Of course. She extended her hand. Its nice to meet you, Mr. Mitchell. Im sorry I didnt get in sooner. Theres so much to deal with... She let that trail off, hoping it was an acceptable excuse.
Naturally, naturally. And you must call me Ralph. Everyone does. He pumped her hand, his eager eyes seeming to take in every detail of her appearance so intently that it was as if he memorized it.
Allison did a little noticing of her own. Mitchell looked so much like the popular concept of a bookshop owner that he was almost a caricature. Wire-rimmed glasses slid down a pink nose, and he peered anxiously over the top of them. His white hair was worn a little long, and it stood up as if his head was lost in a cloud.
It was such a shock to all of us to lose our dear Evelyn. His voice actually shook a little, and his hands trembled. She was very good to us.
Im sure she was. Allisons thoughts flickered to that loan her grandmother had made to the bookshop owner. Perhaps they had been close friends, and he was genuinely mourning her.
You have my deepest sympathy in your loss, he added.
She nodded, not sure what to say. The truth was that her grandmother had never been anything to her but a name, so how could she be expected to mourn her? There probably wasnt a soul in Laurel Ridge who hadnt known Evelyn Standish better than she had.
You have a lovely shop here, she said, feeling a change of subject might be the best response. You seem to be well stocked for a small-town store.
We try, we try, he said, glancing around with satisfaction. Evelyn was a great reader, you know, and she encouraged me to branch out a little in what I carried.
The quilt shop, the bookstoreher grandmother seemed to have had a variety of interests and had been willing to back up those interests financially.
I hope you plan to continue as Evelyn would have wanted, he said, his tone wistful. Its not easy for an independent bookshop to compete with the chains and the online stores, but Evelyn felt a bookshop was important to the community.
Yes, Im sure she did.
Mitchell was putting her on the spot, and she didnt like it. I really havent had time to gather all the information I need to make plans yet. My grandmothers bequest came as a surprise to me, you understand.
Ms. Standish. A peremptory male voice sounded from behind her. She was certainly in demand today. Allison turned.
Im Thomas Blackburn. Id like to speak with you. The man was probably about the same age as Ralph Mitchell and his hair was just as white. But there the resemblance ended. Mitchell looked like nothing so much as a slightly anxious rabbit, while Blackburntall, erect, faultlessly dressedhad hawk-like features with eyes that pierced and judged.
Mr. Blackburn. She acknowledged his words with a nod. Im sorry, but I was talking with Mr. Mitchell
Oh, no, no, Ralph said quickly. He stepped back, as if longing to efface himself. We can chat another time. Really. I must...must get back to...to my inventory.
She could have insisted, but it was obvious Mitchell preferred to slip away in the face of Blackburns commanding air.
Fine. She smiled at him and then gestured Blackburn to the stairs. Shall we go up to my office? It was the first time shed referred to the office as hers, but she decided she needed a bit of bolstering with Blackburn staring at her so disapprovingly.
They went up the steps in silence. Blackburn seemed to know the way to the office as well as she did. She unlocked the door, crossed the room and sat down behind her grandmothers desk. Blackburn took the visitors chair, planted his elbows on its arms and leaned forward.
I dont believe in mincing words, Ms. Standish. Blackburn House is Blackburn by rights. Blackburns built it, Blackburns lived in it. I want it in Blackburn family hands, where it belongs.
Allison leaned back in the chair, feeling as if she needed to be a bit farther from the power of that commanding presence. I understand that the building was purchased by my grandfather a number of years ago.
Selling was a foolish action on the part of my father. Blackburn dismissed the sale with a wave of a large hand. He was under a certain amount of financial stress at the time, and frankly, your grandfather took advantage of him.
Despite the fact that she had no reason to defend the grandfather who was completely unknown to her, Allison found the comment annoying. The sale was obviously perfectly legal. Im not sure why youre bringing it up now.
Blackburns face twitched in an unconvincing smile. I merely wanted to show you that Im serious in my desire to buy Blackburn House. My son and grandson carry the Blackburn name, and it should be their legacy.
Not yours. He didnt say the words, but they were implied by his tone.
Did you discuss this subject with my grandmother? Allison wasnt quite sure where the question came frommaybe from the fact that she was sitting in her grandmothers chair.
Blackburns face tightened until it looked as if it might be carved on a monument. I made repeated offers to Evelyn Standish. She seemed to take pleasure in thwarting my wishes. His face reddened. She even talked about changing the name to Standish House.
Allison struggled to hide her amusement at this example of small-town rivalry. Somehow she could imagine her grandmother doing just that. Shed probably enjoyed clashing with Blackburn. But Allison just found the old mans insistence disturbing, particularly when she had no choice but to say no to him.
Im afraid selling is not possible right now, to you or to anyone else, she said quickly. The terms of my grandmothers will
I know all about the will. Blackburn looked as if he were gritting his teeth. Evelyn enjoyed making things as difficult as possible for people. However, thats not insurmountable.
Im not going to contest the will she began, but he shook his head.
No, not litigation. He smiled slightly. That benefits no one but the attorneys, I find. I have already spoken with Brenda Standish Conner. She is willing to sell to me.
The arrogance of that took her breath away. Brenda is not the owner of Blackburn House, provisional or otherwise.
He didnt seem impressed by the statement. I understand that she has already made you an offer to relinquish your claim. He held up a large hand to quell her protest. A ridiculous offer, as Im sure you agree, but thats Brenda all over. Always looking for a bargain, and perfectly willing to cut off her nose to spite her face. However, Im sure youll agree that staying in Laurel Ridge for a year is an onerous requirement for an ambitious young professional like yourself. As for seeking to run the place at a profit for a yearwell, so many things can go wrong in managing a building like this one. Unexpected repairs could eat up your profits very quickly.
Allison was beginning to feel her back stiffen at the automatic assumption everyone seemed to make that she didnt belong here. And how did he know she was an ambitious young professional, anyway? What exactly are you proposing, Mr. Blackburn?
He didnt hesitate. Naturally youd like to gain a tangible profit from your inheritance and get back to your own life. In return for your agreement to Brendas offer, I will increase the offer. Shall we say double? He drew a checkbook from his breast pocket, clearly prepared to write a check here and now.
Allison had the sensation that she was being pushed toward a precipice. She shoved her chair back, rising. Im afraid not, Mr. Blackburn.
Not? His face reddened. Do you understand what Im offering you, young woman?
I understand youre trying to pressure me into a decision before Im ready. As a businessman, you should understand that I need to investigate all the possibilities before taking any action.
Blackburn stood, towering over her and looking even more like a bird of prey. Suppose I tell you that my offer will not remain on the table indefinitely?
Since hed already betrayed how much he wanted to regain the property, his argument wasnt as convincing as he might have thought.
She smiled. Ill pass your offer on to my attorney. Youll be hearing from us in due course.
He glared at her for a long moment, his face so red that she wondered just how high his blood pressure might be. Youll regret this, Ms. Standish. He stalked to the door.
The best word to describe his exit was stormy, Allison decided. Once the door had slammed behind him, she took a long look at her actions.
Was she burning bridges by her refusal to act before she was ready? She didnt think so. If Blackburn wanted the building as much as he seemed to, he wouldnt give up that easily. Probably hed hoped to push her into a decision before she had a chance to think it through.
She wouldnt be pushed, but she would have to make plans for her future and the future of Blackburn House. Soon.