I walked into the bedroom where Grey was propped on a pile of pillows. His eyes half-open.
“Can I get you anything?”
He smiled weakly. “I think I’m just going to take a nap.”
“Ok. I’ll let you rest.” I turned off the light and closed the door.
Once, in college, Brett had the flu. I had dropped off chicken soup and some Nyquil. Other than that, I had zero nursing experience. I didn’t know if I was really the warm, nurturing type, but for Grey, I was going to try.
With Grey asleep, I decided to head over to the Palm for a few hours. I crept into the room and placed his phone next to him on the bed. That way, if he woke, he could give me a call. I left a note letting him know I’d be back soon.
I turned on the window unit and retrieved my computer from the storage closet. I wasn’t in the mood to work, but what else was there at this point? Grey was out of commission, and I needed to get some reservations booked.
I almost jumped out of my seat when I saw a reply email from the senior living catalog. This is the break we needed. I scanned the response. It would cost five hundred dollars, but I could place an ad in a senior vacation magazine that would be distributed nationally. It was one of those publications you see at the grocery store in the stacks by the sliding doors. Five hundred was more than I had budgeted for advertising, but success didn’t come without taking risks, right?
I picked up my phone to schedule the ad when Mason walked through the door. He had a way of sneaking in when I least expected him.
“Good afternoon, Eden.” Today he had on a starched white shirt that brought out his tan.
“Oh, hey.” Maybe if I ignored him he’d leave. I scribbled down the information for the ad reservation.
“Catch you at a bad time?” He sat in front of me.
“Actually, yes. Today’s not a good day.”
“Something going on?” His eyes wandered to the desk.
I debated whether to tell him about Grey’s accident. This time, I kept the cards to myself. “Look, Mason, I’m working. I have a business to run and I don’t have time for your Kardashian family drama today.”
He chuckled. I was amazed at how calm he always seemed even when everyone around him was obviously irritated with him. “So I take it you looked inside the envelope.”
“I don’t want to discuss it with you. It’s not my business. You and Grey have to work that out.” I opened up a blank email and pretended to type.
“I stopped by hoping to catch him. Where is he?”
“Not here,” I snapped a little too quickly.
“Come on, Eden. I’m not that bad. You can’t seriously blame me for wanting the inheritance that’s rightfully mine. This was my father’s motel.”
“The motel you want to demolish. You really think that’s what he wanted? I’m guessing that’s why you didn’t inherit it.” I closed my eyes. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.” I had no idea why Pops willed the Palm Palace to Grey and not Mason. I should have kept my opinions to myself.
Mason lost the easy look in his eyes. “Did you know him? Did you know my dad?” His voice quieted.
I shook my head. “I’ve only heard Grey’s stories. He sounded like a wonderful man. Pops died before we met.”
“If you didn’t even know him, why are you so hell-bent on defending this place? The siding is chipping. The pool needs to be repainted. The boardwalk has cracks. There is only one ice machine. It’s a joke.” He looked at me. “It’s not worth fighting for.”
I looked at the empty parking lot behind us. The place was a ghost town, but I had an opportunity to show Mason all the things that made me fall in love with the Palm. Grey might shoot me later when he could walk, but this could be my only chance to mend a fence before the two of them chopped it with chainsaws.
“I have a proposition for you.” I leaned forward on the desk.
“And what’s that? Decided my nephew’s not enough for you?” His smile was devilish.
“No! You’re practically my uncle-in-law or something.” I made a face at him. “Where are you staying while you’re in Padre?”
For the first time, I saw him hesitate. “The Island Sun Resort.”
“That’s a nice choice.” I had booked a week there for spring break. It was the island’s most popular resort. I wondered if he had met Marin at the desk. “Ok, how about you cancel your reservation and take one of the rooms here? Room twenty-three is available and has the best ocean view.”
Mason laughed. “You have got to be kidding. Me? Here?”
“It’s not that funny. I think it’s important for you to get to know the place your father loved before you try to destroy it.”
I didn’t think Mason had a legal leg to stand on, but I wasn’t a law student. If there was a way I could at least get him to stop talking to developers and threatening Grey with demolition, that would be one battle won.
“You’re serious.” His eyes narrowed.