Snowed in with the Reluctant Tycoon

by Nina Singh

  Whereas this one had to be the loudest meal he’d ever sat through, if anyone had asked him about that prospect a week ago, he would have said it sounded like a nightmare. So why in the world was he enjoying it so much?

  “Justin, would you like another piece of lasagna?” Carli’s mother asked.

  He shook his head. “That would make it my third piece.”

  “So what’s your point?” Carli’s brother-in-law cracked from the other side of the table.

  Her oldest sister poked the man in the ribs. “He’s just saying that ’cause his average is about four servings each time Mom makes it.”

  Before Justin could answer, the twins started a mini tug-of-war in front of him with the last bread stick. It finally snapped in two, and for some reason they both thought that was the funniest thing and broke out in a peal of laughter.

  Their little nephew joined in. Justin, in turn, couldn’t help his own laughter. Apparently, a preschooler’s giggles were highly contagious. Pretty soon, the whole table had broken out into laughter.

  So this was what family meals normally looked like. A far cry from the silent dinners he and his brother shared around the television while their mom was up in her room wallowing in self-pity and their dad was still at the office. Back then, at least he hadn’t been eating alone.

  He hadn’t even had that much after his mom had taken him away.

  * * *

  Carli watched as Justin laughed at something her brother-in-law told him by the hearth as they both sipped their after dinner coffee. Why was she not surprised that he had somehow fit so well in with her loud and boisterous family?

  Sure, the Tynans had a way of making people feel welcome in their midst. But it was as if they’d all known him for years rather than having just met him. She’d daresay Justin seemed like he actually belonged.

  She sighed. Probably just her imagination. Despite the circumstances, and despite the imminent danger he posed to the existence of her beloved store, Carli had to admit, deep down, he wasn’t so bad. In fact, she might actually be growing quite fond of him.

  Ray approached him right then and gave a tug on his pant leg. Justin immediately put down his cup and kneeled to hear what the boy had to say. The whole picture tugged at something within her chest, a longing she didn’t want to examine in any way.

  Carli made herself look away. What in the world was wrong with her? The man had simply had dinner with them. That’s all that was happening here.

  And a week from now, he’d be go back to being nothing more than a name on the company letterhead.

  She turned to go back into the kitchen. As far as she could get from Justin and the picture he made in her family’s living room.

  * * *

  Justin waited for Carli the next morning in the lobby of the Sailor’s Inn Bed and Breakfast so that they could head over to the toy store. Overall the inn was a quaint, charming establishment unlike anything he would have encountered on the West Coast. The décor screamed New England, complete with a boat anchor hanging above a large hearth fireplace as well as the requisite ship in a glass bottle displayed in the center of the lobby.

  Unbelievably, he was hungry. He didn’t think he’d be able to eat for another week after the way Carli’s parents had fed them last night. Louise had prepared enough food for an entire football team. Not that the numbers weren’t damn near comparable. Carli had a large family.

  As if reading his thoughts, or perhaps she’d heard his stomach grumbling, a matronly rotund woman appeared from the back holding a tray of steaming muffins.

  “You weren’t trying to sneak out without eating something first?” she asked.

  She then smiled and set the tray next to a silver carafe on a side table against the wall. “I’m Betty Mills. My husband would have checked you in last night.”

  Justin shook her hand and introduced himself.

  “Help yourself,” she said, pointing to the tray from which drifted a delicious aroma of sweet sugary dough. “I’ve made vanilla almond and raspberry chocolate chip this morning. Plus, there’s always the standard corn ones.”

  Justin’s mouth actually watered. This certainly beat the dry granola bars he hastily grabbed on his way into work most mornings.

  Betty laughed. “Or you can have one of each,” she offered, clearly reading his mind once again.

  The front door swung open behind them, and Carli walked through, bringing with her a gust of cold New England air.

  Betty greeted her with a familiar smile. “Carli Tynan. So nice to see you back in town.”

  “Good morning, Betty. Justin.” She glanced at the muffin tray. “I see you’re taking good care of my friend here.”

  “I’d offer you some too, but I’m guessing Louise has handled that already?”

  Carli patted her stomach and rolled her eyes. “She’s been feeding me nonstop since I got here.”

  Justin couldn’t take any more talk of food. He reached over and plucked one of the vanilla almond muffins, taking a big bite. A small burst of heaven exploded in his mouth.

  He looked up to catch Carli watching him with a knowing smile.

  “You’re lucky to be here on vanilla almond day. Those are Betty’s particular specialty. Though the cranberry comes in a close second.”

  “They go real well with a cup of coffee,” Betty said, pouring him some of the chicory-colored brew. “How do you take it?”

  “Black, please,” Justin answered and took the beverage from her. The heat from the ceramic mug warmed his hands. He liked his Seattle brew just fine, but the smell of this coffee sparked his senses.

  “And what brings Mr. Hammond into town?” Betty asked.

