He opened his mouth to speak again, but no one was listening.
All eyes were on me.
“This isn’t the first time Trickle Creek has been at a crossroads,” I began. “The last time, we were able to pivot from mining as the main industry to tourism thanks to Michael Carlson’s foresight and investment in the community.” There were a few cheers from the crowd. Michael Carlson was long considered to be the savior of the town, and although he’d passed away a few years ago now, he was still hailed as a hero.
“But for too long now, we’ve been pretending that growth and community are the same thing,” I continued, my voice steady now. “They’re not. Growth without intention just pushes people out. It prices out the very families who’ve built this town, the people who work here, raise kids and volunteer here. That’s not the Trickle Creek we know and love.”
There were more hoots of support.
“We don’t need luxury estate homes tucked into the trees, destroying our precious trails and resources, all so outsiders can vacation here twice a year.” I glanced briefly at Trevor before looking back at the sea of eyes watching me with rapt attention. “We need homes people can actually afford. Where our teachers, paramedics, and service employees can call home. Young families and seniors who don’t want to leave the town they’ve called home for their entire lives all deserve a spot here, too.”
Trevor scoffed, but no one cared.
“Going forward, I hope to work with the council and local builders to spearhead a development plan that accurately reflects what this town really needs. Affordable, smart infrastructure that offers protection for everything that makes Trickle Creek the special place it is.”
The silence that followed was thick, but then someone started to clap.
Then another.
And another.
I didn’t waste my time looking at Trevor again. There was nothing left to say to him.
Instead, I turned slightly and focused on the man who mattered. Preston watched me with an expression I’d never seen from him before. A mixture of pride, awe, and affection.
Whatever came next wouldn’t be easy. There’d be meetings and pushback and very long days ahead. I’d have to secure funding, my own savings—and my parents’, too—gone now, but I had to believe it would work out.
Standing here, choosing what I believed in,whoI believed in, it felt right.
And I was exactly where I belonged.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Preston
Iheld tight to Jess’s hand as she accepted congratulations and offers of support. Of course, the committee members all wanted to talk about what she’d discovered in that asshole’s proposal. All except Tilley, who wanted all the details of our relationship first, hoping she could take credit for pushing us together in some way.
As for me, I just stood there with a proud smile on my face, watching the woman I was no doubt incredibly head over heels in love with, handling the attention like she’d been doing it her whole life. There was a lot ahead of her, ahead of both of us—I had no intention of letting her do it alone—but I had no doubt she’d handle the pressure with grace. And more than that, she’d do what was best for Trickle Creek.
I don’t remember deciding to leave the meeting.
One moment, we stood there surrounded by everyone we knew; the next, I was opening the passenger door to my truck and helping her inside. I’d get her car in the morning, but for now, I didn’t want to be apart from her. Not for a moment.
I shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side, climbed in, and stared out the windshield.
I didn’t start the engine. Instead, I sat back and told myself to breathe.
It’s not that I was some calm, unshakable presence. I’d lost my temper more than once lately. I’d snapped, sworn, and walked away when I should have stayed. I’d screwed up. But this was different.
Because I wasn’t trying to cool down.
I was trying not to unravel.
“Preston,” Jess said quietly.
That was all it took.
I turned toward her, and whatever restraint I’d been clinging to finally gave way. I reached for her without thinking. My hand slid into her hair as I leaned across the space between us and kissed her hard.
