Page 14 of The Perfect Blend
Across from me, Zach was smiling broadly, and it felt just like when we were younger, hatching some audacious plan together. Except this time we weren't planning on how to make a secret hideout in the hay bales, or to orchestrate a prank to make old Mrs Spencer wonder why her chickens were suddenly laying blue eggs.
"Exactly. I was so glad to see the local shops down in town thriving when I first came up, it means that there might just be the appetite to make it work. I hadn't thought about a cafe but you're right, it would make the perfect combination.”
I felt a flush of pleasure at his words and smiled. It was so great to be bouncing fun ideas around like this and have someone appreciate them.
He continued speaking, voice filling with enthusiasm just like mine. “Maybe we could also put one of the animal barns next door to have a sort of petting farm going. Ideally, in a few years I want to be making cheese from cow, sheep and goat's milk. I need to inspect the farm buildings to see which would be good for a small batch creamery, actually. And maybe in the summer we could make ice-cream to sell!"
I didn't miss that "we" he used and my heart stuttered, just a little.
"That all sounds fantastic! Are you doing this by yourself or with a partner?" I asked - purposefully not defining if I meant business or life partner.
He flashed a crooked smile my way. "No partner, just me." He said, and I tried not to let myself read too much into that. "My business partners down south bought some of my shares of the business to allow me to liquidate cash, but as far as ideas and execution of this prospective business, I'm on my own. It's a pretty big project actually, and it would help if I could get the community on board for the idea, foster the connections I'll need for the shop to be a success."
I sat back from where I'd been leaning forward and had a think.
"What you need is to put all these whisperings to rest before the gossip really gets out of hand, you need to show people who you are and what you are really planning. You need a - what do people call it - a proof of concept.” I mulled on that for a second before I had a burst of inspiration from the festive season. “How about an event? You could orchestrate a farm-warming event where you invite prospective local producers and artisans, as well as all the locals, to the farm for like a Christmas market - but for all the things that could be sold in the shop! Maybe in one of the big barns? You could do it up with cute lights and have a fire pit outside for people to warm up by, advertise it as the rebirth of the farm.... oh, people would love to come!" I was so excited. I loved Bluebell Ridge Farm, I was passionate about local produce and events, and I was scheming about it all with Zach Spencer, who had popped up out of the blue and brought the excitement with him. I hadn’t had this much fun in ages.
"You're a marvel, Robin Bell," the man in question said, voice warm and expression appreciative, his lips curled up in a smile. "It's no wonder your coffee shop is such a success when you're as fast thinking and enthusiastic as this."
"How do you know if my coffee shop is a success?" I teased, feeling secretly pleased he was as enthused about my ideas as I was. "I might be on the brink of bankruptcy!"
"I may have walked past last week a few times on my way into town and noticed how busy you always are. I may also have done some research and found out that you've been given numerous awards for your shop and your entrepreneurship, and that this shop has been here for four years. Not to mention that you survived your first year in the middle of a recession and came out on top."
I blushed at the realisation that he'd been looking into me.
"You're damn good at what you do,” he said. “How about a proposition?"
My ears picked up at that and I leaned forward.
"Go on."
"Go into partnership with me."
The night seemed to hold its breath at his words. Or maybe that was just me.
"Work with me to make this farm shop and cafe into a success. The cafe section can be an extension of your shop here if you like, keeping your branding and extending it beyond to fit the farm shop niche. We can work out percentages of profits from the shop and events and things, but the lion's share of cafe profits would go to you. I'll provide the funds and produce expertise, you provide the cafe and local expertise and together we will figure out the rest. What do you think?"
I was gobsmacked. In two days, Zach had gone from a stranger I had awkward-but-intense interactions with to a blast from the past offering me a life-changing opportunity. It was so much to take in.
"I know it's a longshot, but maybe think it over and I'll do some planning too. We can get cracking in the new year if it sounds like something you'd be interested in pursuing." He said, filling the silence while I contemplated the opportunity that had been presented to me.
"No need - let's do it!” My heart was racing at the thought. He was offering me an absolute treasure chest of opportunity. I felt invigorated, this was just what I needed to take my little business to the next level, give me something new and exciting to get stuck into. “And I think we should try to get that market in before Christmas to get this idea off to a roaring start!" I said, grinning.
His eyebrows flew up, and he looked genuinely shocked. I laughed. I was discovering that I really liked shocking him.
"I know it's crazy, but this is a fantastic opportunity. I've got to take it before you change your mind!" I teased. "Seriously though, thank you so much for including me in this. I'll never get another chance like it to have a little foothold in the hills like that. We can take it slowly to start, collaborate on this market event, and use what we learn there to look more seriously at a more permanent business partnership.” I liked him, and was excited about the prospect, but I wasn’t a complete idiot jumping in feet first when he was still part-stranger to me. “Let's work out the details,” I continued, “get some contracts signed so we both know where we're at with it, and if you don't change your mind, let's get cracking."
We worked into the night, ordering pizza from Paola's at the bottom of the road. Her little pizza joint was a sinful temptation to have nearby, and I found myself putting in an order at least every other week. Zach ventured out into the cold to get it, for which I was extremely thankful, as I sat curled up in my chair listening to the wind in the eaves outside. In our cosy little spot by the fire we hashed out the plan for the whole thing, agreed on a rough business plan and timescale, next steps and actions for the both of us.
It was my first time working with someone through the exciting process of developing a business, and Zach was the perfect partner. His area of expertise complemented mine, and I felt like even in just one evening we learned a lot from each other. We just gelled. I snuck glances at his strong profile lit softly by the fire as he enthusiastically pored over the plans, sleeves rolled up revealing toned and swoon-worthy forearms. Fragile joy at how well we still worked together warmed me and I couldn’t repress it. This didn’t feel like friends of old, nor a short-term romance. I felt like this could be the beginning of something different altogether.
Chapter Seven
"Ican’t believe it Robin, you're not only jumping into bed with the guy - you're jumping into business with him too?!?!?!? Are you feeling okay?" screeched Sharon. Or at least I imagined she was screeching, since this was, thankfully, just a text. I did not want to have to sit through that particular conversation in person. I'd only messaged her to get the names of some of the local contacts who might be interested in taking part in the market! Naturally, she had zeroed in on the mention of Zach and had forgotten all about my initial request. I shot off a reply asking for the numbers again when I got a call from Zoe.
I hit answer and before I could speak, she said “Bad news Robin, I think I’ve got up dog.”
I preemptively rolled my eyes at the joke I could feel coming.
