Megan closed the folder. “That’s their negotiated number.”
Ean sighed. “You’re right. That figure is steep.”
“We’d need deeper pockets than the ones we have at the town center.” Megan returned the folder to her desk drawer. “Any ideas?”
“No.” Ean set his empty mug on the corner of her desk. “How about you?”
“I’ve been wracking my brain over this since Ramona announced her intent of selling the center to a real estate investor.”
Ean dragged his left hand over his hair. He had to find a way to make this work. The election was too far away to be effective for the town center. “Maybe we could take out a loan.”
“Vernon and I were willing to consider it, but the other members don’t want to take on more debt.” Megan shrugged. “I’m not dismissing your suggestions. It’s just that we’ve considered these proposals before and couldn’t come to a consensus to support any of them.”
“Would they rather lose the town center because of their pride?”
“Would it be so easy for you to depend on someone else to save your business?”
Megan’s gentle question made him face an ugly truth. No, it wouldn’t be easy for him to ask someone else for help. It never had been.
Without responding to her question, Ean rose from his chair and wandered her office. Business files and ledgers shared shelf space with knickknacks and family photos. Ean paused again over the photo of M
egan and Ramona as little girls with their grandparents and the author.
He slipped his hands into his front pants pockets. “I wish I could buy the center myself.”
“I think we all wish we could.” Her voice sounded fatigued behind him. “The amount the Realtor is asking for is fair. It’s just not within our reach.”
“I wonder whether it is fair. This is Trinity Falls, Ohio, not New York City.” Ean turned away from her bookcase. He wandered past her printer and paused behind the visitor’s chair. “Perhaps they could negotiate it down further. The only way we can secure the future of the center is to own it. Otherwise, we’ll always be in danger of having a new owner try to force us out and bring new businesses in, whether Trinity Falls wants those shops or not.”
“You’re right. We’ll keep working toward a solution.”
Ean nodded. From Megan’s expression, he realized they were both wondering the same thing. How much time did they have to find that solution?
CHAPTER 32
After his visit with Megan, Ean walked back to his office. His steps were brisk in the crisp, cold air as he covered the sidewalk circling the center. But he slowed when he saw the woman standing outside his office. “May I help you?”
Ramona turned to face him. “Good morning, Ean.”
Ean stopped and stared at his ex-girlfriend. He’d never seen her this way before. She was bundled in her familiar fake-fur coat. But her long, luxurious black hair had been scraped back from her face and stuffed under a woolen hat. She wore flats instead of her usual stilettos. Her face was devoid of any makeup, even lipstick.
“Ramona?” Ean searched her face for some idea of what was wrong. “Are you OK?”
“Of course.” With her black-leather–gloved hands, Ramona pulled her cashmere hat lower on her ears. “Why do you ask?”
“This is a very different look for you.” Ean crossed to his office door. He glanced at her again from over his shoulder.
“I thought it was time for a change. Do you have a few minutes? I’d like to talk with you.”
“Sure.” Ean pushed open the door, allowing her to precede him into the suite.
He led Ramona into his office and helped her with her coat. She tugged off her black leather gloves and hat, pulling strands of hair free of her uncharacteristic ponytail. Had he ever seen her with her hair pulled back?
Ean stowed her belongings on the coatrack. He waited for Ramona to settle into one of his two guest chairs before taking his seat behind his desk.
“This shouldn’t take long.” Ramona crossed her legs and leaned back in the armchair.
“Take your time. I don’t have any appointments today.” What was the motivation behind her new look? Could it have anything to do with Quincy?