“For what?”
“Not making me out to be an asshole.”
“Like the Grinch, you’re just misunderstood. Plus, over the past few days, I’ve seen that heart of yours grow a few sizes.” She pats my chest. “Come on. I want you to meet everyone.”
As she loops her arm through mine and introduces me to her friends, a hollow ache forms in the pit of my stomach. I almost wish she would make me out to be an asshole. It might make the knowledge that I’ll soon be leaving here a little easier to swallow. The more time I spend with Parker, the more she allows me a glimpse into who she is, the more I find myself wanting to be part of her life.
And that’s not possible.
When Parker explains who I am and how she knows me, warning everyone to play nice, most go along with her instructions. A few give me a look of reproach, especially Beckham, who I learn is the head winemaker at the vineyard that produces the bottle we shared the other night at dinner. It’s obvious he doesn’t agree with what I’m doing.
I’m starting to question it myself.
I’ve been doing this for the better part of the past decade. Not once have I ever raised a single doubt about finding a property on the brink of foreclosure and making the owners an offer to sell before it goes to auction. It’s always been a numbers game to me.
And numbers don’t lie.
It’s why I like them.
There’s no uncertainty. No ambiguity. No obscurity. It’s clear. Evident. Predictable.
Lately, my life has been anything but predictable. All because of Parker Holley.
Now, every time one of my employees sends me a report on a potential new acquisition, I don’t just see the numbers. I see Parker. See her staff. See the memories she’s made.
“I understand my daughter called you the Grinch,” Haley says, sidling up to me a while later as I lean against the railing rooftop, taking in the sights of the Christmas parade below me.
I look away from the Sycamore Falls High School Marching Band as they entertain the crowd with a rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”.
“She didn’t say anything that’s not true.”
“Actually…” Haley chews on her lower lip. “You’re not as big of a Grinch as I originally thought. I’ll admit I misjudged you, so I’m sorry. She heard that from me. When you have kids, you’ll learn nothing you say is safe around them. They will repeat everything. And usually at the absolute worst time.”
“I’ll take that under advisement.” I chuckle, about to return my attention to the parade when laughter erupts from a few feet away.
I glance toward the bar, not surprised to see that Parker got held up talking to a few locals. I’ve gotten used to that today. Everyone wants to talk to her. Wants to be near her.
I can’t blame them.
I do, too.
“People love her,” I remark as she catches my gaze, sending a smile my way before resuming her conversation with another one of the Lawrence siblings. Hayden, I think she said his name was.
“They do,” Haley agrees. “Parker Holley is highly admired and respected here in town. Even before she took out that mortgage so she could keep paying all her employees when the world shut down.”
I inhale a sharp breath and dart my wide eyes to hers. “What are you talking about?”
Haley looks at me incredulously, as if I’m asking about the color of the sky or who the jolly man in the red suit is.
“The mortgage she owes. You do know what she owes on the property. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be trying to buy it from her.”
“I know. I just…” I step closer, lowering my voice. “She used it to cover payroll for her employees during the pandemic? I thought…” I look away, the weight of this truth settling on my chest.
I’ve heard countless stories about people losing their business over the past few years. Hell, I’vebenefitedfrom hundreds of people losing their businesses.
But the idea of Parker also losing everything she worked for, all because she selflessly took out a loan to provide for her employees, guts me.
“I thought that was to pay for the construction on the inn,” I say finally, shifting my eyes back to Haley.
