[Blueberry Springs 01.0] Whiskey and Gumdrops Read online

“So? Can I show him the building? Is the offer still open?”

  “Yeah, of course.” Frankie slowly relinquishing the keys, his focus still on Seth. “It’s the square one. You sure you want to do business with him?”

  “I’m not sure of anything, Frankie. But the fact that he wants to see the building has to be a good sign.”

  “Can I meet him?”

  She put a hand on his chest. “Let me handle this. Please.”

  Frankie twisted his mouth into a doubtful shape. “Be careful. He seems…” He scrunched up his mouth again.

  Mandy stood beside Frankie, staring at the man on the other side of the glass. He was well put together and a bit odd, but he was the one who could help her change her life. She needed him.

  Seth turned to look inside the store, phone still jammed against his ear, and Mandy popped into action. She thanked Frankie, hustling to meet up with Seth outside.

  “I never said you’d be living on a beach in Barbados while someone else did all the work. This is a business, not a get rich quick scheme.” Seth’s jaw locked as he paced in a circle, muscles working as he flexed his free hand. He inhaled deeply and gave Mandy an exaggerated look of eternal suffering. He said into the phone, “Well, maybe it is mismanagement. I’ll come shadow you next Thursday and we’ll get this sorted once and for all.” He turned off his phone, holding his breath for a second before letting it out in a whoosh.

  Mandy turned away and said lightly over her shoulder as she took a few steps down the sidewalk, “It’s this way.”

  As they walked, Mandy focused on picking the right key off the chain while Seth said, “You know being a franchisee isn’t going to make you instantly wealthy, right?” His gaze drifted down her expensive outfit, then back up to her earrings.

  Mandy shot him an amused grin. “It would be nice if it did but I don’t really think that’s particularly realistic.”

  “Exactly! Finally. A woman with some sense in her head.”

  “Right,” she said hesitantly.

  “Sorry. It’s just, one of my franchisees thinks she should be living on an island because she has a Wrap it Up in downtown Dakota. She really doesn’t get the clientele or brand. We’re about being healthy and sexy. Movie stars like our food. That was how Wrap it Up came to be--I was catering the sets. But she always wants more, even though she has a killer location and is doing fine, financially. I do her books so I know just how well she’s doing--it’s a perk I offer all franchisees. I encourage it particularly in the first few years, as you’ll have your hands full with learning and tweaking your system. I offer to take care of everything financial, from taxes to payroll to debt payments to your royalty payments to deposits--even to paying your bills. Every month, you send it all to me and I take care of it and then send you your own little check a week later. It saves you a lot of time and hassle. Plus, I’m cheaper than an accountant and can offer money saving advice.”

  “Wow.”

  “I don’t expect you guys to be accountants as well as managers and business owners.”

  Mandy stopped in front of Frankie’s building and smiled at Seth. “That’s really nice. I really like the vibe from your company.”

  “Thanks. I like you, too.”

  Mandy blushed and worked on jamming the key into the underused lock. The door opened and she let them in. She hadn’t been in the building since it was Frankie’s grandfather’s video store and it was eerie seeing it without Grandpa Frank offering her gumdrops--still her favorite after all these years.

  The place was dirty. It was amazing how much dust had sifted in over the past two vacant years.

  She waited as Seth stepped over the threshold, his attention riveted to the phone in his hand as he thumbed out a text message. She let the door close behind them and flicked on a few lights, not thinking that, of course, Frankie would have cut the power. Which was maybe a good thing. Light would have only shown how much the place needed cleaning. As it was, the sunshine streaming through the grimy windows highlighted enough.

  “I’ll get this place cleaned up and add a nice off-white on the walls and it’ll look bigger and brighter,” she said, trying to think of something business-like to do. What did businesswomen do with their arms? She had her bag over her shoulder and had ditched the keys in it already, leaving both hands free to do something stupid. She clasped them together before unclasping them, trying to find a way to hold herself that looked both open yet professional.

  Seth glanced up from his phone. “You have to go with Apple Green.”

