one wants you around. And in an acquisition like the Moose Springs properties, getting along with the business owners is far more important than flexing your muscle.”
Needling him was too easy…and too tempting to resist. Which was why she patted his arm. “What muscle you have, Cousin.”
Oh, if looks could kill.
“Do I need to separate you two?” Killian asked, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he looked in between them in amusement.
Before Silas could respond, Lana shut him down.
“Silas, this isn’t your town. It’s their town. We’re simply trying to bring in something that will both increase the value of our current holdings and put more money in the pockets of the residents. Coming together to find common ground on how to make it work isn’t something that happens over a conference table. You have to spend time with them. Listen to their concerns. Understand how they’re affected.”
Silas ignored her, instead choosing to frown out at the future condominium site just beyond the current resort grounds. He took in the lack of significant progress. “Why aren’t we further along in construction?”
“It’s midwinter in Alaska,” Lana said. “How exactly would you suggest I budget in the removal of this much snow or digging foundations in permafrost?”
A snort was his only reply. Silas’s phone chirped with a self-important beep. He held up an imperious finger, indicating he needed to take the call.
With Silas distracted, Killian leaned in, whispering out of the corner of his mouth, “Hey, is it me or does that look like a—”
“An acre-wide snow penis? Yes.” Lana shot him an amused look.
As they walked toward Lana’s compact SUV, Killian sighed. “Don’t you ever get tired of it all? Every day is the same old thing. Jump when the group says jump. Always pick up when Aunt or Uncle call.”
“Mother and Father for me, but yes, I agree. It’s tiresome.”
Killian leaned back against the vehicle, crossing his arms as they listened to Silas snarl at someone in Italian.
“His accent is atrocious,” Lana shook her head. “You should be on that project, not Silas.”
“I’m not reliable enough.” When Lana open her mouth to defend him, Killian gave a shake of his head
“No, they’re right. I only do what I have to to keep my parents from mortification or the group from firing me. We all know I’m the rotten apple of this family. I’m a good face at functions or a fun night out on the town.”
“You’re not the rotten apple, dearest. You’re slightly mealy at worst.” Hugging him around the waist, Lana shook her head. “You’re cutting yourself short, Killian.”
“Maybe I should learn to play polo…”
Lana leaned into him companionably. “Please don’t. I have enough trouble telling you and polo Killian apart. Can you imagine if you both were the same boring suck-up?”
There. She managed to pull a real grin from him, the kind that reminded her of when they were kids. The real smiles from her favorite cousin—not that she’d ever tell him he was her favorite—were few and far between. Killian was an adrenaline junkie, and he ran with a crowd that indulged him in his constant need to push the line between excitement and stupidity. But Lana had never gotten the feeling that Killian was ever truly happy.
“But seriously, how’s Zoey? I’ve been thinking about her.”
He also had the worst crush on Zoey, not that Lana had ever encouraged him. She also couldn’t ask him to leave Zoey alone. That would have painted a big heart-shaped target on Zoey’s forehead. Killian loved a challenge.
“Zoey is fine. She’ll be very happy to see you.” Lana frowned at Silas’s back. “I’ll bring her around when he’s not here.”
Killian sighed. “He’s been glued to the phone since we took off. I think it makes him feel important.”
“He’s important enough to cause me problems,” Lana said under her breath as Silas ended his call.
Silas turned to them. “The reception here is terrible. Why in the world are you so fixated on this place?” He looked at the stunning vistas around the resort as if they were nothing, visibly unimpressed.
“Moose Springs has a lot to offer,” Lana said. “When my condos are done, investors will have the opportunity to experience a small-town lifestyle with all the comforts and amenities of the world-class resort connected to the estate.”
“A resort widely overstretching its resources versus income. How can a place this popular fail to turn a profit?”
Lana frowned at the resort. “Bad management, mostly. The Shaws are great people, but they’re ready to