Judy Christenberry – Snowbound With Mr Right (страница 3)

Finally she slipped over to her house, the big, lonely house she’d shared with her parents. She removed her denim jeans and sweater and put on a slim black skirt and a knit top that showed some sense of style. She even added a little makeup, though she seldom wore any at the store.

At exactly six o’clock, she walked into the Diamond Back restaurant, looking around, hoping to see the man already sitting at a table. No such luck. She looked at the hostess, Diane Diamond, wife of the owner and someone she knew very well from the store.

“Evening, Diane,” Sally said, smiling slightly.

“Your guest is waiting at our best table, Sally. Thanks for bringing us new business,” Diane answered, smiling fondly at Sally.

Relieved that she hadn’t had to ask any uncomfortable questions Sally released a sigh. “You’re welcome, Diane.” And moved in the direction the other woman indicated. She rounded the corner and saw a table occupied by the stranger she’d met that morning.

When she approached he stood and moved around the table to hold her chair for her.

“Thank you,” she murmured and slid into the seat.

He returned to the seat across from her. As he sat down, he smiled. “You look lovely, Sally.”

“How do you know my name?” she asked, taken a little by surprise.

“It’s one of the charms of a small town, isn’t it? People are willing to talk. Just the hint of your parents’ deaths and they told me about you and Penny, your cousin.”

“Please don’t make fun of small towns. I happen to be fond of them.”

“My apologies. I think I neglected to introduce myself this morning. Because of the surprise you handed me, I forgot the niceties. I’m Hunter Bedford and, as I said, I represent the Hunt Corporation of Denver.”

“Good evening, Mr Bedford. I’m sorry, but I think you’ve made a wasted trip,” Sally answered, relieved that she at least knew his name now.

Hunter smiled at her again, his perfect teeth gleaming. “I wouldn’t say that.”

“Mr Bedford, I have only just heard of this arrangement between my father and your grandfather and like I said this morning I’m not interested in training you without a non-compete agreement.” Sally was determined that she wasn’t going to be railroaded.

“I realize that, not knowing my grandfather, that would be your position. I talked to him on the phone after our meeting this morning and told him of the situation. He was sorry to hear of your father’s death and passes on his condolences. He also told me that the agreement they had was a verbal one, between gentlemen, but he has no problem giving you a non-compete agreement if that would make you happier. He is very keen for me to stay here in Bailey and get to know more about your store. And I think you could maybe use some help for the rest of the month—free of charge.”

Sally was silent for a moment, thinking about Mr Bedford’s words. She knew he was right about the help, but didn’t want to appear desperate for him to stay. She said, “We could manage.”

They were interrupted by the waitress who stepped up to their table.

“Good evening, folks. Have you had a chance to look at the menu?”

“No, we haven’t. Could we have a couple of minutes?”

“Sure thing.” The waitress was listening to Sally but was smiling at the stranger.

Sally picked up the menu, though she knew it by memory, to make a decision about what she would eat. Her dinner partner did the same.

After a moment, the waitress reappeared at their table and took their order, both deciding on the meat loaf. “I’ll have that right out for you,” the waitress said brightly, again smiling at Sally’s dinner partner.

“The service here is certainly efficient,” he said after the waitress had walked away.

“I believe you think it’s because you’re a visitor, Mr Bedford, but I suspect it has more to do with your good looks.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, Sally, and please, call me Hunter.”

“Very well, Hunter. So, what do we have to talk about?”

Hunter smiled. Sally had to admit it was an attractive smile. One that would draw attention anywhere.

“You haven’t heard me out. Assuming we have a non-compete clause, would you consider me working in the store?”

Sally took a drink of iced water and returned Hunter’s smile. “Tell me, how did you hear of our store? I’m intrigued.”

“From our suppliers. The volume of your orders speaks of big sales, larger than a small town store usually handles.”

“We have a large range of coverage because there aren’t that many towns nearby.”

“I noticed that on the map. I even visited some of the stores in the area, what there were of them. But your store is by far the largest and carries the largest range of goods. Why do you suppose that is?”

“I think it has something to do with how long we’ve been trading for. My grandfather’s father opened the store in 1922 and we’ve grown over the years. Isn’t that what stores do when they are successful?”

“Of course it is. And that’s why it’s attractive to our company. We have five stores in Denver, three in Colorado Springs, and one store each in Pagosa Springs, Fort Collins and Boulder. We want to expand.”

“Why don’t you consider other states?”

“We’ve thought of that, but we prefer to keep our properties close together.”

“I see.”

“Would you be willing to consider hiring me for the rest of the month if we have that non-compete clause in place?”

“I don’t know. I’d have to think about it.” Sally looked at him intently, his blue eyes seemed genuine and honest and she found herself liking Hunter Bedford more and more.

“You wouldn’t be paying me a salary and I promise not to ask too many questions.”

“What kind of questions would you ask? I’m new at this myself so I’m not exactly sure what you’d expect to learn.”

A wry grin settled across his face. “That’s a good point and I don’t exactly know myself. I’d have to talk to my grandfather about that.”

Their waitress returned with their meal and she immediately asked Hunter if there was anything else he wanted.

“No, thank you, this looks great,” he said with another of his special smiles.

The waitress practically floated her way into the kitchen.

“You really should stop flirting with the waitress. She won’t be the same…until she realizes it was a one-time visit.”

“Will it be?”

Sally stiffened in her chair. “I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”

“I might hang around anyway, so I can soften you up a little.”

Sally took a bite of her meat loaf and chewed it before she answered his suggestion. “I wouldn’t think your grandfather would agree to sign a non-compete clause. After all, the area has a lot of appeal, surely he’s looking to open nearby?”

“Well, he assures me that he’s not interested in competing with you. How long did you say you’ve owned the store again Sally?”

“It’s been in my family since 1922, but running it alone is still all new to me.” Sally took another sip of her water and felt the prickle of tears threatening at the back of her eyes.

“You are probably having a hard time handling everything. Why would you turn down some help?” Hunter’s voice was gentle.

He’d hit soft tissue. Sally was finding herself overwhelmed with all that had happened. Some mornings, she didn’t think she’d manage to do everything that had to be done. But why would this man be willing to help her? She was trying to fill three roles—hers, her mother’s and her father’s. Eventually she’d be able to manage everything. They would hit the slow season after Christmas.

But now?

“Do you think you’d be that big a help?” Sally asked, eager to know more about the man seated in front of her.

“I thought maybe you would be interested in any warm body, at this point, especially at this time of year. And I do have some experience in working in a store.”

“You’ve worked as a salesman in your grandfather’s stores?”

“Yeah. He’s one of the old school who believe you have to learn from the bottom up.”

Sally rolled her eyes. “I take it you didn’t enjoy that kind of work?”

“Actually I enjoyed a lot of the jobs. Selling was one of the fun ones. I like people.”

“Aren’t you anxious to return home to be with your family for Christmas?”

“My grandfather expects me to work until Christmas Eve. I think I may enjoy working here rather than returning to Denver.”

“Is your grandfather your only relative?”