Page 8 of The Marriage Deal
But at least Alder Wines had employed something like seventy townspeople, give or take.
Without Alder Wines…
My heart gives a silly little flip as I watch the scissor stealing man take the podium. There’s no microphone, just a small stand where he places a tablet.
The fact it’s a tablet and not an old-fashioned book bound in leather no doubt has Agatha seeing red.
The man cocks a shy smile, and I note the rise of diluted red that begins a slow climb up the column of his neck. It would appear Briggs Alder isn’t a fan of public speaking, which is rather surprising considering the man’s success in business. “Hello, as most of you know by now, I’m Briggs Alder. I’ve heard some worries about the closure and subsequent dissolving ofthe vineyards, and the jobs the vineyards currently supply. I am here to officially announce that will not be happening.” He gives another small smile as he scans the crowd from beneath thick lashes. “Everyone’s jobs are safe. In fact, I’m here to discuss the potential opening of more jobs of which the townspeople of Sunset Falls will have first opportunity to apply.”
I think half the room sighs in relief while the other half, Agatha included mutters something along the lines of leaving well enough alone.
Briggs continues, “We couldn’t get the projection working, so bear with me on this.” Town councilman Josh Macomb clears his throat from where he stands to the side of the stage, nervously looking at the illuminated, but pictureless projection screen. Briggs flicks the screen of his tablet, eyes flicking up to land on the crowd again.
And that’s when they land on me. There is a moment where the room stands utterly still. He doesn’t look away, and I can’t, either. I feel Mom lean forward in her chair from the other side of Dakota. Then Dad asks, “What’s going on?”
The screen behind Briggs flashes with a 3D image of—holy crap.
“Aha!” Councilman Macomb claps his hands proudly. “Look at that.”
Briggs cuts his gaze from mine, but not before hewinksat me.
What the heck!?
“Did he just…” Mom shakes her head, utterly stupefied.She’s not the only one.
Two rows in front of me, Agatha sucks in a sharp, undoubtedly scandalized breath.
Dad asks, “Was that a wink?”
“Yep,” Dakota answers. I can hear the grin.
I give him a sharp elbow jab in the ribs. The goon doesn’t even give me a grunt for my trouble.
Briggs abandons his tablet for the projection. “This is what we’re proposing.” He moves closer to the screen, and I watch as he tugs a pair of scissors from his back pocket. Pink scissors.My scissors.
Dakota looses a noise of amusement. I might have told him about the man having made away with my scissors after harassing me on the boardwalk.
“We’re keeping the vineyards, but we’re expanding.” Briggs uses the tip of my scissors to indicate the image on the screen. I wonder if he can feel the heat of my glare. I hope he can,scissor stealing oaf!“We’ll be adding a winery and resort, where people can come and experience the town of Sunset Falls, the view of Fire Falls, andSunset Wine.”
“You’re changing the name of Alder Wine?” someone from the crowd blurts.
Briggs nods. “Yes.” He points again with my scissors to the screen where a large circular area has been digitally drawn. “As you can see here, there will be shops and restaurants between the areas for tasting. We will be including various wines and liquors from vendorsthat wish to rent space within the winery and resort. This means there will be plenty of spaces available to local businesses to begin as well as for more established businesses to expand.” He flashes a cheeky grin. “I know how Sunset Falls enjoys its farmers market, and it is that culture that has inspired the plans I have here for Sunset Wines and Fire Falls Ranch and Resort.”
The plans for the resort and winery are impressive and luxurious and unlike anything Sunset Falls currently has. It’s all sleek concrete and rich timbre with little pools and gentle waterfalls between sections with tables under big umbrellas. It’s a large circle constructed around a giant concrete center where gas lit firepits are surrounded by more laid-back seating—and all of it has a stunning view of the big mountains from where the falls spill over stone stained by the hot sun, dipping into the cliffs of the lookout.
The resort is a short walk through what looks like an immaculately designed path through a section of the vineyard. The model shows a three-story building that is both cleanly modern while somehow appearing to have sprouted from the rocky backdrop of mountain and timbre.
“In addition, I’ve recently acquired the Pattinson land.” Briggs nods to someone on the side and the slide changes to a model of the Pattinson land, which has been for sale for well over forty years. It’s overgrown and was grossly overpriced, which is probablywhy it never sold. “I figured since I would be investing so much in Sunset Falls, that I would also invest in the town’s population. The Pattinson Land will be known in future as Fire Falls Estates. Land parcels will be plotted for sale with the caveat that Landon Alder Homes, a division of Landon Alder Construction will construct the homes.”
The room erupts from the low rattle of a tizzy to the boiled-over spill of a too hot pot of big ideas wrought with change this old, stuck-in-its-ways town might not be capable of swallowing.
Agatha stands fast as her husband Tom struggles to find his feet on rickety knees beside her. “That’s about enough of you, young man!”
She’s got her long bony finger pointed straight at Briggs. His green eyes land on her and I don’t miss the twitch to his lips. It says he’s amused, and although Agatha is aging, her vision is on point. So, she catches the twitch of that threatening smile, and isn’t too happy about it if the incensed harrumph she looses is anything to go by.
“This town is and has been doing just fine before you and your ego showed up, Briggs Alder,” Agatha says loudly.
Beside me, Dakota murmurs low, “Oooo, she’s really mad to call him by his firstandlast name.”
