Page 127 of The Seven Rings
“It’s our community.”
He nodded at Sonya. “You’ve made that so, and people notice. When they built the new schools—elementary, middle, high school—all before either of you graced this earth, they used it as a polling place, a meeting hall, for storage, for this, that, the other.”
“And you think it could serve as a museum.”
“It’s a good, solid building. Not that it won’t need work. Bringing it up to today’s codes, dealing with lead paint, asbestos. It’s why we haven’t tackled it. It needs a purpose so that the work it needs means something.
“I can tell you it’s sturdy, in and out. Took a little tour of it yesterday. All this rain? No leaks. Built to last. Now, it’s village property, the building and the land it sits on, and that would remain. What it would need is funding. At least the pledge of it to get it moving through channels, to get a plan done.”
He sipped his water. “The people I talked to are warm to the idea. We have a foundation, the family, and we’d make that pledge, a substantial one. I know a few others who’d cough up more.”
He held up both hands. “Now, you’ve got to account for people being people. There’ll be some squabbling on what goes in it, how’s it all done.”
“I bet some good and sensible lawyers could handle the squabbling.”
He sparkled a grin at Sonya. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
Sonya looked at Cleo.
“Son, you already know what I think.”
“Yeah, I do.” She looked back at Ace. “We’re in.”
“I had a feeling.” He took both their hands, squeezed. “How about we talk about it a little more over dessert?”
Sonya hadn’t been as excited about a project since she’d landed the Ryder account. Unlike the Ryder project, she knew this one could and likely would take years.
Ace had estimated three, with the initial several months—at least—dealing with those squabbles, legalities, plans, and budget.
But the idea of being part of a yearslong project in her home, in her community, just added to the excitement.
And still she felt a thrill a few days later when she opened an email from Carrie of Bayside Lotions and Potions.
Reading between the lines, she decided Hogan had pressured his mother, probably his aunt as well, to make the inquiry. The distinct lack of enthusiasm, coated in doubts and wrapped in politeness, came through clearly.
Carrie wasn’t convinced her business needed what Sonya could offer.
“So I’ll convince you.”
She’d taken a look at their website, and the social media pages no one had posted on in more than six weeks, and decided Hogan’s assessment oflamewas high praise.
They obviously hadn’t paid anyone who knew what they were doing to set them up. Design-wise, the page hit limp. As far as user-friendly, it didn’t reach limp.
“You need me,” she murmured.
She decided to take some time to show them why.
She went up to gift storage, arranged products on the hunt table, scattered some flowers, some of Cleo’s crystals, took pictures with her phone.
She took them down to her own bathroom, arranged them on the vanity counter, took more, took some of individual products.
“Relax. Indulge. Enhance,” she muttered. “Something like that.”
Back in her office, she mocked up a web page, new header, new font, clear text, creative photos.
Carrie, it was good to hear from you.
The products your family makes are exceptional. I love using them, and enjoy giving them as gifts. In my opinion, they deserve a better showcase.
