Riley had depended on Olivia being just as horrified by the aesthetic as she was. Her words twisted in Riley’s stomach. “But it will look bad. Doesn’t the artist in you hate that?”
“The artist, yes. But the rest of me understands the financial side of the situation. As it is, we won’t see a return on those renovations for years.”
“Then why not wait on the new addition?”
“Because if Carson doesn’t expand, there’s a higher chance someone else will come in and build another upscale hotel nearby. But he’s going to ask the architect what small changes he can make that will help the designs mesh better. People won’t see the new wing from the front, so the inn will still have the same picturesque look from that angle. Guests will love the new rooms from the inside. The building just won’t look as pretty from the back. That’s not such an awful thing, is it?”
Yes, it was. “It will end up hurting business,” Riley said because apparently Carson was only going to respond to the financial side of things.
“Let’s see what changes the architect comes up with. I’ll have Lucas show them to you once they’re done.” She was wrapping up the subject, and with all of her wedding preparations, she probably wouldn’t think about it again until February. Would that be too late for serious plan changes?
“What if Carson got another investor? He works with a bunch of rich guys. Wouldn’t one of them like to adopt a needy Montana inn?”
“I don’t know how much he talks to his teammates about investments.”
“Hear me out. He can tell them that he won’t hit them so hard in practice if they throw a hundred thousand dollars his way.”
“That’s not how practice works.”
Riley needed a new approach. “Remember how you offered to set me up with one of Carson’s friends to be my wedding date? I’ve decided I want that. He doesn’t have to be handsome, just wealthy and easily influenced.”
Olivia’s voice took on a panicked tone. “Riley, you absolutely can’t hit up any of Carson’s friends for money at my wedding.”
Some of Carson’s teammates would be staying at the inn. They might enjoy the place so much that they saw the value in it. “For all you know, a few of them are looking for investments. They might be happy to see the business plan I’m clearly going to need to create before your wedding.”
“No.” Olivia’s voice went low with a warning. “I’m already worried that they’ll judge me because of my poor roots, dysfunctional family, and alcoholic father. I can’t worry that my bridesmaid is pressuring them for money. My white-trash bingo card has enough spaces on it, thank you.”
It wasn’t like that. “Once they see the inn, the idea will sell itself. Have you thought about having your wedding at The Riverside? There are some great photo ops by the fireplace.”
“We’re having it at the church, and you aren’t even allowed to mention the inn to anyone.”
It had been a mistake for Riley to talk to Olivia about getting another investor. Riley should’ve just waited until the wedding and mentioned the subject when Carson’s friends were around.
“It was just an idea,” Riley said. “A good idea but apparently hopeless. Just like the inn.” She just kept losing more of The Riverside Inn. Pretty soon it wouldn’t even be the same place. Her throat felt tight. She was glad Olivia couldn’t see her face and tell how upset all of this was making her.
She was powerless to keep Carson’s architect from ruining her second home.
“The inn isn’t hopeless.” Olivia’s voice went softer. “It will still be a lovely place, no matter what additions the architect makes.”
Olivia didn’t understand. Perhaps she couldn’t. As a high school art teacher, she’d never been sentimentally attached to her workspace. One classroom was like another. The inn was unique, classic, and beautiful.
Carson might feel differently about bringing on one of his friends as an investor, but Riley wouldn’t be able to call him and talk to him about that, or Olivia would be upset with her for going behind her back.
However, that didn’t mean Riley couldn’t casually bring up the idea to Carson when he returned to Lark Springs for the wedding. Olivia couldn’t be mad if Carson was the one to talk to his friends about investing in the place.
“When will the architect have his updated plans to you?” Riley asked.
“He won’t start work on them for a couple of weeks.”
Good. Between that and the time it took to get building permits from the city, Riley had some time before anyone took a wrecking ball to the place.
CHAPTER 13
Lucas had known working with Riley would be difficult at first. He’d assumed the hard part would be dealing with her coldness and the determined indifference she’d wielded like a shield since their breakup. He’d thought that if he could thaw out that side of her, things would get easier.
Turned out that dealing with the Ice Queen version of Riley was the easy part. That Riley was easier not to think about.
Seeing her relaxed and smiling again brought to mind their history. They used to have inside jokes, secrets, and meaningful looks they shot each other. He used to be able to take her hand in his any time he wanted, and her face would light up when she saw him.