Page 77

Byron

I watch Rosey climb into the shuttle bus with a man I’ve never seen before. I know I have no right to feel jealous, but that doesn’t stop it. Who is that guy? He’s older than her, and not a local, but they clearly know each other.

“They’re ready for you now,” Gary calls. “Everyone’s having coffee in the ballroom.”

“The ballroom?” I ask. My head is fuzzy from the number of beers I drank at Grizzly’s last night, but I’m pretty sure I said I wanted this meeting in the Peak Room. I’ve invited some of the people I’ve known the longest in Star Falls for a meeting. I have a proposal for them, and I want to hear their concerns. I owe them that.

“No,” he says. “Not the ballroom. The room adjacent to the ballroom. The one with the views.”

The Peak Room. I pull in a breath and head down. We’ve definitely picked up some more applications from the people of Star Falls since I stopped avoiding town. I don’t know why I stayed away for so long. These people don’t hate me or pity me. They justknowme.

I open the door to find the Peak Room full of around twenty people, coffee cups in their hands, chattering away. No one pays me the slightest bit of attention. I can’t help but smile. There’s not a room in the Colorado Club I’ve walked into and been ignored—not when those rooms are full of people here at my employ. But I like this feeling. It sums up Star Falls. Not one person is more important than anyone else.

I grab a cup of coffee and see Walt coming toward me.

“Hey, man, this place is gorgeous. The views are incredible.”

“You should know. You’ve lived here your whole life.”

He chuckles. “But I don’t know if it’s the windows or the lighting in here or what, but it looks more magical than usual.”

“Same place, different perspective,” I say.

“Right,” he says. “So what’re we all doing here? I know we’re not here for the coffee because, between you and me, Twilight Lattes does a better job.”

I clutch my chest. “You’re killing me.”

“You know you’re only going to get the truth from me,” he says.

“I’m counting on it.” I slap him on the back and clear my throat. “Thank you for coming, everyone,” I say, raising my voice to get everyone’s attention.

People turn toward me, and I gesture for everyone to take a seat. My assistant has set out chairs in a circle. I don’t want to stand at the front of an audience. I’m not of the boss of the people in this room. Some of them have known me since I was born. I can only hope to be their equal.

We take our chairs.

“Beautiful place,” Jim says. “You’ve done yourself proud, Byron.”

“Thanks, Jim,” I mutter. A man like Jim telling me he’s proud of me shouldn’t hit as deep as it does. But it’s as close as it gets to hearing it from a father.

“That one of Juney’s paintings?” he asks, nodding toward one of her canvasses. I hadn’t realized Rosalind decided to put one in here, but it looks good.

“It is.”

He nods, and a smile curls one side of his mouth. He pats me on the back before taking a seat.

“Thanks for giving up your time today. I know you’re all busy. I hope not too busy to come to the party we’re hosting on Monday night.” People murmur amongst themselves.

Donna’s hand shoots straight up. “What’s the dress code for this party?” she asks. “Is it fancy?”

Shit. I should have known that was a question people would have asked. There’s no doubt that in the eyes of the people of Star Falls, the Colorado Club is fancy. Hell, I hope in most people’s eyes it’s fancy.Relaxedfancy, but given the amount I’ve invested in this place… “The dress code for Monday is, if it’s good enough for Grizzly’s, it’s good enough for here.”

Cheers go up, and smiles light up the circle of familiar faces. I’m glad I cleared it up. I’d hate to think people might have stayed away because they didn’t think they could wear their jeans.

“I wanted to bring you all up here today because I know a few of you have been concerned with the way the Club has fenced off the boundary to the property.”

Mumbles around the circle tell me Jim’s not the only one with concerns. “I understand that this is land you’ve all consideredyoursfor your entire lives.”

Nods and rumbles of agreement ripple through the circle.