“I’d like to introduce…” The mayor swung out his arm. “Cliff Griffin. Some of you may remember him from when he grew up here.”
Maxine swung her gaze from Eleanor to Beverly. Beverly’s face had drained of color, while Eleanor’s was a fiery red.
“Glad to be here to have a chance to talk to y’all,” Cliff said. “I think you’ll see these plans are very doable for the town. It’s time we moved on and brought our little town up to date, don’t you think?”
The room burst into a rumble of conversation.
Beverly reached over and took her hand, squeezing it, but her eyes never left Cliff. Maxine covered her hand and squeezed back in support.
Miss Eleanor stood up and the room went silent. “I think our little town is just fine like it is. Not that you’d know that since you haven’t been back in years.”
“Evening, Mama. I see you’re disagreeing with what I’m doing as usual.” He gave her a boyish smile.
Everyone started talking again, and the mayor banged his gavel to no avail. He finally stood up and shouted. “Quiet, or I’ll throw you all out.”
As people settled back down, the mayor stepped aside. “Now, Cliff, how about you continue?”
“Mama, that okay with you?” Cliff winked. Miss Eleanor glowered. He gave a five-minute presentation while Eleanor scowled the whole time. “So we’re asking for a variance on how many units per building and the height. We’d need to go at least six stories for this to be a profitable venture.”
Eleanor rose again. “And why are your profits any of our concern?”
“Well, they’re family profits, Mama. You know I took over our uncle’s business. Our family would profit. And the whole town, too, of course, from the hospitality taxes the people would pay and bringing in more customers for every business in town.”
“You’re going to ruin the town with a project like this. The reason we like our town is it is quaint and quiet and… well, you wouldn’t understand. You never appreciated it.” Eleanor sat down.
Resident after resident stood to speak. Maxine was surprised that a good portion of them supported the variance and embraced the change. Though the vast majority were still opposed to it.
“We’re going to table this for tonight,” the mayor said. “We’ll give you time to write to the council with any concerns you have. We’ll take this up again at next month’s meeting. But now we’re adjourned.”
Cliff walked over to where they were standing. “Mama, Beverly.” He nodded at them, then looked at her for a moment, recognition dawning in his eyes. “And Maxine, right?”
“Right.” How could he stand there looking all innocent? She knew what he did all those years ago to Beverly, and now he was trying to ruin their town.
Miss Eleanor glared at Cliff. “You could have let me know you were coming. That you were behind all this nonsense.”
“It’s good to see you, too, Mama.”
“I’ll have to make up the guest room when we get home since you didn’t give me the courtesy of knowing in advance you were visiting.”
“Only one night, Mama. And I have a room at Darlene’s B&B. Didn’t want to put you out any. And I have to meet with a few people in town before I leave.”
Beverly stood silently at her side, saying not a word, but her gaze was locked on Cliff.
“Well, ladies, I should take my leave. Good seeing you all.” He nodded once, took a long look at Beverly, then walked away.
Eleanor watched him leave, then turned to them. “I had no idea he was behind all this. I’ll do anything I can to stop him.” A determined look settled on her features, then she turned around and left.
Maxine squeezed Beverly’s hand again. “Are you okay?”
“I honestly don’t know. This was the last thing in the world I expected tonight. I can’t believe Cliff is behind all this. I thought he loved the island as much as we do. He knows this will change everything.”
“I wasn’t really asking about the variance. I was asking how you are with seeing Cliff again.”
“To be honest? I’m surprised how much it still hurts to see him after all these years. And it appears he hasn’t changed. He’s still doing exactly what he wants, no matter who it hurts.” Beverly turned and walked out of the room.
She hurried after her. “Here, let me walk home with you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
