Don't Break (The Reluctant Heart Book 1) Read online

  He shook his head. “You may have said it, but there wasn’t an agreement on my part. Besides, I’d like to hear more about Home Blown. Maybe we can discuss your business plan over lunch.”

  “God, now that is a boring subject.” She dreaded going over what she called a hot mess of a plan. It was more or less trial by error. Over the past year, there had been a lot of errors too. If her granddad had any inclination of how poorly the shop was doing, he probably would regret giving it to her. I want to make it work; I just don’t know how.

  “I promise, what I have to say won’t bore you. If anything, you’ll probably be excited to return to the shop and put it into practice,” he said.

  Shanda snickered. “I think this is your way of getting out of talking about yourself.”

  “On the contrary, you’ll find when it comes to business, I’m very serious.”

  And you’re about to find that when it comes to business, I’m clueless. “Then let’s go to lunch.” Hopefully I don’t lose my appetite.

  Kenneth was trying to help Shanda, but she needed more help than he was prepared to give her. One hour at lunch quickly turned into two. He hadn’t made much progress, as she struggled to answer his questions. He knew it would be challenging, but now he believed it might be impossible.

  When they arrived back at her shop, he walked her inside. “Why don’t I come back this weekend and we can work on a strategy for increasing sales over the next quarter.”

  “Doesn’t sound like much fun,” she said.

  “Fun won’t save your company,” he stated. It was going to take hard work and a lot of sacrifice to turn things around.

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked.

  It was something he didn’t have the answer to. “You need my help.”

  “And that’s why you’re here? Because Home Blown is struggling? Because if that is the case, then, thank you for lunch, and please don’t come back.”

  He could see she was hurt. Why? Kenneth didn’t expect gratitude, especially after telling her all the things she was doing incorrectly, but why wouldn’t she accept his offer? “You don’t want my assistance?”

  “No,” she said, her arms crossed.

  “You do know that you need it, right?” After everything she’d shared with him, she was aware of what was at stake.

  “And you should’ve been up front as to why you were here. I thought that…well…I didn’t think it had to do with business,” she stammered.

  Fuck. He got it. She should be pissed. But business was more important than hurt feelings. “I had no intention of helping you.” Had no intention of seeing you again. “That doesn’t change the fact that you need my help.”

  Shanda said softly, “No it doesn’t.”

  Kenneth stepped forward and added, “Shanda, I didn’t need to take you to dinner or lunch. If all I wanted was to learn about your business plan, we could’ve stayed here at the shop. I enjoy your company.” She definitely had a stronger effect on him, but he wasn’t about to tell her that. “If you turn down my help, that doesn’t mean I will stop taking you to dinner.”

  She eyed him and he could almost see the wheels turning. Shanda was trying to determine if she believed him or not. Then the tension lifted and she said, “How about a picnic and boating?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m asking you if you’d like to go on a picnic with me?” she repeated.

  He hated them. Kenneth also hadn’t forgotten how the barbeque ended. “Will you be removing your clothes again?” he teased.

  Shanda blushed and said, “You wish. So, if this really isn’t just about Home Blown, then say yes.”

  She surprised him. Shanda was a strong woman who wasn’t about to be pushed, even by him. Of course, two stubborn people usually don’t blend well. Then again, they weren’t dating, just casually getting together. What harm could come of it? “I’ll agree on one condition.”

  “And what is that?”

  “After the picnic—”

  “And boating,” she jumped in.

  Kenneth nodded. He tried, but she hadn’t forgotten. “Okay, and boating, we come back to the shop and talk some business. I know you don’t want to hear it, but I also think Home Blown is very important to you.”

  “It’s everything to me. I’m…sorry I gave you such a hard time about helping me. It’s just that…it’s hard to admit that I need it.”

  “Shanda, this shop is filled with beautiful things that you created. That is a talent I don’t have. And I have one you don’t. I know how to make money. Let me show you.”

