rebuild, there’s the issue of sourcing. You can’t just swap one bushel for another. I spent years researching and experimenting, creating my own hybrids. That’s what makes my products unique. A new orchard would take years to become viable, and that’s assuming you could find the right land.”
“We wouldn’t need to start a new orchard,” said Aidan, tilting his head to the side. “As you said, you’ve already spent years perfecting yours.”
“Yes, but as I explained, Obermacher Farms is up on the auction block.” Realization dawned. “Are you saying that the Celtic Goddess might be interested in buying all of Obermacher Farms?”
It seemed like another thing just too good to be true. Tina didn’t dare hope.
“That’s exactly what we’re saying,” Aidan said.
“I don’t think you understand just how far in debt we are or how much land is involved. Unless, of course, you’re talking about breaking it up in parcels and purchasing only the orchards.”
“All of it. Your family’s lands are not only designated and zoned as prime agricultural, but the slopes and drainage are ideal for farming.”
Tina had come to terms with losing the family farm, but it would be preferable to have it remain a working farm in someone else’s hands than paved over and built up.
“My brothers are considering several offers,” Tina said carefully. “I could talk to them.”
Aidan shook his head. “We’re not interested in dealing with your brothers. Only you. In fact, I’d prefer if they didn’t know of our interest at all.”
“Then, you’re really out of luck because I’ve only got a twenty-five percent say in the business. They control the other seventy-five percent of what happens next.”
Aidan’s lips quirked. “I don’t believe in luck, Tina. The question is, are you interested?”
“Yes, I’m interested. I just don’t see how it’s possible.”
“Leave that to me. In the meantime, please, enjoy your stay at the Goddess. It was a pleasure meeting you.”
He rose to go, as did his wife and Lexi and Ian.
After saying their good nights, Tina turned to Doc. “We’re staying here tonight?”
He grinned. “That’s part of the surprise. We’ve got a private suite for the night.”
* * *
“Are you angry with me?” Doc asked as they walked through the lit gardens, away from the restaurant and toward the posh resort.
It was so beautiful, yet Tina’s thoughts were churning too furiously to properly appreciate it.
“I haven’t decided yet,” she answered honestly. Several moments passed in silence before she exhaled and said, “I love that you’re doing this, but I kind of hate you for giving me false hope.”
“If anyone can make it happen, they can.”
Tina shook her head. Maggie had a big heart and good intentions. Lexi was a chef, which meant she might have some pull in the Goddess kitchen, but they were talking about more than just shifting suppliers. And Aidan, well, she didn’t know what exactly Aidan did, though he did seem like an important man.
She said as much to Doc. He laughed softly.
“What’s so funny?”
Doc wrapped his hand around Tina’s, lifted it to his lips, and kissed it. “Lexi isn’t just a cook. She’s the master chef as well as one of the owners. Aidan is the other.”
Tina felt the blood drain from her face. “We just had dinner with the owners of the Celtic Goddess?”
“We did. Lexi is Maggie’s sister-in-law.”
“Holy ...” A tiny tendril of hope broke through layers of doubt. “But I still don’t see how it can work.” There was so much to consider, not the least of which was her brothers’ combined controlling interests in Obermacher Farms and the shady corners they’d backed themselves into.
Perhaps she should have mentioned some of that to Aidan and Lexi.
Chapter Forty-One
Doc
“How do you know them anyway?” Tina asked. “Lexi and Aidan, I mean.”
“Friends of friends through Sanctuary. Ian Callaghan and his brothers served in the military themselves and have been supporting the project from day one,” Doc said, hoping Tina didn’t ask for details on exactly how they’d been helping. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned about that family, it’s that they have a way of making things happen.”
“I’m afraid to hope.” Tina was quiet for a few minutes, then asked, “Aidan—I can’t believe I’m on a first-name basis with the owner of the Celtic Goddess—seemed pretty firm about not dealing with Rick, Gunther, or Kiefer or even letting them know about it for that matter. Do you know why?”
It was yet another question Doc had to answer carefully.
“Aidan Harrison didn’t get to be a billionaire by chance. He’s a