Page 87 of Meet Me at the Grand

Mom nodded. “As they should be. But if you are willing to have them, I will be here for as much time as you have to give me.”

“I’m willing. And yes, I forgive you.” The words rushed out like a healing flood, bringing with it a peace like Dani had never known. “But as for time, I don’t have much more to give you tonight. I’m just glad you were able to meet.”

Mom bit her lip, nodded. “Of course. Where are you rushing off to? A date?” She smiled.

“Ha. If you consider a town hall meeting a date, sure.”

“Town hall meeting? Is this about the hotel project? Seb told me something about rebuilding it. I’m surprised you got your father to agree.” Mom looked like she wanted to say more—to ask more. Maybe about Dad? But she didn’t.

“Me too.” Dani picked up her drink again, and Mom followed suit. They started walking down the path up the ridge toward the school. “But he did, and I worked with a developer in California who helped me put together some amazing plans.” The new lead—a Rob somebody—was supposed to have arrived earlier today, but the admin assistant at Stone Development had called to say there had been a slight change of plans and that the site manager wouldn’t make it until later. Possibly not until tomorrow.

Which was fine. She wasn’t eager to meet Liam’s replacement anyway.

Mom looped her arm through Dani’s, and it felt so nostalgic, so familiar, Dani nearly started to cry again. “Seb told me all about your promotion and what a great job you’re doing to revitalize the town. I’m so proud of you, Dani.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

They approached the school, where several families were in the process of parking their golf carts and walking in. Dani turned to her mother. “You’re welcome to come in, but I know you haven’t wanted to see certain people, so please don’t feel obligated.”

Mom squinted her eyes, as if that would allow her to see into the school and know whether the residents who’d made her feel unwelcome on the island were in attendance. Most likely, they were. But then she straightened and shook her head. “I wouldn’t miss my girl’s big reveal for the world. If you’re sure you don’t mind me being there.”

Just the fact Mom was willing to face the firing squad for her meant a lot. And if she was willing to give Jonathon Island another try, maybe it wasn’t as impossible as Dani had thought to get the rest of her family back here too.

Tonight, though, was about sharing their plans with the town. Hopefully everyone would be on board. But if it meant restoring the town’s glory, bringing the economy back up so residents didn’t have to choose between staying and surviving financially, then Dani couldn’t think of anyone who would be against that.

Together, she and Mom strode through the front doors of the brick building, turning left to enter the multipurpose room that served as cafeteria, the school gym, and a place for town assemblies with its small stage at one end. Folding chairs had been set up in two rows, and about half of them were already occupied. Uncle Seb and the town council waited near the stage, and when Seb saw Dani and her mom together, his smile rivaled the Cheshire Cat’s. He stepped away from Patrick Kelley and strode toward them.

Mom stopped at the back of the chairs, squeezing Dani’s arm before dropping it. “Go get ’em, my girl. I’ll be cheering you on from here.”

“All right, if you’re sure you’ll be okay.”

“I’ll be great.” Mom lowered herself into a chair, her hands a bit shaky. It must be really hard for her to be back here.

But she was here.

And now that their reunion was out of the way, Dani could focus on the presentation. She’d been nervous enough at the last presentation, and she’d done that one with Liam—and it had only been the council watching. Now, most of the town was here, and the din of their chatter bounced off the linoleum floor and reverberated from the rafters.

Uncle Seb reached her. “There you are, Dani.” He glanced down at his sister, squeezed her shoulder. “Good to see you, Bec.”

Mom smiled bravely. “It’s good to be seen.”

“You’ll come by for dessert after the meeting, won’t you?”

“Sure.”

“Good.” He pointed at Dani. “You too?”

“If my stomach doesn’t collapse before then.” She placed a hand over the organ in question. “I’m so nervous.”

“You’ll be fine. Just give the same speech you did with Liam, and you’ll win everyone over with your charm.”

But that was the thing. “Liam isn’t here.” Her eyes scanned the room, stopping on a group of people gathered at a refreshment table in the corner. “And it doesn’t look like the Stone Development rep made it either.”

“That’s actually what I came over here to tell you. He did make it, and he’s backstage, ready to go on with you.”

“Seriously?” That was almost worse. She and Liam had practiced their pitch several times before getting it right. Now she had mere minutes to fill in this stranger. “I’d better get back there.”

“Break a leg.” Uncle Seb gave her a hug. “I’ll be introducing you after we begin and cover a few more items of business.” He checked his watch. “Speaking of beginning, I’d better get us started.”

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