Candy Corruption by C A Phipps

Author:C A Phipps [Phipps, C A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cheryl Phipps
Published: 2020-05-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Scarlett wanted to speak to Dale about a fair price for the van, but he hadn’t returned her call. She’d also left a message for Arthur asking to see him later that day.

As luck would have it, Arthur turned not long after they’d opened the café.

“Good morning! Your message didn’t explain much, but it did sound important, so here I am.”

With Betty and Violet working in the kitchen, Scarlett showed Arthur to his favorite table near the door. “Just one moment, please.” She went to fetch Violet and a coffee pot. Violet also grabbed a fresh slice of apple pie.

He grinned. “Well, thank you, ladies. What did I do to deserve this special treatment?”

“We’d like to ask you a question but don’t want you to feel obliged to answer favorably.” Scarlett stopped talking when Dale came in and, after a friendly greeting, headed to the counter.

Violet went behind the counter. Keeping an eye on the proceedings, she poured Dale’s coffee then bagged up a fat chicken sandwich to go.

Arthur grinned at Scarlett. “You’d better come to the point. I’ve got a meeting with the committee soon, so I can’t stay long.”

Scarlett sat beside him and leaned in. “If you’d be willing to part with it, we’d like to buy the van. For a fair price.”

He put his mug back on the table and studied her thoughtfully. “I’ve seen how perfect it is for you, but I hadn’t thought about selling it.”

“No matter.” Scarlett sat back, trying to hide her disappointment. Maybe Dale can find us one.”

Arthur put up his hand. “Hold your horses. I haven’t said no.”

“It’s your van. If you want or need to keep it, then that’s your business.”

“Have you decided whether you’ll come on the committee or not?”

Her mouth hung open for a second or two. “Are you blackmailing me?”

“How can you suggest such a thing?” Mock horror warred with the distinct twinkle in his eyes.

“Mr. Mayor?” she challenged.

He shrugged. “Maybe a little. We need numbers to avoid another costly election. Would it be so awful?”

“Probably. Listen, Betty is keen to help out. Why don’t you ask her again?”

“Is that right? She was definite about not joining us when I asked a while back. I guess she’s changed her mind.” He raised an eyebrow. “You do know that we need two people?”

Scarlett grimaced. “Arrgh! I’d forgotten about that.”

He chuckled. “How about we both think about things, and when we’ve decided we can get together to iron out details?”

Arthur may have changed for the better in most respects, but he was still wily when he wanted things his way.

She sighed dramatically. “Fine. I’ll get back to you soon.”

With a satisfied glint in his eye, he quickly drank his coffee and left.

“Well?” Violet demanded as soon the door shut.

Scarlett looked around the kitchen. “Where’s Betty?”

“She had an errand to run.”

Thoughtfully Scarlett wiped the counter. “It could have gone better.”

“What a shame, but they’ll be other vans we can buy.”

“Actually, he said we could have the van at a fair price.

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