“Absolutely.” Simon started pacing. “I’ll makesurewe pull this off.”
When she looked at Caleb, he was smiling so wide, so bright, so proud, she felt it in her veins. Without a word, he scooped her into his arms and whirled her around. “While I was making a speech about coming together, you were doing something about it.”
“Not true, Caleb,” Simon said. “You did something powerful today. You confronted the division. I was so proud.”
“Not sure I did any good.” He glanced at the small group. “How do we handle this?”
“Right now, the four of us will be the initial committee.” Simon made a face. “Why does everything in this town begin with a committee? Anyway, since you’re the contact, Emery, we’ll follow your lead.”
“I’d like to hand it over to you, Simon. You’re the mayor. There’s acall with Sted on Wednesday at ten. How about we meet in your office just before?”
“Emery, you’ve breathed life into me. I was beginning to lose hope. If the West End broke away on my watch, I’d have failed this town, the mayorship, and broken my own heart.”
“Darling, I keep telling you...” Nadine said. “You’re a wonderful mayor. Those West Enders are blowing smoke to get us to bend to their will. Forget them for now. The royals are coming. Let’s celebrate. Who wants ice cream?”
They gathered in the kitchen for ice cream, strategizing on how to pull off a royal visit with order and dignity. When to let people know. How much they could beautify the East End between the first of March and the end of April.
“We’ll know more on Wednesday,” Emery said. “But I say we find the money to do what we can for the East End. Should I write something up, ask for donations without mentioning the visit?”
“Let’s not risk sparking any suspicion.” Simon tapped on his iPad. “We have eight weeks. We have the discretionary funds already in play for some of the improvements. I can release more.”
“The owner of Alderman’s might throw in with us. I think we can trust her. I’ll tell her something big is coming. As reward for her donation, we can invite her.”
“Fine, but play it very close to the vest, Caleb,” Simon said.
Then Emery asked the elephant-in-the-room-question. “What about the West End? Do the royals tour over there, or stay on the East End? I mean, we can’t preach unity and leave them out, can we?”
“I say we ask the royals what they want.” Caleb took a big bite of chocolate ice cream. “Did your email to them indicate anything specific?”
“Hardly. I just invited them to visit.”
Simon donned his mayor hat and said leaders from both sides would be invited. If the royals wanted to see how the town had grown, then they’d tour the West End too.
“But for now, this is our news alone. No royal stories from the archives, Emery. If I’m allowed to tell you what to do, Madam Editor.”
“I can work with that request, Mr. Mayor.”
“It’s not the West End I’m worried about, but the rest of the world. Royal watchers, the media...”
Emery began to see the gravity of her brilliant idea. “I hope this visit isn’t more trouble than it’s worth. I never counted the cost.”
“We’re counting the cost now,” Simon said with a big smile. “It will be worth it.”
As she left the Casters with Caleb, all the excitement from before became a sober reality. A royal visit meant secrecy and security, a curated guest list, some sort of program, hospitality and food, on top of beautifying the East End. Where would the royals stay? Where would they eat? Who among the citizens should they invite?
They returned to Caleb’s for her car. “Care to sit for a bit?” he said, sinking into one of the patio chairs. The lights from the neighbor’s windows fell across the lawn in golden squares. “I’m too wound up to go inside.”
“Should you check on Bentley?” Emery said, taking the chair next to Caleb.
“Mom’s with him.” He reached over to tap her arm. “Sorry we didn’t get to go bike riding this afternoon.”
“What? Oh, right, I’d completely forgotten.” She loosely laced her fingers with his. “That would’ve been fun.”
“Maybe later this week.” He pulled her chair closer. “I have to tell you something. I had an email from Mac Diamond. He offered me a job as an in-house architect for Diamond Dogs.”
“Caleb, wow. What did you say? Mr. Potter jokes aside, is it a serious opportunity?”
“It’s a serious opportunity. I’d have my name on clubhouses and luxury venues across the south. He claims to like my sustainable design ideas, but... ”
