He gripped the receiver. She was right, of course. “There wasn’t time. George was going to accept another offer.”
“You couldn’t have stalled him?”
Now it was his turn to pause. Could he have asked George to wait until he called Harper? Probably, but at the time he’d been desperate not to lose Sunshine, so desperate he would have done anything... and pretty much had. “No. He was set on taking the other offer.”
“Just add that to my growing list of surprises,” she mumbled.
“What?”
“Never mind. I had no idea George was selling the diner. Or that you wanted to buy it. Do you have any documentation from your conversation with him?”
Uhhh...While he had thought through his desire to own Sunshine, he hadn’t done the same when it came tothe details of this last-minute deal. “Does shaking hands count?”
“A gentleman’s agreement has some validity, but it doesn’t replace a contract.” She sighed. “Next time you want to buy real estate, call me first. I’ll make sure you don’t get ripped off again.”
Tanner didn’t think he was getting ripped off. Not completely, anyway. Buying Sunshine wasn’t only a business decision for him. It was an investment in his future, and possibly in Maple Falls’s. Once he was finished with his upgrades, which included a menu overhaul that he hadn’t mentioned to George, the customers would be coming in droves. He’d make back more than he paid. And the cherry on top of the sundae? His mother could quit her job. Both of them. When the diner was making double or triple it was making now, he’d be able to support her and even help out Lonzo.
“Can you draw up a contract?” he asked, impatient to start everything rolling along.
“Of course.” He heard her scribbling on something. “Do you want an inspection?”
“Don’t need one. I know this place inside and out.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I just want to get this signed and official.”
“All right. I should have the contract ready in a few days. What’s George’s email? We can do a virtual document signing.”
Tanner laughed. “This is George we’re talking about. He doesn’t own a computer. Or a cell phone. I’d be surprised if he had a TV that didn’t have a tinfoil antenna on it.”
“Whatever that is. All right, we’ll do an in-person signing, then. Once all the paperwork is complete, I’ll set up a meeting at the title company. But only on one condition.”
“What?” he asked, wary. He didn’t know if he could make another concession right now.
“As soon as you can, you havegotto get rid of those hideous pink uniforms.”
“Already planning to.” He had never liked the Pepto-Bismol–colored uniforms, a call back to the sixties. Or fifties. Whatever, they looked awful on everyone. Only Anita managed to make them look presentable.
“Excellent. Text me George’s home phone number. When I calculate the full amount you owe, I’ll text you back.”
“I know the amount.”
“There are fees involved, even though I’m going to waive mine.”
“Thanks, Harper.” He grimaced. His account might truly be empty by the time this was over.
“Congratulations, Tanner. Honestly, I’m thrilled for you. When are you making the big announcement?”
“Soon. Until then I’d like to keep it between us. And George, obviously.”
“My lips are sealed.” Another pause. “Seems like I’m the designated keeper of secrets lately.”
He had no idea what she was talking about, and he needed to get to work. “Thanks for taking care of this for me, and for the catering job.”
“No problem on both counts. Talk to you soon.”
He clicked off the call and fell back against the chair, which squealed loudly in protest. The ancient piece of furniture was going into the dumpster with the uniforms once everything was settled.
