But Dixon had begged me not to tell the family about Kel, and I owed him.
We’d chosen the perfect spot for the inn. The field three-quarters of a mile from Merv’s house butted up against our mountain, and it was naturally flat but raised up above Lee Lake. I could see the lake from almost every vantage point, so future guests would have that as a perk, and out back, the meadow stretched out for a mile to the west, and wild animals traveled through it during the day, elk, deer, occasionally moose, and even bears once in a while.
The inn would be far enough away from the cattle farming areas of the ranch so the stench wouldn’t be strong. Most days, thanks to the wind coming down the mountains, it was almost completely indiscernible, but the cattle would be visible during certain parts of the year as my brother and Rye circulated our herd from field to field.
“How’s everything goin’ out here?” I asked as I climbed up onto the huge concrete slab. I reached my hand out to Clay and he shook it. “How’s my number one ball buster?” I asked Bea.
“What’s up, brother-in-law?” she said. “You know, since I married Bax and he’s older than you, I think that means I’m your boss now.”
I snorted. “In your dreams. Seriously, how’s it goin’?”
“Good. Clay and I were just talkin’ about the accessibility ramps. Clay saw the plans, and he thinks he’s got a design in mind that will flow better with the aesthetic of the inn, if you’re open to suggestions?”
“Of course,” I said. “I’d love to see some mock-ups.”
“Sure,” Clay offered, excitement lighting his eyes. “I can get them for you. Your brother said he’d draw some up for me.”
“And the berm side of the building,” Bea said, “we were talkin’ about that too. We’re kind of excited to work on that. Neither of us have any experience with berms, though, so you might want to bring in an outside expert.”
“I have a little experience with them,” I said, “but you’re probably right. Just to make sure we don’t screw it up. I think I know a guy I can consult with. But don’t forget, this is an inn, not a hotel. It’s basically a humungous house, and you’re a rock star when it comes to buildin’ those.”
“True. I am pretty good,” Bea said, and she and Clay laughed. “Anyway, we’ve laid the foundation and all the infrastructure. Now we just have to wait till spring so we can finish this bitch. I’m not real good with interior crap, but Bax, Athena, Aubrey, and Rye have been makin’ plans. Seems like they’ve figured out how they want to decorate.”
“That’s good,” I said. “Yeah, it’s not my forte either.”
I looked around the site, picturing what it would look like next year when we finished the inn. It would be beautiful and grand, and the excitement I felt about seeing it come to fruition surprised me. Every building or house I’d ever built gave me a sense of satisfaction, but this inn would be different. It was a big part of my family’s future, and that made it personal.
Clay left to get started on his proposal, and Bea took my arm as we walked back to the ATV. Clay was her ride, so I told her I’d drop her back at her house.
“You’re still comin’ to dinner tonight, right?” she asked.
“Yeah. Actually, I’m bringin’ a date.”
“A date? You?”
“What? You’ve known me three years. You’ve seen me with women before.”
“Yeah,” she said, “but we never talk about it. Who is it? If she’s from around here, do I know her?”
“Probably. She was at your wedding.”
I watched as she thought about it, trying to remember the single women who’d attended her wedding, but she came up empty. “Who?”
Before I could deflect, my phone rang in my pocket. I pulled it out and looked at the number, but I didn’t recognize it. I smiled. “Saved by the bell. Give me a minute?”
Bea narrowed her eyes but then rolled them. “Fine. Keep your secrets. I’m callin’ Bax. He’ll remember who was there.”
I shook my head and answered the unknown caller, “Brand Lee.”
“… Yeah, it’s… Dixon.”
My eyes flashed to Bea, worried she’d be able to tell who’d called me from the look on my face, but she was already on her own call, smiling at whatever Bax was saying to her. I walked further away, just in case she might hear.
“Dixon. Where are you? H-how are you? It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Kel’s dead,” he said flatly.
“I know. You told me before you went into rehab.”
