Page 12 of Bargain With the Boss

“Somehow I don’t think so.”

He closed his door and scaled the hill in a few short strides as he pulled his sunglasses out of the collar of his T-shirt. “You’re well aware of your appeal, Syd.”

Unsure what to say to that, I started down the walkway leaving him behind.

The sun-bleached cement was just as crumbled from disuse as the blacktop. Unsure if that would be something their company would have to take care of or if it was a town thing, I made a mental note to look into it. They’d have to grade the hill, and I could already see sandstone steps framed out with some wildflowers. Maybe some ornamental grass to soften the look and also keep the sandy hillside from eroding.

He caught up to me and we walked in silence, both of us lost in thought. The wind whipped around us off the lake and the scent of water mixed with his warm sandalwood cologne.

“You do realize that whole hill is a hazard.”

His was resigned. “I was thinking the same, actually. The path needs some work too.”

“Since the rest of the lake walk is well tended, either they didn’t bother with it thanks to the abandoned storefronts, or it’s your responsibility.”

“Something to look into. Since the project has taken three years to even get us a permit, I imagine every damn thing is going to be a headache.”

It wasn’t the first time I heard about this man who owned a lot of this area. “Hmm.”

“What?”

“How does one man have this much power in this town? It feels positively?—”

“B-movie cinematic?”

I laughed, annoyed that he amused me. “Accurate.”

“The Maitlands have been here almost as long as my family. Arthur is a prick, but he also controls the rent on a staggering number of buildings in Crescent Cove which allows him more leeway than we’d like.”

“And your family doesn’t?”

“No. We might be one of the founding families, but we play with their money instead.”

At my arched brow, he huffed out a laugh. “Hastings Investments is my family business. We also own major shares in the bank, as does Arthur. He mostly focuses on real estate along with the Hamiltons.”

The Hamilton name dampened the sunny day. Oliver and Seth Hamilton, as well as the patriarch, James were major players in town. Jude wasn’t the only one who had done a deep dive into them after that blasted article had come out. Finding out our mother had a whole life before we’d been born had been an earthquake to my foundations.

Half brothers.

Twins who looked so much like Jude.

But Oliver and Seth weren’t the only half brothers. Jude held that honor as well, leaving me on the outside.

He cleared his throat as if knowing the subject was a sore one. “Speaking plainly, I worry about Arthur’s plans for the spa and resort he wants to build.”

I glanced up at him. “Wouldn’t that bring people to your town?”

“It would, but it would also price out the families and people who live here. At first the quaint stores would amuse them, but eventually Arthur and his investors would want higher end shops to equal the moneyed types they’re going to cater to. So then places like Every Line A Story gets less traffic from the tourists.” At my frown, he elaborated. “A gift shop and bookstore on Main Street.”

I vaguely remembered the shop with the big window full of trinkets. “I see.”

Bringing business to the town should be a good thing.

He paused and grabbed my hand to stop me.

My skin tingled at his touch, short circuiting my brain.

“What happens when the smaller places can’t afford their rent?”