Trey’s lips betrayed his amusement. “You’re sounding like Norah.”
“As you have repeatedly mentioned, she’s a smart woman. I think it could be a smart move.”
Her father propped one foot on his knee. “It’s a thought. Who do we have who could spearhead that kind of project?”
“Me. I’m all but finished with my role in London. I had thought to go back to Denver, but this would give me a chance to get my hands dirty with something I’m really passionate about. And it would mean I get to spend some more time here with you.”
“That’s enough for me right there. I’ve missed my girl. But business is business. Go look into it. Put together a prospectus and a business plan for how you see it playing out, and show me the numbers. Then we’ll talk for real.”
Mitch repressed the urge to pump his fist in victory.
Tess looked over at him. “Do you think you could get ahold of some keys to show me around the space?”
“Already got them. I thought the two of you might want to look at it this afternoon, if you have time.”
Trey shoved up from his chair and circled back to his desk. “I’ve got a call with Bruce in half an hour, but you go ahead. If we do this, I want to know whether it’s more economically feasible to retrofit the factory or build something from the ground up. Think you can work something up by the end of the week?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Then we’ll talk about it at family dinner on Sunday. Sandy and Cam will want to know about it, and I’m sure Norah will have ideas.” He grinned. “Having the mayor, a city councilman, and the city planner in one place can be handy.”
Something flickered over Tess’s features, there and gone again. If Mitch hadn’t been watching, he’d have missed it.
“We’re having another family dinner?”
Mitch wondered what the hesitation was about.
Trey smiled. “Every week.” He leaned forward to pat her knee. “I know it’s weird for us, but you’ll get used to it. Especially if you end up sticking around.” Rising, he held a hand out to Mitch. “I look forward to seeing what the two of you come up with. And if you’ve got the time, while you’re out, why don’t you give Tess the grand tour? I was going to do it myself but I got caught up in stuff. It’s probably best delivered by a local anyway.”
“Sure. I’d be happy to.” Keeping his expression casual, Mitch turned toward Tess. “Are you ready to go now, or do you need to do something first?”
She drained the last of the tea and set her mug on the coffee table. “Ready to roll.”
He tugged open the door for her. “After you, Miss Peyton.”
Chapter 5
Tess was accustomed to getting exactly what she wanted, but not without working for it. No spoiling. That had been a firm rule of her mother’s after her parents had divorced. No buying of Tess’s affections with expensive things. Dad had been on board with that, wanting to instill in her an understanding of the value of hard work. She’d taken that lesson to heart long ago, and she was grateful for their forethought in keeping her as normal and down-to-earth as it was possible to be under their circumstances.
But as Tess strode out of his office on the top floor of the Babylon, she could barely repress the burble of excitement. Her father had just given her most of her heart’s desires—both a chance to spend time with Mitch and an opportunity to get to her passion project years before she’d expected to have the chance. It was a heady combination, one that made her nervous. She knew it wasn’t a done deal. It was business, as he’d said. The numbers would have to prove that the concept was viable. If she failed to prove that now, it might be a decade before she got another shot.
So she simply wouldn’t fail.
They slipped into Mitch’s truck. As he backed out of the parking space, he tucked her hand in his and glanced over. “I can see the wheels turning in your head. When Norah gets that look, it usually means major plans are hatching.”
Tess stiffened and tugged her hand away under the guise of pulling a notebook out of her briefcase. Norah. Again. Did the woman’s reach have no bounds in this town? “I keep hearing about Norah and how amazing she is.”
“I can assure you all comparisons are meant as a sincere compliment.”
“She seems to dazzle everyone. My father isn’t easily impressed.” And yet, how often had Tess heard him talk about her in the past couple of years? The city planner had obviously proven herself, and Tess couldn’t shake a bit of jealousy over that.
“She’s a powerhouse. Brilliant, with one of the biggest hearts of anybody I’ve ever met. She’s been a part of my family for years—long before she married Cam.” There was something in his tone. A deep affection and something else that had Tess’s suspicions stirring.
“Did you ever have a thing for her?” She hoped she didn’t sound as transparent as she felt.
“Oh, I fancied I did for a while. She and my sister became friends in college, and we flirted for years, but it never came to anything. We never dated, and once she met Cam, that was that.” He glanced over, a rueful smile bowing his lips. “I may as well tell you—because in the way of small towns, you’ll hear it eventually—I’ve got a reputation as something of a flirt.”
She’d known that without anyone making an announcement. Nobody came off as that effortlessly charming without considerable practice. Still, she feigned shock and pressed a hand to her heart. “You don’t say.”