Either that or reconsider everything he’d decided up to this point in life.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“If Harley himself hadn’t called me up, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now talking to you. I hope you know that.”
Allie wrapped herself in a calm facade as the old man across from her leaned forward, examining her as if she were some strange exhibit in a biology class. It took everything she had not to squirm under his inspection.
No wonder he’d always been such a good reporter.
Robert “Bobcat” Baker sat back in his overstuffed chair and picked up the pipe lying by his computer keyboard. He puffed away, reminding Allie of a cartoon train she’d seen on the television as she’d walked through the living room this morning.
“I appreciate very much your making time to see me.”
“I should hope so,” he said. “I seem to remember you as an altogether different girl, trailing around after Harley. You wore glasses back in those days. Big, square brown ones, as I recall. Why aren’t you wearing something like that now?”
They’d been thick as Coke bottles, too, but Bobcat hadn’t used that description. Maybe he’d wanted to spare her feelings.
“I had laser eye surgery a few years ago.”
The process had depleted her meager savings account but, after a couple of unsuccessful tries at wearing contacts, she’d considered the expenditure well worth the price.
The old man sitting across from her tapped the bowl of his pipe against his desk and continued his inspection. “You used to be a real roly poly little thing, too, as I recall it. What happened with that?”
So much for sparing her feelings.
“I guess I grew up, Mr. Baker.” She could feel her carefully neutral mask beginning to slip as her face heated. She needed to move things away from the past and confront her future plans. “Right now I’m hoping we can come to terms on an ad of some sort in your paper to help me collect books to start a lending library at The Hand of Chance Coffee Emporium.”
“Mr. Baker?” He smiled around the pipe clamped between his teeth. “That was my daddy. I’m just plain ol’ Bobcat. Why don’t you tell me why you think this plan of yours is such a good idea for our little town.”
“Because we don’t have a public library in Chance and people love to read.”
“Not enough people,” he muttered. “So what’s in it for you, girl? You can’t make a living just loaning out books. And I know enough about your people to know there’s not an independently wealthy Flynn in the whole bunch to support you.”
He was certainly right about that.
“I’m opening a new-and-used bookstore in the coffee shop. I see the lending library as a draw. Once people have read what’s available to check out, I’m hoping they’ll bring books in to trade, or purchase new books.”
Bobcat fumbled with his pipe as she explained her plans, but his expression was sharp and his eyes were clear. Allie had not one doubt that his “crotchety old man” act had worked on more than one story source in the past.
She steered the conversation back to the business at hand. “If you’re accepting advertising, I need to know what your pricing is. My funds are limited.”
“What do you know about running a bookstore?”
With a sigh, she listed her qualifications—her love of reading, her six years of working her way up in the bookstore back in Waco—only to have Bobcat veer off into another question when she finished. And yet another after she answered that one.
Twenty minutes later, she made one more attempt at getting the information she needed.
“Do you maybe have your advertising rates printed out? I could just take a look at that, if you prefer.”
“Rates?” Bobcat pushed his black-rimmed glasses back up on his nose and frowned at her. “Why are you worried about my rates?”
“Because, as I mentioned a while back, I don’t have much of a budget for advertising.”
Again he puffed on his pipe, grinning before he spoke. “Then it’s a damn lucky thing for you that I’m doing a front-page feature on your little venture instead of offering you a spot on the classified page.”
“A feature?” And on the front page! She could hardly believe her luck. Everyone who got that issue of the paper would know about her business and her need for books, even if they didn’t turn past page one. She couldn’t have imagined such wonderful publicity.
“I’m always looking for a good human interest story. I’ll stop by soon to snap a few candids for the article.” Bobcat rose from his chair and extended his hand.
Allie hopped out of her chair to grab his hand and pump his arm up and down. “You can stop by whenever you want to, Bobcat. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
She hurried out into the bright sunlight, more excited than she could remember being in months. She needed to thank Papa Flynn for whatever he’d said to his friend. She needed to thank Katie for suggesting that she consider some kind of advertising.
And right at the top of her list, she needed to find a way to thank Logan for suggesting that she contact Bobcat in the first place.
His image floated in her thoughts as she hurried down the street toward the coffee shop.
This could be the perfect opportunity to find a way to see more of him. She could ask him out to have lunch. Just as a way of thanking him. They could eat and chat and catch up on one another’s lives.
Her steps slowed as the reality of that scenario settled over her. What was she thinking? A full meal under the scrutiny of those penetrating brown eyes?
Coffee. Maybe she’d just ask him to join her for coffee.
As much as she liked having an excuse to spend time with him, having to coordinate talking, chewing and swallowing was still quite a task when she shared a table with that man.
CHAPTER NINE
Allie had thought she couldn’t be more surprised than she had been by Bobcat’s offer to do a front-page feature about her bookstore.
She’d been wrong.
Two steps into the Hand and she realized the work on her bookshop area hadn’t stopped just because she hadn’t been there.
