Page 36 of No Good Deed

After they’d gone over her presentation again, Troy needed to look at the town with Piper’s ideas in his head. While she backed up her changes, he grabbed Oreo’s leash, and in short order they were outside and walking toward Phail Way. Then he changed his mind and scooted back to grab her USB so they could share it with Marcus.

A central location in town had been on his mind for years, but he’d never seen a way to make it a reality. The saloon had always been an option, but for the first time, he saw a way to make it happen.

His team. He’d need to rope in Marcus with his thoughts, and then they’d start working on the rest of the group. Sean first. He had a construction background from before the Army. Having a project to sink into would be the best way to get him here.

Aisling Gallagher was a carpenter who lived out at Midnight Lake, but she was busy with the lodge and making furniture. He knew she’d help anyway. “What about adding a page on your website for local artisans? Aisling makes furniture. Ginny’s partner Nimii and Josie from Midnight Lake are both artists. Addison Syrette is an author and blogger. And there are other talented people in town. ”

Piper beamed up at him. “That’s a fabulous idea. Showcasing local talent is a great way to encourage people to visit.”

Troy squeezed her hand. They hadn’t talked about their relationship after leaving his bed this morning, but he didn’t plan on keeping anything a secret. Piper didn’t appear concerned about it either as she leaned into him.

At the corner of Phail Way, Troy tugged her to a stop and studied the view. The three buildings she was talking about stood across the road. There were no other buildings on that side of the street on that block. There wasn’t anything behind them either. “It’s just empty lots back there. I have a hard time visualizing this space without buildings I’ve seen my entire life.”

She laughed and hugged his arm. “It’s sometimes easier when someone has fresh eyes on a space. There would need to be parking somewhere, but I wouldn’t put that in the front. It would be better along the side, probably past where the saloon sits, in case you can find someone to open it.”

He squeezed her hand. “I’ve actually got some ideas of my own about that.”

“Do tell.”

“Not yet. I don’t want to jinx it, but don’t talk anyone else into wanting that space.”

Her laugh had him smiling and needing to kiss her. He didn’t resist, but kept the kiss short and almost sweet.

Oreo pulled them apart when he yanked on his leash to shove his face into another snowbank. “You’ve got yourself a weird little dog, Piper.”

They walked around the block slowly, letting Oreo jump into all the snowbanks he wanted. Piper pointed out where she envisioned the gazebo and the movie screen. She showed him how the path could wander in and out of the existing trees. “I’d suggest putting the splash pad in one corner, some climbing and swinging sets in another. If there was more of an elevation, I’d suggest a small zip line, but I don’t think that would work here. Maybe someone could build an outdoor adventure park on the outskirts of town one day.”

When they were around the back of the block, Piper stopped to look around. “I don’t think I’ve been down this stretch before. I think you could open up the far side of the street to more businesses once things are moving. I’d continue the walking path through the trees and to the next pond. It could loop around with the creek and end up back on the far side of the block.”

They kept walking, and Troy felt excitement and confidence speeding through him. “I’m so glad I put out that ad for a city planner. The perfect person answered it.”

Piper laughed. “Hardly. But I’m very glad I spotted your ad.”

He wanted to argue, tell her she was perfect, or at least perfect for him. But they’d only spent one night together. Rushing her into a commitment might be the best way to push her away, and he didn’t want that.

As they approached the saloon, Oreo decided it was time for a nap. He plopped to his belly and closed his eyes. Laughing, Troy picked up the dog and tucked him into his jacket again. “The entire block is like a marathon for his little legs.”

He studied the building that had caught Piper’s eye for an indoor gathering spot. He hoped his guys would be on board with his plans for it.

When they reached Phail General, he opened the store and ushered Piper inside. They set Oreo up with a water dish and dog bed, then he took her hand and walked back to Marcus’s office.

His friend was working at his computer, but waved them in. “What’s up?”

Troy grinned. “Piper’s got some amazing ideas, and I want you to see them. And those ideas sparked a few of my own about how to get the guys here.”

No need to elaborate as Marcus smiled. “That’s something I want to hear more about.”

Troy led Piper to the couch in the corner. “Bring your laptop over, and you can see her presentation.”

Marcus didn’t so much as raise an eyebrow at the way he and Piper held hands, but he knew his buddy had noticed.

Marcus set the laptop on the small table and sat on the other side of Piper. Troy pulled out the USB and plugged it into the laptop, then angled it for Piper to take over.

When she clicked on the USB icon, she frowned at the file folder. “This isn’t my presentation.”

Troy sighed. “I must have grabbed the wrong USB. With them all looking alike, I should have grabbed them all.”

Piper clicked on the folder. There was only one file inside. When she clicked it, a spreadsheet popped up. Columns of what looked like financial information with multiple sheets. Frowning, she clicked on all the pages. More of the same. “I don’t know what any of this is. Could this be what someone is after?”

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