Page 76 of One Big Little Secret

I don’t meet his gaze again.

It’s just easier.

“I’ll have the notes from Evelyn back to you by Monday,” I say. “Plus, more data from The Cardinal surveys. If you’d like, I can get a start on researching the northern Minnesota markets…”

“As long as it doesn’t ruin your weekend.” He nods, accepting the shift back to work. “I appreciate it, Salem.”

“Mr. Rory?” Arlo says. “Can we have chocolate now?”

“Sure, kid.” Patton gives Arlo a smile and opens the car door. A burst of glorious heat greets us. Like any decent newer vehicle, he was able to remote start the heater. “But we have to drink it outside, okay? Those seats hate sticky stuff.”

I accept my cup gratefully after Patton pours one for each of us. I sip slowly as I listen to Patton and Arlo talking about superheroes.

Nice Patton came with his best game today.

If only I could decide if Nice Patton is really worse than Grumpybutt.

Patton catches my eye and smiles while Arlo continues a long lecture on the virtues of Spider-Man, who had it rough from the start because he was bitten by a spider.

Yep.

Nice Patton is definitely worse.

At least with boss Grumpybutt, I know where I stand, even if the view sucks and the service is rotten.

Nice Patton, he’s infinitely scarier.

Dealing with him is a blind bet on the unknown.

Everything I’ve been running away from ever since the day little Arlo was born.

10

POKER FACE (PATTON)

It takes me a full week to get Archer and Dexter together for a meeting about Evelyn’s proposal.

She sent everything over in an email so we could scope out the precise location.

Even then, Dex is easily distracted, tapping away on his phone. What the hell has marriagedoneto my uptight ass of a brother?

I clap my hands in his face.

“Focus,” I tell him. “I brought you guys in today so we could make a big decision. Evelyn deserves an answer sooner rather than later, whatever we decide.”

Dexter gives me an annoyed grin. I barely recognize this man. It’s like the work-obsessed demon that once possessed him has crawled into me instead.

“Okay, fine,” he says, drumming his fingers on the table. At least that hasn’t changed. “So she wants us to invest in one or two properties? The lakefront places?”

“Three cabins, technically. She needs funds to refurbish them, so she’s effectively asking for us to shoulder the cost up front. She also wants a one-time use fee. Future payments will besplit between her as retirement income and paying us back for the renovations.”

“And you’re okay with this?” Archer grumbles, pulling at his grey-shot beard. “That’s a damn big investment up front on our part. Even for a family friend.”

“The question is, do we think this market is worth it? I have a few answers.” I bring up Salem’s notes on my laptop, neatly typed and organized, scanning them again. “Preliminary research indicates thereisa clear opportunity here. Traffic to the north shore is at all-time highs. Waterfront properties are booming, even for cabin purchases and such. There aren’t enough rentals to go around, and high-end options are practically nonexistent outside Duluth.”

I pull up the graphs Salem compiled showing Minnesota tourism and project it on the screen so they can see. I give them a minute to look it over.

“Can’t see much downside, even if it will cost us a fair chunk of money to buy in,” Dexter says. “We’re also in a strong position. With The Cardinal off to a solid start, and first quarter revenues looking strong, where’s the harm in expansion?”

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