Page 15 of Christmas Home

“You’re married to Dr. Ash?” I asked. Todd smiled and nodded, and the way his eyes sparkled at the mention of his husband’s name, I figured there was a good story there. I also wondered how I’d missed the fact that Amos’s son and Emanual’s son were married, given the ever-present grapevine that ran through Crawford City.

“Before you boys get started with all your important business,” Mrs. Cole said behind us, “go get something to eat. Mr. Corey, shall I get you your regular?”

Corey smiled up at her, a genuine smile, unlike what he usually gave servers in restaurants. “No, ma’am, I think I’d like to try your buffet today.”

I’m not sure who was more surprised, me or Mrs. Cole, but when I glanced at her, she seemed to have recognized the honor it was for Corey even to consider eating at a buffet. His willingness to try it was testament to Mrs. Cole’s cleanliness.

Corey stood and immediately solved my twisted ankle issue by saying, “Why don’t you and Mr. Hudson discuss the particulars of the condo while I get us both something to eat?”

Jake clearly understood what was happening and smiled up at Corey before nodding.

“So,” I began as soon as the rest of the party were at the buffet, “how did you figure out I was interested in the motel property?” I ignored Corey’s suggestion we talk about the condo. I knew for a fact my assistant had all those details ironed out and they’d be contractually solid.

Jake seemed amused by my directness. “Crawford City’s a small town, and not much happens here that I don’t hear about. As it happens, though, I was coming back from a trip to Nashville and caught sight of you hobbling out of the woods with that good-looking fella Mrs. Cole just hired.”

“And you figured we’d only be in the woods together because I want to purchase the property?”

Jake stared at me for a beat, then burst out laughing. “Mr. Crawford, you don’t strike me as a man who goes for a roll in the woods with handsome strangers, so unless my instincts were off, you were there for some other reason.”

I nodded, unable to hide my smile. “Between you and me, I wouldn’t mind a roll in the woods with that particular man, but no, you’re correct. I went there because I’m curious about a potential development opportunity so close to downtown.”

Jake nodded. “Things in these parts have changed a lot over the years, I’d like to think mostly for the better.” The rest of the crew returned to our table as he spoke. “However, that area hasbeen considered blighted since the railroad split it from the rest of town.”

I looked around the group as they all nodded in agreement. “So, if development is done in an area the town considers blighted, will they consider it ever being anything but?”

“Oh, that’s all in the PR,” Jake said. “Which, lucky for you, I’m an expert in.”

I chuckled. Jake was a character and one I enjoyed getting to know. A lot more had to be figured out, though, because had I not been hesitant before, I most certainly would be now. Knowing how the rest of the town viewed that swathe of land was cause for caution moving forward.

I listened as each man talked about the need for more residential housing. Corey knew enough to question them without my involvement, shaking out more detailed information and jotting notes on his phone to review later.

Ultimately, before we all disbanded, I’d learned that the men agreed small, middle-income housing was the type most needed. Apartments were unlikely to be a good solution, at least not yet. They also didn’t hold back in saying more than a few townsfolk would be happy to see the old motel leveled.

I wondered where that would leave someone like Clyde. He was staying in that motel, and to be honest, besides it being a little run-down, it didn’t seem as seedy as these guys were making it out to be. I’d certainly seen worse.

Later, once Corey and I were back in the solitude of the condo, he began peppering me with questions. “What’s on your mind? Do you think apartments? Will the local economy continue to grow, or will it stagnate? Or maybe it’s already in decline?”

I didn’t answer, instead letting my assistant’s very sharp mind ferret out all the necessary questions to create a reliable feasibility assessment.

We worked the day away, both of us on our laptops, and when my body complained about sitting for too long, I told Corey I was going to the hotel gym.

“Stay off that foot, or you’ll have major issues,” he warned.

“Yes,Mother,” I said as I slipped into my room to change. I could lift weights, at least, even though my body was craving cardio. Perhaps this was punishment for traipsing through the wilderness without proper footwear. Corey had yet to confront me about my poor choices, and I wasn’t fool enough to think I wouldn’t have to face it eventually, but for now, he was intrigued with the project enough to give me some breathing room.

That shocked me, to be honest. Corey loved a project, but always in New York or another large city. He was not a small-town guy, and as smart as he was, I knew he understood this project couldn’t bring in the same revenues as our urban builds. How could it?

Regardless, I was happy for the reprieve.

fourteen

Clyde

“Hey, you,” a manyelled at me as I returned to the motel after a quick run to the store.

“Shit,” I muttered to myself, pretending I didn’t hear him.

“No, you don’t. You come here. Don’t I know you?”

---