One wall was lined with bookcases and another bookcase was on its way down the stairs. She recognized only one of the two moving men—Cody O’Connor, Logan’s older brother. The second man had to be Logan’s friend, Tanner, because he fit Katie’s description of “serious muscle definition” to perfection. Even though she didn’t consider him in the same league of handsome as Logan, he was certainly the kind of guy you couldn’t help but let your eyes linger over.
While Logan looked like he’d been born to wear jeans and tees, this guy looked like jeans and tees had been invented specifically with him in mind.
No wonder Katie had wanted to be here to watch him lift heavy things.
As if on cue, Katie followed the bookcase down the stairs, carrying three books. When she noticed Allie, she smiled broadly, motioning toward the man in front of her.
Logan’s sister was quickly proving herself to be someone Allie could enjoy spending time around.
“Allie,” Katie called, stopping beside the two men as they attempted to set the heavy bookcase upright. “You remember Cody, right? And this is Tanner Grayson. He works with Logan at the firehouse.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Allie greeted, extending her hand to shake.
“Pleasure’s all mine,” Tanner replied, accepting her greeting with a firm handshake and a slow grin that reminded her of Matt.
Great manners, killer body, and a devastating grin? Oh yeah, she could see why Katie might be attracted to this guy.
“Allie?”
She jumped at the sound of Logan’s voice behind her, pulling her hand from Tanner’s grasp as if she’d been burned.
“How’d it go?” Logan asked.
“Great!” She turned to find him staring at her, his face devoid of any expression. “Bobcat was wonderful. He’s going to do a feature story on the lending library and come by to take
pictures and… and everything.”
She forced her tongue tightly up against her teeth to stop the inane chatter rolling out of her mouth. Why she allowed herself to get so rattled by Logan was simply beyond her understanding.
“That’s great. That was the last of the bookcases,” he said as he set down a large box. “We’ve brought down all the books we could find. You’ll still need to choose which other pieces you want to use.”
His tone was all business; the undercurrent of banter that she’d been so sure she’d heard from him on prior occasions was completely gone.
“I really appreciate all you’ve done to help me.” If she was ever going to be brave enough to go through with asking him, this was her best chance. “In fact, I was hoping you’d let me take you out for a coffee or something. To, you know, say thanks for all your help.”
Her face burned as if on fire as she waited for him to respond, though she could already tell from his expression what his answer would be.
“Thanks for the offer, but I think I’d better take a rain check for now.”
The burning on her skin only intensified.
“Okay. No problem. I’m just going to…” Escape. “I should go have a look through the other furniture,” she said, motioning toward the stairs.
Turning away, she hurried to the staircase. She couldn’t get up the stairs and down the hallway fast enough. At the last room, she pushed open the door and slipped inside, closing it behind her to lean against it.
She pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes and sucked in a great gulp of dusty air. Where this urge to cry came from, she had no idea. It certainly wasn’t because Logan had rejected her invitation. She didn’t care that he had turned her down. She didn’t.
So what if he’d brushed her off? A guy like that had better things to do than spend all his time with his best friend’s little sister. He’d already given up a whole day to haul furniture and books around for her. She’d overstepped by asking him for anything more.
Another deep breath and she felt normalcy returning.
It was the stress of all the changes in her life. The stress of having to ask people she hardly knew for favors. She was an idiot for letting any of this get to her.
Besides, she still had the newspaper story to look forward to on Monday, and the hope that maybe someone would come through with a donation of books.
* * *
“What?”
Logan glared at his sister, who simply shook her head in disbelief.
“One of us must be adopted, because I refuse to be related to such a lame-ass.” Katie pointed her finger at his chest to emphasize her last word — always a bad sign.
He didn’t need this from his sister. Not now. Not after the way his stomach had tightened when he’d come downstairs and seen Tanner holding Allie’s hand.
“Maybe you should stick to things you actually know something about, Kat. This isn’t one of those things.”
As usual, his sister was undeterred. “Well, I happen to disagree. I think I know you all too well. You like her. You know you do. How much easier could it be than to have her ask you out? You’ll take a rain check? Seriously? What’s with that?”
Unlike guys he’d heard complain about family who tried to ruin their relationships, he’d been cursed with a houseful of matchmakers. And the worst of them was trying to bully him right now.
The thing was, he refused to be bullied by five feet, two inches of pure busybody energy, even if she did spring from his gene pool.
“I don’t need you interfering in my love life. I’ve been handling it on my own for a good number of years now.”
“Yeah. And how’s that working out for you?” Katie’s hands on her hips indicated she was prepared to argue for hours.
Logan wasn’t.
“My private life isn’t open to discussion. Stay out of it.”
“Then try being reasonable for a change.” An all-too-familiar stubborn expression settled over her face.
“I am. More reasonable than you know.” He squeezed her shoulder and raised his voice for the benefit of the others still standing around. “Heavy work’s done, so I’m heading out. I appreciate all of you coming by to help.”
In spite of what Katie thought, she simply didn’t understand. The last thing he wanted was to compete with Tanner.
