thought, Kirby could hold her own. It was yet another reason why he was anxious to get back to the inn.
He checked his watch. “Speaking of which, I need to get in touch with her, anyway.” His forgotten dinner plans resurfaced, but though he regretted having to put them off-again-it was important to him that Kirby meet Dan as well. “How long are you planning to stay?”
“Well, since I’m out here, I thought I’d watch you play. Been a while since I’ve done that.”
“Because you work too hard.”
Dan grinned. “No such thing, brother.”
“At the very least, you have to admit you need to get out and play more.”
“I’m here, aren’t I? Hell, if I had a clue how to play the damn game, I’d sit in on a few hands.”
Brett didn’t mention that the buy-in was ten thousand dollars. “I’ve told you many times, I’d be more than happy to teach you. I hear there’s a vacant seat at the tables back in Vegas.”
Dan shook his head. “It’ll take bigger britches than mine to fill your seat.”
“So, if you’re out here, who’s minding the store?”
“I’m handling things, don’t you worry. That’s what cell phones and laptops are for. Everything is under control.” When Brett continued to look dubious, Dan added, “Wasn’t it you who told me to delegate? See? I do listen to you.”
Brett smiled, but privately he wondered just how bad things were for Dan. The one way he was just like his old man was in his work ethic. Neither of the Bradley men put much stock in leisure time. In fact, Brett was still stunned that when Dan senior had retired to Palm Springs, he hadn’t been back in Vegas before the month was out. Either that or had started his own new company out there. But, as far as Brett knew, the elder Bradley was happily playing golf and being the much-sought-after companion to any number of retired widows and divorcees.
He also wondered if Dan senior had any idea of how bad things were.
Brett didn’t give voice to any of that. If he wasn’t willing to be a partner in his friend’s business, then he had no right to tell him how to run it. Still, that wouldn’t keep him from worrying.
“Well,” he said, at length, “at least something of what I said is penetrating that thick head of yours. Why don’t you head on up and relax a bit. I’m going to head back to the inn, talk with Kirby, find out what’s on tap. I’ll give you a ring so we can meet up later? I would like her to get the chance to meet you.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Dan shot a glance over his shoulder, in the direction of the lobby that was anything but calm and relaxed.
He caught Brett looking at him as he glanced back and replied to the unasked question. “Maksimov’s here. I spotted him in the lobby. He was looking for you. Have you two talked?”
Brett shook his head. “Not yet. In fact, that was what I was on my way back here to do. I had a message someone was waiting to see me; I assumed it was him.”
“Well, we both know why he’s here.”
Brett shrugged. “Won’t net him anything. He wants to waste a plane ticket, nothing I can do about that.”
“So…you’re not thinking about-”
“No,” Brett said flatly, not even letting Dan finish the thought. “I told you, this is a one and done.”
“Charity, right. Speaking of which, when you get back at the tables, it’s like I said when we were on the phone, you know they’re all going to come begging.” He laughed, but there was no warmth in it. “Hell, they’ll probably all line up some kind of ‘very special’ charity for you to play for, if that’s what it takes. You know it’s going to start things up all over again.”
“I was well aware of that, so I made certain everyone knew, from the first conference call, that this was a one-time thing. They can come after me all they want, but I won’t be taking their calls or scheduling any meetings. Besides, I’m almost an entire country away from there now.” He saw the pain flash through Dan’s eyes and felt a twinge. But he remained resolute. “This is, for all intents, my turf. I’ve invited them here as my guests, handed opportunities to the few who I wanted to handle things.”
“There will be return invites, you have to know that. They’ll sweeten the deals whatever way it takes and you’re handing them the charity angle. They’ll make you feel guilty for not using your celebrity to fix everything from third world hunger to saving the humpback whale if it will get your name back headlining their event marquee. Buy-ins are down since you left, and that’s not changing anytime soon. Takes time to groom new superstars and no one is going to match your record for a very long time. As long as you’re breathing, you’re live bait.”
“If they want to waste their breath, fine. Hopefully the dead silence they get in return will give them a clue. And not being around town won’t hurt. Out of sight, out of mind.”
Dan snorted. “Right. And if it helps you sleep at night, then sure, you’ll be yesterday’s news any day now.”
“Trust me, when they realize that I’m not coming out of retirement, they will move along quickly to latch on to the new up-and-comers. Even if it’s not something to make bank today or tomorrow, they have to move on. It’s just good business. And they’re nothing if not good businessmen.”
Something flashed through Dan’s eyes, and once again, Brett felt the nick of guilt pinch his heart.
After a beat, Dan said, “So, you coming in to break Maksimov’s heart?”
Brett shook his head. “Later. You go on up. Don’t let him sideline you trying to get to me.”
Dan just shrugged it off. “Give me a little credit here.”
“Okay, just trying to save you the grief.”
“I can take care of myself.”
But Brett didn’t miss the second glance at the lobby. He thought about changing his plans, heading inside now to deal with Maksimov. But he was already going to lose dinner alone with Kirby, he wasn’t about to give the rest of his time away to the annoying Russian. “Okay. I’ll call you in a little bit. Dinner at the inn tonight.”
“I hope she’s a better cook than you.”
Brett smiled. He wasn’t about to throw Kirby under any bus. Besides, he thought he made a pretty damn good chicken marsala. “You won’t leave hungry.”
Dan smiled back, but Brett could still see the underlying tension. He knew he should resist the urge to call Vanetta. He didn’t want her worrying. But she was his only other source. Woman knew every damn thing that went on in that town. Possibly because she’d lived there longer than anyone still alive. Brett didn’t know for sure; he’d never questioned her sources or how she kept track of so much flotsam and jetsam while simultaneously and almost singlehandedly keeping the boarding house running. She probably new more about Dan’s business than Dan did. And his, for that matter. So…he’d make the call.
There was more than one way to help out a friend.
Chapter 15
Kirby pushed her glasses up on top of her head and rubbed her eyes. She’d been going over the revised business plan her accountant had dropped off a few hours ago after his meeting with the bank. She was satisfied with the outcome, but her eyes were crossing at this point. She needed a break.
Naturally, her thoughts strayed directly to Brett. He’d been a guest of her inn now going on three weeks, but most of the last two he’d spent at the resort. Working to help her out, she knew, but that didn’t mean she selfishly didn’t miss his presence here. They’d had a few meals together and a couple of well-timed, very steamy, shower interludes, but most of the former had been spent talking about the charity event planning and the latter had been spent…well, not talking much at all.
She’d told herself time and again that it was for the best, their keeping things light, casual, and spontaneous. She was already far more invested in him emotionally than was healthy, knowing, as she did, that he’d move on after the event was over. She was forever grateful for the leg up he was offering her, the chance to keep her business afloat…so it was really wrong of her to want more. To want it all, frankly. She knew that.
But it didn’t seem to stop her from wanting anyway. Dammit.
And who could really blame her? Other than the fact that he was thirty years old and had no clue what he was going to do with the rest of his life, he was perfect. And hell, she hadn’t really embarked on realizing her own
