Chapter
One
The
Offer
Tracy Robinson Crowley and Holly Mackenzie Burke were
enjoying a few minutes of quiet in Tracy's office on the first floor
of The Merryweather.
“Can you believe it was forty years ago that we made
the decision to buy this place and turn it into a resort?” said
Tracy.
“Everyone in town thought we were crazy and looking
back I can understand how they felt.” Holly said.
“It really was a mess, wasn't it? So many years of
neglect. I think we were just young and romantic. Through the years
I heard many stories about Aunt Millie. It was always preached to me
that money couldn't buy happiness. My grandmother would say, 'look
at Aunt Millie, she wasn't happy a day in her life until her fortune
was gone and she began to care for others.' Grandma used to tell me
stories from the old days that she heard after she arrived in town.
I never knew if they were true or just Grandma's active imagination,
but those journals verified every word. I wish Grandma had been
around to read each and every one of those journals. She would have
loved it.”
“Speaking of the journals, how is Ashley coming along
on converting them? What a huge undertaking that is.”
“She loves it. Ashley is like me, she can't get
enough of the old stories. I think she has finished three books now.
My granddaughter thinks she would like to get into journalism some
day. I think she would be good at it. I am amazed at how meticulous
she is with those journals. She won't transcribe a word until she
knows it is correct. It isn't always easy to read them with the
fading ink. I sometimes wonder if we shouldn't have had them
preserved professionally.”
“Are you kidding? We barely had enough money to cover
the cost of the opening let alone preserving old books.” laughed
Holly.
The intercom buzzed.
“Yes, Donna?”
“Tracy, Mr. Scott Douglas is here for his appointment
with you and Holly.”
“Thanks, Donna. Ask him to come in please.”
Tracy and Holly both walked to the door to greet the
man. “I can't imagine what this is all about, Mr. Douglas was so
mysterious on the phone yesterday.” said Tracy.
“Probably a salesman.” said Holly.
“Mr. Douglas, I'm Tracy Crowley and this is my
partner, Holly Burke. What may we help you with today?”
“Ladies, it's a pleasure to meet you. You have a
beautiful place here. I've often heard about The Merryweather. I
know several of my friends have vacationed here and enjoyed their
stay very much.”
“That's always good to hear, Mr. Douglas. We hope you
will consider a visit yourself.”
Without answering, Mr. Douglas opened his briefcase.
“Ladies, I represent a gentleman named Arthur Pierce. You may have
heard of him. He is the builder of many fine hotels all over the
country.”
Holly spoke up. “Yes, Mr. Douglas, Mr. Pierce is
quite well known. He seems to prefer the major cities for his
properties.”
“That is correct, Ms. Burke. Mr. Pierce has
authorized me to make you and Ms. Crowley a substantial offer on your
property even though it is in a less desirable location.”
“Mr. Douglas, I don't know where you got the idea The
Merryweather is for sale, but I assure you it is not.” said Tracy
while Holly nodded her head in agreement. Please tell Mr. Pierce we
appreciate any offer he may make but we are not interested.”
“I wouldn't be so hasty, ladies. You haven't seen the
offer.” Mr. Douglas showed them a prepared contract with the
amount of the offer in bold print.
“Mr. Douglas, The Merryweather is very special to my
partner and me but there is no way on earth it is worth this amount
of money.” Tracy laughed.
“This is not a joke, Ms. Crowley. Mr. Pierce does not
joke. This is a serious offer, one you most likely won't be
receiving in another ten or fifteen years when you and your friend
decide to take life a little easier.
“I'll leave this contract with you. My card is
attached. I hope to hear from you soon.” Scott Douglas nodded his
head and was out the door leaving two astonished women with their
mouths open in shock.
“I don't believe it Holly. Do you think this guy is
on the up and up?”
“Do you remember, there was an article in the
Chronicle several months ago about Arthur Pierce. He is building
high rise condominium resorts in many small towns through our state
and several others. This would be a prime location for something
like that. The reason we are so popular is because of our close
proximity to the mountains, the lake being right here and, of course,
the vineyards and wineries are a big draw. Not to mention all the
shops on Main Street.
It would mean he would tear down The Merryweather and
replace it with a thirty story building. This is an exorbitant
amount of money, but I believe he would be making a profit in record
time.”
“Are you seriously thinking of selling The
Merryweather, Holly?”
“No, I hadn't given it a thought until now. This kind
of money isn't something to scoff at though. Just think what we
could do with it. We would be able to buy anything we wanted and
still have money left over to give away. We could travel. Jack
would be able to give up his law practice and Steve could turn the
paper over to someone else. Our children and grandchildren would be
set for life.”
“It sounds wonderful but I'm thinking of what Grandma
used to say about money. We have a lot to think about. I'm not sure
I want The Merryweather to be torn down. We worked so hard to
restore it. Maybe its time has come. It's over two hundred years
old now. We do have to replace the roof next year and that will take
a big bite out of our profits. The new chef is threatening to quit
if we don't replace two of the ovens in the kitchen. Hank caught a
couple of the busboys chugging a bottle of top shelf scotch.”
“Are they at it again? Boys will be boys but why do
they always choose the good stuff? What did Hank do?”
“He fired one boy and warned the other. It is a way
to get rid of the teenage boys who take the job just to hook up with
the teenage girls.”
“And drink our liquor!”
“We have a lot to think about, Holly. We both have so
many memories of this place. You and Steve were married here three
months after our grand opening. Jack came back to town for the
wedding and we fell in love that very night.”
“It has been an adventure. We have almost forty years
worth of guest registers. I enjoy looking at those and remembering
the people who have spent time here. Visitors who fell in love on
the dance floor just like you and Jack. The few who fell out of
love. All the weddings that were held here and then seeing the
couples return with their children. Our kids all spent most of their
summer days at the pool or in the lake. They have all worked here
and now the grandchildren are doing the same. So many wonderful
memories, but so much money if we sign that contract.”
Donna knocked on the door. “Come in Donna.”
“I have to admit to you boss ladies, I was snooping
and overheard the name Arthur Pierce. I read about him in Steve's
paper. Did they offer to buy The Merryweather? Please tell me you
aren't thinking of turning it over to that billionaire. Life in
Camden Corners will never be the same.”
“Donna, remind me during your next evaluation to
reprimand you for eavesdropping.” Tracy laughed. Mr. Douglas
offered us quite a bit of money. Of course, we would share our
profits with the entire staff. What would you say Donna's cut would
be Holly?”
“Enough money to tide her over until she is able to
collect her pension.”
Donna's mouth fell open. “You aren't serious.”
“We would have to have our accountant work up a plan,
but yes, it would be a sizable amount. Would you like to rethink
your objection to the sale.”
“Maybe I would.”
“We are far from making any decisions Donna so please
don't mention this to the rest of the staff. No matter what we
decide, you will be one of the first to know,” said Holly
“I won't tell anyone Holly, I promise. I think I'll
take a little break and dream about a life of leisure.”
“Holly, I don't think we are going to be able to keep
this to ourselves. I love Donna but she does like to chatter. At
least we will find out what everyone in town thinks and maybe it will
help our final decision.”
“The good thing about Donna spreading the word, we
won't be losing any staff for awhile. I'm sure they will stick
around just to find out if they will soon be coming into money.”
“Let's knock off for the day and go home to talk to
our families. The Merryweather has always been a family project. We
will make copies of the contract and lock the original in the safe.
I'll have Jack take a look at it this evening.”
“See you tomorrow, my friend. I wonder if either one
of us will get any sleep tonight.”
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