Chapter 10

chapter

ten

Summer

"You know, we could just front you all of the money, and you wouldn't need to go to the bank," Cooper suggests.

That doesn't sit right with either me or Harmony as we stand in the guys' office, looking over the contract.

"We want total control over the major decisions," Harmony says.

The guys both agree.

I can hardly believe it, but we're signing on the bottom line. It's all happening.

"Make sure you have an attorney go over this for you to make sure you're getting the better end of the deal," Cooper says

"But we've already signed it," I point out.

"Yeah, but it contains a clause that allows you two days to back out of the contract. We'll give you three. We won't hold you to anything," Carter says.

Harmony squeals, a look of joy spreading across her face. It's been too long since I've seen her like this.

"Little Spoon is really happening!" she exclaims, hugging me.

The four of us celebrate with champagne.

Something about this feels off, but I stuff down that feeling as we clink our glasses together.

The drive home from Gold Hill is quiet.

By the time we reach the Kentucky state line, I can't take it anymore.

"Did we just do what I think we just did?" I ask.

"Yep."

"But we didn't actually trade sex for money, did we?"

"I'm not sure. Why don't we tell Owen and Mills all about it and see what they have to say?" Harmony suggests.

Nope. No way am I mentioning any of this to our siblings.

Harmony has a way of putting things into perspective in a harsher light.

"But it's not important what anyone else thinks. We know we're not trading favors for money. We just happen to be attracted to the guys partnering with us."

"True."

More silence follows as we reach the outskirts of our little town of Fate.

Looking around downtown, knowing that our shop won't be here, I start to understand that clause in the contract.

"This doesn't feel right," I say. "Did we make a big mistake?"

"I think we did," Harmony says.

"Oh no."

"Oh yes."

As I look around, sadness pulls on me like never before.

We drive by Ruby's Diner, bustling as usual after the bars have closed. Ruby recently had to hire a night manager and staff to keep the place open 24/7 as the influx of new residents created a demand for it.

Business is booming everywhere.

Rex, everyone's favorite grump and the owner of the world's most excellent Golden Retriever, recently painted his garage, built two new bays, and bought a second tow truck.

We drive by the block of three-story Victorian homes that were once run-down apartment buildings and have been fixed up and leased out by the Wood Brothers. The downtown square has a game store, tattoo parlor, aromatherapy, yarn store, bar and grill, and various artisan and agri-business incubators.

It used to be a long line of boarded-up windows, and now it's the cutest little place.

"We can't do this, can we?" I say.

"If we have any morals left at all, no, we cannot," Harmony says.

"I'm talking about the town, not about screwing the MacKenzie boys."

At the newest stoplight downtown, Harmony turns to me. "I knew what you meant, and I mean the same thing. It's one thing to date our business partners. But there's no gray area in abandoning the town."

"What are we gonna do?" I ask her.

"We either have to date them or take them on as business partners. But we can't do both. It's too muddy," she says.

"You're right. There are no other options. And we need the money."

"I really like Carter for you," she says.

"And I really like Cooper for you!" I say.

"Well then. I guess we go back to the bank tomorrow on our hands and knees one last time and hope we have a chance."

By the time we arrive home, my sister and I have all but decided to cancel the contract.

And I just hope Carter and Cooper will forgive us when we break the news to them.

I just can't put our shop in Gold Hill, and that's that.