Free The Love Knot by Maya Sheppard Page A

me.”
    Claire smiled again. “It’s rare to meet a man who crochets, much less admits it. I’d like to see your work!”
    “We’re out there. Let’s just put it this way – when my buddies find out I crochet, I get lots of reactions. I’ll remember to bring some of my stuff in before our next meeting. Did you know that knitting used to be a craft that men pursued so they could make fishing nets?”
    “Yeah, I know. Um, about my proposal . . . here’s my business plan. I don’t want to borrow money – or, if I have to, I’d like it to be the smallest amount possible.”
    They returned to discussing Claire’s business plans. Jeff showed her the history of investments that Bluestone Travers, L.L.C. had made on her behalf.
    “Over the past two years, your investments have seen a net gain of approximately $20,000. You could use just the gains to fund your store, leaving the original inheritance amount to continue to gain interest for your future. I can release the interest funds to you as soon as you are ready to start decorating the space you choose. You’ll need to decorate, paint, order displays and stock. The $20,000 will ‘seed’ your beginning and allow you to keep your store afloat until you begin to see a profit.”
    “That much! I’ll do this. Now that I know what I have available to use, I’ll start narrowing down where I want to rent. I’ll stay in touch and let you know to release the funds. How will I get access to them?”
    Jeff explained how the investment firm would make Claire’s money available for her to use. Claire took detailed notes, nodding her understanding and asking questions.
    “Claire, before you leave, I’d like to ask you one question.”
    At Claire’s answering nod, he asked her, “You just graduated from New Mexico State. What motivated you to start your own business rather than find a job elsewhere?”
    “My grandmother and one of my aunts taught me how to love crochet. Even before my grandma passed away, it’s been my dream to own my own fiber crafts store. Besides, I like to determine my own work days and path, rather than allowing someone else to do so.”
    As Claire spoke, Jeff’s eyes rested on Claire’s delicate beauty – the intense blue of her eyes became even more vivid as she spoke about her dream. Using one hand, she tossed her black hair over her shoulder – the combination of her eye and hair color was striking.
    “Uh, okay, then,” said Jeff, struggling to return to the reason for their meeting. “Just start scouting out locations and let me know what your progress is. I’ll be here for you every step of the way – and I’ll be one of your first customers. You’re going to succeed, Ms. Simms. I can feel it.” He smiled, liking the confidence in her eyes.
    “Thank you, Mr. Travers. I’m going to be focusing my search where Las Cruces is the most highly populated and where the traffic is going. My store will either be on Lohman, Amador or maybe even on University. But I don’t want it too close to any of the chain crafting and hobby stores.”
    “Good idea. You want people to be able to get to your store, but you don’t want them to be able to leave yours and take a short hop and skip to your competition.” Jeff extended his hand toward Claire. As she took it, both felt a strong jolt of physical awareness traveling along their arms. Claire’s eyes widened apprehensively as Jeff’s grip tightened on her hand. Wriggling it, she pulled free quickly.
    Claire left, walking out into the intense sunlight of a Las Cruces summer morning. Knowing how much she would have available to use, she decided to begin scouting out possible locations. She drove down to the University Avenue area and found “for rent” signs posted on some spaces. Writing down the numbers, she parked and called them, asking about the rent, square footage and other terms, making notes as she spoke. Driving to the Lohman/Amador area, she repeated the process.
    At home, she