Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 76000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“I knew something was off about that man,” Sally says when June finishes. “What do you suggest, June?”
“Well, I would like to buy it from you. One reason being that I don’t want Eric, or any other developer, to get their hands on it, but another is that I’d like to restore the existing buildings and rent them out.”
Fred and Sally share a glance.
“I like the idea of the buildings being restored,” Fred says slowly. “I was born in the house closest to the street.”
“I didn’t know that,” I murmur, but I feel like maybe I should have, considering everyone at this table has deep roots in Huckleberry Bay.
“Of course,” Fred continues, “those buildings are in rough shape. I don’t know if they’re salvageable.”
“I would like the chance to try, and if they’re not, I could rebuild them, keeping the same style as the originals. I don’t want to build a huge bed-and-breakfast or hotel. I want it to look like it always has and still be functional.”
“Sold,” Sally says, slapping the table.
“We haven’t even discussed the price,” June says, letting out a surprised laugh.
“I’ll sell it to you for a dollar,” Fred says.
“I don’t think that’s allowed anymore.” I shake my head, grinning. “But I know that June would pay fair market value. Hell, maybe I’ll go in on it with her.”
“A joint business venture,” Sally says with a happy sigh. “Oh, that’s romantic.”
“No, it’s not,” June says and narrows her eyes at me, as if to say, shut it.
“We’ll come up with a fair price,” Fred says. Clearly, his mind is already made up. “If we’re going to sell, I want it to be to June, and to you, Apollo, if you want in on it. I know that you’ll make it special.”
“Thank you,” June says. “This is going to be awesome.”
Chapter Nine
June
“This is a lot of liquor, Grandma.”
I’ve just hauled the last of the wooden cases of alcohol into her dining room, which is where the bar will be set up for the speakeasy.
“Most of it is for decoration,” she informs me, her eyes bright with excitement. “That whole wall will be shelves of liquor, and the bar will be in front of it.”
“There’s a window there,” I remind her.
“It’s getting covered up,” she says, shaking her head. “This isn’t your first Halloween party here, June. You know that the whole house will be transformed. I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Right.” I nod and smile over at her. “Did Lauren text you this morning?”
“Yes.” She doesn’t meet my eyes and busies herself with looking through the bottles. “She says she’s coming for the party.”
“I’m so excited to see her. She hasn’t been home in a couple of years, and it’ll be really good to spend some time with her.”
“Your sister could have come home at any time,” she reminds me. “She chose not to.”
I know that it hurt my grandmother’s feelings when Lauren decided that small-town life just wasn’t for her and moved to Las Vegas after college. Grandma thought we’d all stay together, especially after the shit show with my parents, but Lauren is her own person and should do what makes her happy.
“She just wanted a different life,” I say softly, but Grandma’s lips tighten. “It doesn’t mean that she doesn’t love us or that she isn’t grateful to you.”
“I don’t need anyone’s gratitude,” she insists, shaking her head. “As long as you kids turned out to be good people, that’s all that matters.”
“We did. Cullen’s a cop, for crying out loud. I own my own company, and Lauren’s one of the most sought-after architects in Vegas. I’m really proud of her.”
“She’s doing well,” Grandma agrees. “All of you are, and I’m glad.”
“But you won’t admit that it’ll be good to see Lauren for a few days.” She just moves to the next box to inspect the bottles, and I blow out a breath. “Okay. I’ll get her room ready for her.”
“I’ll handle that later. We have other work to do before the crew gets here later today to start the big transformation.”
“I have to leave in a little while,” I inform her and cringe inside when she turns to me with surprise on her sweet face. “Grandma, I’m still trying to get the chapel ready for me to move into before Christmas, and I have deliveries coming today that I have to sign for. Not to mention, I’m having the windows installed so Cullen doesn’t yell at me again for having the plastic coverings up for too long.”
“Fine.” She waves me off. “I’ll handle this myself. I’ve been doing it for years.”
“What’s wrong with you today?” I demand. “You’re being grouchy and acting like I’ve done something to hurt your feelings, but I don’t know what that could be because I’ve hardly been here lately.”