CHAPTER NINE
Jason took a deep breath before stepping through the door, praying that Mary would be behind the bar. Mary, not Shayne. The woman he had an instant connection with. The woman who talked and laughed with him. The woman who seemed reasonable and willing to give a humble man a fair shake.
His brain had been ticking the whole drive over, returning to his parents again and again. They had clearly loved Adventure Isle, and it wasn't hard for Jason to imagine why. For a few hours a day, for a few months over one summer, they were free of the restrictions placed on them by their very nature. Away from the Club, from their families, from the burden of their constant secret, they could pretend they were just normal kids for a little while. No wonder his father didn't want to see the park shut down forever.
One more try. He owed it to his father. And to the memory of his mother.
"Just the woman I'm looking for," Jason said, as he sauntered up to the bar.
Her brow furrowed. "I guess I should have expected you."
"I just want to talk."
"I don't have anything else to say. No is a complete sentence, you know."
"Do you work here full time?" Jason asked, shifting gears.
"No. I'm just helping out until we can find somebody."
"So, you manage your father's empire during the day and tend bar at night?"
"Something like that."
"You're a busy woman."
"Yes, I am. Which is why I don't have the time to have this conversation with you over and over."
"Fair enough. Look, I understand you're just trying to act in your father's best interest. I have a personal investment in the situation as well. That's where my parents fell in love. Where they were happy.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“You’re doing what’s best for your father. I get that. I’m not close with mine, but for the first time since I’ve known him, my father is acting out of a sense of sentimentality. And he asked me for a favor. I’d like to tell him I did my best, if nothing else. Now I can go back to his office and tell him I failed tonight. Or I can give you my presentation."
She studied him for a long beat, as if weighing his sincerity. "You can give your presentation tonight, but it will only be delaying the inevitable."
"But you will listen?" Jason asked.
"Yes. I'll hear you out. I’m assuming you came prepared?"
"Absolutely."
"You can get set up in the back office."
Jason grinned. "I knew I liked Mary better."
She rolled her eyes but didn't bother to correct him. He hurried out to the car for his briefcase and laptop, his step light. He didn't know if she was actually interested in the information, or just in shutting him up, and frankly, he didn't care. He was going to give it his best shot and have faith in his ideas. They were good ideas. Good enough to turn around the stumbling park? He thought so. He could only hope she agreed.
His heart hammered in his ears as he set up his presentation, but he couldn't tell if the nerves were of a professional or personal nature. He wanted to impress Shayne the investor—but he'd really like to spend another night with Mary the bartender.
Once he had everything ready, he passed the time reviewing his notes and mentally rehearsing the points he wanted to make. The minutes ticked by, turning into an hour. Then two. Jason didn't sweat it. If he had to wait in her office all night, he would. Sooner or later she'd listen to him, if only so she could lock up the bar and go home.
Finally, the door swung open and a tired looking Mary slumped inside, pushing the door shut behind her and collapsing into her chair. She sighed, dropped her head back, and closed her eyes. The silence might have been awkward, but Jason felt at ease for the first time that night, being near her.
"Sorry," she finally said. "I really didn't mean to forget you back here. There was a bowling tournament tonight and we got slammed. They drank us dry."
"It's no problem at all. In fact, if you need a few more minutes to get a bite to eat or rest your eyes, I'm happy to wait."
She opened her eyes to study his face, looking at him like he was a quandary she couldn't quite explain. "Are you this tenacious with all your accounts?"
"None of my accounts have ever been this...challenging."
"Did you know who I was?" She tilted her head. "Is that why you came in here the other night?"
"No," Jason said emphatically. "I came in here the other night for a drink. Meeting you was a wonderful, unexpected, fantastic surprise."
She turned the chair to face him, sat up and squared her shoulders. Suddenly he was looking at Shayne Simmons, pit bull and consummate businesswoman. Jason knew he had to dig deep. Tired or not, her sharp mind would question everything, and if he faltered, she wouldn't give him an inch.
He began with a presentation of the park's history, a short summary from the day Adventure Isle opened its gates, through its heyday, to its current situation, his words augmented by some of the photos he took from Kelsey’s office, including the one of his mother. Next, he detailed the renovations the park would need, explained which areas would see the quickest profits, and how he would target the market to expand growth over the next two years. Concessions and updated rides were a huge part of that, but there was not a concert venue within a 50-mile radius, and adding a stage and soundboard would help attract customers.
"But you were right, Ms. Simmons, the amusement park is a dying industry. Especially one the size of and in the location of Adventure Isle. That's why I'm going to propose a name change and a shift in focus. The games, concessions, and rides are a lot of fun, but they're not going to be the major pull that the park will need to really turn its books around," Jason added.
"Change its name to what?"
"Dragon Isle."
"Dragon Isle?" She didn't look impressed and Jason rushed forward to add, "Well, a professional branding company will choose the name. But that will be the focus."
She sighed. "Dragons? That's your big idea? I don't see how that's going to be the major draw you need."
"What about real dragons?"
Shayne's eyes widened. “What?"
"Well, lizards. Snakes. See, one of the attractions we could add is Reptile Land. Courtesy of the Simmons Trust, it will be dedicated to education and conservation of reptiles from all over the world. We'll also be the only place you can go to see life-sized replicas of dragons. Other than your father's backyard, of course. Now finally, what I want to discuss is how we can truly get the community involved in turning the park around."
From there, he transitioned into his actual forecast, offering her the most conservative numbers he could, erring on the side of caution. But the numbers were solid. It was not a bad investment. If she still did not want to sign on, at least he knew he gave his best.
By the time he finished speaking, an hour had passed. She hadn't interrupted again, allowing him to finish his entire spiel without another word. He had no idea if that was a good thing or not.
"Jason, this may be the exhaustion talking, but your ideas are not terrible."
"Thank you."
"I didn't say they were great."
"And you didn't tell me we should all just give up and let it die, so I'm going to appreciate the victory."
She snorted. "I want to see this place."
Something on Jason's face must have given his thoughts away because Shayne leaned forward. "What? Don't you want me to see it?"
"I'm not going to lie to you. It's a little...rough right now."
"I can't make any further decisions until I see it."
"Of course," Jason said quickly. He didn't want to lose the ground he so painstakingly gained. "When are you available?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Perfect. I'll stay at the Quality Inn and we'll drive over first thing."
"You don't have to do that. Stay at the Quality Inn, I mean. If you want to...um...bunk with me."
"Bunk with you?" Jason's lips twisted with amusement even as his heart thudded with relief. She didn't hate him after all. In fact, Jason was pretty sure he was starting to grow on her. "That's the best offer I've had in a long time. Let me just get everything cleaned up."
While he dealt with his paperwork, she closed up the bar. When they met at the back door, Jason was eager to put all their work behind him, and his nerves were returning, full force. His palms even felt clammy. How did she constantly have this effect on him? He couldn't explain it, couldn't account for it or even remember if anyone else had ever had him so twisted in knots.