Page 16 of Her Cadillac Cowboy
“You’re going to run a daycare?”
“Right.”
“Josh, a downtown warehouse next door to a dealership is no place for a daycare.”
“It’s the only place.”
“Children need to be outside. They can’t thrive on video games and basketball alone.”
“I know that. I’ve made arrangements with my cousin to bus the kids to his ranch on a regular basis, especially when school is out.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to bus the kids from the industrial park or locate the daycare out at the ranch?”
“Probably, but the parents who need good daycare the most in Luville work downtown. A daycare should be close to where the parents work. That cuts down on the time to transport the kids from home, and parents are more likely to be available in an emergency if the daycare is close by.”
“And the city has approved the zoning for this.”
“I’ve already cleared all the legal hurdles.”
“You’re nuts. No one will come. They’ll all react the way I did.”
“Maybe. I’m banking that they don’t.”
“There’s nothing I can say to change your mind.”
“Nope.”
Her shoulders slumped. She stood and walked to the door. “Thanks for taking the time to talk to me.”
“Wait.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “The other night, you said Carson’s had plans for the warehouse?”
“That’s not important now, Josh.”
She might not want him to know she was worried, but he could hear it in her voice, now tight and clenched.
“Tell me.”
“Carson’s had a bad year. We have a big deal with Mega Motors in the works that will more than recoup our losses. But we need the warehouse to do it.”
“Why ask me to relocate when Carson’s could do the same?”
Her entire face went hard. “Cash flow is a problem right now. Nor do I know that I can find another site that Mega will approve. Because of your stubborn attitude, we could lose the deal before an agreeable site becomes available. Either way, those plans will just have to wait until your lease is up.”
He raised both hands, palms outward. “Don’t blame me for Carson’s problems. I have an option for another five years. If I’m right, I’ll want to use all of that and more.”
She slid her purse over her arm and stood. “I wouldn’t dream of laying blame where it wasn’t warranted, and five years is a long time.”
“Yeah.” He thought of the Caddy and the years that separated him and Sara from what they’d once been.
“Why did you come back, Josh?”
“I already told you about my promise to Uncle Sampson. Do you think I have some ulterior motive?”
Sara sputtered. “How dare you imply that I’m paranoid?”
He looked at his watch, then started for the door. “I’ve got another appointment across town. Maybe we could get into why I came back over dinner. How about Wednesday?”
“I’ll have to check my schedule and get back to you.” She followed him outside.
“Suit yourself.”
He shut and locked the door and walked off. He felt her watching him as he got in the Caddy and drove away. As certain as the sun rose, Sara would never go out with him as long as he owned the Cadillac. She’d always been naturally curious, almost as much as she was stubborn. But she would never even meet him to talk business again. So, she’d never discover the real reason he’d come back to Luville.
