24. Zeth #4
Amby’s cheeks flushed a pretty pink. “You would… use the money to make sure we have a home?”
“With fluffy, white cats, preferably,” I teased, making him chuckle. “Honestly, I’d be happy anywhere with you. A cabin, a house, or a large estate. Here in Everdeen, or in some far-off place. Maybe selling the laundry can be the foundation to fund our new dreams?”
“That’s probably more than I deserve, but I would love to find a place for us to settle, wherever you want.
” His face glowed as he said, “You should get over to my father before he has his second cigar. After that, he usually excuses himself. If it’s alright, I’ll sit this one out.
I don’t want to distract you. Meet me on the balcony in a bit?
I’ll need a kiss to calm my nerves before I read. ”
When I inhaled deeply, liking his suggestion, Amby’s cheek dimpled. He laughed before walking off to join Emiline, Hattie, and a few other women standing near the windows drinking wine. They welcomed him with arm squeezes, and it was delightful to witness Amby content with family and friends.
I walked to the opposite side of the parlor where Mr. Somerset was holding court, speaking to four men and a woman. As I approached the group, Amby’s dad finished, “Frankly, it’s out of hand.”
“I agree,” an older fellow said with animation to his busy brow. “Those hooligans drink and do nothing but cause trouble. Hopefully, someone stops them.”
“They’re nobodies,” the woman clarified. “They’re nothing but derivative gangsters who think they’ll turn Everdeen’s streets into theirs. If you pay them no mind, they’ll fizzle out.”
Cigar smoke hazed the air around them as the woman casually posed on the arm of the extravagant burgundy chair—how devastating for that piece of furniture.
She looked familiar. Her short bob of blonde hair was a similar hue to Hattie’s, and her intelligent, blue eyes reminded me of Amby’s dad.
That must be Marigold Somerset, Amby’s eldest sister, all grown up.
She used to roll her eyes at us as boys.
Now she appeared to be a sophisticated woman with sharp angles to her face.
The man in the seat where she perched hooked an arm around her waist. His black hair was combed over nicely. He was about as tall as me and much better dressed, but with a mustache so similar to Amby’s dad that it made me instantly suspicious of his goals.
As I stepped within their circle, all of their heads turned my way.
For a long moment, the air stilled, and my nerves cranked up a notch.
There was always danger and excitement when exploring new business opportunities.
I felt that thrill now… and I wanted to run for my life.
There was more at stake here than just making new contacts.
The man sitting with Marigold got to his feet and nodded at me. “Name’s Jack, I’m Marigold’s husband,” he said, holding out his hand. “And you’re Zeth Washer? My family used to visit your laundry once a week.”
I thought he was being condescending until he broke into a friendly smile. Maybe this Jack fellow wasn’t so bad.
I leaned forward quickly to shake his hand. “Sorry, I don’t remember, but it’s nice to meet you, Jack. Were you talking business? And mind if I join?”
“The more, the merrier. We could use some outside input for the new branch of Somerset and Sons Bank.”
“The bank is expanding?”
“Yes, to Port Winchester,” he answered happily, and I cringed at the mention of the City. “We’re looking at a few potential areas and will be recruiting for employees not long after.”
“Let the man sit, Jack,” Mr. Somerset chuckled and set his cigar on a side table to stand. He offered me a firm handshake. “Good to see you again, Zeth. You’re much taller than I remember.”
My neck tensed at the reminder, and he saw it, giving me a deep chuckle and a friendly arm pat. I straightened. “Mr. Somerset, it’s wonderful to see you again, sir. You’re shorter than I remember.”
I tossed that back at him just to see where Amby’s dad sat with his humor. When his chortle grew heartier, and he placed a friendly arm around my back, I knew I was in. Some tension eased from my shoulders.
He pulled me toward the others and introduced them all, bankers themselves or shareholders with other companies. When he got to his daughter, he said, “And you remember Marigold. She and Jack work at the bank with me.”
Marigold gave me a tight smile. Maybe she never forgave me for putting jelly in her shoes, at Amby’s dare. If that was the case, her distaste was worth it because I’d made Amby laugh for days. She certainly wasn’t laughing as she greeted me, “Good to see you again, Zeth.”
“It’s always a pleasure to see a Somerset,” I told her, glancing over her head to find Amby’s auburn curls leaning over the dessert table. He placed a slice of cake on a plate with his fingers and stopped to lick his thumb clean.
I’d be lying if I said that didn’t distract me.
Marigold caught my eye, so I sent her a charming nod.
