“Sure thing.” Mr. Croft lifted a hand in dismissal. “Good to meet you, Mr. Ivy.”
When they were on the sidewalk outside the store again, Mary Lou headed for the hotel.
“Wait just a minute.” Jared stopped walking.
She turned. “What is it? Can’t we talk as we go? There’s a lot to do today.”
He shook his head. “I need to ask you something.”
“What?” Still smarting from Mrs. Croft’s accusations, she didn’t want to waste any more time on trivialities. She could ignore the insults and bite her tongue at the time, but the accusations always stung. She had to get to work on the next edition. She’d make certain there was something so newsworthy that not even Liza Croft could refute it.
“You asked Mr. Croft to credit your account with the proceeds from the sale of the papers.”
“Instead of paying me for all of the papers when I drop them off, he credits my account for the ones he sells. It’s an arrangement he prefers.” Why did he stop her for this? “It makes no difference in the end. The money comes by week’s end.”
He’d put his hat back on when they’d stepped outside, yet his blue eyes didn’t dim in the shade of the brim. “But all the money isn’t yours.”
“Oh. Is that what has your back up? You think I’m going to control the money and you won’t have any?”
“I’m not accusing you of anything.”
She pivoted on one foot to angle away from him a bit. “Really?”
“I’m saying that things have to change now. You can’t just carry on as if I’m not here.”
“Believe me, Mr. Ivy, this is nothing like the way my day would be going if you weren’t here.”
He didn’t flinch at her biting attitude. In fact, he lowered his tone and spoke with more deliberation. “You get my point.”
She sighed. “I do.” She turned back toward the general store, but he reached out a hand and caught her by the elbow.
“Don’t do it now. Mrs. Croft will never let it rest if she thinks I sent you back in to change things.”
He was right. The woman would never let go of a tidbit like that. Mary Lou nodded. “Okay. Let’s go to the hotel next. They pay in cash. We’ll accept it and divide the profits when we get back to the office, taking the amount that usually comes in from the general store into account.”
Jared smiled at her. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“What?” This man had her flummoxed. He’d defended her when he didn’t have to and protected her when she hadn’t considered the consequences of a quick reaction. Why would he do that?
“It wasn’t so difficult to discuss an aspect of the business and come to a mutual agreement.”
“Hmm...no. It wasn’t.”
“Do you think we can handle the other areas of the paper like that?”
So the motive for his actions came out. Much quicker than she’d expected.
“That’s why you defended my reputation to Mrs. Croft. And the reputation of the paper. And now you’re offering an olive branch, but with a goal of increasing your foothold in the business. You’re a slick one, Mr. Ivy.” She stood straight. “I’ll have my eye on you.”
* * *
Why did Mary Lou think he was trying to manipulate her? Had no one ever taken up for her? Surely, Grump wouldn’t let someone accuse his staff of shoddy work or speak ill of someone he cared for.
Jared took a few quick steps to catch her as she crossed the street and headed for the Pine Haven Hotel on the corner. “Slow down, Mary Lou.”
She stopped abruptly in front of him and spoke over her shoulder. “You’ll have to keep up, Mr. Ivy. The newspaper business doesn’t wait for anyone.” She set off again at the same pace.
He didn’t move. She’d accused him of manipulating her. He wouldn’t let that accusation stand. She would realize soon enough that he wasn’t following her. After all, he had the newspapers.
Mary Lou mounted the steps to the hotel entrance and reached for the door. He watched as she turned toward him and dropped her hand. She clasped both hands together and waited.
Jared approached at a measured gait.
“Join me for a moment?” He indicated the rockers on the porch in front of the hotel.
“We really don’t have time.” When she moved toward the door again, he dropped into one of the chairs and set it into motion.
“I have all the time in the world.” He knew time was important, but moving forward in agreement was more important. “We’ll waste more time in the long run if we don’t clear the air about some things now.”
Reluctance and resolve warred on her face until she sat on the edge of the chair beside him. “What?”
“I am not a manipulator.”
“No?”
“No. I am straightforward.” At her raised eyebrows he added, “And diplomatic.”
“Ah...diplomacy. So that is what you call it when you try to coerce me into doing things your way.”
“I didn’t try to coerce you. I merely pointed out that you would have to make some changes to accommodate our joint venture.”
“Joint venture? This venture, or whatever you choose to call it, isn’t joint.”
“We are in the midst of a circumstance beyond our control. We can do our best to make it work or argue and struggle until the judge comes to town. I am not a man given to conflict. I’d prefer to come to an arrangement that is beneficial to both of us. The time will be unbearable if we don’t.”
“Then why didn’t you just say that in the beginning.” He could see her resistance fading.
“I think I did.” He took a risk and said, “You may have overreacted.”
She hung her head. Every ounce of her was full of conviction and strength. He didn’t like that his words had caused that to ebb. Then, just as quickly, she raised her head and met his gaze. “I can see how you might think that. Let’s finish distributing the papers this morning. When we get back to the office, we can lay out some ground rules while we have our lunch. Then there will be no time lost.” She stood. “Shall we?”
He nodded. “After you.” With his free hand, he opened the hotel door for her to precede him.
She went to the registration desk. “Mr. Warren. How are you this morning?”
“Well, Miss Ellison. Very well, indeed.” The man caught sight of Jared behind Mary Lou. “And you, Mr. Ivy?”
“I’m fine, sir. Thank you.”
“Learning to work with our Miss Ellison, are you?” Mr. Warren spoke to him but he smiled at Mary Lou. Why had she suddenly become Mary Lou and not Miss Ellison in Jared’s mind? Was the stubborn way she defended her stance at every turn endearing her to him?
“We are sorting through the details as we go along.” He cut a glance at Mary Lou.
She reached for some of the newspapers he carried. “He’s learning the business.” She didn’t smirk but he thought she wanted to. She placed the papers on the corner of the desk. “I’d love to interview Jasmine about the wedding.”
Mr.