  Shanda nodded. “I guess we have a deal. How about Sunday afternoon?”

  “That sounds great. How about dinner with me on Thursday? I have a formal auction I need to attend if you’d like to join me.” He always brought a date. It gave him a reason to leave early, not that their night would end the same way.

  “Formal? Like black-tie formal?” she asked.

  “Cocktails. And Krissy and Billy will be there as well. I think you’d enjoy it. Besides, you never know who you’ll meet. Owning a business is all about making connections.”

  “Are you asking me out or is this part of my new business plan?” she challenged.

  Kenneth stepped closer. “A little bit of both.” Now only inches away he asked, “Want to be my date?” Shanda looked up at him and nodded. “Great. I’ll pick you up at six.”

  Leaning over, he kissed her briefly before the door to the store opened. He pulled himself away and watched her eyes flutter open. She didn’t want it to end either, but business came first. As it should.

  “Welcome to Home Blown. Feel free to look around and ask any questions,” Shanda said to the customer.

  Kenneth said, “I’ll see you Thursday.”

  He turned and left her to greet her customer. It was good timing too. The last thing he wanted was for things to get hot and heavy in the shop. He had a feeling if they ever did let loose, it was going to be explosive. That’s not what you want in a shop filled with fragile glass.

  What the fuck am I doing? He was getting more deeply involved than he wanted. But the taste of her lips made him wish the next few days would go quickly, because he wanted her in his arms, and to taste even more.

  Chapter Five

  “I’m telling you, this dress is perfect. It’s sexy without being sleazy. And with any luck, he’ll think you’re irresistible in it too,” DeeDee said.

  She looked in the mirror again and she just didn’t feel it. This wasn’t her style. And more than that, this dress wasn’t in her budget. What point was it for her to accept Kenneth’s help with Home Blown if she was going to be spending money she didn’t have?

  “This is too much, on many levels. I think I’m going to wear what I have at home.” She turned around and said, “Can you please unzip me?”

  DeeDee’s heavy sigh echoed throughout the changing room. “I’d lend you one of mine if we were the same size. But you’d never squeeze those DD boobs of yours into anything I own.”

  “You make it sound like it’s a blessing. I would love to be able to go into a store and just grab something off the rack. But with this rack,” she pointed at her chest, “Nothing seems to fit right.”

  “This dress does. You told me what Kenneth said about Home Blown. He’s right. You have no idea who you’re going to meet. You want to draw business and look as though you fit in? Then you have to dress like you do.”

  Shanda slipped out of the dress and pulled on her T-shirt, then turned around and faced DeeDee. “You haven’t even met the man and you’re taking his side?”

  “Before you took over the shop from Granddad, you would’ve purchased this dress and worn it proudly. Now, you…changed. I’m not sure Granddad did you any favors by having you take over the shop.”

  “I love Home Blown and you know that,” Shanda snapped. “It’s everything to me.”

  “Apparently. But is that a good thing? I mean, it’s important to keep the place running and
make enough money to live, but at the price of joy and happiness? I think not.”

  “I’m happy,” she defended herself.

  “Maybe when you’re in your back room working on some new creation. But I’ve seen you in the front of the store. You smile and you’re pleasant, but hell, you’re not happy.”

  DeeDee was right. “What am I supposed to do? I can’t tell Granddad that owning the shop is not for me. He’s counting on me to keep the tradition going. He loved Home Blown. I can’t let him down.”

  “Funny, I said the same thing about my wedding and you’re making me tell Mom and Dad the truth. Don’t you think you should take your own advice?” DeeDee asked.

  “This is totally different and you know it,” Shanda stated.

  “Yeah. It’s not like you ran off and got married and have been lying about it. Because that would be bad, right?”

  Shanda snickered. “That’s because I would never do something so crazy.”

  “You say that now, but let’s see how things go with Kenneth. You never know. You might need the name of the chapel we used in Las Vegas.”

