Chapter 6 #2
“They’ve been approached by real estate developers—or, vultures as my grandmother likes to call them—and they can make a freaking crap ton of money by selling it, but my grandmother is devastated just thinking about everything being demolished.”
“Have they reached out to other hospitality companies? There have got to be other resorts who could take it over.”
“Not really. The place was great back in its day, but…think about it, Jayce, are you having fun there? It’s a niche market.
Between doing the upgrades just to bring the resort into this century, and then expanding everything to make it more appealing to today’s vacationers would require way more resources than anyone’s willing to invest.”
“I know you’re working for a big luxury resort company. Have you asked anyone there if maybe they want the property?”
Walker laughed. “Dude, the company I’m with is known for luxury, extravagance, and providing five-star, top tier comfort and service. My grandmother doesn’t want to see the property torn down and my bosses are not in the business of rustic campgrounds.”
“Okay…what if you had a team of investors?” he carefully suggested.
“A team? Like…members of my family? Because trust me, no one’s shown any interest in taking it on.”
“Not even you? Because you seriously used to love this place! I know we don’t talk about it much as of late, but I know how much this place meant to you.”
“Well, yeah, when we were kids. I’m not in any position to take on something like this,” Walker argued lightly, but Jayce could tell there wasn’t any strong opposition there. “I’ve thought about it; I’m not gonna lie to you, but…no one in the family wants to get involved.”
After a pause, Jayce told him about seeing Kelsey again. “So I was walking to the cabin after I checked in the other day, and someone bumped into me.”
“With the senior citizen crowd that seems to be the primary guest demographic, that’s not surprising.”
“It wasn’t a senior citizen. It was Kelsey Banks.”
There was a second of silence before Walker said, “No way! How freaking crazy is that?”
“For a minute, I thought I was seeing a mirage,” Jayce told him. “But she was definitely real, and we’ve been…you know…spending time together.” He explained how her mom had recently passed away and why she was there at the resort.
“Damn. That’s awful. Please send her my condolences.”
“I will, buddy. But here’s the thing…she’s incredibly attached to the Lakeview Harbor Resort and would seriously be interested in investing in it if it were something you’d consider.”
“Jayce…”
“Just…hear me out, okay? I get that no one in your family is interested, but what if you found other investors and you took over? Well, not like take over, take over, but headed it up and then hired someone to run it? With the right team of people, you could turn this into a place that attracts both a younger demographic and the loyal guests who’ve been coming here for twenty-plus years. ”
“I don’t know…that sounds like…” He let out a long breath.
“Damn, Jayce. You have no idea how much I want to say yes because I’ve thought about it like a million times.
I love working in the hotel and hospitality business.
I guess it’s in my blood. But I don’t know a lot about construction and maintaining a property the size of Lakeview Harbor.
It’s worth an almost obscene amount of money just for the location and the land.
The buildings aren’t worth much because they’ve been neglected for so long.
There’s no way we could raise enough money to buy it outright, and without my family’s help… ”
“Are you telling me you don’t know anyone else who would invest? I know I would and so would Kelsey!”
The thought of investing himself just came to him, but as soon as he said it, he knew it was a no-brainer.
“She got a decent amount of money from both of her parents’ life insurance, and this is something she’d invest in as a tribute to her family.
For all you know, there are others who might not want in for the same reason, but they’d want in just the same.
Hell, if you put it out there to Axel, Conner, Milo, and Slater and whoever else you still keep in touch with, you might not need your family’s help. Just…think about it.”
Another loud sigh. “It still wouldn’t be enough to buy it.”
“Then maybe your grandparents would consider taking on the investors as partners? You know, we handle all the renovations and operating expenses, and they still draw an income for their retirement?”
“You have no idea the can of worms you’re opening, Nash.
We had all just sort of come to grips with letting the place go and now…
now I’ve got a lot to think about. And fast!
” The bark of laughter was a stalling tactic.
“The whole thing sounds overwhelming and…and…I have no idea the kind of money we’d need or how much would be involved or… or…”
“Okay, okay, okay,” he quickly interrupted.
