"What else do you have on your list?"Clara reached out to take my spreadsheet."One thing I've been thinking about is how we could involve the community.What if we hosted a parade around Thanksgiving?We could invite the local school bands, scout troops, dance studios, and the local police and firefighters."
"I love that idea," Eve said.
"I hadn't even considered something like that," I said, turning the idea over in my head.
Clara shrugged." Parades draw people, their families and friends, and others who want to support them.They're fun for everyone, and they'll want hot chocolate, coffee, and something to eat.Then they'll do some holiday shopping before they leave."
Eve brushed her hair out of her face."Would the shop owners want to have it on the holiday though?That would mean they'd need to open their stores on a day most people are off."
"I'd think we'd want everyone to participate," I said.
Clara shrugged."You won't know until you ask."
"We should talk to the owners.Do you think it would be best to do it one-on-one, or host a town-hall meeting?"Eve asked.
"I think we should do a meeting, so everyone is on the same page," Clara said.
"You think everyone will come?"I asked her.
Her nose pinched."The previous owners didn't involve the shop owners when they were planning things.It caused a lot of hard feelings."
"That's how we win them over.We include them in the planning process," I said to Eve.
Eve sighed."I'm a little worried that too many people involved in planning means infighting.We won't agree on anything, and then where will we be?"
"We have to try to get them on board."I wasn't willing to give up."Are we ready for this?I know it wasn't what you'd planned, but if it would help, then I think we should try," I said.
Eve nodded."I'll schedule a town hall for the shop and restaurant owners.Then we'll meet to discuss our plans and see what everyone thinks."
When I decided to buy the inn, Eve was the natural choice to run the town itself.She'd worked for an event-planning business prior to moving home.I was so glad that I asked her to join me.I couldn't imagine doing this with anyone else.
Chapter4
Ford
It had been a few days, and I was still waiting to hear back from Natasha.She'd said she was fine working with me, but maybe she'd changed her mind.Should I have reached out to her again, offering to alleviate her concerns?
Instead, I'd stayed busy handling all requests for estimates.My brothers warned me that some of these were a waste of time.The owners might not want to do renovations soon, or ever.
I'd just come from a consultation from a home where the owner seemed more concerned with getting the cheapest contractor, not the best.It was close to Christmas Town, so I decided to stop in and get coffee.
The bell over the door to Coffee Dreams jingled as I walked in.I got in line, scanning the room.Hopefully, I'd be spending a lot of time in Christmas Town soon enough.My gaze snagged on two women by the window, seated at a two-person table, their heads leaning toward each other while they talked intently about something.It was Eve and Natasha.
"Can I help you?"the barista asked.
I turned my attention to her, ordering a black coffee, then moved to another counter to wait for my order.When it came, I approached Natasha and Eve's table, wondering if this was a good idea.
"Ladies," I said, and they looked up at me.
Eve smiled."Ford.What are you doing in town?"
"I was in the area for an appointment and needed coffee.How are you?"
Eve exchanged a look with Natasha."We're just reviewing our plans for town events over the next few months."
I glanced at the laptop that rested on the table.It was open to a spreadsheet with events listed like Santa Meet and Greets, Thanksgiving Day Parade, and a Hot-Cocoa Crawl."Looks like you're busy."
"I prefer to focus on the inn, and Eve is in charge of events.But since everything is new, we're working together."
