The perfect expression slid from Landon’s face, changing to anger. “I’m not leaving until we have this conversation.”
A chill ran down Sophie’s spine. “I’m not going out with you again, Landon,” she said firmly.
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t be asking.”
“Then we have nothing to talk about.”
“Except your business. I have a proposition for you.”
Against her will, Sophie listened as Landon launched into a lengthy explanation about how beneficial it would be for her to sell Petals and Posies.
“I have a buyer already lined up. He’s willing to pay you more than this place is worth.”
“Why?” Sophie crossed her arms again. “What’s so valuable about my property?”
“That’s not for me to disclose.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m not interested.”
“You haven’t heard the off—”
“I don’t care what the offer is. This is my shop, and I will never sell it.” When she saw him flinch, she added, “Did you really think you could wine and dine me a few times and I would fold and sell my business? Do you have any idea how long and hard I’ve worked to make it successful?”
“I’m sure I can convince you that selling is in your best interest,” he said, regaining his composure, clearly not caring that she had put her heart and soul into her shop. “Listen, I’m not supposed to tell you this, but I know I can trust you. My client is very interested in revitalizing Maple Falls.”
“By buying up all the businesses?”
“Most of them are hanging by a thread anyway.”
She squared her shoulders and leveled her gaze. “Not mine.”
“With what my client is willing to pay, you can buy a shop twice as large in Hot Springs if you want. Just think how successful you would be if you had a larger shop in a well-populated city.”
Although she couldn’t dispute his point, she still wasn’t interested. “I suppose you’ll get a nice bonus if you convince me to sell.”
Landon held out his hands, palms up. “Hey. I’ve got to make a living. Just like you.” He leaned forward again, faux charm oozing from every pore. What a snake. “C’mon, Sophie. Think about your future. Maple Falls is like every other small town around here. It’s been swirling the drain for years. It’s only a matter of time before you go down with it.”
He might be right about the town having gone through some rough years, but that was changing. Price’s Hardware down the street and Knots and Tangles, the yarn shop across from her store, were legacy businesses that were doing well. Just like her shop.
“Does your client want to buy all the businesses on Main Street?”
A pause. “If he can.”
“Then I’m definitely not selling.” The thought of some rich venture capitalist taking over the Main Street properties and razing the old buildings that had existed since the late nineteenth century infuriated her. She couldn’t let that happen. “You can tell your client where to shove it.”
Landon’s calm facade disintegrated. “For crying out loud, Sophie, if you’ll just listen to me—”
The chime sounded over the door, and Sophie almost sank with relief when she saw Joe walk in.
“Not again,” Landon muttered.
“Joe!” Sophie rushed around the counter and went to him. “Landon was just leaving.”
Landon looked at Joe, and Sophie saw the glint of superiority in the man’s eyes. He was worse than a snake and she couldn’t stand him. She was about to tell him exactly that when he turned toward the door. “I’ll be back to finish our conversation.”
Before Sophie could respond, Joe moved between her and Landon. Then he looked at Sophie. “Is that what you want?”
A million thoughts went through her mind, and none of them were about Landon. “No,” she said, keeping her gaze on Joe. “That’s not what I want.”
Joe turned to Landon. “You heard her. She doesn’t want to talk to you.”
Landon scoffed. “Stay out of this, Johnson. You know who’s going to win here.” He lowered his voice. “Me. Just like I won Jenna.”
Without hesitating Joe grabbed Landon by the collar with one hand and by the waistband of his pants with the other, then rammed him out the door.
“Not this time, Ferry.” He shoved Landon down the sidewalk. The man stumbled but regained his balance.
Sophie rushed to lock the door in case Landon tried to get inside.
Instead, a woman and her daughter walked by, gaping at him. He straightened the collar of his expensive casual shirt, then turned and walked away.
* * *
Joe felt the adrenaline drain from his body. Uh-oh. He shouldn’t have manhandled Landon the way he did. Having the element of surprise helped, but the fact was, Landon wasn’t a strong man to begin with and never had been. And not just physically. Landon still believed he was the victor in an imaginary battle Joe hadn’t known he was waging. Maybe Landon just liked collecting women, the way some people collected stuffed animals or stamps. Either way, the man was despicable.
He had to admit, taking out the weasel had felt good, but he wasn’t proud of that fact.
“Joe?”
The furious haze cleared, and he saw Sophie leaning against the door of her shop, a shocked look on her face. Once again, his plan had gone up in smoke. After mulling over what Claude said, he’d decided the old man was right. Joe had to stop living in the past. He wanted to take a chance with his heart, and even though it would probably sound crazy to Sophie, he had to tell her how he felt, and he’d deal with whatever came next.
Instead, he’d thrown Landon out of her shop.
Real smooth.
“Sophie, I’m sor—”
“That was awesome!” She pumped her fist as she walked up to him. “You picked him up like he weighed nothing.” Her gaze went to his arms, and she looked at them appreciatively.
Joe was glad he’d worn the short-sleeve Maple Falls football T-shirt.
She stood in front of him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Did he do anything to you?” Joe could feel the adrenaline pumping through him again at the thought of Landon hurting her.
“No.”
He listened as she told him about Landon’s client wanting to buy the shop.
“I told him to forget it, of course. I realized that was the only reason he paid attention to me in the first place. He’s a user and a jerk. I can see that now.” She smiled, her eyes never leaving Joe’s. “Thanks to you.”
Now was the time. He had her undivided attention and the shop was empty. It was the perfect moment to tell her how he felt. “Sophie, I . . .”
“Yes?”
Her softness undid him. Forgetting his words, he grabbed her in his arms and kissed her. A thrill ran through him when she encircled her arms around his neck and returned the kiss . . . and the next one . . . and the next one.
Finally, they both pulled away, Joe keeping his arms around her.
“Wow,” he said, leaning his forehead against hers.
“Yeah,” she replied, sounding as breathless as he did. “My thoughts exactly.”