. If Jill accepts Cat’s before she sees Avery’s, we’re still golden. You should have seen them together today. The heat coming off those two about singed my eyebrows.”
“Avery will know we’re up to something if Ryder and I take a look at the place with Cat tonight. He’ll know his offer hasn’t been considered.”
“I already thought of that. I have a plan to get him out of the Pump House so you can access the property without him knowing you were even there.”
“What are you going to do?”
“You just leave that up to me.”
Chapter 5
“Why are we waiting out here?” Cat asked as she sat in the backseat of the crew cab of her dad’s truck. Jack perched in the driver’s seat, peering out of the window, while Ryder seconded her question.
“We’re waiting for a signal that the coast is clear,” Jack said.
“Clear for what?” Cat asked, clearly confused over her dad’s suspicious actions.
Suddenly Avery burst out of the Pump House and ran for his beat up old Ford.
“Get down,” Jack hollered, scrunching in his seat.
“What the hell is going on?” Cat demanded.
Ryder filled her in. “Apparently, your boyfriend really doesn’t want you buying this place. He’s put in an offer too.”
“He what? Why that dirty, under-handed son of a bitch.”
“Hank gave Dad a head’s up.”
They ducked farther down in their seats when Avery’s headlights swept over them.
“Where’s he going? Driving like that he’s going to slide off into a ditch.” Cat said.
“Don’t know, don’t care,” Jack said. “I also don’t know how much time Hank bought us. So, shake a leg.”
They exited the truck and made their way up to the house. Cat produced the keys Hank had given her, her temper simmering to a boil. How dare Avery try to ruin her chance at buying this sweet little place. Just to keep her from working across the street from him? The asshole.
They quickly went through the building, Cat explaining her vision. Jack and Ryder added in their two cents, suggesting some promising ideas too. She loved that her family was always willing to help each other and had the skill and knowhow to follow through on a project like this. It would sure help keep her costs down.
Upstairs, Jack and Ryder investigated the wall she wanted to take down.
“It’s not a bearing wall,” Ryder said. “We’ll have to move electrical, patch the floor, and so forth. But it’s totally doable.”
Jack nodded. “The place is sound, and barring any unseen problems, it shouldn’t take long to create your vision.”
Ryder stood next to him. “Agreed. The old girl’s got a good vibe. Proud of you, sis.”
Cat beamed. She loved these men—all the men in her family—because they always had her back. Strong, dependable, and willing to do anything for the women they cared about. The complete opposite of the sneaky, underhanded bastard across the street.
She couldn’t wait to give him a piece of her mind, after she secured the purchase of Second Chance Books.
That would show him.
Chapter 6
Avery slammed into his dad’s house. He must have broken every speed limit getting there after his dad’s phone call. “Dad!”
“In here.”
Avery followed Hank’s voice into the kitchen and found him leaning over a map with Quinn Bleu of Bleu Carpentry. The two were tight, had been all of Avery’s life. Quinn was more of an uncle to him than a friend of his father’s.
Hank pointed to the map. “Here is where Drew last checked in with his GPS spotter. He was supposed to be home from snow machining two hours ago.”
“Don’t worry,” Avery attempted to reassure him. “We’ll find him.” God, he hoped he was right. His baby brother, the thriller junkie, wasn’t an idiot. If something had happen, and he was alone in the elements, he knew how to take care of himself. Unless he was hurt.
“Did he go out with anyone?” Avery asked.
“You know that kid,” Hank grumbled. “He prefers to be alone in the Great Alone.”
Yeah, Avery did know it. This wasn’t the first time Drew had given them cause to worry. They had considered keeping a leash on him when he was five because they were constantly tracking him down.
“I’ll give Dare a call and create a search party. His dogs will be helpful.”
“I’ll call Ash,” Quinn said. “He can round up Bart and the rest of the crew from Bleu Carpentry.”
The drone of an engine could be heard from outside, the unmistakable sound of a snow machine coming in hot.
They looked at each other and then ran for the door.
Racing up the drive, Drew drifted the sled aro
und a corner and came to a hard stop, snow flying with a skid. He stood, still straddling the seat, and unbuckled his helmet. “What’s with the welcoming party?” he asked.
Hank rushed forward. “We’ve been worried sick about you, fearing the worst. You said you were going to be home two hours ago.”
“Uh…no, I didn’t. I said I’d be back at eight.”
“You said six.”
“Pretty sure I didn’t as I hadn’t planned on leaving until six.”
Hank rubbed his face. “Maybe that’s where I heard six.”
“Need to clean out your ears, old man.” Drew dismounted the snow machine and sauntered toward the house, his snow pants rustling with his movements. “Hey, Uncle Quinn,” Drew greeted. He stopped and regarded the three of them with surprise. “We’re you forming a search party? Aww, I’m touched. But you could have called. I took the satellite phone.”
“How was I supposed to know that?” Hank blustered.
“Because the last time I was late getting home, you made me promise never to head into the wilderness without it. So, I don’t. I might be reckless, but I’m not stupid.”
Avery slapped Drew on his back. “Sorry, baby bro. I hate to break it to you, but you have a mother hen for a father.”
“Don’t I know it,” Drew grumbled.
“Well, I need to head back to work,” Avery said.
“No!” Both Hank and Quinn yelled, then looked at Avery and Drew sheepishly.
“Let’s order a pizza and have dinner,” Hank quickly suggested. “It’s been forever since you’ve been home for dinner. And you work too much. You could take off a few hours and spend it with your family.”
“Okay, what’s up?” Avery settled his hands on his hips. “I smell a rat.”
“Naw,” Drew said. “That’s probably Dad’s pot roast.”
“Hey, you young whippersnapper. You didn’t complain last time I cooked it.”
“I’m a teenager. There’s not much I won’t eat, but if the choice is between pizza or a rat roast, I’m going with the pizza.”
Wild Cat (Alaska Wild Nights Book 2) Page 2
