Page 13 of Cody

Chapter 7

Alina

I was halfway home when the realtor called. Laurie didn’t like texting, and I didn’t like talking to her on the phone because she tended to get long-winded. She was a sweetheart, eager to please and friendly, but after a while her high-pitched tone grated on my nerves. However, I was eager to hear what she had to say about the store that I was interested in. I pulled over to the side of the road and put my car in park.

“Hi, Laurie.”

“Good afternoon!” she responded with excited energy. “I got your text. I’m sorry I didn’t get right back to you, but I was showing a house to a newly married couple in a hurry to buy their first house. They were so cute—”

I cut in before she could say another word. “I’m interested in the old lawyer’s office at the end of Main Street. What can you tell me about it?”

“That’s great! It’s a convenient location for your coffee shop, being that it’s right next to the parking lot. If people are in a hurry for their morning Joe, they don’t have to look around for a spot. As you could probably tell by looking inside, it’s one big, open space. There is a restroom and small storage room, too.”

That explained the two doors that I’d seen in the back wall.

“It’s clean and doesn’t even need a coat of paint, unless of course you want to change the color. The carpet was cleaned, but I’m thinking you’ll want to change the flooring. The carpet is indoor-outdoor and kind of ugly.”

Yes, it was, and so was the dark, coffee-colored paint that was on the walls. I had in mind something mellow and light. I opened my mouth several times to speak, but Laurie just kept right on going. After a minute, I sat back and smiled. I couldn’t interrupt her enthusiasm.

It took her a couple of minutes to wind down. “It’s been vacant for a while.”

“That’s what Mia from the bakery shop said. How eager are the owners to get it rented out?”

I sensed Laurie’s trepidation right away because she grew quiet. “Um, ah, oh God, Alina. I didn’t mention to you that the businesses on Main Street aren’t for rent?” Her voice was heavy with regret. “If I forgot, I am so sorry. The buildings were sold to the city a long time ago, and the board decided to sell the shops to individual owners. It was really a smart move on their part. They made a huge profit on their initial investment. There are strict rules...”

I frowned at this bit of unexpected information, because no, she hadn’t mentioned it. It’s something I would have remembered. As Laurie began to ramble again, I let out a disappointed breath. I hadn’t intended to buy anything, at least not until I’d been home for a while.

“...get them down.”

I realized that I missed something. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

She laughed softly and took a breath. “I’m sure we can negotiate a lower price from what they’re asking.”

“And what are they asking?” She gave me a price that pleasantly surprised me, but then, this was Coldwater. I didn’t have time to go over the pros and cons of renting or buying right then, and suggested, “Can you meet me at the store sometime soon with all the pertinent information and the paperwork? I’d like to look everything over first.”

“Love to! What about the day after tomorrow. Say ten o’clock? I really want this to work out for you, Alina. My goal is to get all the vacancies on Main Street sold by the end of the year.”

“Thanks, Laurie. I’ll see you Thursday.”

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