“Which did you call to talk to me about?”
Carson frowned. “I wish it was my shoulder. Then you could tell me to take it easy, and my problems would be solved. Now you’re going to tell me that you told me so.”
Riley then. “Let me guess. She called Olivia and told her that she doesn’t want me as a boss. Ididtell you that would happen.”
Carson shifted the ice pack on his shoulder. “It’s worse than that. I didn’t tell Olivia I was buying the inn because I wanted to surprise her. I figured she’d want to help me with the renovations. She likes decorating, and it would give us both a reason to spend time in Lark Springs.” Carson sat up a little andwinced. “What I didn’t know was that Riley hoped to buy the place herself someday.”
Lucas nearly choked on a bite of burrito. “Thatisworse.” She’d never told him that she wanted to buy the place. He felt, perhaps irrationally, put out by that fact. Had it been a recent goal or had she just never bothered sharing her long-term aspirations with him?
Well, whatever the case, his brother was likely calling to say he wouldn’t be buying the inn after all.
Lucas tried to make his voice sound consoling and not relieved. “I probably make a better cop than I would a manager, so no worries. This is why I haven’t given my notice yet. I knew things might change.”
“I’m not backing out on the purchase,” Carson said. “Even if I hadn’t made an offer, I doubt Riley would be able to raise the funds to buy the place. The bank wouldn’t consider a twenty-something front desk clerk a good financial risk.”
“She’s the assistant manager.”
Carson scoffed. “Yeah, the assistant manager in a place so small that she doubles as a front desk clerk, the advertising department, the kayaking instructor, and who knows what else. The place loses money every winter and has to depend on a profitable enough summer to make up for that. One bad year could sink it. I can afford to build a conference room and additional guest suites to add more profit in the summer and attract business retreats in the off-season. That’s what the place needs. After I’m done modernizing the inn, Riley’s title of assistant manager will actually mean something.”
Carson stretched his neck to adjust the ice bag. “I explained that to Olivia, and she understands.”
“But?” Lucas asked because there was clearly a but coming in that sentence.
“Riley is still upset. I had to promise her a raise to keep her from quitting. Olivia will never forgive me if her friend ends up bagging groceries because I ruined her dream job. I figured I needed to call you and give you a heads-up. When you become the manager in December, the hostility from Riley isn’t because you’re her ex-boyfriend. It’s because you’re the brother of the new villain in her life.”
Lucas pushed his plate away. “You know, maybe I should just stay with the police force. Facing down armed criminals isn’t so bad.”
“You’ll be fine. I’m sure she appreciates higher pay and more time off.”
Probably not as much as Carson supposed. “Now might be a good time to mention that I pulled over Riley and her date last night. I ended up hauling him downtown. Her appreciation for me is currently pretty low.”
Carson let out a whistle. “Man, I’ve forgotten how everybody is up in everybody else’s business in small towns.” He looked upward, considering for a few moments. “So the transition might be a little rough at first. Just don’t fire her. I promised Olivia that you wouldn’t.”
Meaning that Riley could be horrible to him, and he’d have no recourse. “You can find someone else to be the manager. You must have friends from Lark Springs that would like a reason to come back.”
“Yeah, but then I’d have to listen to Mom complain about your job and all her worries that some night you’ll end up taking a bullet.”
Lucas returned to his burrito. “Mom worries too much.”
“Agreed. But if the town ever decides to name a street Clark Avenue, I want it to be because they love football and not because my little brother died in the line of duty.”
“You don’t have to take Mom’s calls, you know.”
“I need you to be the manager,” Carson said. “I want someone who’s organized, decisive, hard-working, and knows the town inside and out. The stuff about you possibly dying is a secondary concern.”
Somehow that didn’t seem better. “Thanks.”
“Just give it a try,” Carson said. “If you hate managing the inn, I’m sure the police department will take you back. But my guess is you’ll like having a less stressful, higher-paying job.”
“You think working with my bitter ex-girlfriend is going to be less stressful?”
“Higher paying then. Remember not to fire her.”
“I’ll write myself a memo.”
“Good. Everything will be fine.”
Yeah, if you definedfineas a state of constantly wanting to grind your teeth. Lucas thought about turning down the job, more insistently this time. It was the smart thing to do. The words were on the tip of his tongue.