But she held her ground. Her urge to flee was more than familiar. She’d experienced this sensation before every big assignment and test in school, and somehow she’d graduated despite her fear. She would get through this meeting unscathed too. What was the worst that could happen—everyone snickering at her like the kids had in school?
We’re all grown-ups here.All she had to do was sit there and speak when spoken to. Knowing how much the mayor liked to talk, she would probably be silent the whole time.
Unable to put it off any longer, she touched her headband again, drew in a deep breath, and went inside.
When she entered the room, she stopped short. Four rectangular tables were arranged in a square, all the seats filled except one. Farley Quickel sat at the head of the room, and sitting next to him was Granger Hendricks, the chief of Maple Falls’ tiny police force. At another table sat Rusty, looking bored out of his mind as he picked at the grease embedded under his fingernails. She hadn’t realized he’d be here, and she started to relax a little. Hopefully he had some news about her car, too, since she hadn’t heard anything from him since he towed it off.
The rest of the group included Sophie Johnson from Petals and Posies; Jared Young, the pastor at Amazing Grace Church; Jasper Mathis, of all people; and Hayden, representing his hardware store. Sitting next to him was . . .Tanner? She realized he must be subbing for George, and she gave him a quick smile that faded when she saw his confused expression.
“Ah, Ms.Bedford.” Mayor Quickel stood, always the southern gentleman with his pale suit and ever-present white hat lying on the table beside a loose sheaf of paper. “Glad you could join us. A gentle reminder, though.” He dipped his head and gave her a pointed look. “We begin our meetings at precisely 6:30 p.m.”
“Yes, sir,” she mumbled.
When Jasper motioned to the empty seat next to him, she hurried and sat down. She was directly across from Tanner, who finally nodded at her before looking away. A knot of dread strangled her stomach as she realized he was going to find out about #3.
Calm down.Not a big deal. He was simply going to find out before she signed the paperwork. After the meeting she would ask him not to say anything to George until the deal was final.
She placed her brand-new notebook and pen on the table and stared at the bright-pink cover as the mayor sat back down.
“Let’s continue,” Quickel said. “Hayden, you were saying that you’re also representing Knots and Tangles tonight.”
“Yes, sir,” Hayden said with a nod. “Riley’s busy with wedding plans—”
“Congratulations,” the mayor interjected.
“Thank you. And thank you for saying that last month too.” Hayden grinned, a sliver of his blond hair falling over his eyebrows.
“Where is Ms.Erma?” Quickel asked, his expression stern. “I left four messages on her voice mail last week. She hasn’t been to one of these meetings in months.”
“More like years,” Jasper whispered to Anita.
“Well, uh...” Now Hayden looked uncertain, which was unusual for him.
Mayor Quickel’s thin eyebrow arched. “Yes?”
Hayden paused. “Um, she said to tell you that she would rather kiss a rattlesnake than come to one of your meetings.”
Jasper snorted and leaned toward Anita. “She’s not wrong,” he said, his whisper twice as loud this time.
“Ahem.” Mayor Quickel adjusted his red bow tie. “You got something to say, Jasper? I’ll remind you that you’re a guest at these meetings out of courtesy.”
Jasper straightened and looped his thumbs in his suspenders. Unlike George, he didn’t need them to keep his pants up, but he was never without them. “I ain’t got nothing to say, Farley.”
“Fine. Then let’s get down to business.”
Anita opened her notebook and took notes, listening as everyone talked about their businesses and Maple Falls in general, all the while trying not to glance at Tanner. Hayden was called on again, and he started pushing for the reinstatement of the Too Darn Hot Parade, a Maple Falls original and mainstay until it was canceled two years ago.
“We don’t have the funds to do the parade this year,” Mayor Quickel said, not sounding a bit disappointed. “Maybe in two or three years—”
“The parade doesn’t have to be big,” Hayden insisted. “Just a small one, with a few antique cars, the police cruiser,and the elementary school students marching or making a float. Everyone will be taking on their own expenses.”
The mayor shook his head, one of the four strands of hair covering the top of his bald head slipping loose. “That hardly seems worth the trouble.”
“But—”
“Next item,” Mayor Quickel said.
Anita glanced up to see him waving a dismissive hand toward Hayden. Hayden remained silent, but his mouth was pressed into a white line as he strangled his ballpoint pen.
