Page 62 of The Library of Second Chances
He didn’t meet her gaze, as he was still furiously writing in his notebook.
Lucy glanced at the council members. Their demeanors had shifted as Miranda finished her presentation. After Logan’s experts spoke, they were relaxed, leaning back in their chairs, nodding, and whispering to each other casually. Now, they sat more erect, eyebrows furrowed and heads shaking as they exchanged hushed conversations.
She looked to Logan, who was tugging at the back of his neck with one hand and still typing on his phone with his other hand. When he realized she was looking at him, he held out a hand toward the podium, indicating she should go ahead and open up the public comment period of the meeting.
When she’d had her first call with Miranda weeks ago, she’d relished the idea of sending Logan out of town with his tail between his legs. But seeing the concern on his face now didn’t feel nearly as satisfying as she’d thought it would back then. Somehow they’d become friends. She’d met his sister and his niece and nephew. He’d encouraged her to buy her building and given her some good advice.
She knew the waterfront project was important to him, and although she stood by her desire to keep the cruise line from negatively impacting the waters around Heron Isle, she regretted not working with him harder on a compromise. Were there more eco-friendly cruise lines? What about the shuttle idea? Could they shuttle in people from nearby islands and get a similar positive impact without as many environmental negatives?
Her legs felt heavy as she walked up to the podium. Miranda caught Lucy’s eye as she stepped down after gatheringher materials, smiling and nodding as if to say they’d been successful.
Lucy and Logan had agreed to the format beforehand, and she’d been surprised when he agreed to having his experts go first. Everyone knew it was better to go last in these scenarios in order to tailor the argument based on the other side’s presentation. They also agreed there wouldn’t be any rebuttals from either side lest it become an all-night debate.
Lucy could see Mark in the corner pointing to his notes and motioning at Miranda, obviously wanting to return to the podium to address the concerns raised. She felt a little guilty now that she’d insisted Logan’s experts go first, but there were still more meetings to be held. She’d let Logan go last next time.
When Lucy opened the floor to allow public comments, it was confirmed. Virtually everyone was against the addition of either ship to their port.
Larry Fletcher, a charter-boat captain, detailed how a friend of his in Houston had been nearly run out of business by the oil spills in the Gulf.
“I’ve been fishing these waters my entire life, and my dad and granddad before me did the same. I came tonight because I want to be sure there’s still fish in these waters for my kids and their kids and their kids’ kids. So I say no to cruise ships and casino boats and outsiders who want to destroy our little town and our water just to make a buck.”
Larry glared at Logan before stepping down and Lucy couldn’t help but feel protective over Logan. He was just doing his job.
After the meeting, both Logan and Lucy were inundated with people who wanted to ask questions or express additional concerns. The council members had congregated in a back corner with the mayor. She’d caught Logan looking in their direction too, concern etched across his face. He lookedexhausted, his hair mussed from where he’d run his hand through it over and over again during the opposition comments.
“Well, you turned out to be a formidable opponent, Ms. Lucy Sullivan.” Logan approached her while still eyeing two council members who remained with the mayor in the back of the room, talking in hushed voices.
She grimaced. “I’m sorry. That was a little rougher than I’d imagined. I actually thought Mark made some really good points. I think we have a solid list of other ideas though.” She tried to sound chipper to relay her optimism that they could still figure out something that worked for everyone.
“Yeah, unfortunately, I don’t think that’s going to be enough?—”
The mayor and Councilman Turner were approaching them. Dan Turner had been involved in the development of both the major resorts on the island and half a dozen small shopping centers scattered outside the downtown area. He’d been a strong proponent of the town building a new development along the waterfront during previous discussions.
Mayor Jenkins wasn’t making eye contact with Lucy or Logan, which was unsettling. Although he’d suggested the council hire Logan, he’d tried to remain neutral since he represented the interests of everyone in town. Now, though, he just looked weary. While Councilman Turner strode purposefully, like a man on a mission, Major Jenkins followed behind more slowly, his shoulders hunched.
“Lucy, do you mind if we have a word with Mr. Lancaster privately?” It was a question, but it was clear Councilman Turner was dismissing her.
She looked to Logan, apprehensive about leaving him alone to face the music. He gave a slight nod and forced his mouth into a tight smile that didn’t reach his eyes. She’d never seen himso unsure of himself, and suddenly she was terrified that she’d succeeded in running him out of town.
Lucy waited outside city hall. She had to know what Councilman Turner and Mayor Jenkins had wanted with Logan after the meeting. She was sitting on the front steps chipping the pale-pink paint off her nails when she finally heard someone punch the door open twenty minutes later and looked up to see Logan exiting alone.
He was two steps down before he looked to his left and saw her rising to stand.
“Lucy.” He sounded surprised to see her. “What are you still doing here?”
She shrugged. “Waiting for you. What did Councilman Turner and Mayor Jenkins have to say?” She looked back up at the door to see if they were following Logan out.
His mouth formed a tight line. “Where’s your car? I’ll walk you back.”
“Over by the store.” She nodded in the direction of the town square where her store sat on the other side.
They crossed the street into the square in silence. She didn’t want to pry, but she was dying to know what had happened after she left.
He stopped suddenly, turning to her.
“Lucy, it’s over. My time in Heron Isle is over, but I don’t want you to worry. I’m still going to help you finish up the paperwork for the building.”
Panic rose in her chest, the air suddenly so thick she felt as if she couldn’t inhale a full breath, and it wasn’t because she was worried about paperwork. Just a few short weeks ago, Lucy wanted Logan out of town so badly she would have packed his suitcase and driven him to the airport herself. She’d wanted him to fail. She’d opposed him at every turn, certain he was theperson who held all the power to destroy the waterfront and with it the unique charm of the entire town.
