Page 70 of Where the Waves Kiss the Shore
She blinked, trying to gather her thoughts. She should’ve come up with an elevator pitch before she asked for investment.
“Because it’s a magical place, and I love being there. Granny created an experience where people could build holiday memories that would stay with them for life. I want to continue that, but with a modern take. I really believe it could be successful, and it would help regenerate the island as a visitor destination. I want to be a business owner who cares about the hotelandthe community.” It was also Kasia’s home, and that might just be its most important quality.
“And you would project manage the work and oversee the hotel when it reopens?”
“Of course. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” As she said it, she realized that was completely true. She’d finally found her home, a place in the world that made her want to fight to stay, when she’d never even been looking for it.
“Then I’m in. Send me some figures and the paperwork, and let’s make this happen.”
Tierney wished she could hug him, but she made do with effusive thanks until he mentioned it was very late in Sydney and hung up.
Could her plan really be coming together?
Kasia had sent an email, professional and blunt, saying she’d be leaving for a week to go to her grandmother’s funeral. Tierney wished she’d been there with her when she’d gotten the news, to talk through how she must be feeling about going back to see her estranged family. But she hadn’t been, so she’d done whatshe could and moved quickly with the valuation. It had felt a little odd asking Aoife to show the agent from Portrinn around in Kasia’s absence, but she hoped she’d understand the urgency. God knew, she didn’t want to go upsetting Kasia yet again. But she also didn’t know where things stood between them, and she didn’t want to bother her so soon after losing the grandparent she’d had such a troubled relationship with. Better to focus on her plan, and then she could surprise her with it. In a good way, hopefully. Now she just needed to convince her dad to sell the hotel to her.
“Doyou want me to come in with you?” Megan looked up from her laptop.
Tierney knew she was a distraction, hovering in the doorway of Megan’s office. She forced herself to stop tapping her foot against the door. “No, I need to do this myself. But thanks.”
“Just turn all that nervous energy into confidence, and you’ll be fine.”
She nodded and checked her watch for the hundredth time. “Does fifteen minutes early look too eager?” She’d usually plan to arrive at appointments exactly on time, which often translated into five minutes late, so this was new territory for her.
“No, but I happen to know he’s in a meeting with the directors at the moment, so you’ll just be lurking at his door doing that annoying foot tapping.” She tossed a pencil at Tierney’s foot.
“Sorry.” She threw herself into a spare chair and swung it around one way and then the other.
Megan stood up. “I’m going to get myself a coffee. And some chamomile tea for you.”
“That sounds disgusting. Can I have a Coke?”
“No caffeine until you’ve bought a hotel.”
She watched Megan leave and then checked her watch again.Ten minutes. She channeled Megan and Gabriel’s advice. She would go into the room as an equal and make her dad understand she was serious. She took a deep breath, recalling what Kasia had taught her about using breathing to calm herself. This wasn’t just for her. Kasia’s future depended on her success too. Maybe even their future together, if that was still possible. She stood and paced the room with her laptop and papers clasped under her arm.
Megan reappeared. “The directors have just left. Get in there before he has too much time to think about the meeting. Good luck!”
Her shove propelled Tierney along the corridor, and she let the momentum take her. Her father’s door was closed, but she got a smile and nod from his PA, so she headed in after a short knock. Her father looked up from the papers on his desk with raised eyebrows.
“Tierney, on time for once. What did you want to see me about?”
She took his cue to get straight to business. “I want to buy the Waterside from you. I’ve had it valued in its current state, and my offer is fair. Generous, even.” She slid a sheet of paper across the desk.
He glanced down and back up, his mouth open for a moment before he snapped it shut and shook his head. “Is this a joke? Where would you find this kind of money?”
“I’m selling my half of the house to Meg. You wouldn’t believe how much it’s increased in value over the last fourteen years.” She let the smile she’d been suppressing break through as she took a seat.
He pulled the papers toward him and scanned the figures. “When did you get the hotel valued? Young Tony told me he wouldn’t be able to do it for a couple of weeks.”
“I didn’t ask Tony Walsh. I’ve had enough of you and your brothers’ childish feud getting in the way of everything I try to achieve. I asked Joe Connelly on the mainland. He went out straight away and sent a full report. It’s included in the papers I’ve given you. My offer is fair, as you’ll see.”
Her dad pushed the paperwork aside. “You don’t have to prove yourself, Tierney. If the hotel means so much, I’ll gift it to you.” He waved at the pile of papers. “You didn’t need to do all of this.”
She let her smile drop. Hadn’t she already made it clear how much it meant to her?
“This isn’t about you, Dad. I don’t want your generosity or to be forever beholden to you. You wanted a buyer for the hotel, and I’m making you an offer. All I want from you is to accept it.”
His pale eyes were like diamonds, but she kept eye contact until he was the first to look away.
