Page 36 of Soaring Hearts

Thesky was a brilliant shade of blue, the kind you only saw here deep in theRockies.Cartersurveyed the scene with a burst of pride.Hundredsof people had come out to celebrate, enjoying the parades, crafts, and music.AnotherfantasticFourthcelebration inBreckenridge.

Howdid everyone here think these events happened?Charitywas all well and good but without the subsidies from the town’s treasury there would be nothing here.Didn’tthey understand that even with the recent rise in tourism, the vote to nix a tax hike meant the coffers were at their lowest levels in years?

MayorBillingshad intended to explain it all at the town hall meeting but whenWyattstood up in all his righteous indignation, riling up the other residents,Carterneeded to change his tune.Atleast publicly.

WyattSomerswas going to be his biggest challenge.

Carterhad known him and his brother,Joey, since they were children, always feisty, like their father had been whenCarterknew him in high school.Butthe once precocious kid had turned into the self-appointed poster boy forBreckenridge, spinning a matter of finance into a moral debate.

Privately, the meeting with theNewYorkwoman representing the shopping center went better than expected.He’dbeen smart, gave a wink and a nod to the project without being overt.Sheagreed it was best to keep his support on the lowdown at least for now, giving her time to build good will.Bythe time the word got out of his green-lighting the project, the town would already see the benefits of the money infusion.

Whathe had not told theRandolphwoman was that two weeks ago he’d received an email from the property owner himself, offering him an ‘incentive’ to move things forward, quickly.

Themusic died down,Wyattusing the lingering attention to speak into the mic. “Likedthat set?”

Everyonecheered. “Re–bels!Re–bels!”

“Iguess that means you want more,” he quipped. “Yougot it!ButfirstIwant to welcome a new member to theBreckcommunity.”Hepointed to someone in the crowd. “LilyRandolph.Comeon up here.”

Thewoman shook her head, vigorously.

“Let’sgive her a little encouragement!”

Thecrowd complied. “Li–ly,Li–ly!”

Evenfrom where he stood,Cartercould see the woman’s face was crimson.Eventually, she capitulated, making her way to the stage.

“Whowants to hearTakeMeHomeCountryRoads?”Wyattasked the crowd.

Despitethe change in music, they hooted their assent.JohnDenversongs were the hymns of theRockies.

Carterwatched asWyattleaned into the mic,Lilyreluctantly doing likewise.Unlesshe was reading the signs wrong, there was palpable chemistry there.

Interesting.

Veryinteresting.

* * *

Lily’sheartwas in her throat.Shewas not accustomed to having the spotlight on her, certainly not literally.Shethought of herself as more of a behind-the-scenes sort of person.Nowshe was on stage with the lead vocalist of a popular band, singing!

Thankfully, an iPad sat on a stand in front of her, helping her with the lyrics.Somehowthe crowd wasn’t offended by her voice.Itwas like karaoke on steroids.Shefelt likeLadyGagacrooning besideBradleyCooperinAStarisBorn.Itwas exhilarating.

Whenthe song ended, she stepped away from the mic, givingWyatta nervous smile.

“Let’sgiveLilya round of applause,”Wyattcoaxed, winking at her.

Theydid.

“Tommy’sup next.Happyfourth, everyone!”

Wyattstepped back, making room for a long-haired, scrawny guy who lifted the guitar, nodding atWyatt.

LilyandWyattdescended the stairs, the crowd calling, “Tommy!”

Passingthrough the crowd, people pattedWyatton the back, many welcomingLilytoBreckenridge.

Lilylaughed, “Ican’t believe you did that, thatIdid that!”

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