Page 19 of Merry With A Milkman

“Can you afford to buy the building?”

“That’s the problem. I’ve gone over the numbers until my brain is screwed. With minimal sales and renting out the extra space, I could easily make the monthly payments. The initial downpayment is another story. While Steve and I share ownership of the dairy, he’s purchased new stock, made improvements. There’s no extra there. I don’t want to take out a second mortgage on my house either.”

“There must be some way.”

“Mr. Omota had a suggestion. I’m not sure how I feel about the prospect although right now it feels like the only option if I want to own that property. I know I don’t have to own to have an established business except it feels like a measurement of success. One that appeals to me.”

“What is his suggestion? Let’s talk this through. Maybe together we’ll think of something you’ve missed. Discover something new.”

I take her hand. “We already have.” At her confusion I continue, “Discovered something new.”

“That’s personal. Now we need to talk business.” She softens her rebuke by kissing my palm. “The suggestion?”

“He’s willing to forego the downpayment and treat it as a short term investment. No longer than a year.”

She thinks silently until our meals are delivered. She breaks the yolk on one half of her eggs benedict then gestures with thegooey fork. “That might not be bad as long as we go over all the documents carefully. All that legal and business bullshit is difficult to understand sometimes. What is he expecting for his investment?”

This is the part I’m not sure about. His request seems too simple and much too cheap for the size and condition of the building. “The equivalent of the current monthly rent each month for one year. Once the twelve months is paid, the building would be mine. Well, mine and the bank’s.”

“Interesting. I’d like to meet this Mr. Omata. Talk with him and gauge his business acumen.” She sets down her fork. “Shit, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to take over. I did a lot of this kind of leg work for Choco-Love because this financial stuff certainly isn’t in Noah’s wheelhouse. He can do anything with chocolate but put a legal document in front of him and he’s totally lost.”

“I’ve got a good working knowledge. Expanded with your help, sweetness. Still I’ve never heard of this type of arrangement.”

She shrugs and the wide neckline of her dress slips a bit to expose the love bite I left on her shoulder. My mark. I can’t keep from grinning.

“What?” she says and looks around. When I remain silent she rolls her gaze to the ceiling. “The offer is interesting. And any kind of business arrangements can be made… as long as it’s legal. Don’t get involved with the underground.”

“Not happening. There’s always rumors going around town about some mafia activities, especially with the gambling ships off shore. When we inherited from our folks, there were a couple of shady characters who tried to purchase the land with low ball offers. Organized crime or not, there are those who are always on the lookout for easy money. I’m cautious. That’s part of why I haven’t gotten Landon Dairy Cheeses off the ground yet.”

“You’ve decided on your name? That’s fabulous. A huge step.”

We finish breakfast with little conversation and once we’re on the way back to her place, she asks, “Do you think Mr. Omata would be willing to come here?”

“Why? What are you thinking about?”

“Throwing a party.”

ten

Tegan

There’s barely time to breathe for the next couple of weeks. As much as I long to spend every night with Rhone, it just isn’t possible. Noah and I had planned for a high chocolate demand for Christmas and were totally blindsided by the amount of orders we received for Thanksgiving. I’m jealous of Noah. Even with the long hours of extra work, he has Beryl and her son. Both at the shop and to go home with.

I’ve been lucky to steal a few kisses when Rhone makes our deliveries. Then once Walt returns, even that’s taken away from me.

On top of everything else, because I thought it was a good business strategy—which it really is—I’ve gotten permits enabling us to have a mobile chocolate cart on the boardwalk for both the Merry Festival of Lights boat parade and the Christmas Night Market. Thank goodness Rhone remembered an old push cart in one of the barns on his property that turned out to perfectly match my vision. Rhone is cleaning it up and putting on a fresh coat of paint.

Once his new, branded labels and packaging come in, I hope we’ll be able to start selling cheese from the cart as well.

Mr. Omata has agreed to come to Love Beach the first week of December to sample Rhone’s cheeses and see the plans he has for his shop. Hopefully they’ll be able to finalize the purchase contract at that time. Today I’m sneaking away for part of the afternoon to help Rhone find items to create his vision for the shop. After double checking with Noah and making sure our taffy maker has everything she needs, I head next door.

Mr. Omata is allowing Rhone to host the gathering in the building as a way to show his plans for the store. Unconventional I suppose, although I’m sure it will work to our advantage.

Rhone meets me at the back door and once he closes it behind me, he sweeps me into his arms for a long, comforting hug. “Missed you, honey.”

“Mmm. It’s only been a day.”

“Waving through the window or catching a glimpse of you across the parking lot isn’t enough. One day without you in my arms is way too long.” After a tender kiss, he steps back. “We’d better get started.”

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