Margie shrugs. “I’m sorry, Ryder. I’m sure you can figure something out. He has full faith in you.”
Ryder bites his lip, letting a long breath out through his nose. “How is the road work coming along outside the senior community?”
Margie eyes him. “It’s stalled for now.”
“Because Reed is pissed off by a rooster and is now looking for anyone available to pick on?”
Margie opens her hands in front of her. “I’m sorry.”
He nods, his gaze dropping to the floor for a moment. “No, I’m sorry. Thank you for letting me know what’s happening, Margie. I know you’re just the messenger.”
She reaches out to squeeze his arm. “You’ll figure it out. I know you will.” A small smile spreads across her face. “So how was dinner, you two?”
I roll my eyes, turning on my heel and heading for the door. “Thank you for your help tonight, Margie,” I say, as I gesture for Ryder to follow me.
He nods in agreement. “Thank you, Margie,” he says as he falls into step with me.
“Oh, give an old woman something to live for!”
“Thank you again, Margie,” I say, more firmly as I push the door open and step outside.
She rolls her eyes, waving us off. “Have fun tonight, kids.”
And before the door shuts between us, she winks.
“She’s really something, huh?” Ryder asks.
I snort. “You have no idea,” I say, as we step down to the pavement outside. “You okay? I’m sure you weren’t expecting such a swift rejection.”
He shrugs. “It happens. Just not really sure what he wants me to do. It’s in no one’s best interest to maximize the number of units there. I mean, I knowtechnicallythat’ll net me more money, but part of the charm of that area is the nature. The farm, you know? And even if Ididwant to just maximize revenue, my grandmother is right across the street. I want this area to retain its nature for her, you know?”
I hold up a hand. “Preaching to the choir.”
He shakes his head. “I really thought that plan would be enthusiastically accepted.” He lets out a long sigh. “Back to the drawing board, I guess.”
I bite my lip. “Well, if you still want my help, I’d be more than happy to do what I can. I mean, I was a little hesitant before because I wasn’t sure what it would mean for my land, but I’m feeling cautiously optimistic right now. Like maybe I have a little more protection than I thought I would.”
He nods. “Thanks, Eve. I think at this point I could use all the damn help I can get.”
10
RYDER
The cool night air blows in my face as we walk back to the sunflower farm. My car is parked in the lot there, so I figured this would be the opportune time to talk next steps with Eve.
But I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Despite the few words Margie actually said, she conveyed a lot.
Most of which, it seems, went right over Eve’s head. She heard what she wanted to hear—that she now has some sort of protection for the water wheel—and failed to see the implication in what Margie said.
More units. Torn up land. The greater the number of units, the more jam-packed this development is going to be. The bigger the chance construction will affect Eve in some way.
She hums as we walk together. “You can always try submitting the same thing with a few little tweaks next time. Mayor Reed is known to be pretty finicky. I’m honestly a little surprised that my application was accepted considering the rooster nonsense that has him all up in arms. Butthen again, the historical society has been thirsting after my water wheel for years and Margie’s on the board. He probably knew not to fight it.”
“You think he’ll take a look at the same exact plan a second time?”
“It’s worth a try, right? If this plan works for everyone except for him? Maybe just make sure the rooster hasn’t kept him up all night before springing it on him.”
