The ridiculous old Western movie phrase “this town ain’t big enough for the two of us” leaped into Cole’s mind. He felt like he was six years old again, arguing over who got first dibs with their favorite Lego set. But this was his brother. Cole had learned as a kid that all he had to do was wait and Shep would get bored and move on to the next shiny toy.
Somehow Shep had gotten a burr up his backside to mess with Cole again, just when things were starting to feel like a decent fit. Cole wondered if it was that twin spidey sense at work. Shep had somehow recognized Cole’s contentment and decided it was high time to crash it.
“Welcome to Crimson,” Cole said, making his tone casual. “Folks around here are thrilled the resort’s going to open again. It’ll mean more jobs for locals and an influx of tourist dollars that the town can always use. A lot of people will be counting on you.”
Shep blanched but didn’t respond. He’d never been one for responsibility, and Cole knew it.
“You still have my cell number?”
“Yeah, I’ve got it.”
“Give me a call later.” Cole flashed a quick smile. “I’ll introduce you to Jase Crenshaw, Crimson’s mayor. I’m sure he’ll want you involved in the local business owners’ association right away.”
“Sure,” Shep agreed, but his voice wavered the tiniest bit.
“Do you have a general contractor lined up?”
Shep stared at him for a long moment, as if he couldn’t quite figure out why Cole had changed tactics. Finally he said, “We have plans. Big ones.”
“I bet.”
“It’s not a joke.”
“I’m not laughing.” Cole gestured to the darkened lodge. “I gather you’re not staying here.”
“Not yet,” Shep admitted. “There’s some work to do before the place is habitable again. And I have other...commitments right now.”
“What’s your time frame?”
“Six months.”
“Are you joking? You’ll never get things going again in that amount of time.”
Shep bristled, as if Cole doubting him was a physical blow. “We’re farther along than you think.”
Cole ran a hand through his hair. “Why didn’t you contact me earlier?”
“I like surprises,” Shep said, his smirk firmly back in place.
“Don’t cause trouble. This town means something to me, and I won’t have you stirring things up around here.”
“You sure do know how to make a man feel welcome. It warms my heart. Really.”
Cole shook his head, both unable and unwilling to bridge the distance between him and his brother. “I’ll see you later, Shep,” he said and walked away.
* * *
Sienna heard a crash, then another, coming from the kitchen as she walked down the inn’s staircase the next morning.
It was too early for construction workers, so she hurried toward the sound, calling out to Paige as she did.
She found the innkeeper grabbing pans and metal bowls from the pantry and slamming them onto the counter.
“Everything okay?”
“Coffee in the pot and French toast casserole on the stove,” Paige said, her frenetic movements not stopping. “Do you want fresh squeezed orange juice to go with it?”
“Paige.” Sienna put a hand on her friend’s arm. “What are you doing?”
