Read Online Buffalo Valley by Debbie Macomber - Free Book Online Page B

she’d witnessed between Carrie and Vaughn Kyle last night. She hoped something came of it. After her divorce Carrie was understandably wary about relationships, but Hassie feltconfident that Vaughn would never intentionally do anything to hurt her.
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    â€œCan’t something be done?” Carrie asked, pacing in front of Heath Quantrill’s polished wood desk. As the president of Buffalo Valley Bank, he just might know of some way to stop Value-X from moving into town. In the past day or so, news of the retailer’s plans had spread through town faster than an August brushfire. Carrie had first heard of it that morning. She suspected Hassie knew and had been protecting her; she also suspected there’d been rumors last night, but she’d been too involved with Vaughn to notice.
    Heath’s frown darkened. It went without saying that he wasn’t any happier about this than she was. “I’m sorry, Carrie, but Ambrose Kohn is a difficult man to deal with. The town council has spoken to him several times. Hassie tried and I did, too, but he isn’t willing to listen.”
    â€œYou knew before this morning?” she fired back. “Hassie, too?” That was what she thought—and it explained a great deal. Hassie just hadn’t been herself lately, but every inquiry was met with denial.
    Heath nodded.
    â€œDoesn’t Mr. Kohn realize what he’s doing?” Carrie found it hard to believe he could be so callous toward the town.
    â€œHe knows all too well.”
    â€œPeople have a right to know that the entire future of our town is at risk.” She could only imagine what would happen to her father’s store if Value-X set up shop.
    Heath obviously agreed with her. “Hassie suggested we keep this under wraps until after Christmas, and the rest of the council decided to go along with her. I don’t know how the news leaked.” He scowled and rolled his gold pen between flat palms.
    Delaying the bad news changed nothing. This morning at breakfast her father had announced what he’d learned. He was already alternating between depression and panic. He’d heard it from Joanie Wyatt at the tree-lighting ceremony. The Wyatts had sent away for stock information, and Joanie had read over a prospectus; she’d immediately seen that Buffalo Valley was listed as a possible expansion site. She’d immediately phoned Buffalo Bob, who’d reluctantly confirmed it.
    â€œNothing’s been signed yet,” Heath said, as though that should make her feel better. It didn’t.
    She glanced at her watch, wishing she had moretime to get all this straight in her mind. Although she was eager to meet Vaughn at the Columbia Mall as promised, she wasn’t in the mood for Christmas activities. Not with this Value-X problem hanging over all their heads.
    â€œHave you talked to anyone at the corporate office?” she asked.
    Heath nodded.
    â€œThey weren’t interested in listening, were they?” Heath’s disheartened look was answer enough. “It’s progress , right?”
    â€œRight,” Heath muttered. “Listen, I’ve got a meeting in ten minutes. I’m sorry, Carrie. I know what this will mean for your father’s business and Knight’s Pharmacy, too. I’m doing the best I can.”
    â€œCan’t you buy the property yourself?”
    â€œI approached Kohn about that, but..."
    â€œHe won’t sell it to you?” Carrie asked in an outraged voice.
    â€œLet’s say he’d love a bidding war—one I’d be sure to lose.” Heath stood and retrieved his overcoat from a closet.
    Her gaze pleaded with his. “You’ve got to find a way to keep Value-X out of Buffalo Valley.”
    â€œKohn hasn’t heard the last of this,” Heath promised as he escorted her out of the bank.
    Carrie accompanied him to his four-wheel-drive vehicle.
    â€œIs there anything I can