Page 58 of All Mine

“You write all day and don’t talk to anyone,” Adrian quipped.

“Fine, I’ll set my next book in this bar,” Sloane said.

“As long as you describe me as big and handsome,” Adrian said.

But my brain had gone back to what he said about the town hall meeting tonight. Stumped as to my next move in stopping the sale, this gave me an idea.

“What time is that town hall meeting?”

Twenty-Two

Camden

I slammed my laptop closed and massaged my temples in a vain attempt to ease the ache. Day three of hiding from Lauren and everyone I called a friend. Today I’d grown bored sitting in my hotel room, so I moved to my office with the front door locked and the lights off. But the desk in my office reminded me of dropping Lauren onto it and all the naughty things I’d planned.

Without a doubt, this was strategically the wrong move. It was far more advantageous to keep Lauren close. And besides, I didn’t want to stay away, but I also didn’t want to lose my commission and gain a reputation for bailing on my contracts. Why did Stephen care? As long as I got the job done. He didn’t think I could get the job done. He seemed oblivious to the fact it wasn’t easy to convince someone to sell land that they weren’t in the market to sell. I’d never take on another client like this again.

I packed up my laptop and headed for the back door, cracking it open to peer out into the rear parking lot, the heat blasting me in the face. But I exhaled a sigh of relief at the empty lot and made a beeline for the car, hoping to avoid running into anyone. The road around the courthouse was also devoid of people. Empty streets at seven pm gave off an ominous vibe and darkened windows littered every shop still in business. I exited the square the opposite way of my hotel, relief replaced by a sour taste in my mouth.

Down by the marina, the sandwich shop and the ice cream parlor were closed. Lou’s was open but held only a fraction of the cars typically in the parking lot at this time of day. What was going on here? I drove around the town wracking my brain when I turned off on a side-street and found a packed parking lot at a building labeled Hart Valley Town Hall. My stomach dropped at a lettered sign that read, Town Hall Meeting tonight 6:30 pm.

Unable to locate a parking space and concerned I’d miss the meeting, I parked in front of the doors, entered the building’s cold, quiet lobby, and followed the signs. People in folding chairs filled the room. Lauren’s voice echoed in the hallway outside the doorway.

“We need to stop outsiders like Camden Carter, who think they know better than us. Who think they can walk in and change the fabric of our town because it's not good enough for their big-city expectations. We're fine the way we are; we don’t need to change ourselves for them. I’m asking you to preserve our small town heritage and not bow to the rich from big cities.”

“It’s unfair that I didn’t get invited to take up for myself,” I announced, stepping into the bare, white-walled room and moving down the aisle in between the groups of chairs. All eyes were on me. I stood next to Lauren in front of a table of seven council members and flash her my best smile. You’re not getting one over on me, Cupcake Princess. Lauren’s brown eyes blazed. If looks could cause a head to explode, mine would be in grave danger.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the land wasn’t even for sale, and this outsider thought he could waltz in here waving enough money and just take it. And I say we don’t let him get away with it,” Lauren announced.

“What should we do about it?” Mrs. Pennington asked.

Mrs. Pennington was president of the town council, and she liked me. Maybe I could use that to my advantage. I aimed my smile at her.

“I would like the town council to block the sale,” Lauren said, stepping in front of me.

“That’s insane.” I stepped in front of her. “This is a private business deal; the government cannot get involved.”

“Government’s get involved all the time, especially when it’s a matter of what’s best for the community.” Lauren stepped in front of me again.

“Who says that you’re the only one who knows what’s best for the town?” I’m back in front, this time facing her.

“I’ve lived here my entire life. And I have this town’s best interest in mind. You only have dollar signs in yours. You’ve already proven that you’ll run away the minute you get what you want.”

A snicker rolled through the crowd. The double meaning of Lauren’s statement not lost on anyone.

“No,” I said, “you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

It was a mistake to let Lauren Hart out of my sight. I scorned her, and now I must pay.

“Do you care to enlighten us, Mr. Carter,” Mrs. Pennington asked.

I turned to face her. “Putting this whole matter in front of the town council is highly irregular. There’s nothing inappropriate about the sale of this land to a legitimate company. Lauren insists on dragging my character through the mud with insinuation because she doesn’t have a valid argument with her antiquated opinions that keep this town stuck in the past. Town’s either change and thrive or stagnate and die. Hart Valley has been in decline for some time. A new, beautiful shopping area directly across from the marina would bring even more tourist dollars and keep them here longer.”

“But—” Lauren began.

“I am not displacing any of the current tenants. I’ve designed each one their own store in the new complex,” I blurted out over Lauren.

“Just think of all the traffic jams,” Lauren said.

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