If I had a knitting shop there I wouldn’t be happy about it, and Yellow Barn doesn’t even sell knitting products. Communities have been shattered by grocery giants like that.
“I bet there’s already a dozen petitions against you,” Owen says.
“Ha. No one knows yet,” Max says. “I’m still in negotiations with the council.”
“I wouldn’t bet no one knows.” Jim snorts. “We’ve only lived in a small town for a few months, and I’ve already learned nothing stays secret for long. Larry from the hardware store told everyone he was going to Florida to visit his daughter. He’d only been gone a couple of days before we all knew he was actually having hemorrhoids removed.”
“I can handle a bunch of small towners with petitions,” Max says.
“You’ll just pay them off, right?” Owen says, like he’s seen it a thousand times before.
“Check’s already half written my friend.” Max slaps Owen on the back. “There’s always someone who’s a royal pain in the ass, but I’ve never had any trouble shutting them up before.”
He strides off with a wave. “Have fun, folks.”
I certainly wouldn’t want to take on Max. God help anyone who has the guts to stand up for their small business and the community and oppose him.
* * *