  “Sorry?”

  “Our décor is dictated for consistency and brand recognition. The film strip banner is mandatory, as are the movie posters.”

  “Of course,” she said quickly. “I’m sure that would really perk up the place and give it a inviting vibe.”

  “But not too inviting. You want as much turnover as possible, especially in a small space. You don’t want people hanging out if they aren’t spending money. Get them to empty their wallet and leave. That’s the only way a place this small will survive.”

  “Yes. Right.” She nodded, acting as though she knew all this.

  She turned to the corner where an old gumball machine still stood. She toyed with the crank, trying not to worry about how she was noticeably in over her head. She didn’t think like a cold-hearted businesswoman. She wanted people to come into her restaurant and use her bathroom even if they weren’t customers. She wanted people to sit around and drink coffee all afternoon. She didn’t want to hustle anyone out the door. Ever.

  She was going to have to adjust so many of her instincts and habits in order to fit into the business world.

  “So this is it?” He took a brief look, barely moving from his spot by the door. His attention moved back to his phone.

  “It’s a bit tight but it might do.” He stepped to the door.

  She met him on the sidewalk, feeling as though he was slipping away. “There’s another space that’s bigger, although it’s at the end of the street. I feel this is a better location though. Did you want measurements or pictures before I lock up?” She held the door open, in case he wanted to step through it again. She wracked her mind, trying to drum up more ways she could convince him of her worthiness.

  He shook his head and held up his phone. “I’ve got to skedaddle, but it was a pleasure meeting you.” He stepped closer and she could smell his sweet coffee breath warm her cheek. He gave her upper arm a squeeze, his look apologetic. “I’m sorry I wasn’t more attentive. I’ll look over your application and get back to you within a week.”

  She watched him peel away in his shiny SUV, feeling as though she’d just lost the winning catch in the middle of a high-stakes fishing derby.

  She let out a defeated sigh as the SUV rounded the corner at the end of Main Street and vanished from sight.

  Who had she been trying to kid? Of course she’d lost Seth. She’d dressed up like a businesswoman and thrown some lingo around, but she had to be pretty darn stupid to think all that would fool a true businessman--especially one who had nurtured his successful chain from the ground up. He wouldn’t risk his brand or income.

  The air beside her changed, bringing with it a hint of motor oil and peppermint. Frankie.

  “Hey,” she said, facing him. Dust from the street blew up and she turned away, shutting her eyes against the grit. She sighed and tried to boost her shoulders up from their slumped position. Maybe when the street cleaners had brushed away the grime and debris from the long winter, she wouldn’t feel that oppressing weight pushing her flat against the world. Maybe then, she could be happy just the way she was.

  “Ran off, huh? I figured he was too slick for us,” Frankie said, arms crossed over his chest. He rocked back on his heels and glared in the direction the SUV had gone.

  “You may as well give in and let Mary Alice open a bingo parlor in your building. I’m pretty sure I won’t be needing it.” She sighed and began walking toward Benny’s Big Burger so she could change i
nto her hideous uniform and live out the rest of her life in quiet desperation.

  Frankie fell into step beside her, walking close, his legs wide, like he was an armed bodyguard with too many muscles to be able to walk properly. Mandy nudged him, trying to knock him out of his tense, protective mode.

  She turned to face him, jaw set. “What are you doing?”

  “Walking with you.”

  “Why?”

  “I can’t walk with a friend?” he asked, eyeing other pedestrians through slitted lids as they passed.

  Mandy jutted out a hip, arms crossed. “Frankie, you’re eyeing everyone like you’re angling for a fight. What’s up?”

  “Nothing.” His dark eyes were cloudy.

  “Nothing?” She watched him. Then, sighing, she opened her bag and passed him the keys. “Thanks.”

  “Keep them,” he said, pushing the keys back to her, his eyes still on the street.

  “Your house keys are on here.”

  Jaw working, Frankie tugged the building key off the chain and handed it back to her. “Who else are you going to interview?”

  “That was it. And they interview me, not the other way around.”

