Page 52 of Timeless Pages
Seeing him relaxed a ball of anxiety inside me that I hadn't realized I was holding. They didn't miss it.
"Let me see," Nate said, pushing his way into the office. "Damn, Little Bell."
Nova and Brandy giggled as they continued to stare at me. "We'll leave you guys alone to appreciate our work. Isa, you've got this. We'll see you out there."
"You may have made it happen, but all the credit goes to Isa," Dom said from behind Evan and Nate.
"How are you feeling?" Evan asked as the door closed behind Brandy and Nova.
"Better now that you're here. Nervous. What we're doing here is big. It's important. And I'm terrified that I won't express that correctly. That we're in the home stretch and I'm going to mess it all up somehow."
Nate stepped in front of me and tipped my chin up with his finger to look into my eyes. "No one has fought harder for Haven than you have, Isa Wilcox. No one knows how special this place will be more than you. You are the heartbeat of Haven, and that will shine through you. No one will be able to miss it. Believe in yourself, because we sure as hell do."
It was just the pep talk I needed. I straightened my shoulders and raised my chin. I could do this; moreover, I was the only one who could. Haven was my baby, and it was time to share her with the world.
"Good girl," Nate smirked.
I rewarded him with a glare. He knew what that did to me.
"Later," he promised.
I kissed them all in turn, and then we left my office. The press conference was set up outside the front door. Since I had an entire block to work with, moving the building off the street to create parking and a beautiful garden area was easy. The mayor was already speaking when we went outside.
"Sunflower Falls prides itself on community and lifting each other. Being a good neighbor isn't just a matter of good manners; it's a way of life for us. However, there was a community of people who weren't receiving the help they deserved. Isa Wilcox recognized that need, and when she found herself in a position to do something about it, she threw herself wholeheartedly into the project. The Jasmine Wilcox Haven isn't a simple homeless shelter. For those who need it, this is a life-correcting opportunity that the community might not have otherwise found. It's a promise and everything Sunflower Falls stands for." He glanced back to ensure I was there, and with a smile, he turned back to the crowd. "Please join me in welcoming Isa Wilcox to the stage!"
I took one final, fortifying breath and then plastered a smile on my face. I shook the Mayor's hand and then stepped up to the microphone. "Thank you, Mayor, and thanks to all of you for coming out to help us celebrate the grand opening of the Jasmine Wilcox Haven. I believe every man, woman, and child has the right to access a safe place to lay their head and receive three meals a day. Unfortunately, for some, these basic needs are a luxury, not a standard. At Haven, it will be."
The crowd was hanging on to my every word, and just as the self-consciousness began to creep in, movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention. I turned my head to see my guys had moved from behind me to the edge of the crowd. I met their eyes one by one and took strength from the pride in them. I could do this. I would do this.
"But we're determined to do more than provide basic needs. At Haven, we're committed to helping those in need with the assistance and skills they require to turn their lives around. The true heart of a community is measured by how it treats its least fortunate members. As a community, we will help them get back on their feet and onto the right track to reclaim their lives. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to bringing this project to fruition, as well as the volunteers who have committed to helping us reach our goals. Without each and every one of you, this wouldn't be possible. I am so excited for the future and all of the lives we will uplift and change."
The crowd clapped in response, and as the noise died down, I asked, "Does anyone have any questions?"
Several reporters shouted out questions, but one woman's voice rose above the others. "What is your response to your father, Morris Wilcox's statement that you hired him to burn down the bookstore in order to obtain the insurance money to fund this project?"
Ahh, yes. Morris. Why did I think I could have this one thing without his interruption? The trial was long, and his lawyers dragged it out as long as they could, but in the end, he was convicted on all charges and locked up without parole. He wasn't given a life sentence, but he would be in his eighties when he finished serving his sentence. His lawyers tried to discredit me and drag my name through the mud every chance they could, but the jury hadn't bought into their lies, especially when the evidence was so clear-cut. True to my word, I hadn't attended a single day of trial. I hadn't needed to.
"I don't have a response," I replied. "I met with Morris the day after his arrest and promised myself that I would never see or speak to him again. Responding to his false allegations feels like engaging with him, so I'll have to ignore your question politely. Are there any other questions?"
I answered more of the basic questions regarding the services we would offer and how we expected to continue funding the place. When I had answered the last question, the Mayor stepped forward with the council members and handed me a giant pair of scissors. I waved Dave over as two high schoolers stretched a red ribbon out in front of us, and together we cut it, marking the official opening of Jasmine Wilcox Haven.
We held a small cocktail hour for everyone in attendance, during which I answered additional questions. The reporter who asked about Morris tried again and was quickly escorted out by Daniel. I doubted we would get a good article from them, but that was a sacrifice I was willing to make for the sake of my peace of mind. Just as I was reaching the limit of my social meter, Dom slid between me and a reporter.
"I'm sorry, I'm going to have to steal Miss Wilcox now," he announced. “Any further questions can be directed toward her lawyer, Daniel Calvert.”
"That's right, folks," Daniel said from a few feet away. "If you have any final questions, I'll be happy to answer them." As the attention moved to him, Daniel met my eyes and winked and mouthed "Be happy."
I smiled in thanks and let Dom guide me from the Haven and into a car where Nate and Evan were already waiting. "Oh, I'm glad that's over," I groaned as I lay my head against the soft leather and closed my eyes. My ears were ringing from the absence of the noise from all those people talking at once. The pop of a champagne cork had me cracking one eye open in interest.
Evan poured us each a glass, and I raised mine in a toast when he handed it to me. "To the Haven."
"To you," Nate corrected. "We're proud of you, Isa."
"And we have a surprise for you," Dom said excitedly.
"What kind of surprise?" I asked, looking out the window and noticing that we were headed into the mountains.
"You'll see," Evan replied.
