by Lisa Jordan
Unlike Rusty, Molly wasn’t exactly doing cartwheels over her new neighbor. She bit her lip and hoped her landlord wouldn’t inquire about her late rent payment in front of Derek.
“I’m happy to be here. If things go well, I’m hopeful I can sign a permanent lease agreement,” Derek said before pocketing the key.
Molly’s ears bent in the direction of Derek’s response. Had he only signed a month-to-month lease? Yes! There was still hope. “So you’re not sure you’ll stay?” Her tone probably sounded giddy. But after what he’d done to her, why should she care what he thought?
“Mr. McAllister was kind enough to allow me some flexibility with the rental contract.”
“Please, call me Rusty.”
Derek nodded. “Rusty agreed to give me some time to test the market demand in the area.”
Molly’s hopes popped like a quick pinprick to a balloon. The locals in Whispering Slopes lived for their coffee. After Huggamugg closed, everyone in town flocked to Buser’s General Store for their caffeine fix. Poor Elsie Buser, Molly’s mother’s best friend, struggled to keep up with the volume. Molly had no doubt Derek’s store would be successful.
Rusty leaned against the counter. “That’s something I need to talk about with both of you.” Her landlord’s brow furrowed.
Molly had known Rusty since she’d first moved to Whispering Slopes as a teenager. Something was on his mind.
“Let’s take a seat.” Rusty pointed to a nearby table with four cushioned straight-backed chairs.
Derek pulled out a seat and motioned to Molly.
She prepared for the worst. “Thank you,” she muttered and sank into the chair. The two gentlemen followed her lead.
“What’s up, Rusty?” Derek splayed his hands on the table.
Rusty turned his attention away from her and onto Derek. Phew. He wasn’t going to address her struggles with her rent. At least not today.
Rusty cleared his throat. “Derek, the day after you signed your lease, I received a phone call from a real estate developer interested in my property. He has this idea about turning it into office space. He’s part of a large company investigating some commercial properties in and around the Shenandoah Valley. Several months ago, I put out a few feelers since I hope to retire in the near future. When I didn’t get any interest, I thought your plan to not get locked into a long-term lease would be perfect for both of us. I know you want to buy some time to see if your coffee shop produces a generous profit, and if it does, you’re interested in purchasing both of my stores. You also mentioned a specific dollar amount you would be willing to pay.”
Molly gasped out loud. “Both?” Derek wanted to buy the real estate he planned to rent and the space that housed Bound to Please Reads?
Derek looked at Molly before nodding to Rusty. “That’s my plan. I feel it’s time to expand my investment portfolio.”
“I want to be up-front with you, Derek. The developer’s offer is substantially more than yours, but I have other things to take into consideration.” Rusty paused and glanced at Molly before he continued. “Since the investor’s offer will expire in thirty days, we all have some time to see what happens. Fair enough?”
Derek extended his hand. “Works for me. Thank you, sir.”
So Derek could be her landlord? This day was getting worse by the minute. It was one thing to have Derek running his shop right next door to hers, but paying him rent? Of course, it was a moot point. At the moment, she didn’t have the money to pay either man.
Molly’s shoulders slumped. Seeing Derek again had triggered a flood of painful emotions from her past, feelings she’d struggled for so long to forget. She couldn’t allow Derek to reopen those old wounds. And becoming her landlord—no way. But what other choice did she have? As much as she didn’t want to admit it, having Derek as her landlord would be better than losing her store and having it turned into office space. Maybe she could try to get a loan and purchase her shop? If she didn’t find a solution, everything she’d worked so hard for, everything she loved, would be lost. And what about her plans to adopt? Would the adoption agency give a child to someone with no income?
* * *
Derek stepped inside his latest investment, Insomnia Café. He closed the door and fell back against the glass. Releasing a slow and steady breath, he shoved his hands deep inside his pockets. Molly Morgan. Could the world get any smaller? He closed his eyes, and his mind flashed back two years to the stunning, hopeful bride.
It had been a perfect June afternoon, and the day had belonged to Molly. Her wedding day. There was no forgetting her gorgeous red hair swept off her shoulders with a demure clip. But a lace veil draped over her flawless porcelain skin couldn’t hide the tears he’d seen running down her face after Ryan had whispered in her ear in front of the entire congregation.
Guilt gripped Derek’s insides. He owned those tears, and he’d never forgotten them. On numerous occasions, he’d wanted to call Molly to explain. But back then, he’d turned away from God. It had been a dark time. If only he could turn back the clock.
Twenty minutes later, in the back of the store, Derek filled the water dish for Duke, his three-month-old shepherd. “Yeah, I know you’re thirsty, bud.” He placed the bowl on a rubber floor mat. A rap at the door sent Duke racing to the front of the shop. Derek followed and spotted Rusty peering through the window. Welcoming the company to help erase his thoughts of the past, he opened the door. “If you’ve come for a cup of coffee, you’re early. My new equipment hasn’t been delivered.”
The older man shuffled inside like a swarm of bees were on his tail. “I’ve already had my two cups for the day.” He glanced down at the dog jumping against his leg. “Well, who is this little fella? You sure are energetic.”
“This is Duke.” Derek smiled. “He’s a rescue puppy.”
