Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island #4)(54)

Maggie returned her attention to Sophie and smiled. “Why buy a CK-branded item when I get a Martha Stewart one for the same price or even cheaper? In the big pet stores you’re competing with a hundred other brands and the boutique stores won’t touch you.”

Sophie felt her chest getting tight. Maggie’s assessment was both harsh and accurate, and she didn’t like either one.

“I’ve tried to get into the boutiques but I can’t get a meeting with the distributors.”

“I know. That’s because you don’t have anything interesting to sell them. You can buy cat litter pretty much anywhere. You’re not going to make it on cat litter.”

“Cat litter pays the bills.”

“Not all of them. You’re obviously creative. Why don’t you have products that are unique to CK Industries?”

“I’ve tried.” More than once, Sophie thought grimly. “The so-called artists aren’t all that fun to work with. They’re demanding, expensive and unreliable.”

“Then you’re talking to the wrong ones.”

Sophie suddenly remembered all the articles she’d read about interviewing. She was supposed to be directing the conversation, asking questions and listening to the answers. Somehow she’d gotten off track with Maggie.

“I want to take CK to the next level,” she said. “Sales isn’t my area of expertise.”

“I’m sure you have ideas about how the sales department is supposed to work.” Maggie smiled. “You’ve gotten this far without a sales manager.”

“I’m ready for that to change. You’d have complete control.” Sophie decided she didn’t care about the stupid articles. She wanted Maggie and she was determined to get her. “I know you have a family. I grew up here and it’s a wonderful place for kids. Housing is reasonable and I’m prepared to offer a generous relocation package.”

Maggie reached for her cup of coffee. “All right. Tell me about the island.”

  Kristine hadn’t physically seen Sophie since the “I slept with Jaxsen” confession, although they’d talked and texted regularly. Any concerns she’d had about feeling awkward or upset disappeared the second Sophie spotted her in the CK offices. Her cousin made a beeline for her and hugged her tight.

“I love you so much,” Sophie murmured. “Thank you for coming to see me.”

Kristine hugged her back and laughed. “I’m the one who asked for the meeting.”

“Still, you’re here and sometimes that’s enough. It’s been a tough week.” Sophie led her into her office where they took seats. “So what’s up?”

Kristine held out a folder, telling herself that even if Sophie hated it, she would have information. A starting point mattered and she valued her cousin’s opinion. Sophie would never hurt her or be mean. She had to trust herself to handle whatever she was told.

“It’s a business plan to open the old Blackberry Island Bakery,” she said. “I want to bake my cookies and brownies there. I’ll continue to sell to the wineries, of course, as well as in the store. I’ll also offer shipping. I’ve researched the price of remodeling the space. I have projected costs and sales figures.”

Sophie smiled. “Look at you. That’s very entrepreneurial.”

“I hope. And just to be clear, I’m not here for money. I’m self-funding. I want to use the inheritance from my grandmother and take fifteen thousand from our line of credit on the house.” She pointed to the folder. “Repaying that line of credit is in my budget, too.”

Something Jaxsen would insist on, she thought. Assuming he agreed to the plan in the first place.

Cart, meet horse, she reminded herself. First, she wanted Sophie’s opinion on the plan. Her cousin had created CK Industries from nothing. If Sophie thought the plan was a good one, then Kristine would approach Jaxsen. Being able to say Sophie thought it was viable would make a difference.

“I want you to look at my plan and tell me if it seems viable and if I forgot anything significant.”

Her cousin opened the folder and flipped through the pages. “I can read this right now, if you want to wait.”

“I’d prefer that.”

“Go get a cup of coffee and come back in twenty minutes.”

Kristine nodded and stepped out into the hall, careful to close Sophie’s door behind her. She glanced at her watch and marked the time, then walked toward what she thought was the break room.

She passed several offices. There were more people working here than the last time she’d stopped by. She spotted Heather typing intently on a computer and smiled. One day Heather was going to rule the world—assuming she ever got off the island and away from Amber.

Kristine realized she hadn’t heard anything about the state of the house sale. Maybe Aunt Sonia had changed her mind.

She walked toward the warehouse and saw that a big eighteen-wheeler had arrived with a delivery. People were busy unloading the truck. A forklift moved pallets wrapped in plastic while in the shipping department, three people were busy filling boxes.

She watched the bustle in the warehouse until the twenty minutes had passed, then returned to Sophie’s office. Her cousin met her at the door and dragged her to her chair.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were so smart?” Sophie returned to her own chair and grinned. “Your plan is great. You’ve thought of everything. You know about business insurance and getting the right inspections. How long have you been working on this?”