A Better Man(99)

"So . . . a schoolteacher, huh? Never figured you for the type. Unless she's like one of those you see in Playboy." Parker sipped his coffee and grinned. "Is she?"

In Jordan's opinion, despite her choice of plain outerwear, naked Lucy far surpassed anyone in the pages of Playboy. "Doesn't matter. She's hands off to you."

Aunt Pippy bounced into the room like a ball of energy in a retro bell-­bottom jumpsuit made of a blue, green, and yellow paisley print. Once again, plastic fruit dangled from her ears.

"As soon as Nicki comes down we can get started," Ryan said.

"I'm here." Nicole came into the room wearing her grumpy baby dragon face. Jordan handed her a cup of black coffee.

"Eeew." She handed it back. "I only drink caramel macchiatos from Starbucks."

"Starving musicians can't afford caramel macchiatos from Starbucks." Jordan leaned in and grinned.

Nicole grinned back. "They do if their big brother is a superstar hockey player."

That got a laugh out of him. "Good one, sis." He grabbed her in a one-­armed side hug.

"Everyone take a seat," Ryan said.

Wood chairs scraped against the tile floor as everyone chose a place to land.

Ryan sat at the head of the table. "Sorry about the short notice," Ryan said, folding his hands together on the tabletop. "I wanted to discuss your ideas for improving the business and give you some updates before we all started going in different directions."

Parker leaned his forearms on the table. "I'm still all in for a trattoria." 

"I like the idea of renovating the event center and creating a wine club," Ethan added.

"I took a look around the property and there's no identity. No theme," Jordan said. "Some of the buildings look Old West and others look European. We need to figure out what we want it to be and stay the course."

"We also might consider hiring an in-­house event coordinator," Declan suggested. "Someone who is really enthusiastic about what they do and will keep the place booked year round."

"Great idea," Parker said.

"I also think we should put in a stage over by the grassy knoll with priority seating for concerts which can be obtained by joining the wine club," Jordan added. "There's plenty of room to add a picnic market for folks to purchase everything they need right here instead of dragging it all in with them. There's also room to add another couple of cottages by the creek for guests. A spa isn't out of the question either. I agree we need to turn this place into a destination instead of just a vineyard. No other winery in the area has that much going on. They might copy us, but at least we'd be able to build the clientele first."

"Great ideas," Ryan said. "As soon as we get the report from the financial investigator we can figure out the priorities and costs so we can come up with a budget."

"Ryan and I think the man we hired is getting close to an answer," Declan added.

"Oh my." Aunt Pippy made a big show of looking at the gigantic watch on her wrist. "I've lost track of time. I was supposed to be at . . . church . . . yeah . . . church. Ten minutes ago." She pushed back her chair and headed toward the door mumbling, "Hope Reverend Collins didn't start without me."

"Since when does she go to church?" Parker wanted to know.

"She doesn't," Ryan answered. "Mom always said she was afraid the roof would cave in on her for all the things she did during the 'Make Love, Not War' era."

"Then what the hell was that all about?" Jordan asked. "Come to think of it, whenever we talk about the missing money she finds a reason to leave. She's starting to look suspicious."

"Dude, she still dresses like it's the 1960s," Ethan piped in. "Maybe she's just getting old and senile."

"You're around her the most, Ryan. You have any idea what's going on?"

"I try not to delve too deep into Aunt Pippy's mind. I'm afraid I'll tap into a bad acid trip."

"This is bullshit." Jordan stood and shoved his chair away with the backs of his knees. He caught Aunt Pippy before she reached the stairs.

"Hold on there, turbo," he said. "You're holding out on us."

"Don't know what you're talking about." Aunt Pippy placed her hand on the stair rail but Jordan caught her by the back of her jumpsuit before she could escape.

"I think you do. Because if you were going to church you'd be heading out the front door, not sneaking up to your room," he said, taking her by the elbow and leading her right back to the kitchen. "So how about we all sit down at the table and you can enlighten us."