Garth (Bentley Legacy #6)
        Author: Kathi S. Barton

        
          
        
         
Chapter 1



Garth watched the ticker tape that ran across the top of his laptop. He was waiting for the magical number that would make him money. Well, magical for him, he supposed. Most would find what he did boring. He supposed in a way it was, but numbers and making money were his passion.

When the stocks he was looking at fell to the number he'd been waiting for, he bought the nine thousand shares that were being offered. Closing his computer, feeling pretty good about himself, he looked around the diner. As usual, it was packed.

He was proud of his family. They had decided to pay some things forward and a great many people were benefiting from it. Not just with the diner, which mostly catered to vets down on their luck as well as some of the homeless around town, but there was also the antique store, Barron and Bentley Antiques, the restaurant simply called Bentley's they all had a hand in, and Faerie Tales and Dreams, the nursery and gift shop. All the shops and places were working hard to make sure the townspeople had a paycheck if they wanted it, and a reference on their resume for those that hadn't had a paying job for a very long time and wanted to get back into the workforce.

Shane sat down across from him and smiled. He loved this kid. Being his uncle was wonderful, but Garth was also his friend, along with his brother, Walter's. Garth asked him what was happening.

"Did you know that there's this building downtown that is empty?" He nodded. Garth told him there were a lot of buildings empty, but filling up. "They are. But I'm talking about the one next to the mill. The big one that looks like it's been empty for a long time."

"The Spencer building. When I was a kid, they used to manufacture cardboard boxes. Mr. Spencer was a good man, but a terrible businessman. I think he lost everything when he tried to sell his boxes cheap to undercut the bigger companies." Shane nodded. "And why do you have an interest in that particular place? I own it, by the way."

"Yes, I know you own it. I was wondering if you'd let me borrow it for a little while. It'll look better when I'm done. I have a plan." Garth asked him what it was. "My teacher said that I needed to take on a civic duty project. I asked him what that might be, and he told me there needs to be some sort of action that makes an improvement to the city itself. It doesn't have to be big, just a clean-up thing. There are a couple of people in my class that said they'd work with me on it."

"And these other people, are they really going to work with you, or are they just saying that so you'll do all the footwork? I don't mean to be crass, but you told me most of them are lazy and do little to nothing when it comes to classwork." Shane flushed brightly and Garth changed the subject back. "Okay, what sort of plans do you have for this place afterward? Ones that might benefit the community, I get that, but how?"  

"Okay. There is an antique shop, bakery, restaurant, florist, as well as a couple of new shops going in the downtown area. What we don't have is a clothing store, and I don't mean new expensive things, but used … in good condition, but gently used." Garth liked where this was going. "It would be a permanent place, if you let me, where people could come in and sell off items. You know, not enough for a garage sale, but too nice to just toss out."

"There was a shop in town where I went to college. They would take old bridesmaid and prom dresses, clean them up, and resell them to kids. I think they did a booming business." Shane said that was his plan. "So, how is this a civic duty? And that's not to say I don't like it, but I'm sure someone along the line will ask."

"All the money would go for food baskets that are given away at Christmas. Buying turkeys and vegetables, as well as some warm coats for kids." Garth loved that idea, and it would help with the community. "When the Taylor family lost their home, everyone scrambled around trying to get them a fresh start. Old couches were donated, beds, and linens. I think you and I could use this place as a way to stock up on those things. Have them cleaned up and covered in the event that someone needs something."

"I'm in, but I'd like to be your partner on this. I mean, this was totally your idea for the store, and I want to help with that part of it." Shane looked like he wasn't going to buy that. "Once this project is complete for your teacher, then you and I will put out the word this place is here. After that, I'm sure you can have as much family as you need to help you."