Chapter 2
Griffin Patterson
I sip the warm coffee, wondering how Rochelle gets it so flavorful. I have coffee all over the country, and never once has another cup come close to the quality that Delish Diner offers.
“Good, you’re still here.” Tanner strides into the diner like he owns it, heading in my direction and taking a seat in the booth opposite me without an invitation.
“Not for long. Just grabbing lunch, then flying out to Colorado.” I’ve spent the past few days here with him at the new distillery accommodations we’re building, of which we’ve had plans drawn up for a while now.
I have a team at the distillery who are almost finished with the structural build.
We’re at the fit-out stage, so I flew in this week to check on it.
I’ve also had meetings with Victoria, Tanner's wife, and my interior’s contractor about what she has finished for my new place that I’ve built here at Billionaire Boulevard.
I don’t have a home. I have houses. And I decided to build one here to add to my portfolio.
“I need a favor before you go.”
I both sigh and grin. His favors are never small things. Instead, always something like, I'm building an extension; could you finish that in a few days. Or, build my ranch; I need it done yesterday.
“I need you to go over to the bakery across the road.”
Eyes narrowed, I look at him over the rim of my coffee cup, where it’s stalled halfway to my mouth.
“Is it open?” I saw newspapers covering the windows, so I assumed someone was doing work over there. But commercial fit-outs aren’t really my thing. Certainly not that small size. Give me a world-class distillery, and I can build your dreams, but a small bakery isn’t worth my time.
“No. It needs a fair amount of work. The new owner seems to think they can do it all on their own.”
I can tell by how his jaw clenches that he isn’t happy about something. But while he’s my closest friend, a bakery builder I am not.
“I gotta fly out today. I need to sign off on the plans for my new Colorado project before I hit Sundown Valley in the morning.”
I’m a busy man. My construction company does luxury builds all around the country. Work is my life. I built my business from the ground up. Something I’m proud of. Something that gives me purpose. Keeps me busy. I need to be busy.
“Sundown Valley? What are you doing over there?”
I give Tanner a grin. “Winery. Stonemore’s making some additions.”
His eyebrows rise. He knows who I’m talking about.
The Stonemore family has been around for a while and making a name for themselves.
One of the best wineries in the country.
I have no idea what it is about these men and their liquor, but Tanner Whiteman and Grayson Stonemore could be two peas in a pod.
Both grumpy assholes, but they would give you their last dollar if you needed it.
“They’re already the largest winery in the country. What the hell else do they want.” Tanner frowns as he scrubs his chin. His distillery is on par with what the Stonemore family has. But they might get one up on him with this new fit-out.
“Yeah, well, they obviously have some things going on.” I don’t delve into the private lives of my clients too much.
Tanner and the guys here at Whispers are an exception, since we’ve all become firm friends over the years.
I built the distillery with Tanner decades ago, and it was one of my first big major projects that helped put me on the map.
So the place he calls home is full of my own blood, sweat, and tears.
My connection to it, to him, to this town, it’s one I don’t have anywhere else.
“What about your house here?” He frowns, not happy I’m leaving already.
But I never stay in one place for long. I live a transient life.
Always have. Growing up in foster care with quasi-parents who didn’t give a shit about you will do that to you.
Home is not where the heart is in my experience.
Violence? Yes. Abuse? Also, yes. Love? Never.
I shrug. “It’s here. Victoria will finish it off.” Real estate is the one thing I invest my money into. Having not had a real home growing up, I collect them now like people collect stamps or coins.
Because I can.
But having a house here in Whispers will allow me not to live out of a suitcase when I come here so often.
The decor will be comfortable, and I like Whispers.
My friends are here. I hope to spend more time with them.
But with no family, I have no roots. Nothing tethering me.
So I continue to float around the country, building dreams for other people.
My bank balance has never seen as many zeros as it does now.
My needs are minimal. Social life is nonexistent.
I can’t even remember the last time I took a vacation.
“When can you take a look at it?”
I sip my coffee, wondering why the rush.
“The bakery?” I look at him like he’s crazy. He knows how busy I am and that I don’t have time to look at a fucking bakery.
“Yes, the bakery. They need help.”
My mouth opens to respond, but I’m cut off before I can. “Are you talking about the bakery?” Rochelle slides up to the table, pouring a fresh cup of coffee for Tanner. That’s the thing about small towns. Everyone knows everyone. Clearly a new person and a new bakery are talk of the town.
“Didn't think you were talking to me…” Tanner murmurs, looking a little remorseful.
“I'm not,” she snaps at him, and I raise an eyebrow in question.
“I took Charlotte from her and gave her a job at the distillery,” Tanner says with a sheepish grin.
Charlotte Titan is his new Sustainability Officer who used to work here with Rochelle.
She’s making huge improvements on the distillery; so much so, I’m thinking she could come and consult with me on some builds.
Not to mention, along with her movie star husband, Sutton Silvers, they’re both my neighbors here on Billionaire Boulevard.
“My best worker!” Rochelle looks at Tanner with a huff, and I wonder if she’ll pour the full coffee pot all over him. I’d pay money to see that.
“Fine. I’ll go take a look…” I try to ease the tension. Besides, Tanner knows I can’t say no to him.
“I’ll ask Victoria to pop by as well. She might need help with the interior design.” He scratches his chin again. It’s not unusual for Tanner to take an interest in what happens in this town. But he sure is pulling out all the stops to help the bakery if he wants Victoria and me to be involved.
“She?”
“Yeah… she.” Something in the way Tanner looks at me makes me think there’s more going on, but he doesn’t elaborate, and I don’t care enough to ask anything more.
“I’ll be in Sundown Valley for a few days, then back here. I’ll pop in then,” I offer. It’s the best I can do. I have commitments. My jet gets lots of use. It’s more a necessity than a luxury at this point.
“Fine. It won't take much; she just needs a hand. I’ll pay for your time.”
My head rears back as I look back at him quickly. “You're paying the bills? Shit, she must bake good bread.” I laugh as Tanner sips his coffee.
“I haven’t tried it. But I’m hopeful.”
Bewildered, I shake my head at him. His love for this town runs deep. I’m jealous of it. To have ties to a place. To have people that you’ve known for a long time, who are all by your side each day. To have a bigger purpose in life than building a business and making money.
I had that once. But like everything else in my life. I lost it. And I lost a piece of my soul with it.
I shake my head to dislodge the thought as I take my final sip of the caffeine I desperately need. No point in remembering what I had. I swore to myself years ago to never hold on to someone like that again. And so far, I’ve kept myself away from everyone and everything that comes remotely close.
I live a transient life for a reason. And I’ll continue to do so.