  Justin looked to Carli, unsure how to answer. How much was she willing to share with the town about the trouble that had brought the two of them here? He’d been in Westerson less than twenty-four hours and could already tell what a tight, close-knit community it was. Hearing about the potential closing of one of their businesses would probably not sit well.

  And it certainly wasn’t how he wanted to introduce himself.

  To his relief, Carli answered for him. “Justin is here to visit his family’s store.” She offered no further details.

  Luckily, Betty didn’t push.

  Moments later, they were out on the street among scores of other pedestrians all bundled up against the harsh December air.

  “Betty’s quite the baker,” Justin offered by way of conversation.

  “Yes, quite.” Carli seemed preoccupied. She had to be thinking about what he would say when after visiting the store. And how much credence his father would give it. He wished he could reassure her, he really did. But he’d been asked his professional opinion. He had an obligation to give it. Honestly and factually.

  Even if it meant disappointing the woman next to him. Admittedly, that bothered him more than he cared for. Which made no sense. He had just met her a few days ago. This sense of familiarity and closeness that was developing within him had no basis in any kind of reality. Even so, he wanted badly to believe that it wasn’t one-sided.

  Several people waved and stopped them along the way to chat. Carli introduced him to everyone. At this rate, they would never get to Hammond’s. She seemed to know every other person who walked by. Westerson wasn’t the type of town where one could rush anywhere. Small talk and friendly conversation were a developed talent around here. A talent Carli had clearly perfected. She had kind words and a warm smile for everyone who approached.

  Until one man in particular turned the corner. Carli’s step actually faltered at the sight of him. Justin immediately recognized who it was. He’d met him last night at dinner. Warren, her sister Janie’s boyfriend.

  All night, Justin had sensed a strange coldness between the two of them. As if they were both going out of their
way to avoid each other. The sister seemed just as uncomfortable when she looked at them.

  If he thought he was imagining it, the look on Carli’s face right now reaffirmed any suspicion. Justin had no doubt that if it hadn’t been so blatantly obvious that they’d spotted him, Carli would have ignored Warren and continued walking.

  It was a strange dynamic for a family that otherwise seemed so devoted and close. Had Carli expressed some sort of objection to her sister’s boyfriend?

  Warren approached from the other direction. He offered a small wave. Carli merely nodded in his direction. To Justin’s surprise they all kept right on walking. He’d been fully expecting to stop and say something, just as they had with so many others along the way so far. The whole thing made him wonder. Warren had seemed friendly enough last night. He was clearly good to the sister.

  But there was no doubt. Whatever issues Carli had with the boyfriend, they seemed to run deep.

  * * *

  Carli had been enjoying the walk to the store. She really had. She’d missed this town. And strolling through the center of Westerson this time of year had always served to lift her spirits. It was doing so now.

  Like every other year, the town council had spared no effort or expense with the decorations. Festive wreaths hung on each lamppost. The winterized bushes had been wrapped up like big presents or otherwise adorned with silvery tinsel and bright colorful ornaments. Her fellow townspeople knew how to do Christmas right, and she was glad to that was on display for Justin to see.

  But her mood went south when Warren Mathews turned the corner and made a beeline right to them. It had been uncomfortable enough to have him there at dinner last night. For a split second, Carli thought about pretending she hadn’t seen him. But he was directly in their line of sight. She had to acknowledge him in some way. So she did, just barely.

  “It’s just a bit farther, past this corner,” she told Justin, more so to break the awkward silence than to give him an ETA update.

  Justin remained wisely silent about the nonexchange with Warren just now. She gave him a side-eye glance. His hair was dotted with a slight layer of snow, his strong neck wrapped in a different cashmere scarf. The coat he wore fit him perfectly. Every inch of him looked the competent, successful tycoon that he was.

  It was impossible not to notice the double takes that every woman who walked by gave them.

  He definitely stuck out in this small town.

  At that thought, Carli gave herself a mental kick. This was so not where her focus needed to be right now. Not when they were on their way to the store so that Justin could make observations about the way it was run. About its very existence.

  A nervous flutter spun in her gut about what his reaction might be. Last night he’d been warm and friendly, fitting in with her family easily. But his reputation as a no-nonsense, numbers-oriented businessman preceded him. She couldn’t let herself forget why they were even here in the first place.

  It would be a mistake to take anything for granted when it came to Justin Hammond.

  He held the door open for her when they arrived at the store. The heat hadn’t quite kicked in yet for the day; a slight chill still hung to the air. It was still early. Yet the shelves were neat, and the displays were cheery and festive.

  A tooting whistle sounded overhead. Carli looked up just as a model toy train went past above her head on a hanging track. That was new. Justin looked up too, but he didn’t seem impressed. Probably making a mental note of how much constructing it must have cost the company.

  “So this is it, huh?” Justin asked.

  “Yes. Everything’s organized by age group.” She explained the layout as they walked. “The toddler toys line the aisles up front. As you move back, you start to get into the board games and such for the older children. Followed by video games.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “There’s a corner that houses all the reading materials, the Book Nook. And a café that serves coffee, juice and some basic pastries. Shall we start there?”

