Page 25 of Perfect Pact

“What about me?” Beth looks down and picks at the label on her bottle.

“I don’t know. Tell me something…anything.” I leave the question pretty open. There is very little I know about Beth, and I think she’d rather keep it that way, but maybe if I approach the subject this way, she’ll be a little more forthcoming.

“Hmmm...I don’t know.”

That backfired. I guess I’ll have to pry it out of her.

“Fine…tell me your plan.”

“What plan?”

“Foryourbarn.”

“Oh.” She lights up, then goes right into telling me about the different ways the venue could be used. Kids. Weddings. Babies. She was coming alive telling me all her ideas, even a petting zoo. The idea of a yard full of animals makes me a little nervous, but now I can see what my grandpa saw in Beth. A future for the old barn he loved so much.

“Wow! That sounds amazing.”

“You think so?” She blushes.

“I do, but…” I motion over to the single driveway separating the two properties. “You still need an entrance and parking lot. Plus, starting your own business is costly. Permits, construction, advertisement, insurance, equipment, materials, payroll…”

“Okay, Dusty. You’re beginning to stress me out.” Beth stands. “It’s a lot, I know, but I’ll get it figured out.”

“I can help.”

“Really? You would do that?” She seems shocked I would even offer. I guess I need to kick the charm up a notch.

“Yeah, I’ll help you with a business plan, then we can approach the bank about a loan. If that doesn’t work out, I could maybe loan you the money.”

“What? No!” Beth begins to pace. “I can’t accept that. No way. This is my dream. I’ve worked so damn hard to get here, I have to see it through.”

“Whoa…” I hold my hands in surrender. “It was just a suggestion.”

“I’m sorry, but…” Beth sits back down.

“It’s okay. I was just trying to be a friendly neighbor.”

Beth’s eyes light up. “Friendly enough to let me use your driveway?”

Tsk, tsk…

She walked right into this one.

“Are you willing to go on a date?”

Beth sighs.

“Then no.”

“Ugh…” She stands. “What will it take?”

“Do you really want to rehash this today?”

Her mouth opens then closes. When it’s about the barn, she can’t say enough. Now that the conversation has shifted, she’s choosing her words very carefully.

“Why do you want to go on a date with me?”

“Whydon’tyou want to go on a date with me?” I ask, turning the question around on her.

Silence. My least favorite answer. At least when she’s arguing with me, I know where I stand. I’ll let it go for now.

“This is nice.” I stretch my legs and prop my hands behind my head. “Want another beer? I have a couple more.”

“No thanks. I have a lot of work to do. Plus, I have to wake up early.”

“Why?”

“To take care of business.”

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