Page 26 of Free to Live
“Next year?” I choke out.
“This was the best I could do with such a limited time frame.” Cassidy sounds almost apologetic.
My father jumps in. I think he’s in shock as well. “Cassidy, let me reiterate the revised plan. The 5K is not only going to happen, but Emily is going to design a logo and participant event T-shirt for those that preregister.”
“Yes, but that’s only for those who register at least seven days before the event,” Emily cautions. “We’ll make ten percent extra to sell on race day for last-minute sign-ups or family members after the race.”
My father clears his throat. “Right. Corinna has already worked it out with The Coffee Shop to cosponsor an after-race pancake breakfast—”
And he’s cut off by Corinna. “Ava and Matt were thrilled. The Victims Assistance Fund is already their charity of the month anyway.”
“That reminds me,” Em mutters. “We’ll put all the high-level sponsors on the back.”
“I’m sure the guys will donate,” Ali muses aloud.
“The guys?” Chief Drever asks. The former State Trooper major moved to Collyer when the position opened a few years ago. With more than thirty combined years of experience, she is extremely well respected among the boys and girls in blue.
Cassidy, Ali, and Corinna all exchange a quick look. It’s Ali who explains. “Our husbands operate a private investigations agency based in the area. Their team is comprised of primarily former military or law enforcement personnel, so this is something they’d likely be interested in sponsoring. As I told Joe the other night”—she nods at me—“my husband and I are already registered for the race.”
“We should all run,” Cassidy says. Phil groans.
“Jesus, Phil. It’s a little over three miles,” Ali says in disgust.
“Y’all know I don’t run. Besides, I’ll be getting stuff ready with Ava and Matt,” Corinna drawls.
My eyes drift to the side to the sister who’s remained silent. “What about you?” I don’t know why I feel the need to challenge Holly, but I do. Maybe it’s because she’s been so quiet while her siblings have been enthusiastically plotting away.
The camera her face has been hidden behind is pulled aside. The grin that lights up her face is as massive as the lens she’s holding up. “I’ll likely be clocking a hell of a lot more than three miles race day.”
I’m confused. “Why’s that?”
“Because while I have interns who will be taking the majority of the photos at both the start and finish, and I’ll bring on a few extra people to take photos at water stations along the course, I’ll be everywhere else race day. I’ll be on the course with a camera around my neck. I’ll be at breakfast after. And Cass hasn’t even got to the best part of her plan, yet.” She directs the attention back to her sister.
“There’s more?” My head’s spinning and I’m not entirely sure if it’s because the Freemans have managed to pull all of this together in just a few hours or because Holly Freeman has me so knocked off balance.
Cassidy just smiles. “I called the owners of Tide Pool. We’re…friendly with them.” Cassidy begins to cough loudly at the same time all of her siblings start howling with laughter. “Let’s just say they know us well.”
My lips twitch. “Why are there alarm bells clanging in my head telling me there’s more to this story?”
Ali’s voice is droll. “Because you have good instincts?”
Good to know. “Anyway, Cassidy, you were saying?”
Cassidy clears her throat. “The owners of Tide Pool normally don’t charge a cover. And the night of the race for any CPD or CFD officer, they won’t. For everyone else, there will be. We also got a band to play, and we know someone who will DJ for us once the band’s done for the night. If you request a song, you have to donate. There will be a specialty drink called ‘Up in Smoke’ being made. Any money from any of those things will go toward the Victims Assistance Fund. We reserved a spot in all the local newspapers for the next three weeks. I spoke to the board of education about sending home flyers for sign-ups—they do this cool electronic flyer sign up now—and I also spoke to most of the businesses on Main Street about hanging posters in their windows.” She shrugs. “If I had additional time, I could have done more.”
I gape at her. “Are you kidding?”
She shakes her head gravely. “That’s why I said we need to start earlier next year.”
Sweet Jesus. I called Ali like six hours ago. I look across the table at Mike, who gives me a single nod. My head swivels over to Chief Drever, who’s beaming. My eyes meet my father’s. His face is just as shocked as mine.
Finally, my eyes turn toward Ali. “What do we need to sign?”
All of the Freemans let out a cheer.
I just shake my head at the incredible luck I had. And to think I owe it to a ridiculous parent-teacher conference and a flighty event planner. It might be that intuition Ali said I had earlier, but somehow I just know this is going to be more amazing than any fund-raiser we’ve ever done before.
* * *