Then I greeted the men with nods as I claimed an empty chair.
Once everyone was seated, I leaned back, crossed my legs, and said, “So the new branch will be in the City? I just returned from… Port Winchester myself. Please tell me you’re not investing in the City center.
A bank there would be a risky investment. ”
One of the younger men glanced around the circle. He struck me as nervous as he pushed up his oversized glasses. “That’s nonsense. The heart of the City is always booming with business,” he said emphatically. “I am one of the bank’s managers and visited last month to confirm.”
Walter nodded once in agreement to Mr. Glasses before he looked my way, awaiting my reply.
Did his manager visit the wrong city? “I lived near the City center for over nine years and watched the area decline. It’s a breeding ground for underground criminals. Speakeasies, guns, and rum. Is your goal to spoil the good name of Somerset and Sons?”
Maybe I spoke brazenly. As the men grumbled back and forth, Amby’s dad leaned forward and took up another cigar from the table. He lit it and rubbed his mustache before looking at his daughter.
Marigold appeared to be silently turning my words over as well. She kept her cards close, and I could respect that. Her serious gaze was growing on me.
As the discussion grew, the man in the glasses gave a slight huff and turned to Mr. Somerset. “Walter, why would we go on his word? What are his credentials?”
“He’s a family friend,” Mr. Somerset said matter-of-factly. “I knew his parents for a long time. I trust his word.”
Mr. Glasses drew in a sharp breath and got to his feet. “If you’ll excuse me.” He nodded and left our group, giving me an odd feeling. I didn’t have time to ponder it as Amby’s dad puffed on his cigar and regarded me.
“Is there anything else you’ve got up that sleeve of yours, Mr. Washer?”
I nodded, relieved to have passed some sort of test. Now was the time to press my advantage. “Actually, yes. I’ve recently acquired a nice retail space with rent potential, and I’m ready to sell. I’ll give the bank first dibs.”
Marigold gave a shrug I respected as mock disinterest. “Do you mean the laundry?”
I templed my hands across my chest. “Yes, quite a prime property on Main Street, seeing how the town is revitalizing. The cafe is a few fashionable shops away. My property will sell quickly once I put it on the market, but if you’re interested…”
Marigold smoothed something off her dress. Jack cut his eyes to her, and when she met them, she straightened. “I pass it many times during the week. The outside needs repair.”
She probably saw my chipped rainbow door.
“A fair point. I’ve already begun investing in improvements.
When I’m done, the building can be turned into something everyone needs.
” I lowered my leg and leaned my elbows on my knees, fixing Marigold with my eyes as I said, “Shall we schedule a visit for you to look at the property?”
“I’m sure we could work out a deal without having to do all of that,” Mr. Somerset said, and he named a price that almost made me laugh.
Then I decided to go ahead and laugh.
Mr. Somerset joined in with a nod, clearly seeing I wouldn’t bite. Yet, as we both silenced, he didn’t up his offer.
“We won’t be able to go higher than that,” Marigold seconded. “Besides, why buy it, when we can wait for it to default to the bank?”
“Marigold,” Jack snapped, but she only sighed.
“Listen, I know that’s harsh, but it’s the truth.
” She fixed me with her hard stare, and I tried not to sneer.
“I mean this in the nicest way possible, Zeth, but the bank won’t buy your property for any higher price knowing there are dues.
My father is being generous by offering to take it off your hands for the price he gave.
That way, when the bank invests and cleans it up, it’ll go for a much higher price when it goes on the market.
You asked to talk business, and this is how we conduct. ”
She was good at negotiating, I had to give her that.
But the deal still sat sour in my stomach, so I tapped my fingers together to stall for time.
The party went on around me—such bigwigs—chatting and schmoozing.
And here I sat in cigar smoke, making decisions that would change my life.
I would need a higher offer to afford a home for Amby and me if his dad didn’t give us his blessing.
I glanced up at Marigold, ready to face the facts just as she did to me, “You’re offering me scraps from the trough, but we both know my building’s worth more.
I’m a hard worker. I won’t default. So when you decide to offer me the prized pig, you know where to find me. Until then, it’s been a pleasure.”
Mr. Somerset’s approving “Ha” certainly affirmed my choice to stand strong.
Standing, I offered them all courteous farewells, because we did have a solid negotiation. Sometimes business meant waiting for the second party to change their minds.
When I held my hand out to Marigold for a respectful handshake, she accepted it with a nonchalant nod of her head.
Having gained some good ground with the Somerset family, it was now time to move on to more important business, kissing Amby.