Whatever We Are: A Highland Springs Romance (Whatever Series Book 3) Read online

  “Tucker can have it.”

  “You don’t mean that,” Riley said. “What about your dream?”

  “Dreams aren’t reality. Obviously, Tucker didn’t think I could make a success of the gallery. Maybe he’s right. What do I know about running a gallery? I guess the committee thought it would be cute to award the bid to Mr. and Mrs. Claus.”

  “I’m sure there’s more to it than that,” Kate said. “When was the last time you ate or took a shower?”

  “What difference does it make?” She slumped down into the sofa and pulled the throw over her head. “I’m never leaving my house again.”

  “Stop being such a drama queen.” Kate yanked off the throw and tossed it to the floor. “What happened to my feisty, outspoken sister-in-law? The one that fought back from a terrible accident, finished college in three years, and started a successful online card business? Since when do you let a little setback get in your way?”

  “Since my short-lived boyfriend stabbed me in the back.”

  “Come on, you’re coming with us.” Riley ripped the pillow from beneath her head and forced her to sit up. “You’re going down to city hall and demand they turn the property over to you alone.”

  “Right, show them you are more than capable of turning that castle into Camelot again.” Kate shoved her hands into Liza’s armpits and lifted her to her feet. “You’ve got one hour to get showered and dressed. We’ll give you a ride to town since it snowed overnight.”

  If her two best friends had this kind of confidence in her, then maybe she should demand the committee give her the bid. At the very least, she deserved an explanation as to why she and Tucker had been awarded it together. Was it some publicity stunt on the part of the committee or had Tucker wrangled them into the decision because he didn’t think her gallery would survive?

  “I don’t need an hour. I’ll be ready before you blink.”

  ***

  “Are you sure this is what you want to do, Tucker?”

  Arthur sat at the head of the conference room table with the other four members of the committee on either side. Liza wouldn’t take his calls, wouldn’t open her door to him. She obviously didn’t want to be in business with him or want to know why they won the castle bid. What hurt the most was when she said they were through. He didn’t need to own a pub. He had a successful business already. And in a few months, he could save up enough money for a down payment on another house, move out of the camper, and maybe by then she would be ready to forgive him.

  “Yes, I’m sure. I’m withdrawing my bid. Give it to Liza.”

  “Well now, that’s where we run into a little snag,” Arthur said, rubbing the stress lines on his forehead. “As you recall, when you approached us about combining your bids, we told you we—”

  Arthur was interrupted when the conference room door flew open and Liza marched in. Her ponytail wagged behind her as she looked around the room, glancing at each of the committee members until her gaze locked on Tucker. Her furrowed brows and pursed lips sent a shiver through his limbs. She was still furious at him.

  “I’d like a moment to address the committee, please.” She stalked around the table and took a seat between Virginia and Sam Smiley, the local funeral director. If she had her way, Tucker would be Sam’s next customer.

  “Go right ahead, Liza. What’s on your mind?” Arthur slipped Tucker’s withdrawal letter into a file as everyone turned their attention to her.

  “I apologize for my abrupt departure from the ball the other evening. But, as you’ve probably been told…” Tucker slumped lower in his seat when she glared at him. “…I was not aware that Tucker Callum had submitted a bid, let alone talked you into combining our ideas.”

  “He didn’t exactly talk us into it, honey.” Virginia’s gentle pat on her hand didn’t seem to squelch Liza’s fire.

  “That castle was built by my great-grandfather and has stood on the corner of Main Street and College Avenue for almost one hundred years. Highland Springs is a growing community and would welcome and support a cultural experience such as my art gallery. My business plan is solid, based on a great deal of research, and I feel confident I will easily reach my financial goals. You can rest assured, under my ownership the castle will never again sit abandoned.”

  Damn, she was beautiful when she was fired up. There was no question she would make a success of the gallery with such drive and determination. Her business model and renovation plans were expertly crafted, and her connections in the art community would draw in the biggest artists from all over the country. Her gallery was a surefire winner. But if her stubborn pride would have let him explain, she would have known there was more than just restoring the castle behind the committee’s decision.

  “Perhaps we should explain how we came to our decision.” Arthur pushed up his glasses and clasped his hands on the wood table.

  “Thank you. I would appreciate that.”

  “A few days before the ball, Tucker asked for a private meeting with the committee. This, of course, went against our protocol for secret, sealed bids. None of the bidders were to know about the other bids. But, since you had told Tucker about your bid, we decided to sidestep our protocols and listen to what he had to say.”

  “Which was?” Liza tipped up her chin, puffed out her chest, and crossed her arms. There was no doubt she thought he had double-crossed her.

  “Tucker came to withdrawal his bid. He didn’t want to compete with yours.”

  Instead of looking at him with a grateful smile, Liza tossed her hair over one shoulder and raised her chin up a notch.

  “We told Tucker that the committee was on the fence because we absolutely wanted to save the castle, but the amount of tax revenue and employment opportunity Bridge’s convenience store would bring was hard to pass up. From an aesthetic, cultural standpoint, we liked your gallery idea the best. Then, on the other hand, Tucker’s idea would have extended the downtown commercial district and increased property values.”