“It was all just an idea, Walker. I’m sure if you went to your grandparents and told them what you were thinking, they’d make a deal with you—especially since they don’t want to see the place demolished!
Maybe this will work out, maybe it won’t.
I just…I promised Kelsey I’d call you, that’s all. ”
“Damn, the two of you…” He laughed softly. “You always had a soft spot for her, even before you started dating for the summer.”
“And apparently I still have a soft spot. Maybe even more.”
“Seriously? It’s only been…what…three days?”
“She was the one who got away,” he admitted. “I never forgot her, but I just thought our chance at anything had passed. Running into her here was like fate and…I need to see where it’s gonna go.”
“Where do you want it to go?”
Good question.
“In a perfect world? I’d want to take her home with me to Raleigh and have the life we probably should have had all those years ago, but were too young and didn’t know any better.”
“Wow…just…wow. I don’t even know what to say to that. Although…I just can’t wrap my head around feeling that way about someone after a handful of days.”
“Walker, Kelsey and I have known each other since we were kids. There’s a history there. A history that I screwed up and walked away from. This is our second chance, and I don’t want to blow it this time.”
“Then I say go for it! Only you know how you feel and if you feel like Kelsey’s the one, then don’t let this slip through your hands a second time.”
“That’s what I’m working on. And what about you? What do you think you’re going to do? I have to meet everyone up at the lodge for dinner and Kelsey’s going to want to know where we leave things,” he explained with a small laugh.
“Tell her I’m going to think about it. I can’t make any promises because there’s a lot to consider, but…I like the idea. Do you think that will help put her mind at ease a little?”
That made him laugh a little more. “Um…not as much as you jumping at the idea, but it’s a start and that’s all I can ask. Thanks, Walker.”
“I appreciate you reaching out and I’ll be in touch. I promise. Good news or bad, I won’t leave you hanging.”
“Thanks!” Hanging up, Jayce stood and slid his phone into his pocket. Overall, he felt good about the conversation. He just hoped Kelsey would too.
Naked, sweaty, and breathless, Kelsey fell back against the pillows, smiling from ear to ear. “Thank you.”
Beside her, Jayce let out a husky laugh. “I want to say you’re welcome, but that was clearly a team effort.”
He looked so sexy that she couldn’t help but roll onto her side just so she could fully appreciate the magnificence of this man.
Her hand smoothed over his chest before resting on his abs.
“I wasn’t necessarily referring to what we just did,” she said softly.
“I’m still incredibly thankful that you called Walker earlier. ”
She had been so anxious while waiting for him up at the lodge.
The small talk she made with his family felt forced, and she was beyond distracted.
By the time they were seated at their table, she couldn’t take her eyes off the doorway, practically willing him to walk through it.
And when he did, he was smiling, and she’d nearly sagged to the floor with relief.
“You gave him something to think about,” Jayce had whispered in her ear. Obviously, she’d had a ton of questions, but a hoedown wasn’t the place to ask them.
So they’d enjoyed the evening—eating, dancing, and laughing—but when Kelsey noticed everyone getting ready to leave, she was more than ready to get Jayce alone so she could get some answers.
The walk to the cabins had seemed endless, but as soon as they stepped into Jayce’s, she blurted out, “Tell me what he said!” She’d said it with a smile and a laugh, but part of her cringed at how crazy she sounded.
It didn’t take long for him to tell her everything and while it gave her hope, it also didn’t give her any solid answers.
“Kelse, you know your parents left you that money so that you wouldn’t have to struggle in your life. Are you sure you want to take it and put it all into saving the Lakeview Harbor Resort?”
“I’m not planning on putting everything they gave me into it, but I am prepared to take at least a quarter of it because I feel very strongly about this. And knowing how much joy this place brought our family over the years, I think my parents would approve.”
Jayce sat down beside her and gave her a boyish grin. “You are amazing. How did I get so lucky to find you again?”
She’d rested her forehead against his. “Because Lakeview Harbor Resort is magical.” She kissed him softly. “And it deserves to be saved.” Another kiss.
After that, she had straddled his lap and seduced the heck out of him to thank him properly.