“Especially out west,” Flynn said.
“Whatever you decide, you’ll need to be united.” I inwardly cringed, waiting for one or the other to start arguing again.
“But what do you think, Phillip?” Flynn asked. “We want to know your opinion. Break our tie.”
I really didn’t want to share my thoughts, but I did anyway. “I don’t know much about the tourist business, but I’d think serving liquor would be profitable. As long as you didn’t get caught.”
“See there, he’s reasonable,” Flynn said.
“If we didn’t get caught,” Theo said. “Which is not guaranteed.”
“You could put systems into place,” I said. “Ways to dump the liquor or hide it if the cops show up.”
“Or we could just buy off our sheriff,” Flynn said. “Everyone knows Lancaster’s a crook anyway.”
“The only thing we agree on,” Theo said. “Lancaster is no better than the criminals he puts away.”
“Perhaps you could agree to set this argument aside for now,” I said. “It’s not really important that you decide right away.” To distract them from further strife, I gestured around the room, rattling off ideas of how things could be laid out, including where to put the fireplace. “What matters more is the atmosphere. If you want to attract rich tourists, then you should decorate with women in mind. For those who don’t ski, they might like to spend the afternoon here. You’ll want a roaring fire, don’t you think? I could build a special mantel, maybe with etchings of bears and deer or something indicative of the area? Definitely soft couches where people can rest after a long day of skiing. For that matter, have you thought about having an inn on the property? Otherwise, where will the tourists stay?”
They were both staring at me as I turned back to look their way. “Have I overstepped? I apologize. This project has my blood pumping.”
“No, don’t stop,” Flynn said. “What other ideas do you have?”
“Maybe not an inn,” I said, thinking out loud. “But something grander and bigger, like they have in Europe? Do you know the ones I mean? You also need an activity that could bring them here in the summers.”
“Fly-fishing,” Flynn said under his breath. “We could advertise it as a fishing vacation. People could stay for a week. I’d take them out to the best spots.”
“Sell the gear here,” I said, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice. “Waders, flies, the whole bit. Same with skis and clothing. That way you have more revenue than just the slopes.”
Flynn and Theo exchanged a look.
“This is what I was talking about last night,” Theo said. “The kind of enthusiasm and ideas that I don’t have but should. You need a partner as driven and excited by this enterprise as you are.”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Flynn asked his brother.
Theo’s expression changed from combative to contemplative. “It’s fairly obvious. The answer to all our problems is staring us right in the face. Phillip has an obvious affinity for this kind of work. His strengths complement yours.” He turned toward me. “Phillip, you need a livelihood if you’re going to support Jo.”
“This solves it all.” Flynn grinned. “I’m a genius.”
“But…but I’m not qualified. I know nothing about skiing.” Despite my protestation, my stomach fluttered with excitement.
“Who cares? You have business sense. That’s what we need.” Flynn placed a hand on my shoulder. “What do you say, old boy? Would you like to be my partner?”
“I don’t have any equity to buy my way in.” This fact deflated me. There was no way I could be an equal partner.
“I’ll lend it to you,” Theo said. “You’re doing me a favor by getting me out of this, so it’s the least I can do. As you become profitable, you can pay me back slowly.”
“‘Getting me out of this’?” Flynn asked, repeating Theo’s words back to him. “Is it really that bad to you?”
“The thought of being able to attend university is a huge weight off my shoulders,” Theo said. “I need to go my own way. Anyway, Phillip’s going to become our brother once he marries Jo, so it’s still in the family.”
“If your father says yes,” I said.
“You know he will,” Flynn said. “We know, anyway.”
“We’ve never seen our sensible, serious sister quite so happy,” Theo said. “And for that, we thank you.”
“All right then, do we have an agreement?” Flynn asked. “Should we shake on it?”