Chapter 54
When I knock on the door to Malcolm’s office, I barely keep from checking if I have pit stains.
If I do, they won’t show on the black, I comfort myself.
Briefly, I considered wearing a pantsuit on this mission. But that would have required me to go out and buy a pantsuit. And I’ve never seen Malcolm wear anything fancier than a new pair of jeans. The old man might claim I was putting on airs if I got all fancy on him now.
So, clean jeans and a sweater it is.
“Come in,” he barks.
After sucking in a deep breath through my nose, I push open his door and stroll into the office.
Something about the conversation I had with Jeremiah wouldn’t leave me alone. His blatant honesty was refreshing and inspiring. And the simple way he spoke about truth made me realize just how much of my own wants I’d been keeping to myself.
Like this shop. I want this shop. And I can’t expect Malcolm to simply hand it over to me whether Thomas is in the picture or not.
I don’t have an alpaca farm to bribe him with, but I do have passion, skill, and devotion to seeing Green Valley Aviation succeed.
So, I’m following Jeremiah’s example.
“Good morning. Thank you for meeting with me.”
Malcolm grunts, and the noise is so close to a sound Arthur would make that I find some of the tension easing from my shoulders. Two days after Christmas, and I just got back to town. Haven’t seen Arthur yet. Even if I went to the house, he wouldn’t be there. Some people might get this whole week off, but I bet he was back out, delivering mail bright and early yesterday. So, I came straight here, knowing Malcolm wasn’t going to take more than a day off either.
“Stop hovering and sit down already.” My boss waves at the chair across from his desk.
The cushion is covered in black cat fur, but I’m not about to complain. Especially when Jumpseat is letting out a soothing rumble of purrs from her spot in front of the radiator, as if she’s cheering me on.
As I settle in the seat, I keep my spine straight and try to exude an air of confidence.
“What’s this all about?” Malcolm’s eyes home in on the folder I have clutched in my hands.
“This is about my future at Green Valley Aviation,” I start. Then, I stop as I try to recall the carefully rehearsed speech I practiced all last night and on the drive here.
When I realize I’ve reached up to adjust my hearing aid—out of nerves rather than necessity—I drop my hand fast.
“Are you quitting?” Malcolm glares at the top of his desk, frown digging deep wrinkles into his weathered cheeks.
I flinch. “No. At least, that’s not my plan.”
“So, you have a plan, do you?”
The man sounds extra grumpy, and I wonder if the coffeemaker broke again. Maybe I should have picked up a cup for him, just in case.
“I do.” Leaning forward, I place the folder on his desk. “I’ve had one since the first few months of working here.”
Malcolm doesn’t touch the offering, and I hope this next bit won’t have him tossing the papers back in my face.
“My plan is for the long-term. I love this shop. Working here...it’s the best job I’ve ever had. I’m passionate about this place. And I want it.”
I claim Malcolm’s hard eyes with my own, pouring all the longing and drive that’s roiling in my soul straight out of my gaze.
“When you’re looking to retire, I want you to sell Green Valley Aviation to me. I know Thomas is your blood and you want to keep this shop in your family. But I swear to you I will live and breathe Green Valley Aviation. If Jumpseat wants to stay living in the shop, I will go on a cat hunt every morning, and I’ll keep the pantry stocked with her favorite food. I know all our customers and will work to keep their trust and business. Thomas works here because you asked him to. I work here because there’s nowhere else in the world I’d rather be.”
By the end of my declaration, my chest is heaving, and I feel tears of passion pooling in my eyes. Maybe I should try to contain myself, keep all indications of my emotions under a stoic mask. But I can’t. Not with something that means so much.
Malcolm, on the other hand, gives nothing away. “What’s this?” He taps a knuckle on the folder in front of him.
“That is my business plan, along with a standing offer. There’s no timeline on it. Just, when you want to sell the shop, think of me.”
With a heavy sigh, Malcolm reclines back in his chair, dragging the file with him and flipping to the top page.
That’s promising, right?
“Finally,” he grumbles.
My brain hooks on to the word, confused by it in this context.
“I’m sorry.” I smooth my hands over my pants, palms gone sweaty. “Finally what?”
He flicks a glare to me, then returns his attention to the papers. “Been waiting for you to get off your ass and make an offer.”
“What?” I yelp. “But . . . Thomas.”
“Thomas likes planes fine. But he’d rather be living in a city and he has no head for running a business. Thought havin’ him here would kick your butt into gear.”
My mind reels and whirls with this new information until I’m light-headed.
“Let me get this straight.” I speak slowly. “Not only are you ready to retire, but you’ve also wanted me to buy the shop all along?”
He grunts, which I take as a yes.
“Why didn’t you say that to me?” I huff, frustrated with him and with myself.
Jeremiah was right. Honesty is the way to go.
Malcolm shrugs. “After that boy screwed you over, thought you might hand in your notice. Leave us all behind. Wasn’t about to guilt you into staying.”
My breath wheezes out of me at the unexpected answer.
That’s . . . sweet.
Arthur’s words come to me then. “No reason to stay here if there’s something better. Not if Green Valley is a dead end.”
And suddenly, I’m not thinking of the shop anymore. Instead, a big bear of a man who keeps his emotions hidden under that massive beard is forefront in my mind.
He’sbetter. Arthur Kraut is better than any job I could find in the world.
If I were forced to choose between never touching a plane again and never touching Arthur again, I’d swing by the Winstons’ to see if they had an opening because I’d be making a career switch.
I was going to leave town because I wasn’t Arthur’s endgame. The idea of not having the man I love and giving up Green Valley Aviation was too much.
I assumed Arthur had said what he did because the man didn’t mind if I packed my bags and said goodbye to Tennessee. To him.
But now, my boss’s words have me wondering . . .
Could Arthur be doing what Malcolm did? Keeping what he wants to himself so he wouldn’t sway my decision about staying?
Does Arthur have the same worry as Daren? Does he assume every woman will eventually leave?
Maybe I’m not the only one who fell when they least expected to, for the person they shouldn’t have. Our relationship hasn’t felt fake for a long time. And if Arthur feels something for me, maybe he could set aside all that soulmate nonsense.
Maybe I could stay, and despite the difficulties we’d face, the two of us could choose to be together.
But how can I make a decision without all the facts?
My temper stirs at the idea that Arthur might want me but decided he wouldn’t tell me for my sake.
As if I would be better off not knowing.
“When do you want to take over?” Malcolm asks, pulling my thoughts away from the man I love.
But only for the moment.
Arthur Kraut and I are going to have words.