Page 40 of Christmas Home

He leaned back in the chair, not touching his wine. “Are you asking me to come with you?” he asked.

I stared at him for a moment. “What areyouasking?”

Corey stood up and paced. “Ruther, you are more than just my employer. You’re my friend, my family. Neither one of us has ever been any good at relationships.”

I laughed in spite of myself. “Corey, you and I have very distinct types. You like them tall, thin, and regal. I like my men short, stocky, and full of attitude. We are not compatible.”

“I wasn’t saying we are, but I have nothing holding me here either.”

“You hated Crawford City,” I said and swallowed my wine.

“Correction, IthoughtI hated Crawford City. In fact, I liked it very much. I only realized that after we returned to New York.”

“Like it enough to live there?”

Corey shrugged. “Enough to move to Nashville. I admit, I prefer a city over a small town, but Nashville is nice and adequate for my needs.”

We stared at each other for several moments before Corey sat down again. “I know you wanted to sell your dad’s business,and I supported that, even welcomed it. Then you found that property in Crawford City, and your life fell into place.”

He looked thoughtful, so I stayed quiet. I knew better than to interrupt when Corey was speaking his mind. “I-I’d like to do more projects like that. Not random suburban builds or conversions for the wealthy. The Crawford City project feels real. Like we’re making a difference. I’d really enjoy doing more of those.”

I stared at my long-term assistant. It was almost like he was someone else. Someone I’d never known. “But you love New York, the nightlife, the men. You’d be giving all of that up.”

Corey laughed. “You’re not paying attention, Ruther. I haven’t dated anyone seriously for years. I hardly go out clubbing. I find myself increasingly enjoying my own company as the years progress. I admit, if I hadn’t gone with you last summer and experienced the place for myself, I would never have considered conservative Tennessee a possible place to call home.”

He took the wine and sipped it, and I could tell he was pondering his words. “I want to do something that makes a difference. I know I’m being…well, different from how you’ve known me, but the Crawford City project has struck a nerve.”

I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t need the money. With the liquidation of the business, even with the debts, I had more than enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my l was wealthy even by New York’s standards. Now with the liquidation of my dad’s property and my apartment in the city, that added even more.

“So,” I said, trying to wrap my brain around what he was saying, “you want to create a real estate development company, similar to the one we just liquidated to do…what? Build small houses for poor people?”

Corey shook his head. “Not poor people, although affordable housing would be something we could consider, but projects likein Crawford City, where there’s a need and not many investors who can afford to invest or take the risk.”

“And you’d manage it?” I asked, getting right to the point.

“And I’d manage it.”

“Shit,” I said and poured another glass of wine. “Corey, I didn’t plan on ever doing this kind of thing again, not with Dad being gone. I thought I’d retire.”

Corey laughed and when I cocked an eyebrow, he asked, “How many pieces of real estate have you found around Crawford City since we left?”

I wanted to roll my eyes, but my smile slipped out before I could stop it. “Your point?”

“My point is you love it. I know for a fact you probably have three other possible build sites located in or around that town. In fact, if you haven’t at least made one inquiry, I will shut up and never bring this up again.”

I frowned but got up, walked to my desk, and pulled out a folder. When I handed it to Corey, he opened it and laughed again. “It’s another property, this one behind the bar,” I said. “It’s not officially for sale, but it belongs to the railroad, who have all but abandoned it. If the project we’ve started is successful, we could expand over there.”

“So, what say you? Shall we do this?” Corey asked.

“Only if you become my partner.”

It was Corey’s turn to cock an eyebrow. “We’ve already established we aren’t compatible.”

“Hush,” I said and did roll my eyes that time as I sat back down. “Not like that. I meant as mybusinesspartner. Fifty-fifty.”

“Wait!” Corey stood up again. “I don’t have the revenue to invest fifty-fifty. Besides, you’re the expert.”

“Corey, don’t be ridiculous. You’re as much, if not more, of an expert as me. I also don’t want to work that hard.”

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