Page 142 of When We Were Young

“Jesus,” Hayden says. “Is she okay?”

“She was able to stay away from him so he couldn’t get his hands on her, but still...”

I want to kill him for what he did to her. I tell them about how he tried to shake her confidence in our relationship and how he dug at the wound left by her father.

“I was able to calm her down, but he went even further this time. He told her he’s made an offer on the vacant properties across the town square. He plans on basically replicating her business.”

Hayden scrunches his forehead, confusion written all over his face. “That makes no sense.”

Henry nods. “There’s not enough need for that. Lizzie’s is the perfect business to cater to people looking for that experience.”

Harrison curses under his breath. “It makes total sense.”

We all look at him.

“He doesn’t care about his business. He cares about ruining hers.”

“Even if he only took a quarter of the business in this area, it would make it much harder for her to have a successful business model,” Hayden comments.

“What an asshole,” Henry says.

“What are we gonna do about it?” Hayden asks.

I smile. “Well, I’ve already got a plan in motion.”

“Within minutes of Lizette telling me about the threat to her business, I had old man Peterson’s and Randall’s phone numbers, thanks to Ruthie. I knew she’d have them. I made a call to them and gave them a second offer. Double asking price. They accepted.”

Henry blinks slowly—a few times. “So, what are you going to do with the property?”

I shrug. “Maybe give it to her for her peace of mind. Or maybe figure out something the community needs and put it in. I don’t know.”

Harrison smiles at me. “Doesn’t really matter, does it? It takes away his ability to hurt her business.”

“Exactly,” I answer. “Harrison, would you mind following up with the real estate company managing the offers?”

“I’m on it. I’ll do it first thing in the morning.”

“Thanks.”

Silence settles over the room for a moment.

“There’s only one thing left to do,” I say.

They all look at me.

“I’m gonna pay Landon Carter a visit.”

Chapter Forty-Eight

Lizzie

“Holden, how come you’re not a dad?”

Simon’s words are innocent, but shocking. Shocking enough that I spit my coffee out across the bakery countertop.

On the other side of the room, Holden remains cool as a cucumber while he continues his checker game with Simon.

“Well, I guess because I wasn’t lucky enough yet,” he answers.