Page 16 of The Lake House (Southern Charm #2)

Chapter Sixteen

Life was changing for Matilda. She’d decided to purchase the veterinary business.

Her anxiety levels were up and down, but she mostly felt pretty good about the choice.

And Ryan backed her, which meant the world to her.

All she needed to do now was get Rita’s blessing.

She still hadn’t been able to bring herself to talk to Rita about it, but she planned on getting to the café early for her meeting with Todd.

They were having coffee together with his lawyer so she could sign the paperwork.

Ryan’s lawyer had already looked over it and she’d gotten approval for a business loan at the bank, of course with Ryan’s backing — since she didn’t make nearly enough money at the café to land a loan of that size.

She couldn’t get over how supportive her new husband was.

Every day she spent with him convinced her more and more that she’d made the right choice by marrying him.

They’d fallen in love so quickly, her sister Stella had worried that she didn’t know him well enough.

But ever since, her love for him had only grown stronger and deeper.

At the café, she parked her car. It was raining hard, with heavy drops thundering on the roof. She searched the back seat for an umbrella, and pulled it out from the foot well. Then she rushed to the café door with rain splashing in at her from every side.

She shook the umbrella dry in the entry and placed it in the stand.

Then she glanced around the café while she fixed her hair.

It was early. There were a few regulars at the tables and a small line at the counter, but it wasn’t too busy.

No sign of Rita—she was most likely in her office or out in the courtyard.

She often liked to sit out there when it rained to watch the water drop down the honeysuckle plant and into the other potted plants that were scattered around the space.

That was where she found her, seated on a chair with a smile on her face.

“Matilda, take in that glorious scent. I love the smell of rain on honeysuckle.”

“It’s getting a lovely drink today.” Matilda sat next to her and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. “You’re looking well.”

“Thanks, honey. I’m feeling much better today.”

“Glad to hear it. I hate when you’re low.”

“Not a fan of it myself. And I appreciate your concern. What can I do for you, honey?” Rita turned to face her.

Matilda wiped a raindrop from her cheek. “I need to talk to you about something.”

After she’d spoken to Rita, Matilda relaxed. Her cheeks had been flushed and her heart rate was up, since she’d found the conversation stressful. But now that it was over, the stress had abated, and she was happy to go back inside to sign the necessary paperwork to get things going.

Rita had been happy for her. Not in a polite way, but actually delighted for her. She’d urged Matilda to follow her heart and thanked her for all of the hard work she’d done at the café.

“Cathy has really taken up the slack here lately, honey. You don’t have to worry one little bit about leaving us now. You’ve helped us get through the hardest part. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”

“I’m glad to be able to do what I can.”

Matilda selected a table by the wall that had three chairs.

Then she sat with a coffee to wait for Todd and his lawyer.

They were early and shook her hand before sitting.

Todd looked much more casual than he had the last time she saw him, wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

He was relaxed and happy, which she was glad to see.

She knew how much the business meant to him and was excited to take it on, knowing it would help him realise his retirement dreams.

The lawyer, Mike Bunting, was a man with a mostly bald head and a pair of black-rimmed spectacles.

His suit was immaculate, and he barely spoke throughout the meeting.

Which Todd more than made up for—she hadn’t met anyone as chatty as Todd in her entire life.

But she enjoyed his constant monologue. It helped fill the silence as she read over the contract.

“You’ve had the building and pest inspection done?” Mike asked as she scanned that part of the contract.

“That’s right,” Matilda said.

“Then initial here, please.”

She did as he asked.

“And you acknowledge the cooling off period here…” He pointed to the contract, and she signed.

Before long, they were done, and the veterinary clinic was all hers. She couldn’t quite believe it. It felt as though the air had been sucked from her lungs — she was terrified but also excited.

The three of them stood and once again shook hands.

“Congratulations, Ms Merritt,” Todd said with a smile. “I hope you’re as happy working there as I have been.”

“I’m sure I will be. And thank you so much. You’ve been so helpful throughout this whole process.”

“You’re very welcome.”

The two men left and Matilda packed up her things slowly, trying hard to process what had just happened.

Her life had changed in the course of a single morning.

She’d resigned from her position at the café and had purchased a large and busy enterprise.

She only hoped she hadn’t made an enormous mistake.

Back at home, Ryan was waiting for her with a bottle of champagne. He popped the bottle the moment she emerged up the stairs, then poured it into two glasses and handed her one. He kissed her on the lips and wrapped his free arm around her waist to pull her close.

“Congratulations, baby. I’m so proud of you.”

She smiled and took a sip of the champagne. “Thanks, love. Couldn’t have done it without you. Now the hard work begins.”