Page 13 of Into the Lion's Den (Secrets of the Northland Shifters)

Of course, we’d be doing even better once we learned who’d killed our father. But without any leads, vengeance was denied. At the very least, delayed.

Joe’s gaze shifted to the lodge’s front porch, then up to the roof as if he were assessing how long this ship would stay afloat without his best friend at the helm. “Got the business under control, then?”

“All’s well,” I assured him. “Fishing opener is next week. That’ll get the season off to a good start.”

“Same group as in past years?” Joe glanced toward the stables.

“If it ain’t broke, why fix it?”

Joe nodded, then refocused his eyes on me. “It’ll be rough without the old man, but I’m rooting for you kids. If you need any help…”

I didn’t respond, doubting the beast’s ability not to vocalize its resentment to Joe’s insinuation.I was alpha of this family and in my mid-thirties. I was nokid, and I didn’t need his help.

Joe hooked his thumbs in his front pockets. “How about the rest of the summer? Got a packed schedule?”

I took a calming breath, then lied. “Mostly. Why? You looking to book?”

“No.” Joe fought off a smile, then looked at the ground. He pushed his hands into his pockets before looking up again. “Listen, Reese… I’m not sure what you’ll think about this, but since I’m here, you should be aware of an opportunity that’s come up.”

I jerked my head to the side. “What opportunity are we talking about?”

“There’s a group of investors from Thunder Bay.” Joe shifted his weight, then looked off in the direction of the driveway. “They’re land developers. I’m working with them on a golf course in Ely, but they do condominiums, hotels, restaurants… The works.”

“How is that an opportunity for us?”

Joe looked back at me, and his jaw muscle clenched. “They’re looking to buy land around here.”

Now I understood. “We’re not interested in selling.”

“Oh, I know.” Joe held up his hands as if he were surrendering. “Don’t shoot the messenger, because that’s what I told them. I told them no fucking way were you kids going to sell this place so soon after Tony…”

“That’s right,” I said.

“But…you should know. Your dad thought about selling from time to time. If he were alive, he’d want to at least hear about this.”

I folded my arms. I’d never heard Dad mention selling. But then, it wasn’t like he’d been good about keeping me in the loop when it came to business operations.

Up until this season, my siblings and I had been content to play the social hosts, manage the horses, and groom the trails for snowshoers and cross-country skiers. I was still trying to make sense of Dad’s odd accounting system.

“So…I just thought I’d let you know,” Joe said. “That kind of financial freedom could be good for you kids and…just so you know…I’m not the only one in the area they’ve contacted. There’s already talk in town about all the jobs a big development would bring in. I didn’t want you to hear about it from somebody else and be caught off guard.”

“Okay. You told me. Thanks.”

Joe smiled. “Like I said, I didn’t think you’d be interested. And frankly, on a personal note, I’d hate to see you kids pack up and leave.”

“Well, then you’re in luck.”

Joe’s smile widened. “Hopefully that good luck sticks with me all day. I hear the winner of the longest drive gets a bottle of Maker’s Mark. We could all break it open and drink a toast to your dad. His birthday’s coming up.”

“That’d be nice.”

“All right.” Joe opened the door to his Lexus. “See you soon. Got to go light up the course.” He grabbed his bright purple golf shirt between his thumb and forefinger and gave it a flick.

“Try not to blind anyone,” I said, doing my best to lighten the mood even though his suggestion still rankled.

“Not making any promises.” Joe slipped behind the wheel and closed the door. Then, giving me a wave, he headed out.

When I turned toward the lodge, Sarah was on her way outside with Toby.

---