Barbara Dunlop - From Temptation To Twins

“They wouldn’t,” Jules said.

“Because they love seafood. And because nobody wants to eat at the same place all the time. And because if they came to Neo, they’d see the Crab Shack and maybe become curious.”

“Or maybe they’d come to the Crab Shack and learn about Neo.” Jules didn’t know why she tossed that out. It sounded ridiculous even to her.

“Sure,” Caleb said.

“Don’t patronize me. We both know that’s not going to happen. What you’re offering us is your leftovers.”

“Neo is a nationally recognized chain with international awards and a substantial marketing program. I’m not going to apologize for that.”

“Fancy it up all you want, but the result will be the same. Neo wins, the Crab Shack loses. We’re far better off being the only option at Whiskey Bay.”

“Can I at least show you my floor plans?”

“Sure,” Melissa said.

“Melissa.”

“What’s the harm in looking, Jules? Aren’t you even a little bit curious?”

Jules was, but there was no way she’d admit it. “Go ahead and look if you want. I’m not interested.”

“I’ll bring them by later on,” Caleb said as he ripped down a long strip of window trim.

“He is not changing our minds.” Jules put complete conviction into her tone, even as she struggled to drag her gaze from Caleb.

* * *

Due to the curve of the shoreline, Caleb could see the Neo construction site through the window of his great room. He could also see the Crab Shack, where lights were on tonight. And he could see the Parkers’ house—all dark there.

“Jules wouldn’t even look at the plans,” he said turning back to his lawyer, Bernard Stackhouse.

“What did you expect?” Bernard asked in an even tone.

“I thought she might look. I hoped she’d look. I hoped she’d see reason and stop being so stubborn.”

“And then do things your way?”

Bernard was sitting in one of Caleb’s leather armchairs. His suit was impeccable as always, and he looked distinguished with a touch of gray at his temples. He could flare into passion in a courtroom when the need arose, but Caleb knew it was an act. He wasn’t sure Bernard even felt emotions. But the man wasn’t shy about using sarcasm.

“I absolutely want her to do things my way.”

His way was the closest they could get to a win-win. But Jules wouldn’t take that. She wouldn’t even consider it. She insisted on going for a win-lose.

“Her sister, Melissa, seems a whole lot more reasonable,” he said.

“Can she change Jules’s mind?”

“I’m not sure she’s trying. But she did like my restaurant plans.” Caleb’s gaze was drawn back to the still, silent darkness of his construction site.

He could picture the finished building in his mind, the exterior, the interior, all the people they’d employ and the happy diners enjoying the picturesque waterfront. He was growing more and more impatient to get there. Every day he had to wait he couldn’t help calculating the cost: the leased equipment, the crew on standby, the delay in opening that was going to cost him money. If this had to end in a win-lose, he wanted to make sure it wasn’t him on the crappy end of the deal.

“I did find an interesting new option,” Bernard said.

Caleb turned. “And you’re just speaking up now?”

“I thought you wanted to vent.”

“I did want to vent. But I want a solution a whole lot more.”

“Why don’t you sit down?” Bernard asked.

“Exactly what kind of an option is it?” Was it so shocking that Caleb couldn’t be trusted to keep his feet?

“My neck’s getting sore from looking up at you. Sit down.”

Caleb thought better on his feet. But he was curious enough to go along. He perched on the arm of the sofa.

“You look like a coiled spring,” Bernard said.

“You drawing this out won’t make me less coiled.”

“This isn’t a five-second explanation.”

“I hope not, because you’ve already used up two minutes in the preamble.”

Bernard smiled. “You’re a lot like your father.”

“You’re just going to pile it on, aren’t you?”

“There’s an easement,” Bernard said.

Caleb heard the side door to his house swing open. He knew it would either be Matt or TJ.

“In here,” he called out.

“Do you want me to wait until we’re alone?” Bernard asked.

“Why would I want that? Is it a secret option? Is it illegal?”

“Is what illegal?” Matt asked as he strolled into the room.

“Yes,” Bernard drawled. “As your lawyer, I feel it’s my duty to advise you to break the law.”

“That’s a first,” Matt said, taking another armchair. “What are we drinking?”

“I’m considering tequila,” Caleb said.

Matt rose again and headed for the bar.

“Keep talking,” Caleb prompted Bernard.

Bernard exhaled an exaggerated sigh of impatience, like he was the one who’d been kept waiting.

“There’s an easement,” he repeated, producing a map from his briefcase and unfolding it on the coffee table between them. “The access road for the Crab Shack crosses your land.” He pointed. “Right here.”

“You mean TJ’s land.”

“No. All four residential lots were originally a single parcel. TJ’s, Matt’s and the Parkers’ lots were carved out at minimum size, and the remainder stayed with the parcel your grandfather purchased. The effect is a peninsula of land owned by you that runs in front of each of the other properties. Nobody pays attention to it, because it’s mostly the sheer face of a cliff. That is, except for the access road.”

Caleb leaned forward to study the map lines.

Matt returned with three glasses of tequila.

“I thought you’d know I was joking,” Caleb said to Matt. He’d expected Matt to open a few beers.

“Too late now.”

Caleb wasn’t a big tequila fan, but he accepted the glass anyway.

If he was reading the map correctly, where the Crab Shack driveway branched off the access road, it crossed his land for about two hundred yards.

“On one side of the driveway is a cliff,” Bernard said.

Matt crouched on one knee. “And the other is too close to the high water mark. It’s vulnerable to tidal surges if there’s a storm.”

“Is it possible for her to reroute along the shore?” Caleb asked.

“I talked to an engineer,” Bernard said. “In effect, she’d have to build a bridge.”

“They’re on a budget.”

“Then, there’s your answer.”

Matt gave a whistle. “That’s playin’ hardball.”

“I’m losing ten thousand a day in idle equipment rental.”

“So, you’d bankrupt her?”

“I’d use it for leverage.” Caleb straightened to contemplate.

He’d already tried the carrot. Maybe it was time for the stick. He’d show Jules that if they didn’t work together, it would mean mutual assured annihilation. Surely she couldn’t be so stubborn as to choose that option.

Caleb’s front door opened again, and TJ strode in from the hall. “We ready to go?” There was an eagerness in his tone.

The three men had agreed to hit a club in Olympia tonight. It had seemed like a good idea at the time. But now Caleb was regretting the commitment. He’d rather stay home. He didn’t plan to confront Jules with the threat of canceling her easement tonight, but he wasn’t in the mood for dancing and inconsequential conversation with random women either.

“Is that an ambulance?” TJ asked, gazing out the window.

Caleb turned as he stood, immediately seeing the flashing lights closing in on the Crab Shack.

“That’s not good,” Matt said, rising to his feet.

Caleb was already heading for the door, with Matt and TJ at his heels.