Libby’s eyes went wide at the light idea. Lighting was a game changer. Goldie knew that from her lifetime in front of cameras.
“Just one other body to help me string ‘em and hold a ladder.”
“I’ll do it!” Goldie could hold a ladder, if nothing else.
“Sold,” Joe said.
Everyone scattered. They were determined to make Irish Hills a fun place, even if they didn’t have a bunch of shops ready to dazzle the celebrity visitors about to descend.
As the meeting wrapped up, Goldie approached Libby.
“I hope this was okay, what I did?”
“Honey, it was perfect. And you just watch. By tomorrow, we’ll have this downtown set up to welcome the second coming of Johnny Cash himself.”
“You coming?” Joe was at the door, clearly ready to get started on the lights.
“I better get going. The boss is calling.”
“He’s a pretty handsome boss, by the way. He doesn’t seem to be able to take his eyes off you.”
Goldie smiled. She was used to being looked at.With Joe, it was different. He wasn’t gawking. It was more like he was seeing her, not the movie star.
“I’ll have to let this one down easy when the time comes.” Goldie said the words and then felt immediately sad.
“Hmm, well, I hope it doesn’t come for a while. I need those lights hung.”
“I’m on it. Sorry I caused this, uh, well, fire drill.”
“It’s just what we need. That and a few social media posts from our visitors tomorrow, and I’m thinking Irish Hills will be on its way!”
Goldie’s heart was full. She’d watched the town pull together at a moment’s notice.
She spent the whirlwind next twenty-four hours doing whatever she could, from holding the ladder to assessing where more lights ought to be to watering flowers in the pots along the street.
At one point, she was going around pouring lemonade for volunteers who’d dropped everything to help Libby, and Irish Hills put its best face forward. She got a few double takes when people realized who she was, but they didn’t lose it. She was here, just like they were, to help a friend, to save a little old town. It was one of the sweetest things she’d ever experienced.
It felt like she’d been transported back in time. It was the very opposite of what she was used to. If there was a cause, she wanted to support in L.A., she wrote a check. She’d do that here too if they asked, and had, with the hotel. Still, this was more satisfying.
Watching people lend a hand to each other to make the day special for anyone who visited melted her heart. She was surprised, at her age, that it was still possible.
Chapter Nineteen
Libby
By seven the next night, it was clear. Irish Hills was the place to be.
Well, it was the place to be in southern Michigan, at least, on this particular evening.
Goldie had thrown her a curve ball when she invited half of Nashville to town, but in the end, they’d pulled it off. It was the kind of boost Libby had been struggling to find.
Goldie was the catalyst, even though she couldn’t be the draw. Her old friend had figured out a way to help them, even if it wasn’t with a Film Festival or Goldie Hayes Fan weekend.
They’d pulled together everything at lightning speed. Libby hadn’t slept since Goldie told her that Nashville was paying a visit to Irish Hills, but that was fine. She’d sleep after they pulled this off!
Traffic had started to pick up at noon, with a few recognizable country music celebrities, but they appeared with entourages and groupies. A slow trickle of tourists turned into a steady stream. By the evening, Irish Hills was literally hopping. People were strollingon the streets, checking out the car show, and taking selfies in the gazebo.
Aunt Emma’s Attic, the pop-up funky garage sale her aunt had concocted, looked like a real store. J.J. had turned into a checkout clerk for a day. People oohed and aahed over the furniture, vintage clothes, and bobs and bits Emma and her band of senior citizens had on display. Libby had a vague concern Aunt Emma was going to sell something valuable for a few bucks, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it.
