I knew him. Gabe was doing this to get his precious polo and do away with the trail rides and horsemanship classes. But people didn’t come to a mountain resort in the West for polo; they came for a ranch-like experience.
Turning down a side hallway, I headed toward my office, slowing my pace as my brother approached.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in. Partying too late with that tight piece of ass last night?” Gabe sniped.
My back molars gnashed together as I struggled to ignore his comment. Letting him bait me the other day had been a mistake. The more Gabe knew something was a trigger for me, the more he went for it.
I kept my face a blank mask. “Actually, I’m just returning from a meeting with Juliana.”
Annoyance flickered across Gabe’s expression. “Why are you wasting your time there? We’ll be getting rid of her altogether soon.”
“The stables aren’t getting the support they need, but I’ll make sure that changes. Juliana and I came up with a lot of great ideas. Horseback camping trips, a camp for kids, maybe even having a horse whisperer come and speak.”
A muscle in Gabe’s cheek fluttered. “Dad likes my polo idea.”
“Polo is for the Hamptons or Florida, not here. The stables have always been the heart of this place, and we don’t want to lose that.”
I couldn’t handle losing it. Not when it was one of Clara’s favorite places.“Don’t you just feel at peace here? It’s like a little bit of heaven right here on Earth.”
Gabe’s eyes narrowed. “How the hell would you know what’s important to The Peaks? You’re never here.”
He said it as if it were my choice. As if I’d bailed on my family.
“Dad sent me back east. It wasn’t my choice.”
Gabe scoffed. “Sure. Like you didn’t prime him for that because you knew I wanted the New York properties.”
My eyes flared. I’d always thought Gabe had wanted The Peaks because he knew how important it was to our father. I’d had no idea he wanted to be in New York. “I didn’t know. I thought you were happy here.”
He rolled his eyes. “Bumfuck middle of nowhere versus Manhattan? Like that’s a choice. Don’t play all innocent and ‘I care about you.’ I know it’s an act. Dad’s going to give me control when he retires, and I’m not letting you fuck that up.”
Gabe took off, shoulder-checking me as he passed.
I didn’t move for a moment. Couldn’t. It was as if the weight of all the distance and mistrust between my brother and me settled over me. I’d hoped that things would ease with time. Get better. But I wasn’t so sure this could be fixed.
My hand slipped into my pocket, seeking the little piece of metal that always grounded me. The way I’d once let Grae ground me in tumultuous times.
“Everything okay, sir?”
I blinked, taking in the bellhop. “Yes. Sorry. Just lost in my thoughts.”
He smiled at me. “I know how that is. Just let me know if you need anything.”
I nodded and headed in the direction of my office. Jalen was at his desk, fingers flying across the keys, but he paused as I approached. He winced. “The meeting went that bad?”
I shook my head. “Run-in with Gabe. The meeting was good.”
A mixture of empathy and concern filled Jalen’s face. “You going to be okay?”
“I’ll deal. There’s not really another choice, is there?”
Jalen’s mouth pressed into a firm line, but he nodded, not speaking whatever was on his mind.
“I’m going to get some things in place for staffing at the stables. Can you pull up their budget for me?”
“I’ll send it to your email.”
“Thanks.” I headed into my office, shutting the door behind me.
