2. Grant
Chapter two
Grant
Three untouched coffees sit on the conference table.
"Lestor Lodge is barely on anyone's radar," Dean says, leaning back in his chair. "Why are we wasting time on this?"
The conference room has charcoal walls, copper accents, the Outlaws logo etched into the glass partition behind me.
Major, my dog sits at my feet. I feel his warmth through my pant leg. His service vest properly displayed.
"Because the property review is scheduled," Vivian replies without looking up from her tablet. "And it needs to look maintained."
"It's survived this long," Dean adds. "An inspection with a clipboard won't kill it."
"When did anyone last visit the lodge?" I ask.
Silence.
Dean clears his throat. "It's been... a while."
"We intend to keep the asset," I say. Flat. Final. "Which means it needs to get inspected, documented, cleaned, and made presentable."
"Does it even matter?" Dean gestures vaguely. "The place is too small for full team use."
"Technically the property is in dispute." I fold my hands on the table. "We can't sell it."
Vivian nods. "The inspection needs to show active stewardship. Safety. Maintenance records. Responsible use."
Dean says, "The lodge is in rough shape but the structure is sound. Someone just needs to deal with the cleaning and basic setup before inspection."
"Send a cleaning crew," Vivian suggests.
"A normal crew scrubs floors," Dean says. "They won't know what to flag before an inspector shows up."
I take control before anyone suggests another half-measure. "Dean pull out the keys, maintenance notes, and access history. Vivian prepare temporary-use documentation. I'll inspect the property personally."
If the lodge is an asset we're keeping, then it will get treated like one.
The meeting winds down. Voices fade into logistics and follow-up emails.
My phone buzzes against the table.
Marianne:
I have someone to solve your lodge cleaning problem.
I stare at the screen.
My sister's version of solving usually means meddling with emotional confidence.
I ignore it.
Another buzz.
Marianne:
Don't pretend you didn't see that.
I keep my face neutral.
Vivian notices. Dean notices too but has the sense to stay quiet.
I finish the meeting before responding.
***
Back in my office, Major settles near the window. I text Marianne.
No.
She calls immediately.
I answer with the same word. "No."
"You haven't even heard the offer yet."
"I know you, and that is enough."
"Laurie Bennett is perfect for this," Marianne says, as if I hadn't said anything.
I recognize the name. Marianne's widowed best friend.
"This is not charity."
"Laurie would never accept charity. That's why it's a job."
"I can hire professionals."
"Laurie is a professional at making broken places functional, whether or not she has a business card that says so.
" Marianne pauses. "She and Bethany are between homes for thirty days.
Apartment delay. She needs work and a place to crash.
You need the lodge cleaned. This is called problem-solving, Grant. You're supposedly good at it."
I lean back in my chair. Major's ears twitch.
I'm irritated because she's right.
"Laurie is practical, proud, warm, and not easily impressed," Marianne continues. "She's currently in need of a solution that lets her keep her dignity. So if you're going to do this, do it right."
I don't like the word need. Need creates imbalance. Imbalance creates responsibility.
I return to facts. "I'll meet her. Assess the work. Discuss a paid contract with temporary lodging as part of the arrangement."
Marianne sounds delighted and tries to hide it. "Perfect."
"Don't get any ideas."
"This is about a dusty building, not my ability to fix all your problems."
I don't believe her.
The call ends.
I sit for a moment. Major watches me with a patient expression.
Laurie Bennett is temporary help.
She's Marianne's friend, which makes her off-limits.
She's widowed and in a vulnerable housing situation, which makes clarity essential.
She's not part of my personal life.
She's not my responsibility beyond a clean contract, fair payment, and a thirty-day arrangement.
I review the inspection file again. Basic notes: cleaning needed, supplies inventory, old gear cluttering the boot room, minor repairs to flag, rooms unused too long.
Nothing that sounds like disaster yet. Just an asset that's been neglected.
I decide to see it myself before committing.