  Was any of this sinking in with her? She still had the defiant, distrustful look on her face. Surely, she could appreciate the difficult position the committee was in.

  “After Tucker left, the committee met and decided the best course of action would be if the two of you would combine your business plans. When I called him, he sounded very excited and was quite sure you’d be on board. Frankly, I’m a bit surprised at your reaction.”

  “Unfortunately, Tucker had failed to inform me of his interest in the property, so you can understand my surprise and frustration.”

  “I was trying to help.” Her dark blue gaze shot daggers at him and she resumed her proud, defiant tilt of the chin. Damn, she could be stubborn. Withdrawing his offer was the best decision.

  “So, now here we are, neither of you have signed the papers and the committee wants to have this wrapped up by tomorrow, Christmas Eve.”

  “Fine, I’m ready to sign the papers if I am the sole recipient of the bid.”

  “Just give it to her, Arthur,” Tucker said.

  There was no point sticking around. Liza was still too stubborn to acknowledge that he only tried to help and, honestly, he was exhausted. Since the night of the ball, he’d had little sleep; trying to get some shut-eye on the camper’s hard, narrow bed while visions of Liza handing back the key made sleep impossible. He pushed out of his chair and grabbed the doorknob, but stopped with Arthur’s next words.

  “If you walk out now, Tucker, we will award the bid to Bridges Enterprises.”

  “What?” Liza rose out of her chair as she blurted out her indignation.

  “Weren’t you two listening? We can’t pass up the revenue the gas station will generate. Unless the two of you go in together and create both a gallery and a pub with extra retail space, the committee has no other choice than to give it to them.”

  “And tear down the castle?”

  “Yes, Liza, and tear down the castle.”

  He sagged against the door and Liza flopped bac
k in her chair. She wouldn’t even look at him—how could they begin to work together to save the castle?

  “Since we know neither of you want to see the castle torn down, I suggest you work this thing out between the two of you. We’ll give you a few minutes to discuss it.”

  With that, the committee stood up and shuffled out of the room, leaving them facing each other across a cold, empty table with just the ticking of the wall clock filling the silence. Liza kept her arms folded across her chest as she rocked back and forth in the leather chair. Tucker drummed his fingers on the table, creating the sound of a horse’s hooves in full gallop. If only he could run away right now.

  “You start.” Liza was the first to break the stand-off.

  “What do you want me to say?”

  “How about you tell me why you kept this from me? Why didn’t you discuss any of this with me? Why you lied to me, made me believe you thought I could make the gallery a success? Why you—”

  “I know you can make the gallery a success.”

  “Then why were we granted the bid together?”

  “You heard Arthur. They were going to give the bid to Bridges Enterprises unless we formed a partnership. The gallery alone wouldn’t provide as many jobs or create as much revenue for the town. I thought I was helping. I thought you’d be happy.”

  “I just don’t know why you didn’t tell me you had submitted a bid.”

  “I was going to tell you right before you told me. But we had just made love and everything was so perfect.”

  She flinched when he said the word but, damn it, everything was perfect until his big surprise blew up in his face.

  “You were so excited about your plans. I didn’t want to mess up. Didn’t want to get shot down again.”

  “Shot down?”

  “Yes, shot down. I tried to salvage the situation, but it looks like you and me together just wasn’t in the cards.” He stood up, slipped into his coat, and pulled an envelope from the inside pocket. “This is a copy of the letter I wrote to the board, withdrawing my interest in the castle project.” He tossed the envelope across the table and reached for the door. “You need to make your decision by tomorrow. Merry Christmas.”

  TWENTY-THREE

  Tucker slammed the door behind him, making the window blinds rattle and sending a spike through her heart. He was so angry, so defeated when he stormed out of the room. All of this was finally starting to make sense: he didn’t want to upset her with his own plans so he tried to back out. But the city would give the bid to Bridges unless Tucker and Liza teamed up. She wouldn’t mind working with him and was willing to compromise on the site plan.

  But she had been hoping for more than a business partnership. Before he pulled out that key, she was excited at the prospect of a proposal, and even though it was the “key to his heart,” he still hadn’t told her he loved her. Virginia seemed to think he was in love with her, but he hadn’t uttered the words.

  Liza slit open the sealed envelope and unfolded the letter, written in Tucker’s chicken scratch on Misty Mountain stationery.

  Dear Members of the Castle Property Committee,

  It is with deep regret that I officially and finally withdraw my bid to restore the castle and build additional retail outlets along the east end of Main Street. As you know, I thought the castle would make an impressive English pub and the adjoining storefronts would add to the already beautiful downtown. But, once I learned of Liza Fisk’s better idea to turn the castle into an art gallery and sculpture garden, I knew it was best to withdraw my bid. Since it does not appear Ms. Fisk is interested in your idea to join forces and form a lasting partnership with me, I have no other option than to rescind my offer. I stand stalwart in encouraging you to award the bid to Ms. Fisk so she can realize her dream and that of her great-grandfather.

