Page 90 of The House on Blueberry Lane

Without answering the man, Reid came to stand beside Jaye and Velvet. He demanded, “What’s going on here?”

When all the men at the table appeared too ill at ease to answer him, the lone woman on the board said, “From what I gather, Mr. Lacroix, there are some members on this school board who are trying to fire Ms. Spencer because Mr. Colfax purchased land as a gift for her. They feel that constitutes a conflict of interest.”

Reid frowned. “Why?”

Dwight Beaks found his voice and said, “Because since Mr. Colfax will start a co-op bank in both the junior and senior high schools, that makes him a partner of the Catalina Cove school system. Velvet Spencer is one of the teachers. It’s our understanding that he purchased land for her worth over a million dollars. No disclosure of the purchase of that land was made by either of them.”

Reid waved off his words. “I’m the one who sold Mr. Colfax the property knowing full well who it was intended for. Since I consider myself a partner of the Catalina Cove school system, due to the numerous programs I’ve put in place, such as the internship program for high school seniors, I didn’t complete a disclosure, either. Am I in violation of a conflict of interest as well?”

Nobody on the board said anything, but a few shook their heads.

Reid Lacroix asked, “Then why are they?”

When no response was provided, Mr. Lacroix said, “Frankly, I am offended by what this school board tried doing to Ms. Spencer here tonight, mainly because I’m the one who personally invited her to come to Catalina Cove.”

From the loud murmurs around the room, Jaye figured what Reid had just revealed was news to everyone.

“You?” several board members said in surprise.

“Yes, me. Velvet’s parents were good friends of mine for years. And as far as anyone questioning her social class, just so you know, Velvet Spencer owns every Spencer’s restaurant in the country. Even the one located here.”

More gasps were heard, even from the front table. “Just think,” Reid added, ignoring the shocked faces of the individuals sitting before him, “Catalina Cove has had an heiress—one who is probably twice as wealthy as I am—living among us for two years, and tonight all of you treated her like crap.”

“But—but we didn’t know. We thought she was a mere schoolteacher,” one of the board members said.

“It should not have mattered if she was a garbage collector. Everyone, regardless of their occupation, deserves respect. And maybe it’s time for some of you to stop looking down on teachers. If you feel they aren’t getting paid enough, then you ought to vote to give them raises.” From the cheers heard around the room, it was obvious several teachers were in attendance.

“And another thing,” Reid said when the room got quiet again. “Some of you have been on this board a long time. Too long. Maybe you need to do what I’m about to do in a few months. Retire. In fact, I strongly suggest it.”

Instead of commenting on Reid’s suggestion, Dwight Beaks switched his gaze from Reid to Velvet. “Ms. Spencer, this school board apologizes for any inconvenience or embarrassment your appearance here tonight might have caused you. That was not our intent.”

“Wasn’t it?” Velvet said, frowning deeply as her gaze moved from one board member to another. “Teaching is my choice and a profession I love. The one thing I’ve noticed since working in the Catalina Cove school system is the inferiority reference that’s always made to teachers. That needs to stop. I agree with Reid that all the teachers should get a raise.”

“At least thirty percent or more,” Jaye tacked on and grinned at the shocked look on several members’ faces. However, by the applause around the room, a lot of people evidently agreed.

“That’s a good idea,” Reid said, nodding. “It’s not like this school district can’t afford it. I suggest you make it happen even if you have to reduce your own salaries to do so. Just think of all the young people who left here after college to teach elsewhere. It’s time they were given an incentive to come back home.”

Dwight Beaks loosened his tie and said, “That suggestion will definitely be taken up at the next board meeting.”

“Make sure that it does,” Reid replied.

Beaks nodded and said, “Tonight’s meeting is adjourned.”

Jaye turned to Velvet and, not caring they had an audience, pulled her into his arms, tenderly kissed her forehead, and held her close. He would kiss her the way he wanted to later when they had privacy. When he released her, she was surrounded by her friends, who gave her hugs.

Vashti had a huge grin on her face when she gave Velvet a high five. “After the way Mr. Beaks treated me when I was a teen and pregnant, it felt good seeing you put him in his place. And then for Reid to suggest he retire was icing on the cake. I’m going to be smiling for days.”

Ashley, smiling broadly, said, “I wished you could have seen the look on Webb’s face when Reid Lacroix announced how rich you are. It was priceless. And just to think, all this time he assumed he was the prize you should have been grateful to get.”

“And I don’t think Laura Crawford has picked her jaw off the floor yet,” Bryce added.

Reid approached Velvet and said, “I know you preferred to keep your identity a secret, Velvet, but I was standing out there in the hall and had heard enough. I hope you know that not everyone in Catalina Cove are pompous asses.”

Velvet smiled. “Yes, I know that, Reid.” She looked around at the group surrounding her who’d given her their support tonight. “I’ve made good friends while living here. Friends who accepted me for who I am and not for what I have.”

Jaye and Velvet thanked everyone for being there to give her their support. “We’re headed over to the Witherspoon Café,” Vashti said. “You and Jaye want to join us?”

Jaye chuckled. “Since I haven’t eaten since breakfast, that sounds good.”

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