The subject line, “Grant Award,” had her heart beating fast. This was it!
Libby clicked it open and read through niceties as fast as she could. Then her eyes hit the line that she’d been looking for:
As much as we enjoyed our time in Irish Hills and believe you are on the right track for community redevelopment, your project is newer, less well defined, and unfortunately not as poised to make the maximum use of the funds. The number of people dining at Hope’s Table had the committee concerned that the funds toward your project will have less impact, seeing as fewer people visit Irish Hills than Covert Pier. Please know that you are welcome to apply next year once your project is at a further stage.
The air went out of Libby’s lungs. That was it. She’d failed! Stirling Stone had won! She’d done a lot for Irish Hills…but not enough.
Almost as if on cue, or like there was a hidden camera in the restaurant, a man sat down next to her at the counter.
Stirling Stone.
“I’m assuming you got the email, tough break.”
“Am I onCandid Camera?”
“Ha, no, but my attorney informed me that the word went to the winner about an hour ago.”
“Of course.”
“This restaurant is divine, truly, and you pulled off so much, so quickly. But I’ll tell you, Chef Ellston, it’s really incredible. He’s decided to take over the entire block in Covert Pier, he’s buying up space there left and right. He’s on track to do for Covert Pier what the Gaineses did for Waco, Paula Deen for Savannah, or The Pioneer Woman in Oklahoma, that kind of thing.”
“Terrific for them.”
Libby wanted to punch Stirling in his perfect face. But she realized that would be a bad idea. He’d probably sue her, and she didn’t have the money for that right now.
“You know, I could take over, take this town from here.”
“Taking over every town in Michigan, are you?”
“Oh, I didn’t take over Covert Pier, I just introduced the possibilities to Chef Ellston.”
“And also dangled a Vegas restaurant in front of him,” Libby said.
“I know a good thing when I see one, no doubt.”
“Maybe you should jump in the lake. No wait, I want to keep the lakes clean and free of toxins.”
“I understand you’re emotional. If I were you, I’d reconsider the offer. We’re really on the same team.”
Hardly. Stone and his group wanted to tear down the downtown, put in a massive travel plaza, and bulldoze all the old cottages and homes along the shores of Lake Manitou!
She’d seen his hotels and resorts. They were big, slick, and corporate. He wanted to bring that Big Slick Energy to their quiet resort community. Aunt Emma had literally put her entire fortune on the line to stop it. And now, Libby was there, on the front line doing the same.
“Like I said, to be cliché about it, take a long walk off a short pier.”
Had she just said that? Long walk off a short pier? Ugh, her anger had muddled her thinking.
Stirling Stone laughed…and then Hope handed him a bagged lunch!
What the heck?
Hope shrugged. “He called ahead.”
Libby was infuriated. Stone had helped sink their chances by propping up Chef Ellston and his new venture in Covert Pier. They weren’t playing on an even field. But of course, when billionaires were involved, that was always the case.
Libby usually had a plan with a list and a list of plans. This time she was stuck. A huge part of her efforts depended on getting that community redevelopment grant money.
She didn’t want to break the bad news. She didn’t know what do to next. She’d been so confident that they’d succeed.
