Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Miles
I wake up the next day with the sun already high in the sky and the sound of seagulls screeching outside my hotel window. After last night, it feels like I’ve had maybe five minutes of sleep, even though the clock insists otherwise.
The image of Emma—her flushed cheeks and the way she looked at me after dinner—is still fresh in my mind. We didn’t go for another round, though the temptation had been strong.
Instead, we stayed up late, talking and getting to know each other better. By the time I left, we were both worn out—not just from the sex, but from the emotional weight of everything that had come out.
Then there’s Candace Prescott. I’ve dealt with her before in the world of wine—she’s smart, ruthless, and knows how to play the game better than anyone else. If she’s here, trying to make waves in Pelican Point, it’s not good news for Brennen or anyone else trying to keep their business afloat.
Sapphire Development doesn’t just acquire properties; they take over entire towns, changing their dynamics completely. Whatever she’s planning, it can’t be good.
I pull on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, deciding it’s time to do a little more digging. I still have to check in with Brennen later to see if he’s thought about letting me taste that special reserve batch, but first, I want to see what else I can learn about Candace’s presence in town. After all, she doesn’t just show up somewhere without a plan, and right now, I need to figure out what that plan is.
I step outside, the Florida sun hitting me like a sledgehammer. It’s bright, hot, and humid—nothing like the cool mornings in Tuscany where I’d been just days before. As I make my way down the main street of Pelican Point, I notice a familiar figure walking ahead, stopping to talk to various shop owners along the way. It’s Candace.
She’s dressed sharply as usual, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, and she’s got that same confident stride I’ve always known her for. But there’s something more calculating in the way she moves today—like she’s a hunter, and the town is her prey.
I keep my distance, but move close enough to overhear snippets of her conversations with the shop owners.
“...just think about it. I can give you a great deal on the lease, or we can discuss a full buyout. Tourism is down across the board. I know it’s tough, but this could be your way out.”
It’s clear what she’s doing. She’s targeting small businesses, preying on their vulnerability. With tourism drying up after the scandal at Celtic Knot, these owners are probably barely hanging on. Candace knows it, and she’s offering them a lifeline—but it comes with strings. Selling to her would mean they lose control of their businesses, their properties, and their future.
I watch as she moves from shop to shop, her tone sweet but her intentions clear. When she finishes her last conversation and heads toward her sleek black car, I hang back, waiting for the right moment to make my move.
A few hours later, I head to Jumpin' Jacks for dinner. The place is busy as usual, with locals unwinding after a long day and tourists trickling in despite the downturn in business. I slide into a booth near the back, ordering a beer and a burger, while I keep my ears open.
It doesn’t take long to catch the conversations I hope to hear. A group of older men sitting at the bar are deep in discussion, their voices low but serious.
“You hear what that lady, Candace Prescott, has been up to?” one of them says, his voice gruff.
“Yeah, offering to buy out all the small shops. Says she’ll pay more than what they’re worth, but we all know what happens after she gets her hands on ’em,” another replies, shaking his head.
“Damn shame,” the first man says, taking a swig of his beer. “But with tourism down, thanks to Celtic Knot’s mess, I don’t know how much longer we can hold out. Maybe it’s time to get out while we still can.”
I clench my jaw, listening to their words. This is exactly what Candace wants—she’s counting on these business owners feeling desperate enough to sell. She’s using the downturn in tourism to her advantage, slowly picking them off one by one.
And the fact that they’re even considering selling means she’s winning.
My burger arrives, but I’ve lost my appetite. There’s too much at stake here—more than just Brennen’s winery. If Candace takes over, it could change the entire landscape of Pelican Point. And knowing her, she won’t stop until she’s got everything she wants.
I finish my beer, pay the tab, and head back to my hotel room. As soon as I’m inside, I dial Ryan’s number. He picks up on the second ring.
“Ghost. What’s up?” he says, his voice casual.
“I told Emma,” I start, not wasting any time.
There’s a pause on the other end. “You told her I sent you?”
“Yeah. She took it better than I expected,” I admit, running a hand through my hair. “But there’s something else. Candace is here.”
There’s silence for a moment before Ryan responds, his tone darker. “What do you mean she’s there? Candace Prescott?”
“Yeah. She’s been talking to the business owners in town, offering to buy up their properties. She’s playing off the drop in tourism since the winery scandal. If she gets her hands on these properties, it’s not going to end well for anyone.”
Ryan swears under his breath. “Damn it. I knew she was up to something, but I didn’t think she’d go after Pelican Point.”
“What’s her endgame, Ryan?” I ask, needing to understand just how bad this could get.
Ryan hesitates. “It’s personal with Candace. She’s always had her eyes on Pelican Point—ever since... well, let’s just say there’s history between us. But if she’s moving in now, it means she’s trying to take control of the town. And once she’s got control, she’ll start changing things. High-rise developments, luxury hotels, big-box retailers. It’ll wipe out the local businesses, and my family’s winery will be next.”
My grip tightens on the phone. “So, what do we do?”
“I’m working on something from my end, but you need to keep an eye on her. Don’t let her make any more deals if you can help it. And find out what Brennen’s not telling us about that special reserve batch. It could be the key to the winery’s future.”
I nod, even though he can’t see me. “Got it.”
We hang up, and I sit back on the bed, my mind racing. Candace Prescott is a force to be reckoned with, but I’m not going to let her destroy this town—especially not Brennen’s winery. As for Emma... well, things just got a lot more complicated.
But I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge.
It’s time to see what Candace is really up to—and how far she’s willing to go to get what she wants.