The crowd of parents broke their silence with applause and several even called out words of encouragement and support.
When the parents quieted down, he continued, “In conclusion, I would like to add that the TCC has a top-notch day care center.” His gaze never wavered from hers. “And we have the dedication and expertise of Kiley Roberts to thank for it. I recommend that you vote to keep the day care center open and appropriate the funds needed to keep it running.”
“I would like to add that I think the TCC should renegotiate her contract to include a raise and a five-year extension,” Gil Addison said, walking up to stand beside Josh.
The group of parents once again erupted in a round of applause and loud cheers.
Tears filled her eyes and Kiley couldn’t have found her voice to save her soul. Josh’s heartfelt endorsement was more than she could have possibly hoped for and proved that no matter what their differences were, he wasn’t going to hold them against the club’s day care center.
“Thank you,” she mouthed, looking at the only man she would ever love. She just wished their problems could be resolved as easily as the fate of the day care center. Unfortunately, she wasn’t sure that was going to be the case.
Beau banged the gavel to bring order back to the meeting. “Are there any other comments?”
“My son, Cade, has learned more at the TCC day care center in the past couple of months than he ever did at the child care facility he used to attend,” Gil stated.
“All of the children love Miss Kiley,” Winnie Bartlett added. “My daughters are disappointed on the weekends when they can’t go to school.”
“I move to adopt Josh Gordon’s recommendations,” the only female on the panel said, grinning.
“I second the motion,” one of the men chimed in.
“Then I guess all there is left to do would be to bring it to a vote,” Beau said, smiling. “All those in favor of the recommendations set forth by Josh Gordon and Gil Addison, please raise your hands.”
When every member of the funding committee, including Beau and his cohort Paul Windsor, raised their hands high in the air, Beau nodded. “It’s unanimous. The motion carries,” he said, bringing down the gavel to seal the fate of the day care center.
Kiley couldn’t believe what had just taken place. She had been summoned to the TCC clubhouse, expecting to be fired. Now she had job security for the next five years, as well as a raise.
Amid the thunderous cheers and standing ovation, Beau Hacket pounded the gavel on the table several times. “Order, please.” He looked at Josh. “I think there’s something else Josh wants to say.”
She frowned. What on earth could he possibly have to add?
Still holding Emmie, Josh took Kiley by the hand and led her up onto the stage. Kiley’s heart pounded so hard, she wasn’t sure it wouldn’t create a hole in her chest. What was he up to now?
“The reason I felt it would be a conflict of interest for me to preside over the meeting today was because, as many of you know, I’ve been seeing Kiley for the past few weeks,” he stated, glancing down at her. His smile and the light she detected in his eyes caused her to feel warm all over. “I didn’t feel I could vote without bias on an issue that involves the woman I love.”
As the crowd clapped their approval, Kiley looked at Piper, standing with her fiancé, Ryan Grant. Smiling, tears filled her friend’s eyes. “It’s going to work out, Kiley,” she mouthed. “I’m so happy for you.”
Feeling as if she were in a bizarre dream, Kiley looked up at Josh. They still had problems. But for the first time in days, she felt there might be a glimmer of hope that things could work out between them, at least where Emmie was concerned.
“There’s one more thing before we adjourn,” Josh said, quieting the well-wishers. “I’d like to thank you all for coming to the club on such short notice to support Kiley and the day care center.”
He grinned and whispered close to her ear, “Now let’s get out of here. I have something at the ranch I want to show Emmie and we have some things we need to talk over.”
They were silent as they made their way through the crowd to the clubhouse parking lot, and by the time they reached his SUV, Kiley felt as if she had regained some of her equilibrium. Josh had taken her by surprise when he made the recommendations for the day care center and his public announcement that he loved her had caused her head to spin. But now that she was able to think more clearly, her cautious nature took over. Just because he said he loved her didn’t mean things would automatically work out for them.