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“Sorry, but with Hannah—”
“I know. She has to be at school and no one else can do the run. It’s fine. Family comes first, we all know that.” I sigh. At least Derek has his little girl to go home to and distract him. Everything I’ve done for the past two decades has been for my brothers, the Logans, and my cousins, the Brodies. Family will always come first. There’s no other way.
Derek drops into a chair on the other side of my desk. “What did they say?”
I huff. “Can’t recall, really. Mike walked in without any paperwork. I was blown over when he sat down and explained that they have to review a few details.”
“Like what?”
“Mostly supply-chain related. Something about how the organic milk market is such a gamble. I don’t get it. More and more folks are trying to go organic even though it’s a hassle and a huge time commitment.”
“Go to another bank. Try someone else.”
“I can’t do that,” I say on a sigh. “I’ve banked with them since I was fifteen. They stood by me through every hurdle, and when things threatened to go belly up ten years ago, they plugged the holes and helped me. I mean, I’ve learned a lot from them too.”
“Hunter.” Derek’s tone says it all. I’m not the only one in this battle and he has my back. “We’ll figure it out.”
“Yeah.” I stroke my hand down my face, gathering my fingers over my eyelids in a rub to release some of the pressure of the morning. “I don’t get it. We have our seven big milk suppliers, and none of them has ever hinted at ditching us.”
“And we have contracts with all of them in place.” Derek pauses. “Uh, actually, I’m waiting for Collingwood Farm to sign the renewal. Now that I think of it, it’s been a few weeks. I’ll follow up right now if you want?”
“Collingwood Farm? They’re usually on top of things. That’s one contract we can’t afford to lose.” Collingwood Farm delivers thirty percent of my raw material. Between all the business plan work and other endless month-ends and hiccups, this one has slipped under the radar.
“Yep. Let me call the lawyer.”
I lean back and watch as Derek searches for the contact on his phone and makes the call. He stands as the person answers, skipping all pleasantries.
“I’m following up on the supply contract with Collingwood Farm. It’s still outstanding.”
A quiet spell follows, and I wish Derek would put the call on speaker.
“What?” Derek says, his eyebrows hitching. “Up for sale?”
Our gazes meet across my desk as a cold chill brushes down my spine.
Derek shakes his head. “Since when is Collingwood Farm up for sale?” Pause. “A day ago?”
“Crap,” I mutter as I stand too, if only to drag my hands through my hair.
“Okay, thank you.” With a nod, Derek kills the call. “That’s… news. Why would they sell? That farm has been in the family for generations.”
I stare blankly at him. “Beats me too. All I know is the new owner will be under zero obligation to supply milk to us. Not without a standing contract in place that they need to honor.”
“Shit, Hunter. I’m sorry, I should have pushed.”
“This is nobody’s fault,” I say. “I’m usually on top of this too.”
Derek shrugs and we are in silent agreement. In a push to get the bank loan sorted out, we’ve dropped a ball or two and now it’s biting us in the ass. Not just that, it is threatening my whole freaking business.
“This is why the bank isn’t giving me a loan. They knew.” I curse, letting the word out through gritted teeth.
“Let me check who the realtor involved is,” Derek says as he swipes away on his phone. “I have this handy app with all the latest real estate listings.”
I sit down, switch my computer on, and reach for my laptop to set it up too. “I’d love to know how much it’s going for.”
For a moment it’s quiet and then Derek harrumphs. “That woman. Jessie’s boss.”
I meet his gaze.