  He pulled the beginning of a fuzzy new soul patch growing below his lip that she hadn’t noticed earlier into his mouth and watched her. “Bull,” he said gently. “You have every right to interview them as well.”

  “What’s this?” she asked and leaned forward to pet the damp bit of hair, her chest thumping with anticipation. This was a sexy look on him. How had she not noticed it sooner?

  Frankie tipped his face out of reach and asked, “What do you mean, ‘That was it?’”

  “That’s the only one I qualify for.” She turned on her high heels and began clacking her way down the sidewalk.

  “What do you mean the only one?” he asked, his steps timed perfectly with hers.

  “Frankie, franchises are incredibly expensive.”

  “So? Borrow money.”

  “It’s more than you think. Besides, if it isn’t that, it’s qualifications. And there’s no way I could go independent.” Her cheeks burned with the humiliation of not being able to qualify for the one thing she’d finally decided she wanted. Didn’t life just love kicking her in the shins? If it wasn’t men, it was businesses--run by men.

  She gave Frankie’s chest a poke, his leather jacket firm under her finger. “And what about you? I’m pursuing my big adventure.” She stepped closer, wanting to take a pound of flesh out of him for knowing how close she was to losing what she wanted.

  “And?” he asked, his brows twisted in confusion.

  “The TV show?”

  His dark eyes narrowed. “What about it?”

  She quirked her head. “Are you going to man up and go for it? Or what?”

  Frankie pulled the soul patch into his mouth again and she couldn’t decide if the action was seductively sexy or simply annoying. Either way, it made her want to move closer and put her fingers over his bottom lip to release the soul patch--whatever that happened to imply.

  “I’d have to leave.”

  “It wouldn’t be forever.”

  “As your business partner, I think I should be around while you set up shop.”

  “Excuse me? My what? You’re my landlord! Should this guy even decide I’m worthy, it could be months before anything actually happens with the building.”

  “Well, I…” Frankie seemed at a loss.

  “There’s no reason you shouldn’t do this.”

  Liz Brady-Moss, Mary Alice’s sister, and second-in-command on the town’s gossip circuit, sidled up to them, taking in Mandy’s outfit with one sweep and the tension between her and Frankie with another.

  “Not now, Liz,” Mandy said. “I’m late for work.”

  “Your shift isn’t for another fifteen minutes,” Liz replied. “Who was the man you were meeting with? He had city written all over him.”

  “A slick piece of work, for sure,” Frankie added.

  Mandy ignored Liz and focused on Frankie. “Just because he wears a suit doesn’t mean he’s evil. Some people wear suits and do good, you know.” She gave his leather jacketed shoulder a light shove, hating the way his peppermint smell made her want to nuzzle her face against his shoulder.

  “He can’t be trusted,” Frankie said.

  “Why not?” asked Liz breathlessly, edging closer.

  Mandy rolled her eyes and shoved the door to Benny’s open as Frankie caught her elbow. He met her eye and said in a quiet voice, “If it’s money you need to go out on your own, I have enough. I can co-sign a loan or I can help you get started with what I have.”

  “Frankie, you know I can’t do that.” She caught Liz glancing from face to face, absorbing every word and piling up conclusions like a kid with her first set of building blocks.

  “It wouldn’t be anything fancy, but it would be yours.”

  “Look. I appreciate the offer, Frankie. But this isn’t about fancy, it’s about business, and letting friends be friends and not owing them money or making them business partners.”

  “You’d rather go with some unknown guy who doesn’t give a crap whether you make it or not?”

  “Of course he cares! It’s his business--”

  “Exactly! It wouldn’t be yours.”

  “What do you care?”

  “I was under the impression we were friends.”

  Mandy sucked in a breath, Frankie had moved closer. His breath was hot in her face and his cheeks were flushed.

  She took a step back. “Why are you taking this so personally?” she asked, her voice shaking. “Just because I’m not accepting your handouts doesn’t mean I can’t partner with a business.”

