Chapter 4
Maren set her book in her lap and smiled. “Shea. What on earth are you doing here and with that bag in your hand?”
“I thought you might like the best ice cream in town.” Shea climbed the steps on the porch and plopped down in the Adirondack chair, pulling out two to-go dishes. “A fudge sundae for you and strawberry one for me.”
“I’m going to get fat hanging around you.”
“Once your leg is healed, we can start walking.” Shea dug into her treat like it was her last supper. “I’m shocked I’m not three hundred pounds. I actually let myself have some kind of ice cream once a day. But it’s the only bad thing I eat. Otherwise, I’m all veggies and good shit.”
“You’ve always been like that. And you exercise like a freak.” She lifted the spoon to her mouth and moaned. “Jesus. There is nothing on this earth as good as your family’s ice cream.”
“That is a true statement.” Shea shifted her gaze toward the docks. “I see that Mr. Sexy Firefighter’s boat is gone. Did he take crazy dog with him?”
Maren laughed. “He showed up here about an hour after we opened. Shasta went nuts when she heard the rumble of his truck pull in. Damn dog loves him more than me.”
“He’s around more than you are.”
“Now that’s just mean,” she said. “Especially after I got Shasta as a gift for my parents.”
“What do you think of Arthur?” Shea waggled her brows. “Sexy, right?”
“You’re as bad as my mother.” Maren focused on her treat, shoving a heaping spoonful into her mouth. Her life had been turned upside down. Breaking up with her boyfriend had sent her in a tailspin. It left her with an emptiness in her heart and soul. Nothing made sense anymore, including her career, which is why she’d quit.
But now she had no idea what she wanted.
Being back home made her question her reality. Her life choices.
And Arthur had a different effect. One she hadn’t been prepared for.
“It’s just a question. I’m simply making girlfriend conversation. Besides, you’re the one who confided in me about everything that went down in New York.”
Maren groaned. “I was high on painkillers. I didn’t know what I was saying.”
Shea reached out and took Maren’s hand. “We’ve known each other too long to bullshit each other. You’re at a crossroads. I get it. I’ve been there. Making the decision to come back here wasn’t an easy one. Honestly, it made me feel like a failure. But at the end of the day, it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done.”
“Are you suggesting I should pack my bags and leave my life in New York?” It’s not like Maren hadn’t thought about it. But not once had she considered running home to mommy.
Or this marina.
“I can’t tell you what to do. But now that you’re not tied to New York, you can spend time here. See how you really feel about being back. About the marina.” Shea held up her hand. “I had every intention of having my parents sell our family business. It’s a hard way to make a living. Trust me, I know. However, I’m so glad that I waited a few months before making any major decisions about that. I love owning it. My parents frustrate the hell out of me. I still have to fight them with changes. But it has been freeing for me. It could be with you too.”
“My mother is so hell-bent on having this investor to solve all her problems with me not being here. I agree that if I don’t come back, something has to give. But if that’s the case, she needs to sell. She’s not getting any younger.” Maren dropped her empty dish into the bag. “I’ve been gone too long and I don’t know anything about these men she’s been talking to.”
“I’ve done some poking around,” Shea said. “I’ll be honest. I don’t have a good feeling about this Hudson Nally guy. Everyone I’ve talked to says he pushes business owners, hard. Add the fact he’s buying Mother’s, and that gives me pause.”
“It’s a prime piece of land. You could do a lot with it.”
“Not the point,” Shea said. “It’s all the other businesses that this man seems to be going after.”
Maren’s mother waved from the docks as she approached the house. Maren glanced at her watch. “Shit. I’m sorry, but we’ve got a meeting in fifteen minutes with Nally and his business partner.”
Shea stood. “Let me know how it goes and call me if you need anything.” She leaned over and kissed Maren’s cheek. “I’m always here if you need a friend.”
“I appreciate that.” Maren watched Shea stroll toward her vehicle, stopping to say hello to her mom for a brief second.
Maren glanced toward the sky as a big puffy white cloud danced across the sun. She had to admit, she missed this. Even if she walked down to the river, or even the ocean, she couldn’t capture this in New York. There was nothing like Florida anywhere. And nothing like this little marina. It was a tiny piece of heaven, and she could feel her father glancing down.
“Hey, little one,” her mother said. “Did you have a nice visit with Shea?”
“It’s so good to see her again,” Maren admitted.
“Come on. Let’s go inside. We have a few things to discuss before Hudson and his partner get here.”
Maren hobbled into the house, taking a seat on the stool in the galley kitchen while her mom bustled about, making tea for the two of them. “Mom, I need you to have an open mind about all of this.”
“I was just about to say the same thing to you.” Her mother handed her a big mug. Steam floated toward the ceiling. “I know you’re concerned, and I hear you on all of it. But you have to understand I can’t do this alone anymore and I’m not willing to sell the business. Your father wouldn’t have wanted that.”
Maren let out a long breath. Her dad wanted the business to stay in the family. She understood that. He had this dream that one day his little girl would be manning the helm. However, right now, she didn’t see herself having anything to do with it. She had no idea where her life was going to take her next, and as much as she loved this place, and still viewed it as home, running it overwhelmed her in ways she couldn’t explain to herself, much less her mom. “I’m not sure he’d want you to bring on an investor and give them a stake in the business either. Selling it when it’s not what I want might be the better option for all of us.”
