“I had a meeting with Pastor John about the PTSD clinic.He showed me the list of businesses that were successful.The radio station wasn’t one of them.”
“I don’t know what I did wrong.The station ticks all the areas the county is targeting, but I was still unsuccessful.”
“Isn’t there another funding round next month?You should reapply.”
“I don’t know if it’s worth it.”
Ethan tilted his head to the side.“That doesn’t sound like you.”
“I’ve worked hard to get the radio station up and running, but I can’t do it on my own.”He took a deep breath and reached for the lemonade.“Ignore me.I’m feeling sorry for myself.”
“Why don’t you hire someone who can find private funders or other grants?”
“I don’t have enough money to hire anyone, let alone a marketing guru.”
“You might not need a lot of money.If you find someone who’s local, their fees will be a lot cheaper than someone from out of town.”
Theo frowned.“We live on the edge of Flathead Lake in rural Montana.No one who lives here will be able to help.”
Leaning forward, Ethan smiled.“I might know someone who can.Diana’s sisters are looking at creative ways of marketing The Lakeside Inn.And guess who’s putting together a proposal for them?”
“I have no idea.”
“Barbara, Diana’s sister.”
Theo had met Barbara a few times.The pretty brunette with sparkling green eyes was one of the most organized people he knew.Each time he saw her, she had a clipboard or a notebook in her hands, quickly moving from one task to the next with an efficiency that was slightly scary.
“Does she know about funding proposals and grant applications?”
Ethan shrugged.“I suppose so.As well as helping around the inn, she works for a marketing company in San Diego.She must have helped a few organizations with their funding.”
“I’m surprised she moved to Sapphire Bay.”
“If it weren’t for the clause in her grandmother’s will, I don’t think she’d be here.”
Theo knew about the clause but, even with Barbara’s experience, he wasn’t sure she was the right person to help him.“I’ll talk to Pastor John first.There might be other ways I can fund the radio station.”
“If you wanted to talk to him now, he isn’t here.”
“Do you know where he’s gone?”
“He had to meet someone at Finley Point.He should be back soon.”
Theo checked his watch.“I have to buy some things from the general store.I’ll come back after I’m finished.”
“Good idea.Remember to talk to Diana’s sister.Barbara knows what she’s talking about.”
She probably did, but there was another complication that wouldn’t go away.Barbara’s mom, Mabel, was Sapphire Bay’s gossip queen and administrator of the community Facebook page.If she discovered why he’d come to Sapphire Bay, it wouldn’t only be the radio station that needed rescuing.
But, after many sleepless nights, he was willing to risk just about anything to keep the station operating.As long as he was careful, there was little risk of Mabel discovering what had happened in New York City.
With a few more options than he’d had an hour ago, he took a sip of lemonade and winced.
Ethan laughed.“With your training regime, I didn’t think you’d want extra sugar.”
“It’s okay,” Theo said as he took a smaller sip of the sour liquid.“I’ll get used to it.”Just like he’d have to get used to filling out more forms if he wanted to save the radio station.
BARBARA WALKED INTO HER PARENTS’general store and smiled at her mom.Mabel had the perfect personality for a small-town business.She loved meeting new people and hearing what everyone was doing—sometimes a little too much.
