Then I walk to the window that faces Pierce Acres. The lights are on. Eva’s there, probably working, probably answering comments from strangers who’ve fallen in love with her Fork Lick story. I’ll bring her the coaster tomorrow.
14
Eva
I’m elbow-deep in financial paperwork that makes zero sense when someone knocks on my door. It’s not Asher’s grumpy knock. This one is brisk, businesslike, with a little rhythmic flourish at the end. I wipe dust off my hands and open the door to find Ginny Quick on my porch.
The cashier from the Quick Lick is always dressed like she’s about to chair a PTA meeting, even though I’m pretty sure she doesn’t have kids. And she’s on my porch with a pie and a fake smile.
“Eva! Hope I’m not interrupting.” She doesn’t wait for an answer before stepping inside, eyes scanning the kitchen with obvious interest. “I heard you’ve been fixing the place up. It looks amazing.”
“Thanks. It’s a work in progress.”
“Aren’t we all?” She laughs at her own joke, a bright, performative sound. “Listen, I’ll cut right to it. I have a business proposition for you.”
I arch a brow. “I’m not really sure what?—”
“Is that coffee? I’d love a cup.” Ginny sashays to the table and sets down the pie, folding her hands expectantly.
I frown and pour some into a mug I don’t fully dust off, and she accepts with that same facial expression in place. “Pierce Acres has always been so beautiful. All that gorgeous land, such great neighbors.”
“Yeah.” I sit across from her and tap the edge of the table. “It’s lovely.”
“It’s also a lot of work. A lot of investment. And from what I hear, you’re not exactly local.” She says it sweetly, but there’s an edge underneath. “You’ve got a life back in Pittsburgh, right? Sisters, a business?”
“I have sisters, yes.”
“Right, right. The Storm girls. I followed Eden’s bee account. So cute.” Ginny sips her coffee. “The thing is, Eva, I’ve been looking to branch out. My parents opened the Quick Lick so long ago, and with all the new people moving in, tourism picking up… I just think this would be a great new venture for me.”
My stomach cramps. “You want to buy Pierce Acres?”
“I want to make you an offer.” She pulls a folded paper from her purse and slides it across the table. “A good offer. Fair market value, plus a little extra because I know you’ve been putting work into the place.”
I stare at the number on the paper. It’s… a lot. Enough for me to wipe my hands of this detour and get back to my old life. It’s exactly what I originally planned.
So why does looking at this number make me feel like I’m going to throw up?
“That’s very generous,” I manage.
“I know what I want.” Ginny smiles. “And I move fast when I see an opportunity. You don’t have to decide today, of course. But I’d love an answer by the end of the week. Before…” She waves a hand vaguely. “Before you get too attached.”
Too late. “I’ll think about it,” I say.
“That’s all I ask.” She stands, smoothing her skirt. “You know, it’s smart to be practical about these things. Sentiment is lovely, but it doesn’t pay the bills. And running a maple operation is hard work. Do you even know how to tap a tree?”
“I’m learning.” Something tells me Ginny Quick has never tapped anything in her life, including a tree. She and her meddling pie make me want to tap every tree outside until I’m flooded with more artisanal syrup than I could ever sell.
“Mm.” Her tone says she doesn’t think much of that answer. “Well. You have my number. Let me know what you decide.”
She’s heading for the door when another knock comes, and this time I recognize it. Grumpy knuckles. Ginny opens my door before I can get there, and her whole demeanor transforms. “Asher Thorne! Oh my goodness, look at you. I heard you still can’t drive, you poor thing.” She reaches out and touches his arm, squeezing his bicep like she’s testing a melon for ripeness. “You look good, though. Have you been working out?”
Asher looks deeply uncomfortable. “Ginny. Hi.”
“We were just talking about you, weren’t we, Eva? Well, not you specifically. The area. The community.” She laughs again, that too-loud, performative sound. “It’s so nice to see you out and about. You should come by the store again. We just got in some of that fancy coffee you like from that place in Climax.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Please do.” She squeezes his arm again. “Don’t be a stranger, Asher. I mean it.”
