“The demographics are there. We’ve got dozens of rental properties out the wazoo in a fifteen-mile radius. Over half of them are on the luxury end. Log cabins. Lakefront bungalows. An entire village of town houses and chalets near the ski resort. If we can get our names out there, in a year, we’re going to be able to say a big fat ‘I told you so’ to every single person who told us we were nuts for setting up shop here,” Kayla said.

Maggie recognized the fire, the desire to prove. She also recognized an eye for beauty. Both Kayla and Nirina had them.

“It’s a big job,” Maggie warned. “I’m touching almost every single room in this place because I can’t seem to stop myself.”

“We’re up to the task,” Kayla promised. “We’ve got furniture artisans, drapery specialists, artists. Niri has a patio furniture hookup. I’m a hell of a threat with a paintbrush. Walls, not canvas.”

“Then I’d say you’ve got yourselves a deal,” Maggie said.

Kayla stood stock still, eyes blinking rapidly.

“Uh-oh,” Niri whispered to her drink. “Brace yourself.”

There was a high-pitched whine coming from somewhere.

Maggie nearly bobbled her drink when Kayla launched herself at her. The redhead wrapped her arms around Maggie and squeezed. That’s when she realized where the noise was coming from. The whine was a squeal, and it was coming from Kayla.

“You won’t regret this. I swear to you on Niri’s unborn baby, you won’t regret putting your faith in us. We’re going to deliver. And when we’re done, it’s going to be so perfect you aren’t going to want to leave,” Kayla vowed fervently.

Maggie patted her awkwardly on the back.

Business tabled temporarily, they talked over appetizers and another round of drinks on the sunporch as crickets and tree frogs did their things in the night air. Nirina told Maggie about Silas as a big brother.

“He’s this chill, tree-hugging, earth-loving guy eighty-five percent of the time,” she said.

“Ninety-nine percent,” Kayla argued. “I’ve known him since our first playdate in elementary school.”

“Girl, please,” Nirina scoffed with affection. “Silas has this stubborn, overprotective streak. It’s buried deep. But when he gets riled, look out.”

“He won’t tolerate someone being taken advantage of or someone being put at risk. When he found out that my high school boyfriend with his brand-new driver’s license decided it would be a great idea to see if his fourth-hand Dodge Daytona could hit a hundred on the highway with me in the passenger seat, Sy walked right into his house, dragged that boy out of bed on a Saturday, and told him if he ever went one mile over the speed limit with me in the car again, he’d toss him in the river with a boat anchor wrapped around his neck.”