“It’s nice of you to take him in.” Rusty scratched the animal behind its ear. Once the old man pulled his hand away, Duke ran to his bowl of water, his oversized paws sliding out from under him. The man directed his focus back on Derek. “Do you have a few minutes? There’s something I need to speak with you about.” He paused and took a breath. “It’s more of a favor for Molly.”
Rusty’s solemn expression caused a knot of uneasiness to take hold. Was Molly in trouble? It wasn’t his place to pry, so Derek remained silent.
“I won’t take up too much of your time. I know you’re busy, but I hope you can help me out, son.” Rusty tipped his head toward a table in the corner of the room, next to a window.
“Sure, what’s up?” Derek took a seat, and Rusty followed his lead. The morning sun streamed through the window, creating a glare off the tabletop.
“I’ve known Molly since she was a young girl. She’s like a daughter to me. Her adoptive mother, Shelley, was a wonderful person and a dear friend of mine. Before she passed away, I made a promise I would keep an eye on Molly. Shelley didn’t want Molly to ever struggle financially like she had.” Rusty ran a hand across his forehead.
“Molly seems pretty independent to me.”
The landlord laughed. “Bullheaded is more like it. But you’re right. The problem is she’s never been able to ask for help, even when she needs it. She wants to do everything on her own.”
“I guess there’s nothing wrong with being self-sufficient.”
“True, but sometimes we all need help.” Rusty paused and scanned the room before turning back to Derek. “You’re obviously a brilliant businessman, Derek. I’ve read articles about the growth of your franchise in this part of the country. I think you could help her. Please know, I’m not one to gossip, so what I’m about to share with you is out of my concern and love for Molly.”
Derek nodded in understanding.
“Through no fault of her own, her store is in trouble. Big trouble,” Rusty shared in a hushed tone.
Derek considered the man.
“She’s up against the big guys. A large chain bookstore opened nearby a couple months ago. Molly won’t discuss it with me, but I know her sales have declined because she’s behind on her rent. I thought you could take a closer look at her operation. Give her some suggestions on how she could increase sales,” Rusty pleaded.
Derek tightened and released his fists. He was the last person in the world she’d go to for help, but how could he say no to Rusty? The old man clearly cared so much for Molly. “I’m not so sure Molly would want my assistance.” He blinked. “We have a history that I think she’d rather forget.”
“Earlier, Molly told me you were Ryan’s best friend, but it’s all in the past. She needs help. I think she might be desperate enough to listen to your advice. If she doesn’t turn things around, I’m afraid she might have to shut down her store.”
His relationship with Ryan was definitely in the past. They hadn’t spoken since the day of the wedding. Derek had heard through a mutual friend that Ryan was having doubts about getting married weeks before the wedding. Derek always wondered why he never shared his feelings with his best man. “Could that impact my offer?” Derek questioned.
Rusty’s brow puckered. “If Molly doesn’t start to turn over a profit in the next thirty days, I’ll have to sell, whether you’re ready to make a deal or not. I’m sorry, Derek, but I have to protect my future. And Molly will have to start over.”
Derek couldn’t fault the man. You couldn’t be successful in business if you didn’t make some tough decisions from time to time. “If you don’t mind me asking, how much higher is my competition’s offer?”
“I’ll be honest with you. This developer has deep pockets, son. The amount you mentioned doesn’t come close. If you can help her get back to making a steady profit, I would be willing to take an offer that is eighty percent of what the developer is willing to pay. If I know Molly can stay in business, I can retire with peace of mind and know I kept my word to her mother. If her shop is going to close anyway, I might as well take the larger offer right away instead of dragging it out and giving Molly false hope.”
Rusty named the number, and Derek nodded. “I’ll do what I can to help her.” It was the least he could do, especially if Molly’s failure could impact his plans for expansion within the Shenandoah Valley. Assisting her could buy him more time. He had a good feeling about this town and the positive effect it could have on his franchise. A hunch. And so far, those feelings had yet to fail him when it came to his business.
“I appreciate your help, Derek. But whatever you do, you can’t let Molly know I came to you about this. I’m not one to keep secrets, but the last thing I want is for her to think I don’t have confidence in her ability to run a successful business.” Rusty extended his hand. “Her independence means a lot to her.”
“Mum’s the word.” Derek shook hands with his landlord.
“I’ll let you get back to work.” Rusty pushed himself away from the table. “So I guess I’ll see you at the chamber of commerce meeting on Thursday night. I heard the mayor already reached out to you.”
“Yes. He did ask me to speak to the members. I’ll admit, I was surprised to hear from him before I arrived in town.”
Rusty laughed. “Word travels fast in a small town.”
“I look forward to meeting everyone.”
Rusty nodded. “Have a good day, son.”
Alone in the store, Derek replayed the conversation in his mind. Not only did he have to work to get his business off the ground, but he needed to help Molly. He’d given Rusty his word. No way would he be like his father and break a promise. If he turned things around for Molly and could come up with the money he and Rusty had agreed to, maybe he and Molly could both have financial success in Whispering Slopes. Who knew, she might be able to forgive him for ruining her wedding day and her future.
Then again, suspicion had been written all over her face when he’d entered her store earlier. She suspected he’d played a role in breaking up the wedding. The last thing on Molly Morgan’s mind was forgiveness. Getting her to accept his help would be about as easy as giving a cat a bath.
Copyright © 2021 by Jill Weatherholt
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ISBN-13: 9780369715067
The Father He Deserves
Copyright © 2021 by Lisa Jordan
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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