“I didn’t start this venture until I knew he was retiring.”
“He sold to me, knowing you were bringing in competition?”
“He knew it was a possibility, yes.”
Sam glared at his dad for a moment, angry, yet knowing he, himself, was partly to blame. He never communicated with his father, actually went out of his way to hide Haven’s ownership from him. What did he expect?
Art Loamier gaveled the meeting to order and the council members took their seats. Frank went to his corner and Sam to his.
“What’s going on?” Chloe whispered.
“You know that old headline about Donut Heaven coming here? Frank’s been behind it the entire time. He knew Bob and Donna were going to retire.”
Chloe gasped. “Why that stinking, sneaky Bob.”
“We have history and tradition on our side. Let’s focus on our past and the present, what you and I bring to the table.”
Suddenly, he and Chloe were a team, and he liked it. He’d always been a team man and there was no better teammate than a beautiful, smart, kind, and sexy woman. Her being a world-class pâtissière was just a bonus. While Art passed out agendas to his council members and whispered things behind a covered microphone, Frank went into schmooze mode.
“Drummond, congrats on shooting par last week. You were looking good.”
“Amanda, I heard your boy was the high scorer in the basketball tourney last week. Is he set for college? We’ve got a few dollars left in the Hardy scholarship fund.”
Well, two could play that game. Sam had more than a few dollars left in his fund. He was about to chat up the council himself when Art called the meeting to order.
“Let’s just get to the agenda item you all want to discuss.” Art scanned the room. “We’ve not had this many at a meeting since the Wedding Shop was threatened. All right, it’s Donut Heaven versus Haven’s Bakery. Donut Heaven has entered an application, sponsored by our own Frank Hardy, to open a franchise here in Hearts Bend.”
The room erupted with boos, cheers, and jeers.
“Enough of that,” Art said, slamming his gavel down. “Mr. Elliot from Donut Heaven will speak first.”
One of the pullover-clad men strode to the podium facing the committee. He opened a file and cleared his throat. “Thank you, Mr. Loamier. On behalf of Donut Heaven, we look forward to serving hot, fresh donuts to the good people of Hearts Bend. Donut Heaven will also employ at least two dozen people, bringing jobs and economic prosperity to the community.”
Someone scoffed. Art scowled.
Mr. Elliot continued, espousing the virtues of a cold, impersonal chain restaurant. He talked about Hearts Bend’s need for business competition that would allow everyone in town more choices. He claimed he’d use local tradesmen for the building and maintenance, which would provide even more income to the area.
“Tourists like having a familiar brand with a consistent product available,” he said, finally closing his folder and thanking the council.
Art sighed and pushed his glasses up his nose. “We’re allowing ten minutes for rebuttals.”
Ruby made her way to the podium. “I have a petition here signed by three hundred Hearts Bend citizens agreeing that they don’t see a need for Donut Heaven to open here. They’re happy with Haven’s being the sole purveyor of donuts in town.” She approached the committee and handed a sheaf of papers to each one. A few others gave testimony to their love of Haven’s and a teacher from the high school detailed the trashy and unclean Donut Heaven she’d visited in Middleborough.
“Most disgusting place ever. The thought of Donut Heaven makes me gag.”
Art ended the rebuttal session and turned the floor over to Sam.
“Thanks for this opportunity, Art, and council members. My partner and I have done some research. First of all, Mrs. King’s testimony of Donut Heaven’s unclean establishments is substantiated by others.” Sam passed around health violations from large and small cities across the country. “Second, they do not use local tradesmen to build a new franchise. They have their own construction division. It’s really how they make money. Donut Heaven is not in the bakery business so much as the real estate business. As for local jobs, these minimum-wage positions will mostly be for our local teens, which is honorable, but management and salaried positions will go to current employees who will transfer in. Above all, Donut Heaven is known to cut their prices so low, the local competition cannot compete. They shut them down and then they will double the prices—and in many instances, they have tripled their prices. You want to pay three dollars for a glazed donut? Be my guest, but Haven’s prices will always be affordable. We source locally as much as possible. Almost all of our inventory comes from companies within Middle Tennessee. Not so with Donut Heaven. In fact, I’m not sure their flour is even milled in this country.”
The room gasped.
“Is that true?” Art said.
“Donut Heaven is a global company. We source our inventory from the best around the world.” Mr. Elliot stared steadily at Art Loamier up front.
“Ask to see his sources.” Sam watched as the folks in the room shifted with unease. He was winning. It was a feeling he knew well. A feeling he needed right now. He glanced toward Chloe. Her smile hooked his heart and he decided right then and there to propose. Why not? He loved her.
Art gave the floor to rebuttal, but no one moved. Then Frank rose and approached the podium.
