Moonstone by Jaime Clevenger Page A

here is the soup. Last time I had the creamy butternut, but their chowder is good too. And sometimes they’ll make a tortilla soup. I know it’s not a burrito, but it might be the closest thing you’ll find. They’ll bring out a bowl of sourdough rolls any minute. I really only come for the bread and the soup.”
    “Soup sounds perfect.” Joy closed her menu. “So, I’m going to tell you straight up, I don’t have the money for any software system. Not yet anyway. I’m planning on applying for a loan and all of the upgrades I’d like to make are dependent on that.” Joy hesitated. “I thought you should know that before you make your pitch.”
    “You like to get right to business. That’s refreshing.”
    A waiter appeared with a basket of rolls. Kelsey sipped her water and as soon as the waiter was gone, she said, “Sometimes I go on lunch meetings and never manage to get my pitch in at all.”
    Another waiter appeared to take their order. When he’d left, Kelsey continued, “Any bank would be crazy not to give you a loan. Moonstone Optometry is a known quantity and the town wants another Dr. Henderson. A software system is probably only one of the upgrades you’d like to make, but I think I’ll be able to set you up with something in your budget.”
    “In my budget?”
    “Denise gave me the rundown. She mentioned some numbers… I’ve got a contact for a loan officer if you’re interested.” Kelsey paused. She reached for a roll, then split it open and buttered one side. “The only thing is, the bank may wonder how long you are going to stay.”
    “At Moonstone?” Joy hadn’t expected Kelsey’s directness. She stared out the window, avoiding her gaze. “I guess I’ll have to be ready for that question when the loan officer asks.”
    Kelsey was quiet for a moment. Finally she said, “I have to admit I was surprised when Denise said you were taking over Moonstone. I always figured someone like you gets the hell out of Raceda and doesn’t look back.”
    “So you don’t think I’m going to stay.”
    “Are you?” Kelsey shot back.
    Her old self, her high school self, would have been intimidated by the direct stare Kelsey had focused on her. She would have had to answer. But not anymore. Joy leaned back in her chair and didn’t let her gaze drop from Kelsey’s face. She had no intention of answering the question. It was ballsy for a rep to ask.
    After a moment, Kelsey said, “I’m sorry. Can we strike that last question? It’s none of my business.”
    Damn right . “Why don’t you give me a rundown on exactly what Alpine offers? I want numbers. What am I looking at for the package you recommend?”
    Kelsey reached into her purse for an iPad. Of course she had a presentation ready. Joy shifted in her chair, feeling that she was on more familiar footing as soon as Kelsey switched into her sales persona. She began detailing the different features of Alpine’s software system, shifting her chair closer so Joy could see the tablet’s screen. By the time their soup had arrived, Kelsey had finished with her spiel and set her iPad back in her purse. As she did, Joy realized that Kelsey didn’t wear any rings. She had a silver chain bracelet and a matching necklace.
    “I never figured Kelsey West would end up in Raceda either,” Joy said finally. She couldn’t hold back the comment.
    Kelsey dipped her spoon in the soup. Her smile was tight-lipped. “It’s a long story.”
    If it was none of Kelsey’s business if Joy planned on staying in Raceda, then it was none of her business why Kelsey was working as a software sales rep instead of coaching Olympic swimmers with a few of her own medals around her neck. She tried the soup and decided Kelsey was right about the food, at least. Their tortilla soup was delicious. “I’d like to say yes to the new system, but…”
    “But?”
    It was hard to make eye contact with Kelsey now. Something passed between them and Joy felt a flush burn up