Suddenly everything was chaos. Guests tried to nab the terrified cat, knocking into tables, rattling cutlery. A couple of kids joined the chase, laughing up a storm. Mr. Mistoffelees howledin fear, attempting to climb the bookshelf. By the time Cat finally rescued him, she looked a little haggard. “Everything’s okay,” she announced to the room, kissing Mr. Mistoffelees on the head. “He just doesn’t like the sound of the coffee grinder. Everyone go about your business.”
Thankfully, Jo had moved on to a new topic of interrogation, having seemingly forgotten what she was going to say before.
“So, Locke,” she said. “A little birdie told me you’re in the market for the old MacRae distillery.”
“And which birdie would this be?” Locke asked playfully. “Let me guess, Angela?”
“We go way back,” Jo said, waving him off. It wasn’t a surprise. Jo knew everyone. Of course she knew Locke’s estate agent. “I’m sure the entire town would be interested to hear what Fraser Developments has in store for the land should the sale swing your way.”
“Is this an interview for the paper?” Locke teased.
Jo rubbed at her chin. “It can be. If I’m getting an inside scoop.”
“How about just a few words between friends?”
I bit my lip. Phrasing it that way might keep it out of the paper, but there was no way anything he told her was staying just between them, and we both knew it.
“My hope is actually to build a luxury hotel and spa.”
“Really?” Jo said, clicking her tongue. “And you think that’s what Braeburn needs more than a factory?”
“Absolutely,” Locke said, passion creeping into his voice. “The town needs a business that can bring stability and longevitywithout disrupting the natural order. The hotel brings the best of both worlds. It provides local jobs, increases tourism to the area, but also preserves more of the natural habitat, making sure it’s available to be seen and appreciated for generations to come.”
Jo hummed, intrigued.
“Preserving the space my mother loved so much is really important to us,” I added.
A smile flitted across Jo’s face. “I remember your mother and her paintings. Aileen always did have a gift for capturing the natural beauty of a place. It’s no wonder her art touched people around the world. She’d be really proud to hear what you’re both trying to do.”
Emotion surged through me momentarily, and I fought off the pressure behind my eyes.
“Jo!” Cat called from the counter, “I’ve got that scone you wanted. Sorry it took so long. I didn’t expect to have an escape attempt.”
Jo turned away for a beat, collecting her plate from Cat.
Locke tugged on my arm, his eyes wide. “Your mother is Aileen MacRae?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Well, you said she was an artist, but I didn’t realize she wasfamous. Like, one of the great-modern-Scottish-artists famous. I’ve bid on her stuff for some of my properties before.” He shook his head. “Wait, is that waterfall painting in the lobby of the inn one of hers?”
“It’s probably my favorite that she ever did,” I told him.
“That’s what made me want to buy the property in the first place. The way you talked about that painting.” His brow lifted, impressed. “That kind of beauty really is something more people should get to experience.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying.”
“No, I mean it,” he said, excited and surprisingly sincere. “If I get the property, I intend to bring in a proper landscape architect who will ensure the grounds are properly preserved. Maybe Kate Orff or Michel Desvigne.”
I had no idea who they were, but they sounded expensive. “You’d do that? It wasn’t part of our deal.”
“I know,” he said. “But I want to make sure we’re taking care of the land in the right way. A way that would have made your mother proud.”
I didn’t know what to say.
Jo returned to the conversation. “So, you think the hotel could be very impactful for Braeburn?”
“I do,” Locke said, sipping his Americano. “And I think that value goes beyond just adding some jobs to the area. I want to invest in Braeburn’s prosperity for the coming years. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle, where people of means come to town for the resort, which leads to them getting to know Braeburn and seeing its charms, which leads to more people coming—helping the bottom line of the resort but also the businesses in town, who’ll get their share of the tourist dollars. A rising tide lifts all boats.”
