Ghost of a Second Chance

Chapter 1

Chapter One

It was a truth well established in the universe that while life was busy handing out accolades in one area, it was conspiring to unleash a shitstorm in another. Unfortunately for Liz Pierce, that shitstorm was forming faster than her good business reputation. She just didn’t know it yet.

Liz straightened her spine and clasped her hands together as she regarded her client.

Seated across from her in the chic downtown office space she rented for such client meetings, Arnold Crawford sighed.

Concern wrinkled his brow, adding several years to his sixty-something appearance. “Do you think you can help?” he asked.

“Mr. Crawford, how long have you known me?”

“Since you were barely old enough to ride a bicycle by yourself. And it’s Arnold. Please.”

“Arnold. In all that time, have you ever known me to bullshit you?”

A hint of a grin played on the older man’s face. “Cause trouble? Yes. Bullshit, no.”

Liz smiled back. “Exactly. This is what I do.”

Arnold’s shoulders sagged with his sigh. “I know. I’ve heard nothing but good things. Saw that write up in the business journal. Impressive.”

“Thanks.” Satisfaction welled up inside Liz.

She worked hard to get where she was—college, internships, management positions.

It quickly became evident that her real passion was small businesses, so she made the leap from employment to entrepreneur.

Now she spent her days, nights, and everything in between working her ass off to coach small businesses through issues including strategic planning, succession planning, and long-term viability.

She was damn good at her job, but it was only recently that her own business started to take off.

Since her inclusion in the East Coast Business Insider’s Thirty under Thirty a few months ago, she was fielding more new potential client calls than ever.

While she loved being able to support small businesses all across Virginia, she especially loved working with locals in her hometown.

Arnold Crawford couldn’t get more local if he tried.

Growing up, Crawford’s Manufacturing and their product, the Digit Defender, had practically kept Cloverfield, Virginia alive.

Thankfully, the town’s economy had diversified a bit since then, but still, Arnold’s business employed a considerable number of families and held a significant place in the local economy.

Which meant Liz was motivated by more than her consulting fee to keep this business going.

She loved her town. Sure, it was small and quirky, but that was where the charm came from.

She did the whole big-city thing for a few years after college, but when push came to shove, she came back home to roost.

“So, tell me more about what happened.”

Arnold scratched the thinning hair on the top of his head. “That’s the thing. I’m not quite sure. One minute, we’re sailing right along like normal, and the next, bam! I’m getting calls about bounced checks.”

Shit. That was bad. But nothing she hadn’t dealt with before. “Well, the economy has been twitchy lately.”

“Yeah, but I keep an eagle eye on that stuff.” He shook his head, the bewilderment still clear on his face.

Liz rolled her lower lip between her teeth as she contemplated her next question. Not a pleasant thought, but a necessary one, nevertheless. “Who does your books?”

“I do.”

“All of them?”

“Well, Martha Granger handles all the day-to-day stuff, and Claude from M&S Accounting handles the big stuff.”

Liz jotted down the names as Arnold rattled them off. “So, several people.”

“Yeah. I guess. Why?”

One of her least favorite parts of her job was having to question employee loyalties. Especially when it was someone she knew. But it wouldn’t be the first time she uncovered someone dipping into places they shouldn’t. “Well, unfortunately, not everyone is as honest as they say they are.”

“You think someone’s doing this on purpose?”

Liz shook her head. “I don’t know. But I think it warrants a look. It’s not my forte, and I have a forensic CPA I call in for the heavy lifting, but I’d like open access to all the finances if it’s okay with you.”

“Really? You think that’s necessary?”

“I do.” She winked at the older man, trying to put him at ease. “Trust me, there is nothing I love to do more on a Friday night than settle in with business plans and spreadsheets.”

Arnold’s lips quirked in the hint of a smile. “Sounds like someone else I know.”

Liz dug her manicured fingernails into her palms in an attempt to keep the displeasure off her face.

After all, just because Arnold’s nephew was an asshole didn’t mean Arnold himself was.

If she went around telling all of her clients what she thought of their family members, she would probably be out of job by next week.

“Yes. Well. There was a reason we got along so well.” Before they didn’t.

Not wanting Arnold to delve into history, Liz pressed on. “I have a few other things on my plate, but I’d love to stop by and take a look around the place.” She couldn’t count the number of times the reality was far different from what the owners reported.

