Chapter Eighteen
It was wrong of her to be amused, but Georgia couldn’t help it.
She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing out loud.
The Blackwell brothers weren’t even trying to be subtle.
The three of them were eating cookies, sipping their drinks, and shamelessly eavesdropping.
Her relationship with Kieran aside, their silent support buoyed her.
“This is ridiculous,” David muttered.
“I can give you five minutes.” She had no desire to prolong their interaction longer than that. It was taking everything she had not to confront him about breaking into her home, but she had to admit that her curiosity was piqued.
“What’s so important for you to travel all the way from Boston?” David had often made his opinion of small-town America known, and it wasn’t favorable. If it wasn’t a major city, he considered it irrelevant. While he continued to frown at the Blackwells, she sipped her iced coffee.
“This is no way to discuss business.”
At one time, she would have done whatever it took to placate him, excusing his heavy-handedness as no more than a sign of overwork or creative temperament.
It was lowering to realize she’d twisted herself into knots trying to become the person he’d wanted her to be, only to discover that, for all her effort, she’d fallen short.
It wasn’t a lie to say she wasn’t the same person she’d been back in Boston.
After picking up the pieces of her life after their breakup, she’d been forced to take a hard look at her life, and she hadn’t liked what she’d seen or the person she’d become.
It had taken time to rebuild her confidence and self-respect, but she’d done it one action, one day, at a time.
She wouldn’t risk losing that hard-won sense of worth for anyone, including Kieran.
It took David almost a full minute to accept she wasn’t going to give in to the unspoken pressure to take their discussion elsewhere.
She glanced toward the kitchen, a not-so-subtle reminder that he was on the clock.
Feeling Kieran’s gaze on her, she risked a glance.
He appeared amused by the entire exchange.
“Starting a business takes money.” David leaned forward and laid his hand on her arm.
At one time, she’d welcomed his touch. Now it made her skin crawl. She had to force herself not to jerk away, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he unsettled her.
“I can’t imagine it’s been easy,” he continued.
“I’ve managed.” By working twelve-to fourteen-hour days and taking out a loan at the bank.
Things had eased up when she’d hired help.
The training had taken time, and losing her sole employee had added to Georgia’s workload once again.
But that was a problem for later. She took a long swallow of the iced coffee, needing the caffeine boost. Stopping to sit had been a mistake.
It was easier to stay alert when she stayed busy.
“Hmm.” He nodded, his gaze wandering around the compact space.
It was big enough for the counter and display case, six bistro tables, and bar seating at both small windows.
She imagined his inner critique wasn’t flattering.
It was tiny by his standards, but it was perfect for Redemption and, more importantly, for her.
She wasn’t looking to get rich or franchise, but to build a business that suited her needs, a place she could be proud of. “You’re short-staffed.”
Pointing out the obvious did not endear him to her.
“My employee quit suddenly for personal reasons. Kieran is filling in until I hire someone.” As soon as she got rid of her unwanted guest, she was putting a sign in the window.
She’d have done it earlier, but she’d been busy hiding from all the nosy townsfolk.
Talking pastries, baked goods, and general town business was easy.
Discussing her personal life? Yeah, that wasn’t happening.
“What if I could offer you a way to pay off all your debt, allowing you to build your business into what you want it to be?”
Her heart leaped, but she tamped down any enthusiasm. “I’d say it sounded too good to be true.” This man did nothing that didn’t benefit himself first and foremost. If he’d found what he was looking for when he’d broken into her house last night, he’d already have hightailed it out of town.
He waved aside her concerns, then rested his elbows on the table. He propped his chin on his clasped fists and adopted a sincere expression, or attempted to. She caught the gleam of avarice in his eyes. “It’s perfectly legitimate, and the answer to all your financial difficulties.”
She frowned, her hands wrapping around her drink. “You seem to believe I have financial problems. Why is that? For all you know, some relative died and left me an inheritance.”
He leaned back, all affable and relaxed. “Come now, Georgia. You didn’t think I’d approach you with a business proposition without first investigating the situation.”
