“I know.” Owen let out a sigh. “I was bored of studying and needed to get out of the house, so I went over to Mom’s.” He nodded over at his brother. “Then Drake said he was coming here, so I figured I’d tag along. Don’t worry, I won’t get in the way.”
Ford stretched his hand out to Drake for a hand shake. “It’s good to see you again, Drake.” He released Drake’s hand and walked over to his side of the desk, motioning for everyone to sit. “Let’s get this signed. I’m sure you’re ready to get to work.”
Drake nodded. “My newly assembled team is ready, and you can rest assured that we are not going to let you down.”
Ford smiled at Drake. “I know you won’t, or I’ll give your mom a call.” Drake snorted, and Owen threw his head back and laughed.
“No threat necessary.” Drake’s hands were up in the universal sign of surrender, and he smiled good naturedly.
A grin tugged at Ford’s lips. Okay, so this was already better than Larry. It had been like walking on eggshells around the other man. Actually, more like he’d been walking through a field filled with unexploded mines.
Ford picked up the budget he’d printed and held it out to Drake. “I’m sure you went over this from the email I sent, but this is what the old contractor estimated.”
Drake nodded. “I think we can do it for a lower price.” Drake picked up the document and turned it to the second page. “Here, the cost for the materials, not to speak ill of anyone, but he overcharged by a lot, so I think we will come in a bit lower, and it’s off season so my men are happy to have the work, trust me they won’t slack off. That I can assure you.”
Ford looked over to Owen. His friend was smiling, his eyes shining with pride for his brother.
“Thank you so much. You have no idea how greatly this saves my ass.” Ford beamed at the two brothers. “You don’t know what a load off it is to be working with people I can trust.”
“Trust me, you’re the one doing me a favor.” Drake looked over at his brother and smiled. “I wasn’t sure how long getting my construction company off the ground would take. Who knew my little brother would hook me up?”
“Well, I’m glad we can help each other out.” Ford got on his feet. “I don’t think you’ve seen the model.”
Drake was shaking his head as he stood, too, and met Ford in front of the model that Sawyer had made for the final vision of the property.
Ford pointed out the different parts of the resort, and Drake listened and asked questions as he showed him everything from the separate chalets for VIP clients, to the wine cellar and gourmet kitchen.
The original structure owned by Mr. Roberts had been much smaller and very run down by the time Sawyer bought it. The former owner’s daughter had wanted nothing to do with it, and the man couldn’t keep up with it.
“This is going to be amazing.” Owen’s voice had him lifting his head up to meet his gaze.
“I know, right?” Ford couldn’t stop his grin. He was proud to be a part of this.
“Amber Falls has always been a budget ski town, but with this”—he waved at the model—“it will definitely be a game changer. We may end up as one of the main Colorado towns to visit.” Drake sounded impressed.
“We hope so,” Ford said. “But I know Sawyer wants to make sure it doesn’t become just another exclusive vacation town. You know?”
Owen and Drake nodded.
“I don’t think it will, but there will be more jobs.” Owen’s eyes widened before he excitedly said, “And maybe we can get a brunch spot.” He then chuckled. “I would love to say, ‘wanna do brunch?’”
“Why yes, Owen, I would love to do brunch with you.” Their gazes met, and they burst out laughing.
But Owen wasn’t wrong. Amber Falls was about to get a face-lift, and it was all thanks to Sawyer. He just wished his boyfriend was here to see it happen.
Drake shook his head at their antics, a smile on his face, but then he was back to serious mode.
“The owner is lucky that he didn’t have to create slopes from scratch, because that would have made the project much, much longer.” Drake said. “And definitely harder to get approved.”
“I know, exactly.” Ford nodded. “All we have to do is upgrade the lifts and maybe add a new one.”
Ford’s phone started to ring, and he hurried over to where he’d left it on the desk. Please let it be Sawyer. It’d been a few days since they’d spoken, and even then, the conversation had been brief, Sawyer’s responses short. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but worry had started to tickle at the back of his mind.
“Give me a minute, please,” Ford said, remembering his manners.
“Take your time,” Drake replied before looking back at the model and the blueprint up on the wall.
Ford nodded and left them to it. When he glanced down at the caller ID, his shoulders slumped. “Hello?”
“Hey, honey, it’s Mom.”
He let out a sigh. “I know, Mom.”
Ford was disappointed it wasn’t Sawyer calling for an afternoon quickie… wouldn’t be the good kind anyway… but he held on to the fact that Sawyer was working hard to get back to him and that they would be reunited soon. Hopefully.
He turned around and lowered his voice so Owen and Drake were not disturbed by his conversation.
“What’s up, Mom?” Ford tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice. It wasn’t his mom’s fault.
“Am I interrupting?” Her voice was lowered to match his, which made him smile.
“Kind of, but it’s okay. You know you don’t have to whisper, right?”
She replied at normal volume with a chuckle, “I didn’t even know I was.”
Ford rolled his eyes, but then his brow creased.