“Sounds good. Tell me or Agnes what you need, and we’ll send it over. If there’s something missing, just let her know.”

“Will do.” Liz stood, and Arnold followed suit.

“Thanks for meeting with me, Liz.” The older man stuck out a hand and pumped hers like he was trying to get water from a well. “I look forward to hearing some good news soon.”

“Me, too, Mr. Crawford. Me, too.”

“Hey, girl!” Leon, owner of The Diva Dive, proclaimed as Liz walked into one of her favorite downtown bars.

Dressed tonight as Leona, the drag queen gave Liz a royal wave, the pearls on her wrist glowing in the soft lighting.

“The rest of your trio is in the back corner. You lemon dropping it tonight?”

“Absolutely. Thanks, Leona.” One of the things Liz loved about the bar was how tight a ship Leon ran. The service was impeccable, there were never mysterious sticky residues on the surfaces, and Leon knew their favorites by heart.

“Anything for my girls. I’ll bring it right over.”

Liz headed for their usual booth, noting that Maya was already halfway finished with her gin and tonic while Gwen’s glass of rosé looked like she’d barely touched it.

“Rough day?” she asked Maya as she slid in next to her.

“You and Davis aren’t on the outs, are you?

” While Liz initially had reservations about Maya getting involved with Davis, given he was somewhat of a business associate and a guest at her friend’s inn at the time, Liz had to admit that her friend snagged a great guy.

After he stopped being a completely shady asshole.

Maya’s goofy grin was all the answer Liz needed. But then she shook her head. “Nope. We’re all good.” She waggled her eyebrows. “Really good, if you know what I mean.”

Liz rolled her eyes. “Everyone in the English-speaking world knows what you mean.” It meant her friend’s sex life was one thousand percent better than Liz’s. Although that wasn’t difficult, given Liz’s near celibacy over the past year.

“Tell her about Davis,” Gwen prompted.

“He didn’t get beat up by another animal, did he?

” Davis’s introduction to Cloverfield was weirdly eventful, especially in the nature realm.

Not only was he injured while running away from his goat nemesis, Norma, but Larry, the local fish legend who lived in Etta May’s pond, tried to slap some sense into him as well.

Maya giggled. “No. We can mark him safe on that account. Although there is a skunk hanging around…” She winced. “Maybe I shouldn’t jinx it.” Shaking her head, she continued, excitement lighting her face. “The town council offered him a job.”

“Oh, nice.” If someone had told her Davis would be a fantastic addition to Cloverfield when he showed up several months ago, Liz would’ve asked them what they were smoking. But given the improvements he already made around town since officially moving here, the offer didn’t surprise Liz.

Gwen sighed. “I am so happy for you.”

“Yes, dear, we know.” Liz patted her friend’s hand. She had never met anyone as in love with love as Gwen. Too bad love didn’t seem to feel the same way about her childhood bestie. Didn’t stop Gwen from trying, though. Repeatedly.

Gwen blew a raspberry at Liz as Leona sat her lemon drop martini on the table. “I see you gals are keeping it classy over here.”

Gwen huffed. “You try telling Ms. Heart of Stone over there that love is a wonderful and marvelous thing and we should celebrate it when we find it.”

Liz raised her hands as if to ward off Gwen’s words. “Hey. I never said it wasn’t. All I’m saying is that I know you love it.”

Leona’s perfectly-shaped eyebrows drew together. “And you don’t?”

“Don’t get her started,” Gwen muttered.

Liz raised her shoulders and sipped her drink. “It’s fine for some people. But some of us may not want that kind of commitment.” Because that was what relationships were. Hard work. And Liz already had enough to focus on.

Besides, she liked her life. Scratch that. She loved her life. Loved her business, loved her family, loved her friends. Would it be nice to have someone cook for her once in a while? Maybe give her a massage after a long day? Absolutely. But she had that once, and look how it turned out.

Leona gave her a once-over then shrugged. “Well, you do you. But never say never. Because if there is one thing I learned long ago, it’s that as soon as you tell the universe something, it tells you the opposite.”

“Here, here!” Maya held up her glass, and Gwen gave her an enthusiastic cheers.

Leona sauntered back to the bar, leaving the trio alone again.

“But that’s enough about me and Davis,” Maya said, shaking her head. “What’s new with you guys? I feel like I’ve been in my own little bubble recently.”

“Probably because you have been,” said Liz.

Maya winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be.”