Meant to Be by Terri Osburn Read Free Book Online Page A

buy the art store?
    Mr. Paige maintained his pasted smile in the face of Lola’s temper. “Now, Ms. LeBlanc, don’t make any hasty decisions. Your neighbors have received similar offers. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to ruin this chance for everyone else.”
    The frail-looking woman moved around the counter with impressive speed. “No one on this island is going to take what Mr. Wheeler is offering. I don’t care how many zeroes he puts behind the number.” She’d actually backed the man to the door without touching him. Though Beth hoped she’d poke him in the chest. He deserved a poke for that sleazy smile.
    “Now unless you intend to buy a souvenir, get out of my store.”
    The man had the good sense to do as ordered, but threw a parting shot before making his exit. “At some point,Ms. LeBlanc, you’re not going to have the option to negotiate. The sooner you get on board with this, the better your chances will be. If you wait too long, the terms will be much less generous than they are now.”
    The lawyer in Beth came alive, and she stood. “Ms. LeBlanc has obviously given Mr. Wheeler her answer. Any further contact will be deemed harassment, and for the sake of ending this rationally, we’ll ignore that last threat. For now.”
    Lola turned wide eyes in her direction, but Beth kept her own focused on Derek Paige. She may not work in the courtroom, but that didn’t mean she didn’t know how to wield the law when necessary. Defending Lola felt necessary.
    Mr. Paige nodded. “Thank you for your time, Ms. LeBlanc. Sorry to bother you.”
    When the chimes faded into silence, Beth slumped back in her chair and Lola did the same beside her. “Child, I don’t know whether to kiss you or ask to see your credentials. That was beautiful.”
    Beth exhaled. “My credentials won’t get you far, but I couldn’t let him threaten you like that. What does Tad Wheeler want with this island?”
    “That evil man has been trying to buy us out for months now. Wants to turn Anchor into some rich people’s playground. Do you know him?”
    “Not personally, but I know of him.” Beth’s stomach turned. “He’s a client of my law firm.”
    Lola looked even more impressed. “That must be one fancy firm based on what I know of Mr. Tad Wheeler. Which isn’t much, but I can tell by his letterhead he’s not your neighborhood contractor.”
    “No, he isn’t. And based on office gossip, he’s used to getting what he wants. Regardless of the obstacles in his way.”
    “Well, he’s not getting this island, I can guarantee you that.” Lola stood up to pour two glasses of iced tea.
    “I’m sure you’re right, Lola,” Beth said. Then thought to herself,
But I wouldn’t count on it
.

CHAPTER FIVE
    B y the time Joe followed Sid into the pub, he’d lost his appetite. The “working” part of Cassie’s vacation had to mean doing dirty work for her daddy. Tad Wheeler had been courting various business owners for months to sell out. With the businesses gone, tourism would die and the cabin owners would have to sell.
    And sell cheap.
    It wasn’t hard to see what the man was up to, and at the last Merchants meeting, they’d all agreed to stick together. He hoped Wheeler would lose interest, but past experience taught him not to underestimate the man.
    “It’s about time you got here,” Joe’s dad yelled from behind the bar. “Grab an apron and start clearing tables.”
    Joe looked around the crowded dining room. Families, college students, and middle-aged fishermen filled the tables and booths. “Where the hell’d they come from?” he asked, pulling an apron off a peg inside the kitchen.
    “I have no idea, but they’ve been rolling in like waves for two hours.”
    “Need me to grab a tray, Tom?” Sid asked.
    A beer mug slid down the bar and another glass appeared in Tom’s hand. “No, we’re good for now. Georgette’s got most of the room and Elizabeth has been a lifesaver. Awful waste of a law degree if