Lexi turned to Annabelle. “I’m sorry if I was rude before. It was a rough morning. Do you work for Nicky?”

“No!” “Yes!” we answered at the same time. We glanced at each other. I wanted to correct her and point out that she did work for me in the sense that she would be representing Daire Industries, but it was clear Annabelle didn’t see it that way.

“I’m Nick’s tenant,” Annabelle explained. “But I’m also a graphic designer, and he seemed to think you might have need of one.”

Lexi looked from Annabelle to me, raising one eyebrow in question.

“If you’re going to woo investors, get the city’s support, and get the public on board, you have to get ahead of the project with the right packaging,” I said. “Whenever I started a development, I already had the angle I was going to use to sell it.”

Lexi’s face grew grim. “I already have the angle. Green Springs is all about renewable resources and being self-sustaining.”

“Still sounds like a place where people go to die,” I said. Lexi let out a bleat of protest, but I steamrolled right over her. “Annabelle is one of the best graphic designers in the country. She’ll work with you to rename your project and design your logo and the necessary accompanying materials.”

Lexi’s head dropped to her chest. “While I appreciate the offer, I have bigger issues than the name and logo. In case you didn’t hear me, someone drove off my crew.”

I shrugged. “Then they weren’t worth having.”

“Easy for you to say,” she said. “Without your public show of support, Nick, I’m doomed.”

She looked so defeated. It reminded me of the time we were vacationing in Lake Tahoe before our parents flaked on us, and she was determined to catch a crawfish but they were quicker than her chubby four-year-old fingers could manage. She’d stood in the cold water until her lips turned blue, her eyes as sad and lost as any I’d ever seen. Needless to say, I found a bucket and helped her catch loads of them.

“I know plenty of general contractors. I’ll hire you a new crew,” I said. “Just like I’ll pay Annabelle to design your corporate identity.”

Lexi’s lips thinned. “I don’t want your money. I want your support. There’s a difference.”

“Well, now you’re getting both,” I said. “And I’m not giving you the money. It’s an investment. I’m buying in and I fully expect to double my money if not triple it when the properties start selling. Your project will get done and on time, and you can use my name however it will benefit you.”