“Okay.”
“Emma was telling me what you said to that reporter. About how you’d use me being here to make money.”
“Garrett, I didn’t—”
“I know you didn’t mean it,” he said. “But maybe you should. Sooner or later it’s going to get out that I’m here. What if we prepare for it and use it to the town’s advantage?”
I blew out a breath and thought it over. “That’s a huge commitment on your part.”
“I’ve got the cash and I might as well be doing something with it. Something to benefit all of us.”
“How did you get things moving so quickly?”
“Money,” he said. “Tell me what you think.”
“I mean, it’s a dream come true. I just don’t want you changing your mind and winding up regretting it. Taking on too much or whatever.”
“That’s not going to happen,” he said. Then the most amazing thing occurred . . . the man actually smiled. And oh God, it was beautiful, the happiness in his eyes. “You should see the plans that are getting drawn up. The ideas we have. I asked Claude and Lupe to ask around the last couple of days on the quiet, and people want to do things in this town. They want to get back into these places and run their businesses. They want to take pride in their town; they just need a little help.”
“You’re really into all of this,” I said with a smile of my own. “You finally found your way forward.”
“Yeah. I guess I did.”
“That’s great, Garrett. That’s really great.”
“Thanks.” His smile softened. “I’m glad you feel that way. ’Cause I actually need your help with something.”
“Order!” Mayor Carmichael banged the gavel. “Sit down, Josh. You’ve had your say.”
The residents of Wildwood crowded into the town hall for an emergency meeting Thursday night. Guess it was to be expected. Some people were so stuck in their ways. They’d rather have the town die a slow death than deal with actual change. And what Garrett had started on Main Street was huge. Mayor Carmichael couldn’t be unhappier with all of the plans. Nor the fact that he was required to be present for the meeting.
Which got me thinking. “I have something to say.”
The chaos continued.
“I got you!” yelled Cézanne. Then she stuck two fingers in her mouth and let loose with a whistle that worked a treat.
Her husband Mike gave her an adoring smile.
“Ani, stand up, for goodness sake,” prodded Linda. “You have the right to your say.”
I got to my feet. “It’s not change.”
“What?” Mayor Carmichael’s bushy gray brows drew together. “Miss, you don’t have the floor. Sit down.”
“No,” I said, raising my voice. “We’ve been here for over an hour and everyone’s saying the same damn thing. They either love it or hate it. But those that hate it—you’re looking at it the wrong way. What’s happening isn’t change in the way that you’re thinking.”
“How so?” asked Josh. “Are you telling me we’re not going to get inundated with outsiders?”
“That might happen either way.”
“The town is fine as it is,” said Harry. “I don’t see why we need all of this fuss.”
“You’ve already heard the arguments about local employment and attracting tourism. But I think we’ve missed the important point in all of this.” I turned to give Garrett a brief smile. He stood to the side of the hall, having given his seat up to Miss Therese from the local inn.
“All my life, we’ve been saying how great things were in Wildwood in the good old days. And that sentiment has only got stronger in the last decade as one business after another has gone bust,” I explained. “Remember how wonderful it was when we could get a burger and shake at the diner? How just a couple of summers ago we were able to buy an ice cream on a hot day? Who here is old enough to recall when we didn’t have to drive to Falls Creek to use the library, or see the dentist, or—”
“You can’t guarantee we’ll get those things back,” said one of the walkers. The one with the cool long acrylic nails. “And in the meantime, Main Street is a godawful mess.”
“I know we’re going to be gone soon if we don’t do something. Those buildings have sat empty for years. And they’re not the only ones in town that no one was interested in buying.” I sighed. “Garrett already has a list of people ready to bring our town back to life. To change it back to how it was in the good old days.”
“Does that mean he’s bringing back the whorehouse?” snickered Christian. “’Cause I’d be down with that.”
Another idiot laughed.
Linda reached out and smacked Christian over the back of the head. “Sex workers deserve respect just like any other,” she said. “If you can’t give it, then keep your mouth shut or you’ll be banned from the general store along with the bar and grill.”