hoped didn’t look too forced. “It was lovely meeting your business associate at the tavern this week. Neil Carpenter?” I added, as though to jog his memory. Really, I wanted him to know I’d remembered the man’s name. “I was surprised to see him in Drum yesterday. Across the street from the tavern. I had the impression he’d gone back to Nashville.”
Bart’s left eye twitched. “I’m not sure how you came up with that impression. Neil’s been workin’ on a special project for me.”
“Bart’s puttin’ in a new resort and spa,” Emily said. “He’ll close the small one outside of Ewing.”
“You own the spa in Ewing?” I asked. This was the link I needed to tie Lula to Bart.
“I’m not sure you can call the Mountain View Lodge much of a spa,” he said dismissively. “The new resort will be much grander.”
“But he’ll hire all the old staff,” Emily said. “I insisted on it.”
“If they choose to come, dear.” Bart patted her arm. “They may not want to make the drive.”
“And where will the resort be located?” I asked, trying to buy some time. I wanted to ask Bart questions about Lula, but a direct approach seemed too dangerous, and I didn’t want to insult Emily.
“Well, that’s been a source of contention,” Bart said with a sly grin. “I’m puttin’ it on the edge of the vast Drummond property, but it borders Bingham land.” He made a dismissive gesture. “That’s all worked out now.”
“Bart just found out he won the court case this week,” Emily said. “They’ll break ground in the spring.”
“How exciting,” I said with fake enthusiasm. “How soon do you think it will open? I’m sure you’ll be needing staff.” I held Bart’s gaze. “Lula might be lookin’ for a job since she and Ruth don’t seem to be seein’ eye to eye these days.”
To his credit, Bart didn’t show a reaction.
“Poor Lula,” Emily said. “What an awful thing, to have one parent who kills the other.” That stung, although I could tell it wasn’t an intentional barb—Bart might know my secret, or at least part of it, but he wasn’t the sharing type. But what she said next completely reclaimed my attention. “Quite the mess. I couldn’t help but feel partially responsible.”
“How so?” I asked in surprise.
“I’m sure Carly’s not interested in Balder Mountain gossip,” Bart said. “That’s ancient history now.”
“Oh, no,” I said. “I’m a history buff. And besides, I figure the more I know about the people and the town, the better I’ll fit in.”
“Louise dropped by the house lookin’ for Bart that day. She said something about Hank that I didn’t understand. I asked her to repeat herself, but she seemed so upset.” She looked off in the distance, seemingly lost in thought, then asked, “How is Hank doin’, by the way?”
“His leg is healing nicely,” I said, my mind reeling from what she’d said about Hank. Especially since Hank had seemed so cagey about the incident when we’d discussed it the day before. “But he misses Seth terribly.”
“How can you stand livin’ out at that shack?” she asked. “I hear it’s haunted up there from all the…” Her voice trailed off as though she couldn’t bring herself to finish.
I blinked in surprise. “I have yet to meet any ghosts.”
If there was a ghost, I’d expect it to be the man Hank had killed in my defense.
“Don’t pay Emily any mind,” Bart said good-naturedly. “She’s a believer in the supernatural. Me,” he said, holding my gaze, “I’m a firm believer in the here and now, and I believe you and I have some business to discuss. Perhaps we can get together next week. Whenever your schedule will allow.”
I had no doubt about the topic—my real identity—but if he wasn’t going to turn me in to my father, then I must have something he wanted. Part of me was scared to find out what that was.
“Perhaps you can get Wyatt to bring you,” Emily said, sounding wistful.
“No,” Bart said, “I have a business proposition for Carly, and I think it’s best if she has no outside influence. In fact,” he added, “I think it’s best if you don’t mention this to anyone. Especially my sons.”
My fake smile spread a small fraction of an inch to acknowledge I’d heard his request, but I wasn’t about to agree to it. I needed to give this some thought, but a seed of hope formed inside me. This would influence Wyatt to take me into his confidence, wouldn’t it?