Mom shrugged. “I’ve always known she’s been special to you. I’m just glad you two finally figured out whatever was keeping you apart.”
“Can we quit wasting time over this? You’re acting like Caden finally getting into a relationship is the second coming.”
My mom frowned at him. “I don’t think being happy for your brother is wasting time.”
“He’s just going to fuck it up. Caden doesn’t take anything seriously. So don’t go planning the wedding now.”
Mom’s hands began a nervous flutter at her sides. “Gabriel…”
“Show us the next damn table,” he snapped.
Erika jumped at his tone. “O-of course. This is what I call our natural look. I thought it might be nice to bring in elements of our setting with the tablescapes. We’ve got watercolor napkins in the lake’s colors, rustic wood name cards, and pops of greens for the forest.”
I cleared my throat. “This fits Clara to a T. Maybe we can get prints of some informal shots of Clara around The Peaks. It’ll remind people why they’re giving.”
“That’s a wonderful idea, Caden,” Mom said. “I’ve got plenty of shots I’d love to use.”
“Of course, you’d go with his idea,” Gabe scoffed. “Dad’ll hate it.”
I took Mom’s hand and squeezed. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not,” she whispered. “I don’t see why you two can’t get along.”
Guilt dug in its claws. “He’s just stressed with work. I’m not taking it personally.”
“Are you two going to keep whispering, or can we actually get some work done?” Gabe clipped.
Mom’s hand trembled in mine.
“Enough, Gabe,” I barked.
He scoffed. “Stop acting like you’re the chosen son. I’m sick of it. You’re not better than me. I’ve been here working my ass off while you’ve been living it up in New York.”
“I was working,” I gritted out.
“Bullshit.”
“Stop it,” Mom cried, tears filling her eyes. “Just stop it.”
Before either of us could get another word out, she tore out of the great room.
I whirled on Gabe. “I know you hate my guts, and that’s fine. But around her, you can at least fucking pretend. She’s already lost a daughter. It kills her that we aren’t some big, happy family.”
Gabe laughed, but it was ice-cold. “You don’t give a damn about her. You just want to play the dutiful son so you can get control of The Peaks.”
“I think you’re talking about yourself there.”
Gabe gave me a hard shove. “I care about the legacy of this family. Unlike you. If you get control of this resort, you’ll ruin it like you do everything else.”
Without another word, he stormed out of the great room.
I straightened my suit jacket as I turned back to our events planner. “I’m sorry, Erika.”
Empathy filled her expression. “I’m sorry for you, too.”
Blood roared in my ears. How had it come to this? Was it simple greed, or had something else set him against me? But I knew one thing for sure: I’d seen true hatred pulsing in my brother’s eyes.
27
