Page 40 of All Because of You

Trees flanked the car as his father turned off Main Street and drove up the hill toward Ridge Road. Dad sighed, and the exhaled condescension whisked across the car, smacking Evan in the face. “Aldrin called me last week. He said that Mr. Herman was extremely motivated to open the Walker Beach branch. I’m not certain why.”

Evan crossed his arms over his chest. “Then what’s your play here? Because from where I’m sitting, that’s not going to happen. Madison’s store was a hit over the weekend, and I know it’ll continue to be.”

His dad eased the vehicle into the parking lot of Evan’s apartment complex, which sat flush against the hill, a spectacular view of the ocean and the twinkling lights of downtown spreading out below. He put the car into park and turned in his seat so he faced Evan. “Son, let me ask you something.”

The logic in his dad’s tone grated against Evan’s sensibilities. “OK.”

“If you weren’t attached to this girl—”

“Madison. Her name is Madison.”

“If you weren’t attached to Ms. Price, then what would you honestly think is best for this town? A hardware store with a small selection, high prices because of its overhead, and an inexperienced owner who can’t afford to hire anyone else? Or one that has promised to hire ten new employees, comes with a catalog of inventory that can be ordered at a competitive price, and has experienced owners who understand business and how to make the right recommendations to buyers, thus resulting in a much more effective store that will bring a lot more money to this community?”

Evan just blinked at his dad. “Madison is still learning. And she’s done a fabulous job at it with the time and resources she’s had.”

“I’ve not said a word against the girl except what was true. I’m sure she’s lovely and a hard worker. I’m just not sure her store is what’s best for this town.” His dad clapped Evan on the shoulder. “Deep down, you know I’m right. That girl isn’t meant to own a hardware store.”

She should be a librarian. Evan tried to bat the thought away, but it just sat there, festering against his desire to see Madison succeed.

And Madison wanted to own the hardware store, whether she’d been meant to or not—and what she wanted mattered.

He shook off his dad’s hand. “I have to support her.” Even if the truth of his dad’s words bore into him.

“No, you have to do your job. And your job is doing what’s best for the town. What’s going to do more to revitalize Walker Beach? Consider that.”

“Dad—”

“Honestly, Evan, if you have any hope of securing that promotion you’re itching for, you can’t let a trifling thing like lust get in the way of your future.” At Evan’s attempted protest, he surged on. “No, listen now. I’m sure you’re having fun dallying with Ms. Price, but don’t allow yourself to get distracted from the real prize, son.”

“I’m notdallyingwith her. And Madisonisthe real prize.” Evan tamped down the anger simmering in his gut. “I don’t have to listen to this.” He started to open his door.

“And one more thing.”

His hand rested on the door handle. “What?”

“Herman is willing to be a sponsor of the Christmas festival, and the amount he’s offering to donate is substantial.”

That didn’t even make sense. “Why does the guy care so much about this store? Aldrin told us they had several locations they were considering. And why doyoucare so much? The festival is going to be your big win. Did you hear people tonight? They’re raving about it, and since you played it off as your idea, you’ll get the credit.” He tried to keep the resentment from his voice. Tried—and failed.

“But it’s not actually happening until after the election, so you can see why I’d like some earlier wins, don’t you, son?” Steel sharpened his dad’s tone. “Evidence that we’re actually helping the town, not just blowing a bunch of money on an event that may or may not result in a better economy.”

OK, the heat in the car was just about stifling now. Evan cracked the window, trying to stuff all the emotions brimming to the surface back inside. “We’ll find another store that can come in and be a big win for you. And you have other things that you can focus on. Getting the library reopened, securing grants for the other businesses affected by the earthquake. You’re doing a lot.”

“You know as well as I do that getting another store in here will take months, maybe a year or more. We got lucky that Ms. Chamberlain had connections and made this one happen as quickly as she did. And while the library efforts and other things are all well and good, nothing speaks like money and jobs.” His dad’s eyes narrowed in on him. “And Herman will provide both of those.”

“I think you’re exaggerating the boon to our economy that this will have.” Evan ran a hand through his hair, gripping the ends before letting go.

“The numbers are there, and they don’t lie. Get your head out of the clouds and look over the report again. Compare the benefits of opening Herman Hardware to the benefits your girlfriend’s store will provide the town.”

He’d had about enough of his dad’s patronizing, despite the truth in some of his statements. Evan threw open the door, and a rush of air abated some of the tension in the car. “I don’t have the energy for this right now.”

“You’d better have energy enough to do your job.”

“Dad, what do you want from me? Even if I thought Herman was better for the economy, what am I supposed to do about it? I can’t force Madison to close her store.” And he wouldn’t want her to if it made her happy. Didn’t matter if maybe he thought she’d rather be doing something else. That’s not whatshewanted.

“I just need you on board when we bring it to the council for a vote. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Evan should pry. He should ask what his dad planned to do. But Dad would never tell him.

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