Chapter 64
DARCY
I didn’t knowwhat Penn and I were labeled, but I was beginning to think we were dating. We spent most of our time together and had yet to grow sick of each other. Now that Margot was privy to our secret—thanks to our little bookstore rendezvous—there was no point in hiding it from the town. They would all know our lips were locked, and denying it would be more work than what it was worth. It was better not having to sneak around, even though that had been fun while it lasted.
With Penn having no desire to buy my dad’s store, I was able to put Operation AA away forever and never mention the words Penny or Pooky Bear ever again. Things were going well, and I had yet to find myself claustrophobic with Penn and needing a way out.
He was different.
Together, we were different.
Spring had turned into summer in the months that Penn had been in Aveline, and I had decided one afternoon to bring my dad lunch at the store. It was his favorite special at the café, the monster BLT. When I got back to my dad’s office, I noticed an unfamiliar man sitting at my father’s desk across from him. I could only see the back of him, but he had light hair and a very tailored business suit. To my nosey pleasure, the door was cracked open. I stopped outside, not being seen, and listened to their conversation.
“I noticed on my drive into town that Aveline is full of small businesses. Your store is the perfect location to build one of our hotels. We would be happy to keep some of these historical features and incorporate them into the hotel to bring out the charm. This door, for instance,” he gestured to the door, and I nearly fell, moving out of view. “And you know what a hotel means, don’t you, sir?”
My dad didn’t answer, so the man continued.
“A hotel means people, and people mean money. Money for the citizens of your small town to thrive.”
Who was this guy, and what was he thinking? A hotel in Aveline to bring in more people? Absolutely not. That is the last thing anyone here would want. We liked Aveline the way it was. And it was already thriving, thank you very much.
“With all due respect, I believe the people of Aveline are already thriving, Mr. Prescott.”
Yeah! What I said! I smiled, listening to my dad one-up this man.
“I understand that, sir. I didn’t mean to imply they weren’t. I just want to bring Aveline to the next level. I’ve had one of my managers here for several weeks, and he agrees one of our hotels would be the perfect addition to your town. Remind me, what was the last offer he gave to you? I’m willing to double it.”
I leaned closer to the door. Did he just say he’s had someone here for several weeks? He couldn’t. The only new person in town was Penn, and he hadn’t been trying to get the store for a hotel. He had wanted it for a restaurant.
He had wanted it for a restaurant . . . right?
My stomach began hurting, and I pushed it off as being hungry. I opened my dad’s sandwich box and began eating one half of it. He wouldn’t mind.
“I have only had one person in here offering me money, and it was not for a hotel,” my dad replied.
I nodded, chewing. Exactly.
“Hmm.” The man thought for a moment.
I looked in, noticing my dad leaning back in his chair as though he were uninterested in anything this man had to say. I took another bite.
My dad replied, “The man wanted to buy the store to put in a new restaurant, but he told my daughter he wasn’t interested anymore. This guy’s name is Penn. What is your guy’s name?”
I leaned in more. I was finding it hard to hear the conversation over the thumping of my pulse in my ears. I stopped chewing, the sandwich sitting idly in my mouth, and I knew the stomachache was not from hunger.
But Penn was not here for this man.
Penn was not here to tear down the hardware store.
Penn would not have lied to everyone in Aveline.
He would not have lied to me.
This man was not going to say Penn’s name.
A maniacal chuckle escaped his mouth. “Sir, Penn Murphy was in Aveline on my behalf.”
And then I fell through the door.