Page 49 of Mending Fences
Candace looked over her shoulder. “Why, it’s the man himself.”
“I’ve got to get out of here. Where is your car? I can’t do another week like the last one and being on TV with him.”
“I came with—Oh no. Too late. He’s taken an interest in your car, and now he is scanning the crowd. He isn’t smiling.”
Mandy wished the boot off. The only way she could get lower was by sitting. “Get away from me so he won’t notice!” She pushed her roommate and the sign away.
A reporter, microphone in hand, came to stand beside Candace. “Miss, I understand you’re the organizer of this rally?” Candace moved several yards farther away and grinned into the camera.
The blonde reporter flashed a smile and asked her first question. “Why do you feel saving this old house is important?”
“This house is a work of art. It deserves to be more than a photograph in an archive or a crumbled-down ruin. I was inspired by a project my roommate is creating called ‘If Only ...’” Candace lifted Mandy’s poster and showed the picture of the beautifully restored mansion. “See, like this, repaired and beautified, the estate could become a great asset to our community.” Candace flipped the sign over. “But this is what a refinery would be like here.”
Mandy wasted no time working her way to the far side of the crowd, keeping low. There were some trees on this side of the fence if she could get to them.
The reporter studied the picture. “Where did you get this photo?”
“My roommate created it.”
Mandy dropped as close to the ground as her boot and skirt would allow.
“Is your roommate here?” The reporter scanned the crowd.
Don’t look at me, don’t look at me, don’t look—
Several people in the crowd pointed Mandy’s direction and moved away.
“Young lady?”
Mandy looked up from her crouched position. When the reporter addressed her, Mandy mouthed a silent “me?”
“Yes, you. Are you her roommate?”
Mandy stood up and dusted off her skirt. The camera was aimed at her face. “Found my keys.” She held her key ring up. Lame.
Candace tried to step between the eager reporter and Mandy. “Yes. It’s her MFA project. Let me tell you—” But the reporter stepped around Candace.
“Impressive work, miss.” The reporter turned to the cameraman. “Get a shot of the sign.” She turned back to Mandy. “Why do you want to save this house?”
“I ... um ... I lived near here when I was a child. And I hate to see another piece of our history morph into a parking lot or concrete structure. There are few buildings left of this style.”
The reporter tapped the piece in her ear. I have just learned Mr. Crawford is here and will speak to us.” She turned her attention to Daniel crossing toward them through the crowd. Someone spit on him. The saliva dripped down his shirt, but he walked with purpose, giving heed to none of the jeers and insults flying around him.
The reporter shoved the microphone in his face. “Mr. Crawford, what do you have to say about this protest?” A reporter from the other network joined her.
Daniel focused on Mandy as he answered. “I think the protesters need to do their research and not rely on erroneous newspaper articles.”
“Are you saying you have no intention of selling this land?”
“The statement C&O put out Friday afternoon clearly stated I have no intention of selling this property to see it marred by a refinery. C&O is no longer conducting any business with the company credited with starting the rumor.”
The color drained from the reporter’s face. She’d obviously neglected her research too. “Are you looking to sell your ancestral home?”
“I have been entertaining several proposals for the future of this property, but no final decision has been made. And anyone who thinks I would sell this to make a refinery doesn’t know me very well. I already gave my word that parts of the estate would remain intact.” He dipped his head slightly in Mandy’s direction.
The reporter whirled back to Mandy. “Aren’t you that plain Jane who enjoyed a romantic meal with Mr. Crawford last week?”
Mandy felt the heat rise in her face. Most of the protesters stood stock-still, their signs lowered. Backed nearly to the fence, Mandy had no place to run, even if she didn’t have the boot on.
Candace tried to step between Mandy and the reporter. “It appears we were mistaken. Our deepest apologies to Mr. Crawford. Come on, people, move out!”
The other reporter cornered Daniel. “Mr. Crawford, do you have anything more to say?”
Mandy felt his eyes on her, but she didn’t look up.
“I don’t have anything to say that anyone would listen to.” He turned and walked off.
The tenacious reporter came back to Mandy’s side. “Mandy, can you answer the question every woman has been asking all week? How did you end up on a date with Daniel Crawford?”
“It wasn’t a date. It was a good-bye.” Mandy ducked her head and hurried after the crowd.