Her mother crinkled her forehead. “Do you have any idea how much that hurts me, little one?”
“That’s not my intention. I don’t know how to make us both happy,” Maren said. “I will listen to everything they have to say, but we are not signing on the dotted line today.”
Her mother lowered her chin. “I’m aware. Your father’s lawyer would have my head if I did something that stupid. But I need you to promise me you won’t be super combative.” Her mother waved her finger. “I know how you get and while I love you for your fierce protectiveness of me, I can’t have you putting everyone on edge. Let’s listen. Ask appropriate questions. And then call it a day. Okay?”
“I can do that.” Maren nodded.
Her mom lifted her cell. “They’re at the office.”
Maren eased off the stool and followed her mom out of the house and down to the marina office with her heart in her throat. All she wanted for her mom was to enjoy her golden years. Working like a dog to keep the marina going wouldn’t provide that. However, she did understand her mom’s perspective, thanks in part to Shea.
This was a family legacy.
Her dad had built it from scratch. He’d taken a fishing dock and turned it into a big marina. One that could house a yacht like Rex’s. It had become a staple in the community. Their family’s name was well respected. She didn’t want an investor to tarnish that name.
But suddenly, selling it left a strange taste in her mouth and she wasn’t sure how to process it.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” her mother said. “I’d like to introduce my daughter. This is Maren.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Hudson Nally and this is Michael Santoro.”
Maren nodded and smiled.
Both men were dressed in awful button-down Hawaiian style shirts, as if they were trying to fit in, but they most certainly didn’t. One wore expensive jeans, the other a pair of dark slacks. Their hair was greased back and something about both men seemed off.
Then again, Maren had always been accused of being guarded when she walked into any business meeting. That her demeanor put clients off.
She squared her shoulders before taking a seat at the small table in the back room.
“Shall we get down to business?” Nally asked.
“By all means,” her mom said.
It always amazed Maren how professional her mother could be in any given situation. It was like she was two different people sometimes. The sweet, nice older lady who appeared to be the person anyone could take advantage of.
Until you put her in a room full of salesmen.
But today, her mom was a little too eager.
“Here is the contract.” Michael passed around a document that Maren thought was too thin.
She took a copy and immediately dived in. The numbers appeared fair and reasonable. They had valued the business at about twelve percent under the market value. Something she would have to change.
Their return wasn’t outrageous.
But it was their level of involvement that threw her for a loop. Not only did they want a stake, but they wanted to be hands on. Not necessarily a bad thing. But she hadn’t realized how much these men had planned on participating in the marina. What the hell did they know? She thought the concept was to give money so that more people could be hired to do the heavy lifting and to expand, giving her mother the freedom to retire.
She glanced at her mom, who tapped her pencil on the table.
“May I ask a few questions?” Maren said.
“Please.” Hudson folded his hands on the table.
“I’ve heard you’re investing in other businesses. Are you going to have this level of involvement in those?” She held up her hand. “I’m only asking because this contract states that you will be bringing in managers to oversee the day-to-day. I feel that my mom and I would be better suited to find those people, especially when my mom is ready to retire and she’ll still have controlling interest.”
“When we invest, we view it as a partnership,” Nally said with a smile. “One or two of our people sprinkled in will only bring a new perspective, ensuring that the business flourishes.” He tapped the contract. “If you flip to page three, you’ll see that your mom will have the power to make the majority of the decisions. But if we’re going to invest, we need to ensure our money is going to the right places. It’s a win-win.”
Maren wasn’t sure if she saw it that way. But contracts were meant to be negotiated. “I’m not sure I like how quickly you want to make these changes in staff.” She flipped through the document. “Or some of these other changes you’re proposing.”
“This marina isn’t living up to its potential,” Michael said. “Our job as investors is to make improvements. That’s what our money is going toward. It’s all for the greater good and I believe your mother sees that, don’t you?”
“Lord knows we can use some updating,” her mom said.
“Good. We’re all in agreement, then.” Nally handed her mom a pen. “All we need now is a signature.”
Maren opened her mouth but didn’t have to say a single word because her mother did it for her, thank God.
“Before I sign anything, I need to have my attorney look this over,” her mom said. “There are a few sticking points I might want to change, and then we might have a deal.”
“Mrs. Cordelia,” Hudson said softly. “I don’t mean to play hardball with someone as nice as you. But our funds are limited and there are a dozen businesses up and down this shoreline hammering to do business with us. This deal will go away in a day or two.” He stood. “I’d really like to be partners with you. I believe we’re a good fit. I hope you’ll sign.” He stuffed his copy into his briefcase and he and Michael shuffled out the door.
“I didn’t like that last statement, Mom,” Maren said. “Business deals don’t go away that quickly, unless they’re fishy.”
“Or they’re playing the game.” Her mother pointed toward the back window. “Look. Arthur is pulling in with our dog. Why don’t you go see if he’d like to have dinner with us. I’ll fax over the contract to Daddy’s lawyer. I’m sure he’ll have one or two changes he’d like to make and we’ll go back with a counteroffer.”
“I’m not sure I want to counter,” Maren said.
“Unless you’re willing to come back and run this place, it’s not your decision to make.” Her mom waved her hand. “Now go ask Arthur if he’s hungry.”
“Yes, Mother.” Maren let out a long breath. There was no arguing with her mom when she got like this. She might as well go find Arthur. Maybe he’d finally let her thank him properly.