Micky sucked down nearly half in one go. “So I heard today some guys are checking out the old train tracks.”
Charlie’s brows drew together in puzzlement. “Why?”
Micky shrugged. “To bury them? To tear them out?”
Noah’s pulse picked up speed. “They can’t!” When Charlie turned his baffled expression on Noah, Noah steamed ahead. “They’re part of this town’s history.”
Micky wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Maybe, but they’re not exactly useful. The days of hauling ore from the mines down to Durango are long gone. Besides, they’re a hazard in some spots, and it’s not like they’re gonna start that thing up again.”
The rail company had been waffling on their tracks for decades. They pickednowto do something about them?
“But they could,” Noah argued. Micky and Charlie exchanged skeptical glances. “I’ve had this idea for a while. What if they revived the train and turned it into a luxury ride that brings folks to the mountains? A Colorado experience, complete with a dining car, cocktails, that kind of thing. Think what that could do for Fall River! More tourists would bring more business and pump more money into the town. We preserve a piece of history, and Fall River gets the shot in the arm it needs.”
Charlie quirked an eyebrow, signaling his interest. “That’s a huge project, and it would take a ton of capital.”
“Which is why I’m planning to meet with the Silver Summit developers. It would help their resort too, and they have the deep pockets to restore the train. Not to mention, you’d probably get to fix up the depot.”
Micky snorted. “Yeah, and you’d be doing Dell’s a fucking fat favor.”
Simply hearing the rival bar’s name had Noah’s jaw clenching. “How so?”
“His place is closer to the depot, so tourists would stop there first—especially after he’s done with all that renovation he’s got going. Being on Bowen Street might not be an advantage then, dude.”
Noah fought an urge to knock the smug smirk from Micky’s face. Fortunately, Charlie jumped into the fray. “The only reason that jackass Aspen lawyer is spiffing up Dell’s is to spite Noah. He’s still pissed the previous owner of this building wouldn’t sell to him—”
“Because he’s a jackass Aspen attorney who’s originally from New York,” Noah interrupted. Noah had bought the building from the heir of a mining family that went back almost as far as the Hunnicutts, and he’d gotten it at a discount because that owner hated the idea of selling to an out-of-stater who acted like his shit didn’t stink.
“Exactly,” Charlie agreed. “He’s going to do everything he can to drive a spike in your business, train or no train.”
“He already tried, or did you forget the bogus petitions he filed to get my permits revoked?”
“How could I forget? I sat on the council when they threatened to fine him for being a dick. And by the way, after all that shit he stirred up aboutyourbuilding, it seems his contractor—coincidentally out of Aspen and with the same last name—has the balls to pull all kinds of nonsense that’s got the building inspector really hot. Treats the guy like he’s a total rube.” Charlie took a gulp of his beer. “Any way you slice it, though, nothing’s going to help Dell’s if they serve the same shit food. People will walk the extra block. Hell, they’ll walk the extra block to see the rest of the town, and all of it’s on Bowen.”
While Charlie and Micky bandied about the merits of Fall River’s eateries, Noah’s mind flipped through possibilities. He could be on the ground floor of something truly transformational for the town. He needed to contact the Silver Summit guys and convince them to collaborate. Maybe he could offer Wyatt’s celebrity status to sweeten the pot. The resortlovedcatering to pro athletes, and as long as his cousin Wyatt’s PR person, Serena—who also happened to be his very pregnant wife—approved, Wyatt would go along with any campaigns they came up with.
As Micky finished his beer, his phone chimed. “Huh,” he grunted. “Guess I need to get home to the old ball and chain.”
“You’re an asshole,” Noah chided.
Genuine surprise flashed in Micky’s eyes. “Where do you get off giving me shit for that?”
“You’re lucky Amy ever gave you the time day, dude,” Charlie threw in.
Noah tipped his glass toward his brother. “What he said. If you don’t treat her right, I know about a dozen other guys who’ll be happy to take over—including him.”
Charlie jabbed a thumb against his chest. “Me?”
“Work with me here,” Noah mumbled.
Micky shook his head. “Who out of the three of us has someone waiting at home, huh? I look around, and I only see me.” He slammed the glass on the bar top. “So fuck the both ofyouassholes.”
“Hey, you’re welcome for the beer, jerk-off,” Charlie called out to Micky’s back. Micky answered with his middle finger. Charlie turned back to Noah. “Remind me to never buy him a drink again.”
“Yeah. I wasn’t sure why you did in the first place, though my banker and I thank you. If Micky paid me for all the drinks he owes me, I could take the rest of the month off.”
Charlie arched a skeptical eyebrow.
“Multiply him by a few people, and it’s not too far off. Why is it people think that because you went to school together you owe them free stuff?”
