Page 33 of Just One Chance

"If it makes them more comfortable about retiring, then what could it hurt?" Since Malcolm opened the restaurant, Callum had taken over management of the inn, but my parents were still in charge.

"You're thinking about finally getting control of the inn when they retire. You don't care about what it means for me. I don't make any contributions to the inn.”

"No one's going to make you leave, Boone. Don't be ridiculous."

"It's not the future of your business on the line."

"You can sell to anyone. You're not limited. Why do you think using your furniture in the inn will make or break your business?"

"I don't have time to create a website or market my stuff. I rely on word of mouth. Having my work at the inn speaks for itself."

"Maybe it's time you changed that. This is the catalyst you need to do more."

I growled. "I want to make furniture. Not the rest of it."

"You have to come to terms with the fact that you're not just a craftsman or a woodworker. You're running a business, and business owners have to market themselves, deal with taxes, and the rest of it."

"I don't want to."

"I know you hate all of it. But that's the reality. If you want a successful business, you have to do it or hire out."

"I don't know if I can afford to hire out yet."

"Why don't you talk to Beck about it? Isn't this his specialty?"

"He gives business advice to big corporations, not to someone like me."

"I'm fairly sure he's talked to Hattie when she just had a food truck to sell her hot chocolate. He loves talking business, and he won't charge you."

"Maybe." It wasn't a bad idea, and I was close with Beck since we spent a lot of time working together on the brewery.

"In the meantime, Kennedy is your responsibility. You don't want Mom and Dad to find out she's been entertaining herself."

"I don't see why she needs a constant escort."

"If you want to have any say over what happens, I would think you'd be all over her."

Oh, I was all over her all right. Inside her too. But I wasn't going to admit that to my brother. My private life was just that—private. I pulled out my phone.

Boone: Want to go out to dinner?

Then I showed him my text. "How's that?"

He snorted. "Your social skills could use some work."

"I never said I was Prince Charming."

"Tell me about it," he mumbled.

"You should be the one to show her around. The inn is your domain, after all." As soon as I suggested it, I wanted to take it back. I didn't want him talking to her.

"Mom and Dad chose you. Probably because they want you to see whether it makes sense to use your furniture. If it's not good for business, we shouldn't do it."

"I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt the family business." We were building a legacy for future generations. I was being selfish, wanting my goods to be showcased in the inn when it might not be the best idea. I had to build my business the old-fashioned way. Then it wouldn't matter so much that Kennedy had the power to destroy my dreams.

"It's only for a few weeks, and then she'll be gone. We'll deal with whatever the fallout is. But no matter what happens, we won't let your business fold."

"I appreciate the support." The idea was that the property and its businesses supported the entire Hart family.