Masks by E. F. Townsend

Author:E. F. Townsend [Townsend, E. F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

Tori was looking forward to the new experience. She packed her things later that same evening and put everything in her car. She planned on going straight from her shop to Bellefonte the next afternoon because Emma was leaving to drive to North Carolina right after they served breakfast to their guests.

Tori arrived in the morning at her shop to find a man standing outside on the sidewalk, and he appeared to be taking pictures of the buildings. She saw he wore a Western-style hat and boots and realized it was Jake Jackson.

She parked her car, got out, and walked over to him.

“Morning, ma’am.” He tipped his hat courteously.

“Hi.”

Tori got right to the point. “What are you doing?“

“I’ve an investor who’s really interested in this property, so I’m sending him pictures.”

Tori stiffened. “I’m not selling,” she surprised herself by saying. Even though she was a little afraid to be there, she was still ferociously hanging on to it.

“I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.”

Tori pursed her lips and felt her cheeks growing hot. “I’m not interested. I’m afraid you’re wasting your time.”

“That’s my problem, isn’t it, darlin’?”

“I said I’m not selling, and I can make up my own mind.”

“Well now, darlin’, you’re a fine, intelligent woman. I’m sure you know a good deal when you see it.”

He pulled out a paper and showed it to her. She never quite knew what came over her, but without even looking at it, she grabbed it, tore it in half right under his nose, and then held it out for him to take back.

Astonished, he backed away a few steps, and then he grinned. “Now that’s pluck.” He shrugged and started his walk back to his car. “You have my number for when you change your mind.”

She was so ashamed of herself, she could not say another word but simply turned and went into her store, fervently hoping her mother would never hear of her behavior.

The next few days were a whirlwind. She spent her evenings at Bellefonte, helped Jamayla with breakfast, then rushed over to her shop to open at ten, then back to Bellefonte to check in the guests all afternoon and into early evening. She had no time to worry about anything. She was too busy making sure Emma’s guests were properly accommodated.

She had not seen or spoken to Hal in several days, and she felt sure she knew the reason why. They had hurt each other’s feelings, and neither wanted to be the one to reach out, but the silence was beginning to worry her.

She had a few days to reflect on her reactions and wondered if she had wounded him more deeply than he cared to show. Perhaps she had not been as fair as she could have been. She certainly could have shown more support, more enthusiasm for what he wanted to do, but he had taken her by surprise that evening, and she smarted under her own hurt feelings.

The night before Emma was expected back, Tori got ready for bed.

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