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here.” Tara swept an arm toward the empty first floor, soon to be occupied by Sam’s Cycles. “Come on Sam, you can’t be serious about this.”
    â€œI’m quite serious.”
    â€œThen you’re doing it to spite me.”
    He rolled his eyes and snorted. “You need to get over yourself, Rusty. Not everything’s about you. Did you consider consulting with me about any of your plans?”
    She drew a breath to speak, but he ignored it and continued.
    â€œNo, because you want to do what interests you . Well, bikes are what interest me. Since it’s a subject I know a little something about, I intend to make a living selling them right here in the Elliott Building. By the way,” he paused, considering a new subject, “I’d like to talk to you about changing the name to the Kennesaw Building.”
    â€œHow dare you.” Her azure eyes bulged.
    â€œI dare because it’s time to bring this town into the new millennium. Modernize. Move with the times, don’t you reckon?”
    â€œAre you quite finished?”
    â€œHoney, I’m just gettin’ started.” Sam smiled and looked her up and down. Instead of shrinking from his gaze, she stood taller and squared her shoulders beneath the solid black ensemble. He expected a battle and it seemed she wouldn’t disappoint.
    â€œGrandmother wanted us to come back here and do something to help the community. I can think of a hundred reasons why you’re wasting your time trying to sell motorcycles.”
    â€œName three,” he challenged.
    â€œWell, first of all, nobody around here rides those things.”
    â€œYet,” he countered. “And that’s because they don’t have a local dealer or service center. Oncethat objection is eliminated, you’re gonna see bikers everywhere.”
    Tara grimaced at the suggestion. “And secondly, you’ll never make any money at it. How are you going to afford all those greasy parts, let alone new stuff?”
    â€œI have connections. ” He gave Tara a conspiratorial wink. “I happen to have a very successful contact in the business who can front me the stock as long as I can meet the, um, payment arrangements.”
    â€œAnd if you can’t?” Her forehead wrinkled with apparent concern.
    â€œI’d sooner not think about that.” He dismissed the subject with an exaggerated shudder. “Besides, I have a hunch Sam’s Cycles will be a hit.”
    â€œWell, a hunch is not sufficient reason to go into business. You need something sensible to draw customers.”
    â€œLike expensive antiques, huh? I reckon that’s just what we need to get this depressed economy back on track.”
    She held up a hand to slow his argument. “You made that point with me yesterday and I’ve reconsidered my original plans. Thanks to your comments there will be a variety of products in all price ranges. So, I guess I owe you one.”
    â€œThat’s the understatement of the decade.”
    She ignored his jab. “I’m also going to sell a wide range of books and other reading materials,and there will be a modern coffee bar. I intend to have something for every level of spending.”
    â€œAnd you’ve done extensive market research to confirm that adding books and coffee will attract buyers by the score, I presume?” He enjoyed the flicker of annoyance in her stormy blue eyes.
    â€œYou only ask that because you think you know the answer. However, I have years of study and experience in appraisal and sales. I’m studying the markup on the merchandise I expect to carry, I know what the folks around here can afford to spend and I have a marketing strategy to draw shoppers from other towns.”
    â€œWell, it’s nice to know my days as a teaching assistant weren’t completely wasted. Sounds like you didn’t spend all your time in Economics 101 daydreaming about being my