Page 10 of Snowed In With the Maverick
“Now that,” said Daniel, wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin, “is a burger. Sometimes I have to remind myself that our family does good work.”
“No doubt,” said Seth, after taking the last bite of his own. He took a sip from his soda, and glanced around the Silver Spur Café, which was moderately quiet towards the end of the lunch rush. “But explain to me why a local business wouldn’t support the smaller local ranches. Like Mike’s family’s business.”
“Some do,” said Daniel, dipping his last French fry in the ketchup puddle on his plate. “Like the Grizzly Bar. This place buys Taylor Beef. Helps with their overhead, I’m sure.”
Seth considered. It made sense, given that Tenacity residents were likely on the more cost-conscious side. While the product being sold by Triple T was of high quality, the scale of production meant that they could offer it at a much better price than local providers. It was something Seth knew Daniel was working on with the O’Connor family.
Their waitress approached the table. “Anything else I can get you two? Dessert? We’ve got an amazing chocolate mousse pie today.”
“Just the bill, please,” Seth said, waving away Daniel as he reached for his wallet. “You up for a walk?”
Daniel glanced at his watch. “I told Mike I’d be back in half an hour. So a quick one, sure.”
After paying the bill, Seth and his brother exited the warm diner to Central Avenue. The sun was out but the air carried no warmth, a reminder that winter’s heavy hand was poised to cover the landscape in white.
Seth surveyed the town’s businesses. Most of the storefronts were operational, but every four or five doors, a unit sat empty, waiting for a new occupant to serve the residents of Tenacity. Some might see failure, but Seth only saw potential.
“You’ve gone quiet. What are you thinking about?” Daniel said.
“Just imagining what this place could be,” said Seth. “It’s a great little town. Just needs some sprucing up.”
“Careful who you say that to,” Daniel said. “A lot of people around here are proud of this place, just as is.”
“I can’t imagine any of them would object to increased revenue for their businesses. More jobs. Better parks, sidewalks, public spaces.”
“Sure,” said Daniel. “But there’s always a compromise. More traffic. Environmental impacts. Change in the local culture.”
“You don’t think it’s a good idea?”
“I didn’t say that. I just think it’s abigidea.”
Seth considered. It was a big project. And he’d need his brother’s help to see it through. Or at least his affirmation that it had potential, given how much better he knew the area after spending so much time in Mike’s hometown.
“Anyway, I met with a paleontologist,” he said. “She’s the one who bought that ranch out on Five Point Road. We’re going tomorrow to see the site where the bones were found. She’s… She’s really smart. I’ll see what her sense is.”
He looked over at Daniel to find his brother giving him a knowing look. “Really smart, huh?” Daniel said. “Or is there another reason you seem distracted today?”
“You’re an idiot,” Seth said. His brother, as always, had a keen sixth sense for what was going on in his mind. “She didn’t seem too keen on it, actually. Or maybe I said something that rubbed her the wrong way.”
“Why are you so sure about that?”
“I don’t know. I guess because I’m Thaddeus Taylor’s son. It’s in my blood.”
“So am I. What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing,” Seth said. “Forget about it.”
“Anyway, there are lots of other experts in this state. If it’s not her, I’m sure you’ll find someone else.”
But Seth didn’t want anyone else. He wanted Andrea Spence. He’d spent less than an hour of his life with the woman and had a nagging feeling that she was going to be instrumental in the project. She was highly intelligent, there was no question about that. But more than her smarts, the spark in her eyes when sharing her knowledge about paleontology told him that her fascination with prehistory mirrored his, in a way that felt like he could have more than just a consultant in her, but a partner.
“Just an idea at this point,” Seth said, but noticed that Daniel was waving at someone just down the street.
“Hey, Nina,” Daniel said.
“Nina,” said Seth. He’d met Nina once before, and knew that she was Luca’s sister. Nina was engaged to Barrett Deroy Jr., whom he’d gotten to know recently through Mike. Barrett was a good guy and had some influence around town. Seth knew he was working to establish a fund meant to promote Tenacity’s growth, so he was another one he’d need to get on side with if the park had a chance of moving forward.
“I had lunch the other day with Tenacity’s newest resident,” Nina said, grinning. “She seems pretty great. She’s helping us with the auction fundraiser for the Holiday Hoedown. I told her Taylor Beef might be good for a donation.”
