Page 13 of Sweet Somethings

Donavan gave him an apologetic smile. "Sorry. I better get back to work."

"No problem."

"Don't be a stranger, Roman."

As Donavan left, his attention shifted back to Juliette, and he was remarkably glad that she was speaking loud enough for him to hear.

"I'm really sorry to interrupt," she said. "I'm Juliette Adams, Mr. Prescott, and I want to know if you might be interested in selling the property on Primrose Lane to me."

Vincent sat up a little straighter at her question. "I'm just starting a remodel on that house."

"Yes, I know that, but I wonder if you'd consider an offer before you do any more work."

"What kind of an offer?" he asked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Well, I'm not sure. I'd need to get an appraisal, but do you have a number in mind?"

"Why do you want that house?"

"My parents used to own it. I lived there until I was twelve."

"You said your name was Adams," Vince said. "Frank and Tricia—those were your parents?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"Tragic what happened to them."

"Did you know them?"

"I met your dad a few times. He was a baker."

"And I'm following in his footsteps. I run the Sweet Somethings Bakery across the street. But getting back to the house—"

"Sorry, but I'm not interested in selling right now," his grandfather said firmly. "Once the remodel is done, I'll consider it. You can buy it then if you still want it."

"But I want it the way it is now."

"Why? It's got a lot of problems."

"Because it's part of my history."

"It's just a house. It's part of a lot of people's history. It was there before you, and it will be there after you. You're a young woman. There will be plenty of houses in your life."

A frown crossed Juliette's face. She obviously didn't care for his grandfather's dismissive comment. "Well, if you change your mind, will you let me know?" she asked.

"I won't change my mind."

Juliette looked taken aback by his grandfather's blunt words, but she nodded and then walked away from the table. She headed toward the counter, and she was almost there when she saw him. She hesitated and then changed course, taking the seat across from him.

"You heard all that?" she asked.

"Yes. I'm not surprised."

"I don’t understand why your grandfather is being so stubborn."

"He probably thinks the same thing about you."

"I have a personal reason for wanting the house; he doesn't."

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