Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 93400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Hudson frowned. “But you had an agreement to purchase this place.”
Just when I thought I’d pulled myself together, I lost it again, falling into another round of insane crying. I was angry, hurt, shocked, sad. My emotions felt like a rope that kept wrapping tighter and tighter around my body. I tried to take in deep breaths, but I couldn’t seem to stop crying.
“She only had a verbal agreement with Tom,” Candace said.
Hudson already knew that, of course.
I wiped at my eyes and pulled in a few deep, shaky breaths. “He isn’t honoring the verbal agreement any longer. He chose money over loyalty.”
The shock and anger on Hudson’s face was another reminder of how naïve and stupid I’d been. He waited patiently while I got myself under control and was able to speak without my voice cracking.
“This is the same man who taught me everything about my bookstore. Hell, about this whole building! He even gave me old journals he’d found when he bought the building. We went through them together, made notes about when this was the general store so I could file for the historical registry. He knows how much this place means to me. I never dreamed he would pull it out from under me.”
“That’s what money does to people. Makes them do crazy things. Act greedy and selfish,” Candace said, her arms folded across her chest and a look of pure rage on her face.
“And he gave you until Friday to match the offer?” Hudson asked.
I wiped at the wetness on my cheeks. “Yes. He knows I can’t come up with that kind of money; the only reason he offered was probably to make himself feel better about doing this to me. I spent the entire afternoon looking over my finances. Even if I sold everything I could, I still won’t manage it. The bank won’t loan me the money. The investor has offered above market value, and Jeff at the bank said there’s no way they can do a loan for that amount because it’s way over the appraisal value. So, I’m basically fucked.”
“You’re not fucked,” Candace said. “I told her we’ll find another location for the bookstore.”
I shook my head. “Even if we could, it won’t be on Main. I don’t know of anything available right now. “
“What about Aiden?” Hudson asked. “He might know of something.”
Glancing at my empty hands, I wondered when I had put down the tea Candace had given me earlier. “Maybe,” I whispered. “I’m so tired. I can’t think about this anymore.”
Candace took my hand and gave it a light squeeze. “I’m going to head on home. I’ll be here in the morning to open, so don’t worry about being down there first thing.”
Standing, I pulled her into my arms and hugged her. “Thank you, Candace. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
She drew back some and smiled. “I’m sure you’d do just fine.” Turning to Hudson, she said, “Make sure she eats something. I don’t think she’s eaten all day.”
“I will. Thanks, Candace.”
As Hudson walked Candace out, I dropped back down onto the sofa. I could hear him talking to someone on the phone before he joined me.
“I ordered a pizza—I hope that’s okay.”
When he sat down, I snuggled into his side and breathed in his cologne. Just having him nearby made me feel so much better. “That sounds perfect. I’m not really all that hungry, though.”
“Promise me you’ll eat just one piece. I have a feeling that if I don’t feed you, Candace will rip into me tomorrow.”
Pulling away, I looked at him. “Shouldn’t you be writing?”
“I got some words down today. After everyone left, I got a good four thousand in. I couldn’t really concentrate when I couldn’t reach you. I had a feeling something was wrong.”
“I’m so sorry, Hudson. After Tom left, all hell broke loose. Between calling the bank, my parents, and my stockbroker, my head is pounding.”
He drew me back against him and held me. “Shh, don’t even worry about it.”
I wasn’t sure how long we sat there in silence, but the doorbell broke through the peace of the evening when the pizza guy showed up. After we ate and I had two glasses of wine, I found myself back in Hudson’s arms on the sofa with Pride and Prejudice playing on the TV. When I started to drift off, Hudson turned off the TV, carried me into my bedroom, and slowly undressed me. I crawled onto the bed and slipped under the covers.
I turned to see Hudson slipping in behind me, and I sighed. For a moment, I had panicked, thinking he might leave after assuming I’d want to be alone. That was the last thing I wanted.
He drew me close, and the warmth of his body allowed me to totally relax against him.