Bidding On The Bachelor. Kerri Carpenter

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СКАЧАТЬ Anyhoo, I’m taking a little trip over the next couple of months. So if you need a place to stay, my cottage will be free.

      Carissa always thought she got her strength and her levelheadedness from Aunt Val. She wasn’t one for mushy scenes or histrionics and neither was her aunt. So she was surprised to hear her aunt’s voice soften.

      I know you have your reasons for staying away from Bayside all these years. Hell, I even understand some of them. But honey, sometimes when life kicks you in the hoo-ha, there’s no place to go but home.

      Carissa didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Since she wasn’t a crier and she didn’t feel like laughing at the moment, she put on her thinking cap.

      Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined herself returning to Bayside. Back in high school, she’d told everyone who could listen that she was meant for bigger and better things. And those things did not include the tiny Mayberry-esque town situated on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. To return now, divorced, humiliated, broke, lost...well, that wasn’t exactly appealing.

      She crossed the room and entered the kitchen. After pouring a rather large glass of wine, she leaned back against the quartz counter she’d always loved and considered the kitchen tools she still needed to pack.

      At almost twenty-nine years old, she’d been both married and divorced. She’d heeded her husband’s bad advice and stopped working. She may have a college diploma, but she had no professional experience or useful contacts.

      She eyed her beloved KitchenAid mixer. Cooking was the one thing she was good at. But starting a catering company in Chicago was damn near impossible on a financial level.

      Bayside, on the other hand, could be doable. Many people considered Bayside to be the Hamptons of the South. The town boasted both a healthy working class and an old-school elite who lived in sprawling mansions with immaculate lawns. And the latter group loved throwing parties.

      And people at those parties liked to eat.

      She’d grown up as part of that upper class. The money ran out just as she reached the end of high school thanks to her deadbeat and financially challenged dad. Thank God she’d been able to keep that little secret. Small towns always seemed to have the longest memories when it came to scandals. And Bayside was a town that loved its gossip.

      Carissa’s heart began beating faster. She had a free place to stay, which meant she could put what little money she had into her business. If she did well, she could acquire some much-needed references. Then, if she wanted to branch out and go to DC or down into North Carolina, she could.

      She took a big gulp of wine and then rubbed her hands together. Her aunt’s message was exactly what she needed to hear.

      Carissa still might not know the how or the why. But she finally knew the where.

      Bayside, Virginia, here I come.

      * * *

      Here I come, Jasper thought.

      After months of proposals, number-crunching, presentations, research, wining and dining, not to mention good old-fashioned face-to-face meetings, Jasper was going in for the kill. He needed Arthur Morris to agree to his terms. Since Jasper had taken over Dumont Incorporated, he’d done well. Numbers were up in all divisions, but a deal like this would really go far in persuading the board that he was the right man for the job.

      He rolled his shoulders. The fact that he still had to prove his worth stuck in his craw. But Jasper wasn’t one to dwell on the negative. The board wanted him to bring in more big deals. Game on.

      He’d come so far. Especially considering that he wasn’t supposed to be here at all. His older brother, Cam, should have been heading up the family company, but Cam had decided to buck tradition and started a construction company instead. That opened the door for Dumont child Numero Dos and Jasper had barged right through. He’d always wanted to head up the company. Unfortunately, most of his life he’d been under the impression that he would never get the chance.

      He thanked Cam every day for following his heart. His brother was happy, which made Jasper extremely happy. Because he was now at the helm of Dumont Incorporated and ready to impress everyone.

      “As you can see, Mr. Morris, Bayside would offer you everything you’re looking for.” As they walked around the waterfront, Jasper pointed out landmarks to Arthur Morris. “There’s a lot of tradition in this town. When it’s not the height of tourist season, there are still festivals, charity events and a lot of other town activities. We’ve recently built up the area to the west of the bay and put in a great park. They hold farmers’ markets on Sunday and an artisan and craft fair every Saturday that brings in people from all over the state.”

      He noticed Arthur working his jaw and jumped in before he could object. “At the same time, Bayside is an up-and-coming hot spot according to Virginia Magazine. Also, the Washington Post recently named the town one of Virginia’s best-kept secrets.”

      Jasper fanned his hands out in front of him and made a box to highlight the site. “Putting the apartments here is a prime location, central to the town square, shopping, nightlife. Not to mention, it’s an easy jaunt to both the elementary and high school for anyone with kids.” He turned and put an arm around Arthur’s shoulders. “And then there’s this.”

      Arthur nodded. “It is one hell of a view. I’ll give you that.”

      And Jasper had timed it to make sure they got the peak sunset with its array of colors blending into the water of the bay. The docked boats were bobbing along as tourists and citizens strolled along the man-made walkway that circled a good portion of the water.

      Jasper was an expert negotiator and he knew he’d made his case. Still, after he’d learned of Arthur Morris’s love of crabs, shrimp and lobster, he added one last detail. “And the seafood is pretty out of this world, if I do say so myself.”

      Arthur turned to face him. “After the dinner we had last night, I’ll agree with that.” He patted his round belly. “Still full from it, but don’t think that will stop me from getting more before I head out of town later tonight.”

      Jasper smiled, but on the inside his emotions were having a dance party. “I thought you’d like that restaurant.” He’d also managed to arrange the best table, with the best view, and had the chef prepare a special menu just for them. That was a definite perk that came with the Dumont name.

      “Listen, kid,” Arthur began, and Jasper folded his arms in front of him, intent on the next couple of sentences. “This has been a great pitch. But honestly, it comes down to the other numbers you put together for me. After that amazing dinner, I studied every sheet cover to cover. The prices you’re offering go a long way and I think the return on investment is worth the risk.”

      Jasper nodded, reining in his excitement. He’d been working on this deal for two years and he wasn’t going to rush now.

      “So I’m saying yes,” Arthur finished after what felt like ten minutes of silence.

      “Great to hear it, sir.” Jasper shook his hand and continued to play it cool. “We’re thrilled to welcome a Morris complex to Bayside.”

      They spoke about a couple other details for the next several minutes as they walked toward Mr. Morris’s rented car. Before he could drive away, Jasper had to know one thing.

      “One СКАЧАТЬ