  “Oh please. I don’t think Kenneth is the eloping type,” Shanda said.

  DeeDee’s eyes opened wide. “So you thought about it. Well now that’s progress.” She grabbed the dress from Shanda and headed towards the cashier.

  “What are you doing?” Shanda asked.

  “I’m buying you this dress and you’re going to wear it tonight,” DeeDee said firmly.

  “I can’t let you do that. It’s expensive.” I know because I almost fainted at the price tag.

  “Consider it a wedding gift,” DeeDee said.

  “I’m not getting married,” she corrected.

  DeeDee said, “Mine. Think about how much money we saved by not having a big wedding. And since I didn’t get to purchase a wedding dress, I have plenty I can spend on my kid sister. Now zip it and let’s cash out.”

  “What’s the rush? Can’t wait to get back to Larry?” she teased.

  “Nope. You need your hair and nails done. We are having a spa day today whether you like it or not.”

  “DeeDee, I was only supposed to close for lunch.” She didn’t want to lose a customer because it wasn’t open.

  “This isn’t up for discussion. We both need this because we have a stressful couple of days ahead of us.”

  Shanda said, “I’m only going to an auction.”

  “With someone you’re obviously attracted to and with his friends as well. If you tell me you’re not nervous at all, I’m going to call you a liar.”

  Shanda laughed. “Oh, I’m so nervous that I shaved my legs twice this morning.”

  “With this dress, Kenneth might not have even noticed your legs. But good thinking, just in case he decides to take it off you later.” DeeDee winked.

  Oh God. This is going to be a long night. The only problem was, Shanda had been thinking the same thing and already stopped at the pharmacy for condoms. He did say first rule of business was to be ready for anything.

  Kenneth couldn’t take his eyes off Shanda. She looked amazing. Her dress was a deep purple that sparkled; it was almost hypnotizing him. Normally, he liked his dates to wear those little black dresses, but damn, he was glad Shanda hadn’t. And the way the top of the dress seemed to conform to her breasts was driving him wild. It was as though this dress had been tailored just for her. And just for my pleasure, too.

  “Is everything okay?” Shanda asked.

  “Yes, why?” he asked, unable to turn away, his eyes still fixed on her.

  “You’re just…staring at me. Is this dress okay for the auction?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  Her eyes widened and she said, “Should I change? I mean, I’ve never been before so I wasn’t sure if this was appropriate. I should’ve checked with Krissy.”

  She blurted it out so fast and he barely had a chance to grab hold of her hand before she dashed back upstairs. “Shanda, that dress is…amazing. The only problem with it is you might outshine whatever they are trying to auction off.”

  “Are you sure? Because I will take it off, if you think I should,” she said softly.

  “I’d be more than happy to help you get out of the dress, but not into another,” he said with a wink. Although he didn’t believe her to be innocent, he still enjoyed how easily she blushed.

  “That is not what I meant, and you know it,” she clarified.

  “I don’t know. I saw how quickly you can remove a T-shirt,” he reminded her. Kenneth couldn’t believe her cheeks got even redder.

  “That was totally different. My life was on the line. If that bee stung me, I might not be standing here now,” she stated.

  He said, “I’m very glad you are.”

  Shanda smiled. “Me too, but I wouldn’t mind it if you forgot about that incident.”

  Kenneth chuckled. I want to remember it. “I believe you said, life is a chain of memories. I wouldn’t want to break the chain by removing that one.”

  “You have a very good memory,” she said.

  “I do. And I know if we don’t get going, we’re going to miss the auction.” That was okay with him, but he’d already promised Billy and Krissy that they’d meet there. Knowing them, they’d probably made a bet on whether or not he’d show.

  “I’m ready when you are,” she said and grabbed her purse.

  He opened her front door and stepped out and watched as she locked it. Good. It meant that she didn’t forget anything either. “Since we have a long ride ahead of us, did you want to spend the time talking about Home Blown?” He highly doubted she’d take him up on that offer, but he had to put it out there.

