Page 21 of Make-Believe Match

“It’s still running. Same captain for the last forty years, and he took it over from his father before him.”

“Isn’t that something?” Her eyes grew misty. “Family traditions are wonderful. Which is why I wish we didn’t have to consider selling Snowberry.”

I took a little time with my reply. “Family traditionsarewonderful. It’s important to remember and respect those who came before, but when it comes to business, staying stuck in the past can hurt you.”

“I know.” She picked up her tea again and sipped. “I tried to tell my husband that for many years, but he wouldn’t listen.”

“Change can be difficult for many people,” I said. “But businesses need to adapt or they won’t survive. Many smaller resorts have been in the position you’re in now. I know it isn’t easy. But wouldn’t you prefer to see Snowberry sold for a generous price, one that would ensure the comfort of you and your family for generations, rather than watch it die and walk away with nothing but debt?”

“Certainly I would,” she said, her expression troubled. “But my preferences aren’t the only ones that matter.”

“Lexi mentioned she’d like to take over,” I said casually. “Is that something you’re considering?”

She sighed. “Unfortunately for Alexandra, she cannot inherit Snowberry unless she’s married. It’s always been that way, and my husband and I agreed before he died that it should stay that way. I know it seems old-fashioned, but I think it’s for the best.”

Well. That was a new wrinkle.

I took a drink of water. “She’s aware of this?”

“Yes,” Martha said. “I just told her a few days ago, and she’s quite upset about it. But contrary to what she might think, this isn’t just about me wanting her to settle down and have a family, although I do worry about her being alone. I even tried to set her up with my dentist the other night, but it didn’t go very well.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I hid my grin behind my glass.

“I just don’t think she understands the toll it would take on her,” Martha went on. “Not just financially, but physically and emotionally. She’d turn herself inside out for this place, entirely on her own, without any support. And if she failed, what then? She’d blame herself. And she’d have no one there to hold her up.”

Our food arrived, which gave me ample time to process what she’d told me and consider how to proceed. “I take it there’s no spouse on the horizon?” I picked up a quarter of my club sandwich.

“No.” Martha sprinkled a little pepper over her soup. “She had a steady relationship for several years, but it ended last summer. Her fiancé got a job opportunity out west, and she couldn’t bring herself to leave Snowberry.”

“She was engaged?”

“Briefly.” She hesitated. “She was quite hurt when he left. But she wouldn’t go with him.”

“I understand.” I experienced a pang of sympathy for Lexi. Not just because of the broken engagement, but because it didn’t seem right that just because she was single, she wouldn’t be given a chance to prove herself. She could have gone out west with her fiancé, but she’d stayed.

“Are you married, Mr. Buckley?”

“No. My career keeps me very busy. I don’t have a lot of time for a relationship.”

“You sound like Lexi.” Her tone made it clear that was not a compliment. “Pardon me for asking, but how old are you?”

“I’ll be twenty-nine on Sunday.”

She clucked her tongue. “I don’t know what’s wrong with your generation that you wait so long to settle down and start your families. Work isn’t everything.”

“No, but I enjoy what I do. I’m sure Lexi does too. And I can certainly understand her attachment to the place where she grew up.”

Martha ate a spoonful or two of soup. Sipped her tea. Sat back in her chair. “Mr. Buckley, I’ll be frank. There are currently no other bids for Snowberry on the table. I’m too old and tired to continue running the place. I can’t deed it to Alexandra if she doesn’t have a husband. And your client’s offer is generous.”

“It’s the best you’ll get,” I said confidently, but without arrogance.

She dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “Would your client conceive of purchasing Snowberry and keeping it open?”

I shook my head, unwilling to mislead her. “No. They’ve made their intentions clear. It would be demolished.”

“All of it? Would they consider leaving a few things in place? Perhaps they could hire Alexandra to run the operations here? Keep ties to the family?”

I hesitated. Black Diamond had been firm on this—I had no room to negotiate. “I want to be completely transparent with you, so I have to say no.”