"We're like two hours outside of New York City. By car, it takes about as long to drive here for a conference as it does to sit in traffic going into Manhattan," I scoffed. "Besides, I'll pay Josie to do a killer marketing campaign."
"My plate is full," Josie said as she slid another breakfast casserole out of the oven. She motioned to me, and I tossed a piece of popcorn at her. She caught it in her mouth. "That's pretty good."
"It's Jackson Pollock popcorn," I said. Greg looked at me in disgust.
"You know what you could do?" Josie said thoughtfully. "The Harrogate Trust has an art and beautification committee. A few of the girls on the committee are trying to convince the Art Zurich Biennial Expo to choose Harrogate for their big exhibition in a couple years. The Art Zurich Biennial is like the Olympics but for art. There are grants associated with it, and the convention is enormous. But to win the host spot, Harrogate has to show we can handle such a large influx of people. There're a couple more spots on the committee. Maybe you could join up."
"I'm not really a committee person," I said. "I'm a lone wolf."
"Well then, it sounds like you're not really a conference person because that's the only solid plan anyone has put forth for how this conference center isn't going to be an abject failure," Greg snapped.
"You like art. You collect it," Mace cajoled.
I groaned dramatically.
"You need to prove to us Harrogate has a market for large conferences," Hunter warned, "if you want Svensson Investment to give you money for the real estate deal."
Mike looked at Josie. "Do you think Harrogate can win?"
Josie smiled at me. "If Archer's there helping give the entry some pizzazz, I think we might have a good shot. Meetings are at nine in the morning. You should be able to make the one today."
I sighed. "I guess I'll go. I just don't want to get wrapped up in small-town politics."
"Harrogate isn't that small," Mace said. "Besides, it's not the size that counts. It's how you use it." He smirked at Josie.
"Not that anything about you is small," she said, her mouth quirking slightly.
"There are children present, Mace!" I said, clapping my hands dramatically over Henry's ears. He was too interested in the food waiting on the counter to notice.
Josie waved oven mitts at Greg and Hunter and motioned them to each grab a casserole and take it to the dining room.
"Before we worry about the Art Zurich expo," Greg said, "we need to buy the land. The meeting with the city about the factory site is in a couple of days. There won't even be a conference center if Archer blows it."
"I've done hundreds of these types of presentations!" I countered, taking the platter of fruit. "I'm the master of sales pitches."
Greg's phone rang, interrupting my speech. I adjusted the fruit platter, and I helpfully pulled the phone out of his briefcase and glanced at the number.
"It's a Harrogate area code," I told my half brother.
"Put it on speaker. I've been trying to get people to give me more information about the strip mall site since apparently I have to do your work for you now," he said as I followed him into the large dining room. My older brother Remy was already in there, setting out utensils and stacks of plates.
"Hello," Greg called in my direction while he slid the casserole onto the long buffet.
The phone was staticky for a moment, then a woman's voice came on. I recognized her as Hazel, the cute Art Café owner. I tried to keep my expression neutral.
"Hello? I—this is awkward," Hazel said.
"Your name is awkward?" Greg asked, eyes narrowing.
"No, it's Hazel. Uh, you left your card last night?" Mike chortled and clapped a hand over his mouth as Greg took off the oven mitts.
"I'm sorry. Who did you want to speak to?" Greg asked, voice flat. I clapped a hand over my mouth to stop the snickers.
"Um, I'm calling for Donut Danish? Is that you?"
I silently choked on my laughter as a scowl formed on Greg's face.
"This is a private line. I don't appreciate you prank calling me," Greg said in a clipped tone, taking the phone from me.