“You bastard.” Her chair slid back, the legs scraping across the floor, as she jumped to her feet. “You hired someone to snoop into my private business.” Added to all his other sins, it was too much.
“I prefer to look at it as protecting both our interests.” His gaze moved beyond her.
Kieran was halfway out of his chair, but he slowly retook his seat.
“That’s right,” David mocked. “Sit back down. This doesn’t concern you.
” Kieran’s brows lowered. The entire store seemed to darken, the air growing thicker.
Oblivious, David blithely continued, “I want to buy several of your recipes, and I’m prepared to make a substantial financial offer.
” He waved her back to her chair. “Let’s talk terms.”
Was he for real? “Did you learn nothing about me when we were together? Do you think I could overlook yet another violation of trust?”
“Must you be so dramatic? What happened between us in Boston was personal. This is business. It has the potential to make us both a lot of money. You used to have ambition, but you’ve settled in and seem content with mediocrity.
” He inclined his head toward the nearby table.
“The company you’re keeping is rubbing off on you. ”
Were the walls pulsing, or was that her imagination? The brothers all got to their feet, and Kieran came to stand beside her. “You owe Georgia an apology.”
Her mouth dropped open, forcing her to snap it shut. He wasn’t angry at what David had said about him and his brothers, but about what he’d said about her. His anger wasn’t hot. It was frigid. The temperature in the room seemed to plummet. Chill bumps raced up both her arms.
“The truth needs no apology.” David casually got to his feet. “You can wallow in mediocrity in both your business and the people surrounding you, or you can accept my proposal.”
Kieran’s face was set like stone, his eyes narrowed. The atmosphere went from tense to volatile in a heartbeat. Her pulse jumped and began to race. Forget David, she needed to defuse the real danger in the room.
“He’s not worth it.” She kept her voice calm.
It was like trying to talk a wild beast out of taking down its prey.
When Kieran didn’t blink, didn’t move, she feared he might do something they’d both regret.
While it was fun to fantasize about her ex taking a fist to the face, the reality would bring an entirely new set of problems neither of them needed.
David’s smile reminded her of a shark. “I can afford to wait, but can you? A few more mishaps like the past few days, and you might lose everything. I can promise you my next offer won’t be as generous. Every day you make me wait, the amount decreases.”
Beside her, Kieran’s entire body coiled. She grabbed his arm, even though she was nowhere near strong enough to physically stop him. “Kier, no. That’s what he wants.”
His brothers sucked in a breath at the same time, then glanced at each other. She had no idea what she’d done to garner such a reaction. Their gazes settled on where she was touching him. Beneath her palm, his muscles quivered.
Seeing that he had himself under control, she focused on David, noting the glee reflected in his eyes.
He really thought he’d won. “Let’s get something straight.
If I lose the bakery, I lose the bakery.
I’ll get a job at the grocery store or go back to baking out of my kitchen.
Whatever happens, there’s no way in hell you’re ever getting any of my recipes. ”
“Georgia,” Kieran whispered. He sounded pained, which made no sense.
“You say that now, but you’ll change your tune when things get rough,” David said.
Releasing Kieran, she leaned closer to her ex. “I heard you had a busy night last night.”
That jolted him, but not enough. His startled expression quickly turned smug. “I took a walk but didn’t find anything of interest.”
“Always so sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
The shop bell rang, announcing Cal Jones. He stepped inside, then paused, sensing the tension in the room. “Everything okay here, Georgia?”
David flashed a smile. “Is everything okay?” he asked her. The bastard. Then he bent down to whisper in her ear. “If you have proof, now is the time.”
He’d love the publicity any accusation would bring.
A flashy lawyer would have him off in a heartbeat, and then he’d likely sue her for slander.
Whoever he’d had investigate her had likely checked out both her home and business and was aware she didn’t have a security system or cameras at either place.
It galled her to know that someone she’d likely served, believing them to be a tourist, had been on David’s payroll.
In a louder voice, he continued, “I’m always ready to cooperate with the authorities. Our last discussion was enlightening.” It was a reminder that he’d already talked with the police once and had walked away scot-free.
“Georgia?” Cal asked again.