“A breach of any environmental regulation will bring penalties,” Cal added. “Fines, higher insurance premiums and so on, but as Nash said it will be a legally binding document that we present Jenkins Industries with, which in turn means prosecution could be an option.”
“What I’ve seen of Nate Jenkins, though,” Nash said, “is that firstly he’s a businessman who wants to succeed with a good reputation. And, while I don’t know him well, at all, he strikes me as a decent man. He listened to our concerns about the environment and already has processes to put in place, so I believe that he’ll keep to his word.”
Willem nodded sagely. “Your faith in him is good enough for me, Nash.” He took his seat again and said something in the ear of Davy, his son.
“Can I ask a question please?” It was Margie Anderson, the mom of Bella, a girl in my class, with her hand in the air.
“Yes, Margie, please ask away.” Cal gave her a warm smile as she got to her feet.
“It’s for Miss. Turner.”
I blinked, surprised because I hadn’t been asked anything. Neither Gunner nor I had needed to because it was Nash who’d fielded most of the questions.
“Sure, Mrs. Anderson, how can I help?”
“Can you assure us that you’ll be staying at the school because it sounds like this camp is going to be a lot more than a summer camp.” She looked around the room. “I mean I’m all for it but if we’re going to lose a good teacher because of it then I’m afraid I don’t want it. You’ll be teaching my boy Drew next year and he’s excited because he’s good at math.”
Math had been my major and I ran all the math camps and organized a yearly math contest, so I could understand why her boy might be looking forward to me teaching him.
“I have no intention of leaving the school,” I told her. “Yes, the camp will be educational, but it won’t warrant me being there full-time. The school is my priority.”
A chair scraped on the stage and when I looked to my left, I could see it was Gunner’s. He’d shifted it forward a little and was sitting on the edge of it, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. He was staring out into the crowd, but from his profile I watched his Adam’s apple bob on a big swallow.
Margie’s smile told me she was appeased by my answer. “Thank you, that’s a big relief, Miss. Turner.”
As she sat back down, Cal closed the meeting and thanked everyone for coming and I heard Nash exhale.
“Not as bad as I expected,” he said, running a hand through his hair.
“Pretty enlightening,” Gunner added, his voice tight.
“Are you okay?” I murmured, leaning into him as Nash left to speak with someone at the edge of the stage.
“All good.”
The muscle pulsing along his jawline told a different story. His shoulders had gone rigid, spine straight as a fence post.
“I’ll walk you home,” he said abruptly, standing before I could press further. The conversation was over, at least for now.
My stomach turned because something was off with him, and I had no idea what.
“Nash, I’m walking Cassidy home. You okay waiting for a few?”
“Sure.” Nash waved a hand. “I need to talk to Cal about some water tanks, anyway. If they need to lock up here I’ll wait in my truck.”
Without saying anything else, Gunner took my hand and led me out of the hall. Once we were on the sidewalk I expected him to tell me what was troubling him, but he didn’t open his mouth.
We’d only gone half a block when I pulled him to a halt. “What’s wrong?”
His back was poker straight as he slowly turned his head. “Nothing. Not sure why you think there would be.”
His tone said otherwise. “I’m not stupid, Gunner.”
“I know that.” He started to walk again. “Maybe it’s just me.”
“What?” I tried to get him to stop again but he was too strong and too determined. “Gunner, what the hell is wrong.”
“I need to get back to Nash, we have an early start in the morning.”
