Page 3 of All I've Waited For

Kyle’s hawk eyes studied her. “And if she doesn’t want it, well …”

Ashley’s gaze collided with his. “You aren’t going to close the business, are you?” He couldn’t, wouldn’t, not when it had meant so much to Cathy.

Not when it meant so much to Ashley—the chance it represented, anyway.

“I don’t know that I have a choice.” Kyle folded his hands over his stomach. “Not unless…”

Somehow Ashley had scooted to the front edge of her seat. “Unless what?”

“Unless there was someone else who wanted it.”

“Yes!” Ashley felt her eyes widen at the intensity of her declaration and she clapped a hand over her mouth.

Kyle chuckled. “So you might be interested in buying me out?”

Her chest deflated. “I don’t have the funds to do that.” Maybe she could get a business loan, though. Something. “But if you give me a chance to look into it, I’d be interested.” She paused. “Very interested. It … it would be a dream, actually.”

“Is this some whim or something you’ve thought about before?”

“I never really thought about taking over your business, necessarily. I’ve been content to just learn from you. But yes, I’ve wanted to own a wedding planning business since I can remember.” Ashley placed a hand flat on the desk. “And I’d be honored to continue Cathy’s legacy, even if I’m not a Mahaney.”

“I believe you would.” Back and forth Kyle swiveled ever so slightly in his desk chair, the wheels emitting a low squeak. “And regarding the money, I’d be fine with a slow purchase. You could pay me over the course of five years, or maybe we’d go into it as partners—you doing the labor, and me as an investor of sorts, until your portion was paid.”

What a kind man. What an opportunity. “That is so generous.”

Kyle’s eyes narrowed a bit. “It’s still business. With this solution, I’d actually be paid for the business, which is more than I’d get if I left it to my niece.”

“Of course.” Ashley bit her lip to hold back a grin. The teddy bear was hiding behind the grizzly’s teeth, but she knew better.

“I’m serious, young lady.” Kyle tilted his head. “The money isn’t a concern to me, but the legacy part is. And I do have some concerns about your ability to handle it.”

Really? Ashley had been nothing but helpful and competent. She couldn’t help but feel the nip of his words. “In what way?”

“Your level of experience, for one. And your schedule for another. You’re busy all the time.”

“So are you.”

“Yes, but mine is mostly business related. You’re always running from one meeting to another. First, you were on the library board—”

“Which I’ve stepped down from.” Her friend Madison had recently taken over as Walker Beach’s head librarian, so Ashley hadn’t felt the town needed her as much anymore.

“Yes, but what else have you added? You’re overseeing the town’s committee for the Christmas festival—”

“The community development officer personally asked if I’d do that. And the whole idea of the festival is for the town to band together and revitalize our economy after the earthquake harmed it.”

“I know, Ashley. I’m on the committee too, remember?”

“Right.” She shouldn’t get so defensive.

“And aren’t you also coordinating your family’s reunion this summer? Not to mention taking on extra responsibilities and saying yes to everyone who asks something of you. Cumulatively, it’s a lot, and adding the ownership of a business might be too much. You’re used to having my help with every event, and you’ve had me to fall back on when you weren’t sure about something. But if I retire and it’s all on your shoulders … well, I don’t want you to flounder.”

He didn’t believe she could do this? “I don’t want that either.”

“Your heart is in the right place. I just want to be sure you can actually handle this before you’ve got money invested and Cathy’s legacy is put in danger.”

“I’d never want that either.” Ashley furrowed her brow. “How can I prove to you that I’ve got this?”

The bell jangled from the showroom.

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