Not again.
The memories of the last time were still too easy to dredge up whenever his psyche chose to torment him. He wasn’t putting himself—or his friendship with Tanner—through that again for any woman. Not even a woman like Allie.
CHAPTER TEN
Allie’s stomach churned with nerves as she guided her car into one of the freshly painted parking spaces at The Last Chance Ski Resort. She was grateful to have her brother along for company, even if he hadn’t said a single word since they’d turned off the highway onto the resort drive.
“Do I look okay?” She turned to face Matt, licking her lips one last time.
“Way better than you need to for this bunch.” Matt pushed opened his door and got out, his focus on the entrance ahead of them.
“I thought you said you were going to wait in the car.”
“Changed my mind. I hear they have a nice bar up here. Don’t forget that fancy bread you brought along.”
That she had to turn back to get the loaf of caramel apple bread her cousin had sent with her could only be attributed to her nerves over this meeting with Helen Reilly.
Either that or the uncomfortable memories assaulting her from the last time she’d been inside this building. It had been just over eight years ago, the night of her senior prom. Thinking of it even now knotted her stomach and filled her mouth with a sour taste.
She couldn’t let herself get worked up over that. It was history she couldn’t change. The only thing she had any control over was her own actions and how they shaped her future. And, since it was her future that was on the line, she needed to focus on this visit, not that ill-fated one from so long ago.
“Okay.” Allie tried to psych herself up. “Okay. I’ve got this. Are you still going to be in the bar when I’m done?”
Matt shrugged. “I’ll be there or out here somewhere. Don’t worry about me. And relax, for God’s sake. It’s not like you’re party crashing. The old biddy invited you up here.”
“Hush!” Allie cast a furtive glance around to make sure no one could have overheard Matt. “Geez. This is important to me, Matty. I’d appreciate your making an effort to be on your best behavior.”
Bobcat’s article had shown up in the paper yesterday, and within an hour Allie had received her first phone call — from the matriarch of the Reilly clan, owners of The Last Chance Ski Resort. Helen had invited her to come up to the resort for a chat about the lending library Allie planned for Chance.
Matt flashed a grin and a thumbs-up as he left her standing in the middle of the enormous lobby reception area. She thought she returned his grin, but she couldn’t be sure. Her mouth felt frozen even though the rest of her face felt hot enough to fry eggs.
A look around to gain her bearing and she was ready. The information desk seemed the logical place to start.
This place was seriously elegant, even more so than she remembered. They must have remodeled since the last time she was here. From its rock waterfall stretching across one entire wall, right down to the cushy carpet she crossed soundlessly, the whole place screamed exclusive and expensive.
“How may I help you, ma’am?”
Ugh. The dreaded ma’am again.
“I’m here to see Mrs. Reilly, but I’m not sure where to find her.” At the skeptical look on the face of the young woman behind the desk, Allie added, “She’s expecting me. I have an appointment. My name is Allison Flynn.”
“If you’ll have a seat over there, Ms. Flynn.” The woman behind the counter fluttered a hand toward a circle of plush seating in the lobby. “I’ll call upstairs and let her know you’re here.”
Allie sat down to w
ait, her fingers aimlessly fiddling with the ribbons tied around the foil-wrapped offering she held. This whole meeting couldn’t be over soon enough to suit her.
Against her will, her eyes wandered over the lobby, tracking toward the long hallway that led to the ballroom. Beyond that was the deck and patio, a place she remembered all too vividly, her last visit there etched in her memory by the acid of her humiliation.
She jerked her gaze back to her lap, to the warm bundle she held.
Let it go, she ordered herself. It was beyond stupid to continue to hang on to those old memories and the negative feelings they carried. It happened a long time ago, to a completely different person than she was now.
She forced out a breath to calm herself and allowed her gaze to roam the lobby once more.
Big mistake.
The knots that had tightened her stomach earlier took flight, leaving a full-scale assault of butterfly-fluttering nausea in their wake. If just being here had dredged up uncomfortable memories, the two women she spotted crossing through the lobby could easily rock her world right off its foundation.
Though they obviously hadn’t recognized her yet, the Jenkins sisters, Shayla and Lacey, were headed directly toward her on their way to the front exit.
Of all the unpleasant possibilities in the world she would choose to avoid right now, in this place, an encounter with her ex-best friend sat right near the top of the list.
Allie dipped her head, focusing her attention on the ribbon she wound around her finger, as if her sanity depended on it. Maybe she could dodge this bullet. Maybe, with just a little luck…
“Allie Flynn!” The squealed greeting echoed off the rock walls and reverberated in Allie’s ears. “Can that really be you? It is! Lacey, look who’s here!”
So much for luck.
Allie stood, squaring her shoulders as she pasted an insincere smile on her face.
Lacey nodded a greeting as they approached, her eyes darting past Allie toward the door as if she’d much rather be escaping to her freedom than stopping to chat.
TAKE A CHANCE (Chance Colorado Series) Page 8
