Page 64 of One Big Little Secret

“That bad? Even with the last snowstorm?” Salem accepts the tea and sits.

“Bless your heart, no. That wasn’t anything like back home. There, you can step outside and watch your breath freeze before you lose it in the blizzard.” She laughs and sips her tea. “But where were we, anyway?”

“Wherever you’d like to start. Take us away,” I urge, slurping my own tea.

We all gather our thoughts and drink for a moment. It’s good to let the air settle first, and Salem clearly has the right idea. She’s more composed than she has been all morning as she enjoys the tea.

“Now,” Evelyn starts, her tone changing slightly, “coming here does help break up the winter. It’s my third since Walt—my late husband, dearie—passed away.”

“I’m sorry to hear it,” Salem says.

Evelyn’s eyes drift to the succulents in the corner.

“You are such a sweetheart. He was such an avid gardener. He spent his whole life running a chain of gardening stores. Why, I’d have to pry him away sometimes for a nice spring trip to Vegas. The miracles he worked in our home garden—we’d have vegetables all winter—oh, and the greenhouse! You should have seen it. All those bright flowers and fruits and herbs. I miss them dearly.”

Salem’s fingers tighten around her mug. “But I’m sure his memory lives on in the flowers.”

“Oh, yes, it certainly does.” She clears her throat and looks back at me. “But you’re here for a reason, and I won’t waste more of your time. The thing is—frankly, I read about Higher Ends taking off. I really admire what you boys have done, and in such a short time, too. It’s a credit to the good head on your shoulders. Delly never gets tired of mentioning it, shameless brag that she is.”

I smile.

“Thanks. We try,” I say.

Honestly, the compliments aren’t much different from the usual spiel I get with everyone else looking to work with us. Lofty praise first, then demands.

“I’ve wondered for some time—although you understand I’ve been very taken up since my sweet Walt passed away—if you could strike gold in the Minnesota market. Luxury rentals could make akillingon the lakes, especially in the summer. The property values are unbelievable. Just imagine, cabins with all the convenience of a hotel, but fully independent, leaving you free to entertain yourself as you wish. Boating and barbecuing and walking. You pick your poison.”

“Yes, I’m sure you have to live it up while it’s warm with the winters you’ve got,” I tell her. “I’d guess everything shuts down in the colder months?”

“Ah, but winter is livelier than you’d think. You’ve heard about the ski towns up north? Lutsen and Grand Marais and such? God, they get buried every winter, but the young, adventurous types do love it. I know my skiers, Patton. They adore luxury and convenience without anything too fussy or crowded. Theywantwhat you could offer.”

My gut twists, momentarily lost for words.

I have to admit, on paper, it doesn’t sound terrible.

“Not to mention the fact that these towns are such tourist traps,” she continues. “The market isenormousif you target theright areas. And as a native, I know precisely where you could focus your attention. When Walt was around, we used to spend so much of our offseason tromping around up there in small towns. Summers were too busy to do anything with the seasonal business, you see, so we lived like winter birds. The choice was bundle up and explore, or spend half the winter in casinos, losing our money.”

Salem glances at me.

I know she’s thinking the same thing I am—there’s unexpected potential here.

But right now, it’sjustpotential.

We can’t get carried away.

“If this all sounds crazy, tell me this instant. You know I won’t take offense,” she rushes out. “But is it, Patton? Could you ever dream of committing to a new market far from home?”

“It’s not as simple as purely committing,” I say slowly. “There may be something here, but we have a process for market research. We need to cross-check competition, explore the history, the tourism traffic reports, for this sort of offering. Especially when it’s, as you say, a little far flung from our home turf.”

“Of course, of course.” She nods her head briskly. “I wouldn’t dare expect you to sign away your life at this little meeting. You’re a businessman, after all, the same with all of you talented boys.”

I try not to smile at the unintended patronizing note in her voice.

That’s what happens when you’re dealing with a woman who’s known you since you were born.

“I’ll speak to Dexter and Archer. If they’re willing and the research looks promising, it might be worthwhile to pilot a single property or two. However, I can’t make any definite promises today.”

“Yes, I understand! Well, dearie, if that’s even in the cards…” Evelyn lets her voice trail away and sets her mug down firmly. “Truth be told, my lovely Walt inherited several gorgeous lake properties I simply haven’t had the heart to sell.”

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