  “I thought it’d be better to finally hear about you. I know what you do, you buy and sell stuff.”

  That was the short version, but he didn’t want to talk about what he did. It had nothing to do with what Home Blown needed. “That is the gist of it.”

  “Then tell me about your family. I know you’re not married. Have you ever been?” she asked.

  “No. Not even close,” he said.

  “Don’t believe it in?” she asked.

  “I believe in marriage and family. But not in the conventional way,” he said. To him, it was another decision, one made to ensure the financial future. It’s how his family had always chosen spouses and generally they waited until they were older, usually forty.

  “And what does that mean? You want five wives or something like that?”

  Kenneth laughed. “I’m not even looking for one, never mind five. But what it means is, I don’t want my marriage to be based around emotion.” She raised a brow at him, looking totally puzzled, so he continued. “Love comes with its highs and lows. People make mistakes. But if you remove that piece you have—”

  “Nothing,” she said adamantly. “Marriage might be a rollercoaster, but it can be beautiful too. My parents and grandparents have shown me that.”

  “Yet you’re not married,” he stated. “Why is that?” He hadn’t planned on asking deep and personal questions, then again with Shanda, his plans seemed to go astray. He just hoped this question didn’t lead to her asking him about his love life. He had a life, and had no issue with love not being a part of it.

  “I’ve dated, but my focus has been working with my Granddad on learning the craft. That isn’t something you pick up overnight. And then a year ago, he turned the entire business over to me. I…I don’t think I was ready,” she stated in a defeated tone.

  “Like your craft, it takes time to learn. You’ll get there, if you do what I instructed.” Of course, there was still so much more to teach her, and he wasn’t sure even then that the shop would make it. She was so specialized in what she did. And her shop was practically hidden away. It’s all about location, and yours sucks. Now since he’d been to Hope Valley, he saw the charm of living there. Yet if Billy hadn’t sent him there, he probably never would’ve driven through it.

  “Hey, we were supposed to be talki
ng about you,” Shanda said.

  “Would you feel better if I said we can talk about me on the way home?” he asked. It was a question, not a promise.

  “I would if I believed it for a second,” she smiled. “Something tells me you don’t like talking about yourself.”

  “I’ve told you all about my business,” he said.

  “That’s what you do, not who you are,” she responded.

  Work was what was important to him. Then again, so was his family. If time permitted, he might talk to her about his brothers. To Shanda, it might sound very much like when he talks about work. That is what the Heart family had in common. A strong drive for success.

  Krissy must’ve been watching for them because she came over, half dragging Billy with her. “Oh my God Shanda, that dress is gorgeous. You have to tell me where you purchased it.”

  He watched Shanda, and her smile lit up the room. “It’s a small boutique in Hope Valley. Beatrice actually makes all the dresses. If you’re ever looking for something different, I’d be happy go to with you.”

  “Oh wonderful. I love shopping,” Krissy said cheerfully.

  “And I…hate it. But you’re like my sister DeeDee. You have a figure that lets you wear anything,” Shanda said. “I’m not so lucky.”

  “Well trust me, that dress was definitely made for you. I bet Kenneth had a hard time keeping his hands off you on the way here,” she teased.

  Kenneth didn’t want Krissy going down that road. It was too close to the truth. “If you don’t mind, I want to go and say hello to my brother before the auction starts.”

  “Wow, meeting the family already?” Krissy turned to Billy and said, “I think I won that one too.”

  Billy let out a low grumble and muttered, “You’re killing me Kenneth.”

  Kenneth cocked a brow and said, “Maybe you should find another hobby. One that doesn’t include me.”

  Krissy chuckled. “Are you kidding me? Go figure. He’s supposed to be your best friend, and I haven’t lost one bet yet.”

  Kenneth said, “Don’t mind them. They are…”