“I know people at the city. I know that permits have already been pulled for Rocky Construction to begin work on your old lot.”
I held her stare, not sure what to say. She was like a dog with a bone, and I didn’t like lying to her.
“It’s highly unusual to move locations once that process has been completed.” Her expression was placid. “Highly unusual.”
“I guess I’m a rebel,” I said weakly.
She watched me for a moment, then said softly, “The thing about River is he comes off very easygoing and nonthreatening. I suspect there’s a lot more going on under the surface.”
I flinched at the direct hit. “I guess you have heard things.”
“I always do.” She sighed. “As you may know, I handled the purchase of the lot your old clinic was on. I worked very closely with River.”
“Okay.” I frowned, not sure what she was getting at.
“There were other lots River could have invested in. He had to work hard to convince the family who owned that lot to sell.”
“Do you know why he wanted that spot so desperately?”
“No. That wasn’t something he shared with me. But I suspect it had everything to do with you, Dr. Thornton.”
I raised my brows at her candor. “Is that so?”
She gave a sharp nod. “The actual details ofwhyRiver might hold animosity toward you don’t concern me. I try to stay out of the drama when possible. I will say I didn’t like how he went about things with that particular purchase. I’m all for having a motivated buyer, but he was more… obsessed… than anything.”
Mrs. Numi seemed to be implying she was my ally. Was this simply a ploy to get me to relax so that I’d trust her? She was, after all, a businesswoman. If I trusted her, she could more easily sell me something.
She smiled. “You’re still not sure about me?”
I grimaced. “It’s not you. I’m suspicious by nature.”
“Yes. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s worked in your favor.” Lifting one shoulder, she said, “River came to Rainy Dale and immediately began making connections. You’ve held back, and it’s taken longer for everyone to get to know you.”
I wasn’t insulted because her assessment was accurate. River already had a strong foothold in the community. He’d arrivedafterme but ingratiated himself with the people of Rainy Dale much quicker. He knew how to play the social game like a master, while I was still fumbling along.
“Enough things have happened between River and I that make me feel like having a different… situation… would be beneficial.” I wrinkled my brow. “I don’t want to get into the mud with River. I… I just want to make a clean break.”
“I heartily agree.”
“Do you?” I asked in surprise.
She sighed. “Yes. I’ll admit, I like River. I find him charming. But I also see him more clearly than the majority of the people in town. You see him clearly too.”
“Yes. I think I do. We rub each other the wrong way. Hence my desire to move.” I glanced around the space, inhaling the scent of drywall and fresh paint. By all rights, I should have been pleased with the spot, but it just felt so… dull. Generic. My old clinic had had such character.
And thepool. God, I’d miss that damn pool.
She narrowed her eyes. “The more I think about it, the more I don’t like this location for you.”
“No?”
She shook her head. “Why don’t you tell me exactly what it is you’re looking for? I can see from your expression it isn’t this place.”
I gritted my teeth. “Is it that obvious?”
“It is to me.” She tapped her chin with a perfectly manicured nail. “This landlord is offering wonderful terms. But it doesn’t matter how good the deal is if you hate the location.”
“That’s true,” I murmured. “But maybe this is the best I can do with what’s available. Perhaps my fate is to end up in a boring old business park like this.”
