Seeking Single Male Read Free Page B

thinks they can railroad
    this rezoning plan through because it's our busy season and we won't notice."
    Lana swallowed to force down the bad taste in her mouth. When she'd gone headfirst into debt to buy the coffee shop, she'd
    bought a virtual landmark. Everyone in Lexington knew there was a coffee shop at 145 Hunt Street. Parking was decent, the
    atmosphere was good. She'd never be able to build this kind of traffic at a new location—not enough to pay back her loans. "S-
    sure, Marsh, whatever I can do."
    "Great. Call me after closing tonight. Gotta run."
    Lana returned the receiver gingerly, telling herself not to panic. Yet.
    "Bad news?" Alex asked.
    "Potentially. There's a council meeting Friday night to introduce a rezoning plan for the blocks between here and Hyde. The
    local shop owners want me to be their mouthpiece."
    "Good choice, since some of the council members already know who you are."
    "Yeah, from protest rallies. " She dropped into the chair. "I so do not need this right now. Besides, without the landlord's
    support, I don't believe it'll do much good."
    "So get the landlord's support."
    "We've tried, but the property is in the hands of so many holding companies, we haven't even been able to reach a real live
    person."
    "I can have Daddy talk to his friend on the council and at least make them aware of the way the merchants have been
    ignored."
    Her friend had offered help many times before—usually financial—but this was the first time Lana was desperate enough to
    take advantage of the clout the Tremont name commanded in the city. She touched Alex's hand and nodded. "Thanks. I know all
    of the shop owners will be grateful."
    "Consider it done. If there's going to be a fight, at least it'll be a fair fight."
    Lana puffed out her cheeks in a weary sigh. "So much for sleeping the rest of the week."
    "Don't worry—you'll knock 'em dead." Alex stood and lifted her mug, but her obviously forced smile did not put Lana at
    ease. "I'd better get back to work. Thanks for the coffee." She walked to the door, then turned back with a little frown. "Cheery
    Kwanza?"
    Lana shrugged.
    Alex laughed. "Keep me posted on the roommate search."
    Lana relinquished a smile as she watched the woman she'd known since junior high leave the shop with a sexy bounce to her
    step. Alex, it seemed, had nabbed the last gorgeous, independent, thinking man walking the face of the earth, or at least walking
    in the vicinity of the Bluegrass. Lana was happy for her friend, and sad for the rest of the female population, primarily herself.
    In times like these, it would have been nice to have a big, dependable shoulder to lean on. But since she'd bought the shop, she
    no longer had time to entertain her fantasies about a stranger arriving to sweep her off her feet. Now she'd settle for someone
    willing to sweep the floor.
    With great effort, she pushed the upcoming council meeting from her mind while she tidied up the tables and plugged in the
    lights of the four Christmas trees on the stage. The liquid bubble lights on the smallest tree cheered her immensely. She loved
    this time of year—people were in a generous spirit during the holidays, if at no other time. It served a little glimpse into how
    things were supposed to be.
    She worked around a college-age couple reading from a shared book and holding hands. A pang of envy cut through her
    chest. Young love was so sweet, so powerful. But she looked at the young woman and willed her to remain her own person, to
    follow her own interests, to make her own way. Not to marry out of sheer infatuation, then someday wake up dissatisfied with
    the life she'd built around another person's needs and wants.
    Like her mother. The divorce had taken all of thirty days—and Lana hadn't even known until she'd dropped by her parents'
    apartment during a college class break and found her old room stacked with moving boxes. Janet now lived in Florida, selling
    tour packages and dating men that were