  “How do you know he’s reputable?” His voice told her he didn’t think the man was worth a pickle in a room full of cucumbers.

  “Google!” she snapped, backing into Benny’s restaurant. “That’s how I know. This is business, Frankie. There are contracts people sign. There’s protection.”

  “Big deal, if he’s the one writing them!”

  “I’ll get them looked over!” she retorted, her voice rising. “Why do you have such a big problem with this?”

  A warm, firm hand pressed against her back and she found herself being propelled toward Frankie, out of the building and back out onto the sidewalk. Benny gave her a kind but firm smile. “You’re a little early for your shift, Mandy. How about you come back in about half an hour.” He glanced at Frankie and added, “Or an hour. Take all the time you need--we’ll make do without you.”

  The door swung shut and she had to close her eyes for a moment to brace herself against the wave of embarrassment.

  “It doesn’t feel right,” Frankie said quietly, hooking his fingers through hers. A gentle, sympathetic look full of understanding had returned to his eyes.

  “I can’t put your money at risk. That’s all there is to it,” Mandy said, crossing her arms. “What if I fail?”

  “You won’t fail.”

  “Independent businesses have an eighty percent likelihood of failure in the first two years, whereas franchises have a twenty percent chance of failure.”

  “That’s got to be an exaggeration.”

  “Even if it is, wouldn’t it be better to go with some big business that can afford the blow, rather than my best friend? Especially for something as risky as a healthy alternative? Who knows if this place can even sustain another restaurant?”

  Frankie’s expression softened and he opened his mouth to say something but she continued. “Money between friends is like microwaving butter. It’s never the same, nor as good afterwards. It changes.”

  “At least talk to the Chamber of Commerce and Wini and a few others, okay? I don’t like the feel of the guy.”

  “You didn’t even meet him!”

  “I didn’t have to.”

  “What? What was wrong with him?” asked Liz.

  Mandy jumped, turning to see Liz, her eyes still gleaming, like a
child overhearing her parents discussing a possible trip to Disneyland.

  Mandy grumbled at Liz, but addressed Frankie. “You need to trust me. I’m a big girl.”

  “Promise me,” Frankie said, gripping her elbow. “Promise you’ll look into him more before you agree to anything. Ask for financial records and talk to other franchisees. Okay?”

  “Oh, for crying out loud. Is this because he’s from the city?”

  “Ohhhh,” Liz crowed, her hands clasped. “It’s going to be like Beth and the Nash-hole all over again!”

  Mandy rolled her eyes. It was not going to be like when Nash Leham, a doctor from Dakota, came to Blueberry Springs on a term contract and ended up engaged to Beth while she and Oz were on a break. The town had shot straight into overly helpful and, basically, butted in where they weren’t needed making things extra messy for Beth and the two men. And just because she was now looking outside Blueberry Springs as a way to open her own restaurant it did not mean Blueberry Springs needed to get their ‘helpful’ on and make things messy.

  Frankie pointed down the street in the direction Seth had vanished, his eyes flashing. “No, it’s because you were flirting with him. You want this so bad you’re willing to make a fool of yourself.”

  Mandy stepped back as if she’d been slapped. “You were spying on me?”

  “Oh, my!” Liz squeaked.

  “Liz, push off!” they both shouted. They faced each other and exchanged humorous looks as Liz scuttled off.

  Mandy stared at Frankie. Flirting meant nothing if you weren’t interested and she was most definitely not interested in Seth in that way. “You can’t discount him because I used the only currency I have.”

  Frankie, jaw flexing with anger, reached out as though he was going to brush her cheek with his thumb but changed his mind at the last minute. Instead he formed a fist, resting it against his mouth as he visibly fought for control. “Have some faith in yourself, Mandy.”

  She drew in a breath, trying to find a way to put them back on friendly ground. “I appreciate you trying to look out for me. I really do, but…”

  Frankie read the rejection and threw his hands in the air and backed away, disappointment darkening his face. “Fine. Believe what you want to--I’ll just shut up because I’m just a friend and know nothing at all about the business world.”