Page 34 of Fake-Off with Fate
“No!”
“I’m guessing his heir knows this and he’s going to play hardball. I mean, why wouldn’t he?”
“Do you have an emergency meeting called yet?”
“I asked my dad’s assistant to do it, but the guy hates me. I’m not overly optimistic he’s going to make it happen.” I slump back against the driver’s seat and start to seriously consider calling my dad.
“I’ll do it,” Marcy says. “I have all the names and numbers of the council members. I’ll set the meeting for tomorrow afternoon.”
I exhale loudly. “I’m sure everyone will love being called in on a Sunday.”
“At least most of them should be able to make it,” Marcy says. “Are you sure you don’t want to call your dad?”
“I’d like to see if I can’t handle this before I do.”
“I’ll make the meeting for two o’clock. That way stomachs will be full, and hopefully brains will be ready to come up with some great ideas.”
“Where does the town council meet?”
“There’s a room on the first floor of Town Hall,” she tells me. That makes sense even though I envisioned it in a quaint building in the middle of town like they used in that old television series,Gilmore Girls.
After hanging up with Marcy, I look at the clock. It’s nearly eleven, so instead of driving my dad’s car to the office, I text Phillip from his phone.
Mayor Thompkins
I’m taking the day off to spend with Mrs. Thompkins. Don’t worry about setting up the emergency meeting, Marcy Fontaine is taking care of that.
The ellipses appear immediately. So the little sneakwasavoiding me.
Phillip
Sir, I was going to set up the meeting as soon as I spoke to you. Your daughter wouldn’t tell me what it’s about.
Mayor Thompkins
Don’t worry about it, Phillip. Ashlyn is on it.
Phillip
But, sir …
I don’t bother responding. I figure the less I pretend to be my dad, the better. It’s bad enough I’ll have to host the meeting tomorrow without the actual mayor being present, but I’ll come up with some excuse.
Before I leave the library parking lot, I get another text. This time it’s from Jamie Hayes.
Jamie
I’m done at the rink. Is the offer to show me around town still open?
Shoot, I forgot about that. I suppose the good news is that Jamie knows what’s going on with Victor MacDonald’s land so he can help me brainstorm.
Me
How about if we meet at the farmers’ market? It’s at the park at the edge of town.
Jamie
That’s not very specific. Isn’t there an address or something?
