“Now.”
“Now?” She scrambled for her notebook.
“Whatever you need. All my resources are at your disposal,” I told her.
“Great!” Sadie smiled. “This is going to be amazing. It’s nice of you to kick in some money. I’ve been researching the history of the town. Did you know Mrs. Levenston down at City Hall has a whole catalogue of Harrogate’s history? We could organize some type of exhibit. There’s a grant specific to Western New York history we could apply for. If you win, you get fifty thousand dollars.”
I frowned.
“Or not?”
“Don’t waste your time applying for grants,” I told her. “You can have a blank check.”
“Like a hundred thousand dollars?” she said uncertainly.
“Like millions,” I told her. I not only owned a large percentage of Svensson PharmaTech, I also held several patents that kicked off healthy residuals. I never used the money for anything; I was too busy. But if I could make my brothers eat crow, then it would be money well spent.
18
Sadie
Ispent the rest of the day organizing my ideas for the Rural Trust.
“You don’t have to stay late to work on this,” Parker said that evening. He frowned. “Besides, I don’t like that this building is so far away from the parking lot.”
“I have my five friends to keep me company,” I quipped and pulled out the dildos.
Parker looked up at the ceiling.
“Please let me walk you to your car,” he said.
“Are you trying to protect my maidenhood?” I joked.
Ugh, Sadie, why do you have to be so awkward?
“You know, because I sobbed on your chest and told you my deepest, darkest secret.”
Still awkward.
“I wasn’t going to mention it,” he murmured as I packed up my laptop and all the dildos. They were going straight back to Ida.
“That’s because you’re a gentleman.”
“I’m not. I was raised by wolves,” Parker said, holding the door for me and turning off the lights.
“I was thinking,” I said to cut the silence as we walked through the dark to the parking lot. “The Rural Trust should have a big booth at the upcoming maker fair,” I said, excited for all the cool events I would plan. “It can be like a big introduction to the town. We’ll have information about events we’re planning plus a way for people to give ideas and feedback.”
“Sounds good,” Parker said. “We’ll pay you overtime, of course, since it’s taking place this weekend.”
“Oh,” I said. “I already signed up with my little bakery.”
“You have a bakery?”
“I dabble on the side. I’d love to have a tiny restaurant and serve yummy Southern food.”
Parker’s mouth twisted.
“Don’t make that face! Who doesn’t love mac ’n cheese and fried chicken?” I demanded.
