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office first so I can take care of this? Shouldn’t take long, then I’ll drive you home.”
    “Take all the time you need.”
    Forty-five minutes later, he pulled into the driveway. A blue sedan followed him in and parked beside his Jeep. He stood and watched as a short brunette got out of the sedan, her hair teased and sprayed like she had stepped right out of the eighties. She extended a hand. “Ethan, it’s good to see you again.”
    He took it and shook. “You, too, Lorraine.”
    Lorraine looked anything but pleased to see him, which was nothing new. She’d never been a fan of his. Might’ve had something to do with the time he’d gotten into a fistfight with her son Devon back in high school.
    “I spoke with your business partner, Ryan, this morning,” she said.
    “That’s right.”
    Dixie came around the Jeep with an overly cheerful smile. “Lorraine, how are you?”
    Lorraine’s eyebrows rose. “I’m well, thank you. And you?”
    His grandmother’s smile faltered, and Ethan felt like someone had just socked him in the solar plexus. “No complaints.”
    “Let’s step inside,” Ethan said. “Ryan’s waiting in the office.”
    “Certainly. I’ll only take a few minutes of your time.”
    He led the way into the little house he’d once called home. Construction had begun this week to convert it into Off-the-Grid Adventures’ headquarters. The living room would become the lobby and waiting area, and the three small bedrooms would be offices for him, Ryan, and Mark. Since their new furniture hadn’t arrived yet, today they’d have to make do hosting Lorraine on the battered leather couch and arm chair in the living room.
    “I’m going to fix myself a cup of tea,” his grandmother said and headed in the direction of the kitchen.
    Ryan walked out of the back bedroom, his future office, and introduced himself. “How can we help you, Ms. Hanaford?”
    She perched on one end of the couch and folded her hands over her knees. “Well, as I’m sure you’re aware, Haven is known as one of North Carolina’s premier relaxation destinations. Our natural hot springs and the spa draw a lot of tourists.”
    “We know,” Ethan confirmed.
    Ryan sat in the chair by the window. “I’m a big fan of the hot springs.”
    “To be frank, we already had some concerns about the type of clientele your new business might attract.” Lorraine looked between them, her hands still clasped over her knees. “But after hearing what happened on your property the other night, we’re quite worried.”
    “I understand,” Ryan said. “We’re concerned as well. Ethan and I have already spoken about putting stricter safety precautions in place to secure the property at night.”
    “I should hope so,” Lorraine said.
    “It won’t happen again,” Ryan assured her.
    She tilted her head. “Even so, Haven is known as a place where people come to relax, unwind, and leave their troubles behind. Your new business doesn’t exactly fit that mold.”
    Ryan leaned forward. “On the contrary, I think a lot of folks might say that they find zip-lining and other outdoor adventures relaxing as well.”
    Lorraine made a face like she’d just stepped in dog shit. “Well, I think most people find those activities to be frightening, dangerous even. And if the teenagers the other night are any indication, the type of people interested in your new venture are not the type of visitors we’re trying to bring to Haven. In fact, we were hoping you might reconsider the nature or the location of your business in the best interest of the town.”
    “In the interest of the town?” Ethan fumed. “I think anything that brings money and business into the town would be in its best interest, don’t you?”
    Lorraine looked down her nose at him. “Not at the expense of the town’s image and other businesses, no.”
    “I fail to see how Off-the-Grid is going to have a negative effect on other businesses in town—”
    Ryan put out a