Country Romance - Carolyne Aarsen Page 0,67

look good. The Chernowyks did a steady business and were popular."

So far things sounded good. Almost too good.

"We can go to the office and I can go over them with you."

Adele meandered around the back room again, took several pictures for Leah, then joined Zachary. "Is the building leased or owned?"

"Owned. So that would be part of the purchase price."

That would make it more money upfront. She and Leah were leasing a building in Whitehorse. But owning the building would give them more leeway to renovate. More autonomy.

"And what is the asking price?"

"Like I said, we can talk about this at the office. I can give you more information."

Adele glanced at her watch. She had to pick up some groceries yet and drop them off at the Airbnb where she was able to stay again. She needed to send the photos to Leah and then join Wyatt and the kids for lunch.

"Not this time," she said, giving him a smile. "I have a business partner. I want to start with the biggest obstacle. The price. We can take it from there."

Zachary nodded, though Adele could tell he would have preferred to take her to the office, giving him more time to do the “sell.”

Finally, he told her.

Adele's heart flipped. More than she had anticipated.

"That's the asking price," she pressed.

"Of course."

She clung to her purse, tapping her fingers on the strap as she did some quick mental calculations.

"If you could look at the financials, you'd have a much better idea of how this will easily pay for itself," Zachary continued.

“Easily” was a meaningless term to toss out when you were on the selling end of a business. She and Leah also needed to make a living wage.

"You're right," she agreed. "But I don't have time to check that out right now. Would you be willing to e-mail the financials to me?"

Zachary hesitated. Again, she knew he wanted to go over this in his own territory. "Sure," he said. "I think I can do that."

"Excellent. That way I can look them over on my own time."

Zachary handed her a business card and a pen. "Write your e-mail on this and I'll send them as soon as I'm back in the office."

Adele gave him a smile, scribbled her e-mail address on the card and handed it back. "Thanks so much for your time. This looks promising," she said, giving him the faint sliver of hope she knew he was looking for.

"It is. I have a few other people coming to have a look. I'm sure they'll agree with you."

Though Adele recognized his statement for the usual selling tactic it was, the thought gave her heart a little jolt of fear.

"I'm sure they would," she agreed, giving him a smile. "Thanks again. I'll be in touch once I see the numbers."

He shook her hand and escorted her out of the bakery. Thankfully the wind of the past few days was absent. The sun was shining, and the snow, piled up on the concrete planters along the street, glinted brightly.

"Thanks again, and hopefully I'll hear from you,” Zachary said. Then he walked across the street to where his office was.

Adele took a look around the town. Brick buildings lined the street, two stories high. Wrought-iron lampposts marched along the brick sidewalk. Each business had a concrete planter in front of it. It was a pretty town. Some older buildings, a few newer ones. As she walked along the main street of the town, her eyes shifted upward to the ridge of mountains she glimpsed between the buildings. They weren't as close here as they were at the ranch, but they still created a compelling backdrop. Especially now, coated in snow, achingly white against a bluebird sky.

I could work here, Adele thought, pulling in a slow, steady breath. She could make a home here.

Are you sure? Do you dare? What if things don't work out with you and Wyatt?

Her mind ticked back over their time together. Yes, it was short. They hadn't been “together” for months.

But she felt a connection with him she had never felt with anyone else. A sense of rightness.

With that in mind, she stepped into her car and took a moment to send the pictures to Leah. As she started her car and waited for it to warm up, her phone binged.

Leah had sent a thumbs-up. Then added an enthusiastic text message.

This looks great. I love it. Love the location.

Adele lowered her phone, sending up a prayer of thanks. This was another