Page 24 of Alaskan Reunion (Alaskan Grooms 2)

Paige met Dwight’s beady eyes head-on. “I disagree. I happen to own property here in Love, which makes me a taxpayer and a resident.”

“That’s true,” Declan shouted from the back of the room. “She has every right to come before us.”

Dwight began to riffle through his bylaws. “I’m not sure one can just flit back into town after a two-year absence and try to conduct new business at a town meeting. Surely that’s not allowed under the rules of order.”

“There’s no such stipulation,” Hazel said in a crisp voice. “And this topic actually falls under old business, Dwight. It has to do with the cannery deal.”

Dwight adjusted his spectacles. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I believe that business concluded when Robert Reynolds stole from the town coffers and single-handedly put the kibosh on our plans.” He tapped his chin. “Hmm...he then fled this jurisdiction, quickly followed, I might add, by his daughter. And now we’re supposed to entertain a motion by said accomplice.”

Cameron jumped to his feet. “What you just said is slanderous!” He began to make a motion as if he was going to approach the dais. “And if you breathe another word of that kind of talk, you and I are going to have a problem that might just require you to get a new pair of glasses.”

Paige tugged at Cameron’s arm and pulled him back to a seated position. “Cameron, don’t waste your breath. The only thing Dwight understands is the bottom line. And in his mind I’m tainted by my father’s guilt.”

“He’d better watch the name-calling,” Cameron seethed.

Paige looked over at Jasper. “Would you like to explain why I came back to Love or shall I?”

Jasper surprised her by grinning at her. “I think you’ve earned the right to tell this town the big news.”

Dwight made an audible sound of outrage. His face resembled a thundercloud.

She looked to Cameron, who gave her a nod of encouragement. Paige stood up on trembling legs and turned toward the large audience. She cleared her throat and scanned the room for a friendly face. A few rows away a beautiful, dark-haired woman sent her an encouraging smile. It took only a moment for Paige to realize it was Grace, Boone’s wife. She had seen her photo enough in media reports to recognize her stunning features.

Feeling slightly self-conscious, she fiddled with her sleeves. “Good evening. Thank you, Mayor Prescott, for allowing me the floor. I’m Paige Reynolds. Most of you have known me for years. And you knew my father, Robert. Many of you were his friends.” Her voice quivered a bit. “I know he let this town down. He let me down, too. I was raised by a man who taught me right from wrong. He guided me by solid principles. I don’t know the exact reasons he went so far astray, but I do know that at the end of his life he deeply regretted his actions. He sought forgiveness. And redemption. With his last breath, he asked me to come back to Love. My father realized that the money he took wasn’t enough to soothe the pain he caused by betraying this town. It’s like the Bible says—‘For what will it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul?’

“One of the reasons I came back was to return a portion of the funds he stole.” Audible gasps could be heard among the townsfolk. “A very large sum that can help this town immensely. I want the money to do great things for Love. I know some of you might think that I have no right to have any say in this, but I’m committed to the financial growth of this town. That has never wavered. And I have the business background and education to support it.”

“Thank you for the five-hankie moment,” Dwight interrupted. “But what does all this have to do with anything? You’ve basically returned money that rightfully belonged to this town.”

“Which she did of her own accord. No guilty person does that!” a voice shouted out from behind her. Paige turned around and caught sight of Honor, Cameron’s younger sister. She was standing in the aisle, her long dark hair swirling, an irate expression stamped on her face. Paige wanted to sob at the sight of her. With her petite stature and delicate features, she didn’t bear a resemblance to her brothers, but there was no question she was 100 percent Prescott.

“These interruptions are beyond the pale,” Dwight said in a high-pitched voice that bordered on a screech. A few people openly snickered.

“This is a town meeting, Dwight. As residents of Love, we have a right to voice our thoughts and opinions,” Grace said in an impassioned voice. “Otherwise it’s a dictatorship.”

“No young ladies want to move to a town in the wilds of Alaska that is known for being led by dictators,” Myrtle shrieked. She was standing in the aisle next to Honor, dressed from head to toe in peacock print and rhinestones. Although mere days ago Paige had viewed her as a harridan, Myrtle was now beginning to grow on her.

Boone stood up and raised his fingers to his mouth. His loud whistle cut through the chaos. “Settle down, everyone,” he said. A heavy silence ensued. It seemed no one wanted to mess with the town sheriff.

“I think we owe Paige an opportunity to finish what she was saying.” Boone nodded in Paige’s direction. “We’re listening.”

“I—I think this town should have a cannery. And it would have been up and running now if it hadn’t been for my father. But the present situation doesn’t have to stay that way. We...this town...can still move forward with the project. The influx of money can make it happen. It could pay for the completion of the building and all the start-up costs.”

“And why should anyone trust you?” Dwight called out.

Paige refused to look at Dwight. She focused on the villagers. “Because I was raised here and I love it more than words can ever fully express. And I’ve brought my daughter here so she can grow to love it as much as her parents do. Emma is a Prescott and I want her to be proud of who she is. I want her to know that forgiveness and redemption are possible. And even though my father did something despicable, he taught me to tackle things head-on. That’s what I’m trying to do. This town could grow financially by leaps and bounds if we’re exporting canned fish products. And think of all the jobs there would be. With my business background, I think I could be an asset to the project.” She swung her gaze around the audience. “Thank you for listening.”

A smattering of loud applause broke out, accompanied by a few whistles. As Paige headed back to her seat, she realized that Cameron was clapping louder than anyone. Dwight was apoplectic. He was trying to say something, but the clapping drowned him out. She couldn’t help but smile at her small victory. The room was pulsing with electricity. Although she knew not everyone in the room was cheering her on, it felt amazing that she actually had supporters. There were people here who believed in her and what she was hoping to accomplish.

Paige smoothed the back of her skirt and sat back down. Cameron reached over and squeezed her hand. She blinked past the tears pricking her eyes and looked over at him. He winked at her. “Well done, Paige. Well done.”

His supportive gesture was surprising since she knew he was still on the fence regarding her involvement in the stolen funds.

“Thank you for your discernment, Miss Reynolds. This matter will be taken up before the town council and will be voted upon by the villagers at a future meeting. I move that we conclude this meeting,” Jasper said.

“I second it,” Hazel said smoothly.

“Wait one minute,” Dwight said in a raised voice just as Jasper banged his gavel down, effectively closing the meeting.

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