“Good,” I replied, nodding at Jake.
“He seemed really excited,” Jake said. “I assume it’s because of the deal you two are working on?”
“Yeah, I gave him a breakdown of the numbers and it should make him a lot of money.” I tapped my finger on the counter as I walked past it. “Mark my words, Jake. If things work out the way I expect them to with Ronnie, he’ll be expanding his operations and he’ll be needing to hire extra help. It won’t replace the jobs lost when Whitaker Farms closed, but it’s something.”
“More work is always good,” Jake said. “Lots of people around here are dying for a chance to earn a living. Not to get rich, but just to survive.”
I nodded. “I’m trying my best to give those folks some hope.”
Ronnie was in the back, having a cup of coffee and chatting with some of the old-timers sitting at nearby tables. We shook hands and I sat with him, pulling the documents out of my bag.
I walked him through each of the sections, answering any questions he had and explaining how things would work. It took a while to get through all of it, considering all the moving parts of the deal. I also told him to run it by his attorney too, to make sure everything lined up with what I had told him.
I wasn’t trying to get one over on him or unfairly profit. It would take a little longer for him to get an independent legal opinion, but I didn’t want there to be any questions or concerns.
Ronnie and I wrapped things up. He headed back to his farm and I went up to the counter where Jake was lounging, looking bored.
He smiled and shook his head when I walked up. “It’s too early to go have a beer, if that’s what you were going to ask me.”
I laughed. “No, I wasn’t going to suggest that. Although I do have cause to celebrate again.”
Jake nodded. “I’m glad you’re trying to help out around here. You don’t have to but you’re doing it anyway. That’s respectable.”
I wasn’t used to that sort of feedback. Working for Allory meant most of my interactions with the public were antagonistic, with me trying to defend some shady behavior I had nothing to do with and would never sign off on. This was a welcome change, even though I wasn’t really sure how to accept these sorts of compliments.
Before I could respond, the front door to the feed store banged open, and a loud voice boomed through the quiet. “Where the hell is he? Where is Carter Allory?”
Jake’s eyes widened and he glanced at me. I shook my head and shrugged, not knowing who would come looking for me. My fists clenched at my sides, ready for anything. I wasn’t looking to get into a fight in the middle of the feed store, but I would defend myself if necessary.
A big bear of a man came marching up to the counter, his face a dark storm cloud, eyes shooting lightning in my direction. I didn’t recognize him but I recognized the anger on his face.
Jake held a hand up. “Whoa there, Shane. What’s going on?”
My eyes widened. So this was Shane, the vacationing mechanic. Shelby’s brother.
“This piece of shit has been chasing after my sister,” Shane said, squaring up to me.
“I would introduce myself but it seems you already know who I am,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral. Shane was clearly itching for a fight. Normally, I would happily show him I wasn’t to be messed with, no matter how big he was, but this was Shelby’s brother. If I put him in the hospital, she would never forgive me.
“Yeah, I know who you are,” Shane snapped, his eyes boring into mine. “Your company destroyed this town and it ripped myfamily apart. And you think you can come back to Ferris and do it all over again?”
“That’s not why I’m here,” I said.
“I don’t want to hear anything you have to say, Allory.” Shane shook his head vehemently. People were starting to watch the confrontation unfold, not hiding their curiosity. “Your company is all liars and I won’t let you string my sister along like your company strung this town along.”
Jakes came out from behind the counter to get in between us. “Come on, man, let’s talk about this. I hate Allory as much as anyone, but Carter’s all right. He says he’s trying to be different, and I believe him.”
“Thank you, Jake,” I said, meaning it.
Shane looked at his friend with a pained expression on his face. “You too? Don’t you get it? This is what they do. They come into town, charm everyone with lies, and then they tear our lives apart to make a quick buck.”
“Look, Shane, I know my company has a lot to answer for, but I wasn’t involved in any of those decisions.”
He shook his head. “Just save it. This isn’t even about you being a soulless billionaire. This is about my sister. You’re out here playing house with a woman your business practices already broke. Don’t you have any compassion? Don’t you care you’re going to break her heart?”
“I’m not trying to break her heart,” I defended.
“Well, how do you think this is going to end? Unless you’re moving to Ferris, there’s only one way this goes.”