  “Sure.”

  “Mr. Freider is probably setting up in the café,” she informed Justin. “It’s in the back.” She motioned for him to follow.

  The aroma of hot chocolate and freshly baked croissants greeted them as they approached the café counter. Several customers were already in line for a quick breakfast. A young lady she didn’t recognize waited on them with a cheery smile. Carli breathed a sigh of relief that Justin was witnessing the early-morning traffic in the store.

  She turned to him. “I’d just like to point out that despite the early hour, the store has drawn several customers already.”

  “You’d like to point that out, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  “The problem is we don’t know yet how many of them will actually purchase an item before they leave. Notice there’s no one at the registers.”

  She waved her hand in dismissal at that suggestion. “It’s still early. Besides, a lot of people come to look around and help make their child’s wish list to Santa.”

  “Which they may very well go purchase elsewhere. Most notably, online.”

  She was about to object to that comment when Mr. Freider stepped out of the kitchen area carrying a pitcher of creamer.

  “Carli! I’ve been expecting you.” He brightened when he saw them.

  He set his load down and offered a hand to Justin. “Mr. Hammond.”

  “Call me Justin, please.”

  Carli realized she was holding her breath. Goodness, she was so nervous on Mr. Freider’s behalf. The poor man had no idea of the reason behind their impromptu visit into town.

  He took Carli gently by the arm. “I’m so glad you’ve decided to visit again, dear. It’s been way too long.”

  “You sound like my parents, Mr. Freider,” she teased.

  “I’m just glad you’re here. I was worried that scoundrel was going to keep you away for good.”

  Carli could feel the blood drain out of her face. Justin gave her a curious look. The last thing she wanted to talk about right now was Warren Mathews.

  She frantically scrambled around in her brain for a way to head off the topic immediately. But Mr. Freider wasn’t having it. He was old school and had no qualms whatsoever about speaking his mind.

  “I don’t care what anyone says about how these things are meant to be.” He shook his head with indignation and outrage on her behalf. “It’s a disgrace the way Warren treated you.”

  * * *

  Justin sat down next to Carli in the corner of the store she’d called the Book Nook. It was like being in a small book closet. The three surrounding walls were nothing but shelves of books. They were going through the several binders Mr. Freider had provided them about the store’s numbers and operations. Dear heavens, the man hadn’t even bothered to computerize any of the tracking data. How did he keep it all organized?

  They’d started out in Freider’s office, but there were just too many binders to go through and spread out. As a result, Justin felt ridiculous as all the chairs out here were clearly made for small children. Not to mention, customers were constantly stepping around them to peruse the books.

  Still, Carli seemed to prefer being out here. And so far, they were both doing a remarkable job of conveniently ignoring Mr. Freider’s cryptic comment earlier. It didn’t mean Justin had stopped thinking about it, though.

  A flash of anger surged through his chest. From what he knew of her so far, Carli was kind and soft hearted. Generous to boot. The thought of someone treating her badly or taking advantage of her made him want to crush something. Or to find the offender and personally make him answer for the transgression.

  He gave his head a shake. How caveman of him. Again, none of this was really any of his business. His visit to Westerson would be a short one. He was only
here to do a job.

  To Carli’s credit, she’d been right about the flow of traffic into the store. And he had to concede that people were actually purchasing items at a fairly steady rate at the registers. Maybe there was hope for the location after all. Or maybe he was just trying to come up with ways not to disappoint the lady sitting next to him.

  “Well, isn’t this a déjà vu!” Mr. Freider approached them, carrying a tray of scones and hot coffee. “Carli Tynan, sitting at the Book Nook. It’s like all these years haven’t gone by at all.”

  He set the tray amid the pile of files and binders. “Thought you both might like some refreshments.”

  “Thanks,” both she and Justin said in unison as they both reached for the same scone. He could have sworn an electric current shot through his arm clear to his chest at the contact. Carli looked up at him in surprise. Had she felt it too?

  “Please, go ahead.” Justin nodded toward the tray, but he continued to let his fingers linger on hers. Heaven help him, she made no attempt to remove her hand either.

  Mr. Freider hadn’t moved. He stood staring at the two of them, a curious look on his face. “There’s plenty more where that came from.” He finally turned. “I’ll let you two get back to work then.”

  Justin watched the older man walk away. “What did he mean exactly? About the whole déjà vu thing?”

  Carli ducked her head slightly, didn’t look up at him. “I spent a lot of time here as a kid. Guess I should admit that. Most of that time was spent right here in this very corner.”

  “I’m not surprised you were a big reader.”

  She turned to another page, her gaze still downward. “You have no idea. Sometimes it was the only escape.”

  He paused, wondering if he was being pushy. What exactly was the protocol under such circumstances? His curiosity won out. “How so?”

  She gave a small shrug. “You’ve seen how loud and busy living in that house can be. It’s always been that way. Sometimes I just needed to be away from it all.”

  Justin thought about that. He hadn’t known anything but solitude. And here she was telling him she’d actually sought that out.