Page 26 of Candy Cane Dreams
"I really like the truck idea. I'm not sure about the cars. But we could think about it and see if we can get a state rep to talk to us about it."
Jack had been thinking about it for a while. The rumors of the bypass had been going on for a decade or more, and it hadmade him sit up and take notice. Every town that put a bypass in, the downtown died. That was just what happened.
But it made sense to take the trucks away, but not the cars. It would be a win-win for everyone. Cars could get through the town without the big backups that sometimes happened, especially in the fall and winter seasons when tourists flocked to Mistletoe Meadows, and trucks would be safer away from town. It would get them on their way faster too, since most drivers were paid by the load or mile, and not by the hour.
He’d never mentioned his idea to anyone before, but it seemed to go over well.
Chapter Eleven
"We definitely have some things to think about now," Noah said, over top of the murmurings, which died down when he started to speak.
"I guess we're kind of shooting ourselves in the foot if we keep the box store from coming in. We'll miss out on the lower prices and shorter drive as well," a voice said from the other side of the room.
"Yes. While some of the practices of the big box stores are not exactly what I would like to see, there's no doubt that they're able to offer products at a less expensive price point. There are people in town who definitely could use that, and it would be a blessing to them. It's foolish for me to prevent that from happening just because of my politics and personal disdain for big companies," the voice came from the other side of the room. It was still in an area that Jack couldn't see very well, but it sounded like someone who had spoken earlier against the idea.
He hadn't meant to talk anyone into anything; he'd only meant to present the other side.
He glanced over, and Kate's eyes were on him. She smiled and leaned closer.
"You did a great job."
"Thanks," he said, and somehow her compliment made him feel warm all the way to his toes.
The meeting had moved on, and they took care of a few different items, but as Jack suspected, it didn't run long.
"And the last thing that we need is someone to volunteer to help Marjorie McBride with the town Christmas festival. Marjorie usually does it all by herself, but we don’t want to continue to take advantage of her. Would anyone be willing to help?"
"You should do that," Jack said, glancing at Kate and seeing her biting her lip.
"I was just wondering if I was too new. Do you think people will resent me?"
He glanced around and then lifted his brows. "You don't see anyone else jumping on it."
She took a breath, similar to the one he had taken when he needed extra fortification to stand up and speak his piece.
"I'll help her," Kate said, her voice seeming a little uncertain.
"That's wonderful. I couldn't think of a better person." Noah looked down at the paper in front of him and wrote a name down.
"Does he know you?" Jack asked, knowing that Kate had just moved to town not that long ago.
"Through Nelly. I've met him several times. He's a nice guy."
Was that jealousy that ripped through him, leaving him feeling a little cold and annoyed?
"He's right. You'll be excellent at that."
He had to say something. He couldn't let Noah be the only one giving her a compliment. And he wasn't quite sure why that was.
"All right, I'd like to go back to the first item of business. I have on my paper that I wanted to appoint someone the headof a small business alliance for Mistletoe Meadows. I originally wanted it to be so they could protect the local shops, but maybe just protect the local shops' interests, and while also giving the townspeople the opportunity to have the very best services possible, and making people's commute through Mistletoe Meadows, if it was strictly necessary, as smooth as possible as well. That means you'll be working with local and state authorities and planning commissions as well for the county and the state."
"I think Jack is the obvious man for the job," Roland said, glancing at Jack, who felt a bit of an electric shot go through him. He hadn't come to the meeting thinking he was going to be appointed to anything.
"I was thinking the same thing." Noah nodded.
There were some murmurs, and then several other people spoke up and agreed.
"Will you take the job?" Noah flat out asked Jack.
