Mayor Whitaker cleared her throat, and once more, Tilley Beckett banged her gavel to call the room to attention. “It sounds like there are concerns on both sides,” she said once the buzz quieted a little. “And since this project will significantly impact the community, I think it’s only prudent that we pause the vote for now and?—”
Trevor shot to his feet again. “Pause? But that’s?—”
“Yes,” the mayor said, unbothered. “Pause, Mr. Burton. I suggest that we form a committee that will evaluate the proposal and measure the impact on the community as a whole. We’ll need community representation as well as members on both sides of the matter at hand.”
Tilley nodded, already scribbling on her clipboard.
“Are there any volunteers?” Mayor Whitaker looked out at the crowd.
Chase Carlson was the first to stand up. “I’ll do it.” His voice was calm and steady. “I grew up on those trails, and I enjoy them almost daily,” he said. “But I’m also a businessman. I think I can be fair and objective.”
I couldn’t help but agree with that. I nodded my approval even though no one asked my opinion.
A middle-aged woman in a fleece vest raised her hand. “I hike the ridge every Sunday. I’d be happy to help.”
Tilley pointed at her before scribbling some details on her clipboard. The neutral voices were accounted for.
“Is there anyone else who would like to volunteer?”
“Me!” Tilley raised her arm in the air and waved wildly. “I have extensive organizational experience, as you know. I think the committee could benefit from my ability to keep things on track.”
More like, she had to be involved in everything that went on in this town. Not that it mattered. Mayor Whitaker agreed with Tilley’s involvement before pointing across the room at me.
“Mr. Lyons?”
I tilted my head in question.
“I assume you will want to be involved in this committee.”
If I were being honest, it was the last thing I wanted to do. But there was no one better to protect our trails, so there wasn’t really another choice.
“Of course,” I said without hesitation.
“Wonderful. And Mr. Burton, would you like to represent your interests in this matter?”
Surprisingly, Trevor, the jackass, shook his head. “As much as I’d love to help everyone understand how beneficial the Timberstone development will be, my commitments in the city will keep me from being a good committee member.”
Before the mayor or anyone else could object, he waved his hands toward Jess. “But my beautiful fiancée will step in to represent our side. She knows the land well, she understands the benefits of a project of this magnitude, and she’s an excellent communicator. She’ll be a tremendous asset.”
Next to him, Jess blinked and opened her mouth to object, but before she could, Tilley interjected.
“That’s wonderful. I’ll add her name to the list. It will be a balanced committee.”
Balanced. Right.
My jaw tightened. And not because Jess was involved.
Well, maybe a little bit because Jess was involved. But the fact that her fiancé just volunteered her as if she were another bullet point on his checklist was beyond irritating.
“That settles it,” the mayor said. “The trail committee will consist of Chase Carlson, Becky Harding, Tilley Beckett, Preston Lyons, and Jess Anderson. Please meet after we adjourn to discuss your first meeting time and location. The council will expect an update and a recommendation in two months’ time.”
Two months?
I could handle eight weeks of committee meetings and agendas.
Maybe.
There were a few more things on the agenda, but none of them took very long, and soon the meeting had been adjourned and chairs started scraping across the floor. People burst into conversation all around me, and the room buzzed with new energy.