  More than anything, it is my hope that the castle remains standing. Therefore, I will donate the proceeds obtained from the recent sale of my house to one of the city’s many worthwhile programs to offset the potential loss of revenue from the gallery project, and will continue to do so on an annual basis. However, I am more than confident that in a short time, Ms. Fisk’s venture will generate the kind of tax revenue and employment opportunities you had envisioned. Thank you for this opportunity.

  Sincerely,

  Tucker J. Callum

  “You big oaf!” She ripped the letter in half and dropped her face in her hands. Why didn’t he tell her this?

  The conference room door creaked open and her head popped up, hoping Tucker had returned.

  “How are you doing, honey?” Virginia slipped into the room, carrying a cardboard tube, and shut the door behind her. Liza’s heart sank. There was so much she wanted to say to Tucker.

  “Terrible. Did you see this letter Tucker wrote to the committee?”

  “I did. I hated to see him give up on his idea, but I understand why he did it.” Virginia eased into the chair beside her and laid the package on the table. She folded her wrinkled hands over her belly and rocked back and forth.

  “What’s that?”

  “Those are the sketches Tucker originally submitted.”

  “Can I see them?”

  “Sure, honey.”

  Virginia shimmied off the lid of the cardboard tube, shook the contents onto the table, and rolled out Tucker’s blueprints. Liza drew in a sharp breath as a beautiful streetscape unfolded before her with the castle as its centerpiece. The additional retail spaces flanking either side of the castle were an extension of the granite fortress, but in varying heights and styles similar to other downtown buildings. She flipped to the next page to find a sketch of the rear of the castle where a lovely, landscaped beer garden was planned. The remaining pages were of detailed plans for the interiors of the castle and retail spaces. His idea would be a wonderful addition to the town.

  “I can’t believe he withdrew.”

  “Your happiness is more important to him than making a bunch of money. That boy loves you.”

  “So, why hasn’t he ever told me? Don’t get me wrong, he’s wonderful to me and says the sweetest things, but he’s never told me he loves me.”

  “I asked him the same thing.”

  She snatched Virginia’s hands away from the blueprints and pulled the two of them down into their chairs. She looked into Virginia’s caring eyes as her heart thumped like a bass drum. “You talked to Tucker about me?”

  “I sure did. After you left the ball, I pulled him aside.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He was distraught. He thought he had done the right thing by allowing us to combine your bids, but then you stormed out.”

  “Yeah, but what about the ‘he loves me’ part.”

  “That’s the part that was a little confusing. He was pacing in a circle, rubbing the top of his head and muttering things like ‘I should’ve told her’ and ‘I wanted to tell her I love her, but was afraid to jinx it.’ Something about a curse and he didn’t want to mess up the perfect thing you had going. I tell you, honey, he had me worried. Thankfully, Brody took him home and got him settled.”

  “Oh, no.”

  “Does any of that make sense to you, because it sure didn’t to me?”

  “Yes!” She jumped out of the chair and plastered a loud kiss on Virginia’s cheek. “It makes perfect sense. I’ve got to go.” She gathered her coat in her hand and stuffed the ripped letter in her purse. As she reached for the door, she turned back around.

  “Can I take that with me?”

  “Sure, honey, but what are you going to tell the committee?”

  She hugged Tucker’s blueprints to her chest as she opened the door.

  “Tell them I promise to be here bright and early the day after Christmas to sign the papers. If things go my way, everyone will get what they want.”

  TWENTY-FOUR

  Liza jiggled the key in the entry door to the community center activity room until it clicked. She stepped into the darkness and flipped on the li
ghts. The Mistletoe Ball decorations had yet to be removed. Decorated Christmas trees still lined the perimeter, strings of lights were still draped from corner to corner, and the enormous ball of artificial evergreens still hung over the dance floor.

  “I see you beat me here.” Travis let the door bang behind him as he shrugged out of his coat.

  “Thanks for coming down here on such short notice. I wasn’t sure if I could figure out how to use the projector or how to lower the screen.”

  “Sure thing. Let me get the equipment fired up.”

  “And, while you do that, I’ll light the trees.”

  She rushed around plugging cords into outlets, lighting the strands overhead and on the trees until a thousand tiny bulbs glowed in the waning Christmas Eve daylight. She had barely slept last night for thinking of how she would apologize to Tucker and share her plans for the castle. This morning after her first cup of coffee, Travis popped into her head as the right accomplice for her surprise.

  “Come on over here and let me show you where to plug in your thumb drive,” he called from inside a closet. She hurried across the room to where a tall stack of electronics blinked with so many colorful lights it made her head spin.

  “I’ll never figure this out.”

  “You don’t have to. I’ll get everything ready. Give me the thumb drive.” He plugged the drive into a computer and tapped a few keys. “It’s all set. Here take the remote. When you’re ready just push this button and then this one.”

  “What about the screen?”

  “I’m going to lower it now. Thought it would make it easier on you.”

  Yes, it was better to have everything set up than for her to fumble around nervously once Tucker arrived. She wanted her presentation to make a big impact.

  “Ready for me to call Tucker?”

  “Yes, but how are you going to get him here?”

  “He was supposed to pick me up on his way to Brody and Kate’s.” He pulled out his cell phone and hit a button. “I’ll put it on speaker. Watch and learn from the master.”