Last Resort by Diane Michaels

Author:Diane Michaels [Michaels, Diane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781735102221
Publisher: ArrowHeart Press
Published: 2020-08-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

TAKE A HIKE

“IT’S A TOSS-up whether this town’s diner’s BLT is more mediocre than the Jimmy Creek Café’s.” I lift the corner of bread that owes its stiffness to its lack of freshness rather than crispness bestowed upon it by a toaster.

Matthias douses his fries with ketchup. “We’re not here to critique the food. After a quick lunch, I want you to see a thriving small town in the region for yourself.”

“I thought we came here to go hiking.”

“We’ll hike after our tour.”

I nibble my sandwich. Appearances don’t lie. I shove the plate away from me. “Judging from the drive into town, you and I may have different views on what we consider a successful small town. It takes more than a car dealership and an HVAC equipment store to get me excited.”

“Both businesses provide jobs and revenue. A little farther down the road is a lumberyard. The town also has three restaurants and two farms. My sister buys the meat and dairy for the resort’s restaurant from one of them.”

I sip my coffee, savoring the underlying note of dish soap. “Right. Mia’s boyfriend’s farm. Do either of the other two restaurants in town have menus on par with hers?”

“Nah. There’s a deli and a pizza place.”

“I’ll take the resort restaurant any day.”

“You’re the only person who would.” His fist supporting his chin, he locks his eyes onto mine. Their intensity pushes me against the wooden back of the banquette. “Don’t you understand how bad a fit the restaurant is with the rest of the town?”

“Or... Is the rest of the town not yet in sync with her restaurant? A liquor license would improve business.”

He shakes his head. “Why change a restaurant to fit a town when you can change an entire town to fit a restaurant?”

I shrug off his sarcasm. “All of my buildings sat empty for at least two years before I bought them. Why did the previous businesses fail? If people in town wanted a deli, why didn’t someone open one?” Matthias sucks in his bottom lip instead of answering me, so I continue. “You can’t improve your lot if you refuse to change. What’s been going on in Jimmy Creek isn’t working. I believe in trying something different.”

Matthias pulls a twenty from his wallet and waves it at our server. “I didn’t bring you along to argue with me. Let’s hit the trails, shall we?”

He guides me to the car. Buckled in, I quiet the argumentative voice in my head, focusing on the barren trees and wisps of smoke rising from chimneys whizzing by while we drive to the park. We’re alone on the road. How peaceful it is here compared to Manhattan the weekend before Thanksgiving! Funny how after only a couple of months, I’ve fallen into the pace of the Catskills. A part of me would rather not head back to the City this coming Wednesday. I would love to host my family for the holiday in Jimmy Creek. The atmosphere is perfect for gathering with family to eat comfort foods.

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