Rachel’s eyes grew misty. “I’ve gotten attached to the town and the townspeople, but I’ve always dreamed of having that RV that Will keeps promising me and traveling.” Giving her husband a loving glance, she placed her hand over his on the table. “He’s just not ready to give up being sheriff yet. It’ll probably break a few hearts if he did.”
Gavin found it strange the way Will started focusing on the cards Shade was playing with, avoiding his wife’s gaze. Attributing it to Will’s reluctance to leave Treepoint, Gavin had the feeling that Will wasn’t as anxious to hit the open road as Rachel was.
“Several women in town are always stopping by at the office to drop off pies or cakes. I swear, since he became sheriff, he’s gained fifteen pounds. The children in town know he’s putty in their hands. One in particular has to sit with him every Sunday in church, and he takes her out for lunch afterward.”
“Where are the places you’re thinking about?” Will nodded at the folder. “And I thought you wanted to spend your last day here shopping, not holed up here at the club discussing Treepoint.”
Gavin wondered at the abrupt change in subject. Something in his attitude had him thinking that Will didn’t want to discuss the girl who Rachel mentioned. He noticed Shade caught onto it as well. His fingers having paused over the cards heightened the instincts that had kept him alive in the military.
Taking out two papers, Gavin laid them on the table. Touching one with his fingertip, he explained his interest. “This one is in a small town in Florida. The space isn’t overly large, yet it has enough square footage that can be separated into different areas. It has a loading dock and is easily accessible to the interstate, an airport, and shipping facilities nearby. The only real problem I see with it is that there is no nearby property we could use as a clubhouse.”
Moving his hand, Gavin laid the other one on top. “This space in Texas has already been equipped as a factory, also has the loading docks we need. The interstate, airport, and shipping facilities are just as accessible. There is a property nearby where we could build a clubhouse. The only problem with this one is the available footage in the property is smaller than I wanted, and it’s connected to another business where we would have to share the loading dock.”
Gavin moved his hand when Will reached out to take the papers. Holding both papers in his hand, he studied them with Rachel.
“I plan to go to Texas this week to look over the property there and spend a few days in the town before going to Florida to do the same.”
He waited for Shade’s reaction, then grew disappointed when he didn’t make a move to pick the papers up when Will laid them back down on the table.
“Seems like a waste of time to scout out new properties that have drawbacks.” Shade turned one of cards faceup. “I’d rank those properties a five.” Tossing the card onto the papers, Shade lifted his steely gaze to his as he turned another card over. “You want a loan, you better be searching for one that will get that from me.”
Glancing down at the ten card, he knew he had his work cut out for him.
“The people there have a high unemployment rate and—”
“Are you sure that Rider being from Texas and you being from Florida didn’t influence your search?”
The word that Gavin wanted to use wouldn’t be possible in front of Rachel so, biting it back, he forced himself to admit the truth. “I have to admit I would like to be close to the water again, and Rider misses Texas.”
“You’d have better luck getting money from me to buy a plane ticket to go home for a visit. I’m not personally investing thousands of dollars because you two are homesick.”
Picking the papers up to put them back in the folder, Gavin knew it would be useless to try to change Shade’s mind. He would have to start his search again. Looking on the bright side, he wouldn’t have to leave Taylor so soon after becoming engaged.
“I have a suggestion.” Rachel eagerly sat forward. “You already planned on going to Florida and Texas; why not come to Treepoint and look it over? There are several empty places that I bet you could get cheap and build however you want.”
“I’ve been there. The brothers would line up to leave the club if any of them had to work there,” Shade said as he skillfully shuffled the deck back together.
“Don’t listen to him, Gavin. You’ll fall in love with the town once you’re there.”
Rachel’s appeal had him hating to be the bad guy and tell her the numerous reasons it wouldn’t work. Only one thing kept him from turning her down. There might a dozen reasons why it wasn’t feasible in the long run, but he could take advantage of an opportunity to visit a friend.