For a couple of weeks, Brodie had kept the folder to himself. As he often did, he let things burble in his subconscious, until the living museum concept popped up. From there, he’d created a resort spa, a train that took people from Calamity to Owl Hoot, and an amphitheater for live music and Shakespeare in the Park plays.

He’d set up the consortium, hired a general manager to oversee the running of the town…and then he’d gotten involved in Knox’s business. So, yeah, he’d stopped paying attention.

He stepped out to the lobby to take in the shopping arcade. Other than the recently completed wedding gown atelier, the hotel had a gourmet food shop and a clothing boutique. He’d covered a tourist’s basic necessities—souvenirs, picnic lunches, bathing suits for swimming in Calamity’s large lake, and essential toiletries.

Hardly an arcade.

Heading outside, he shielded his eyes from the bright June sun and took in the boardwalks on either side of the street. The costumed jailor was chatting with a cowboy who was just tying up his horse, and patrons entered the saloon for lunch.

In the opposite direction, the work had been completed on a row of connected booths. Given the volatile climate of the region, he’d covered them for inclement weather but gave them doors that opened wide to enable tourists to watch the artists at work.

His dad had envisioned blacksmiths and cobblers, but Brodie had added his own ideas to include leather toolers—handbags, belts, journals—and jewelry makers. He’d have to dig up his notes. He’d had a lot of ideas.

But, yeah, he had dropped the ball. That didn’t sit right with him. Not when he’d done it for his dad. He pulled out his phone and shot off a text to Pierce.

What’s a good time to meet about Owl Hoot?

Shoving his phone in his pocket, he headed back inside.

“Brodie?” Vanessa, his architect, strode toward him. She gestured to the bank of elevators. “I just went to your room.” When she leaned in for a kiss, her sleek blonde hair spilled forward.

Without thinking, he gave her his cheek, forcing an awkward brush of her lips against his jaw. He only realized she wanted his mouth after her eyes flared, and her cheeks burned. “Hey. What’s up?” Who kissed someone on the mouth? That was for girlfriends and wives, and Vanessa was neither.

She held up the drawing tube that held his blueprints. “I wanted to show you the adjustments I made. Thought we could grab lunch at the same time. Maybe order in?” She was all business, so that was good.

“Can’t. I have to get back in there.”

“Has she seen it yet?” Vanessa had done the drawings for the atelier.

“Yeah.”

“Well? Come on, what does she think?”

“I haven’t talked to her yet. She’s been busy.”