“Vandalism. There’s a sign, just this side of the city limits, that’s supposed to say ‘no trucks.’ Someone scratched out the T and morphed the R into an F.”
It took everyone a second, but the snickering indicated most had figured it out.
“Probably just kids messin’ around,” she continued. “But it’s vulgar and doesn’t reflect on the town too well.”
“I’ll make a request to have the transportation department get it replaced. Thank you for letting us know.” The mayor jotted a note on a pad. “That it?”
Logan turned to Tess and raised an eyebrow, asking if this was real.
“Oh, we’re just getting started,” she mumbled. “Saddle up.”
“Moving on.” The mayor glanced at the list in front of him. “Rosa?”
“Zeke’s been stealing my newspaper.” She thrust a finger at another man, who startled and then turned red.
“I…I…” the man stammered, obviously guilty and embarrassed about being caught. “I always put it back.”
“Afteryou read it,” Rosa said. “And I know you take it in the bathroom. I pay for it. It’s my paper. I shouldn’t have to settle for a used, poop paper.”
“Gross.” “That’s disgusting.” “Poop paper?”
Lilly giggled. Everyone else moaned, including Logan. Any hope of getting serious information about the town’s business climate skedaddled right out the door.
“What is happening?” Logan asked.
Tess covered her face with her hands, hanging and shaking her head. “Don’t ask. Just keep drinking.” Taking her own advice, she downed a healthy swig from her cup.
The meeting went on this way for another thirty minutes. Complaints ranged from rogue goats feasting on the neighbor’s azaleas to garbage cans on the wrong side of the property line. A drunk neighbor driving his tractor to town. Someone’s tree house with a direct line of sight into a child’s bedroom. Stolenrecipes. Late-night lawn mowing. Unpicked up dog poop. A virtual smorgasbord of petty, small-town grievances.
Finally, they got to new business, and Faith made her pitch for a rooftop space above her store.
“During the day, we’ll serve sodas and smoothies, and in the evenings, wine and beer. Picture cozy chairs, sun umbrellas, patio lights, and propane fire pits.”
“Why not coffee?” someone asked.
“I don’t wanna hurt the Rise and Grind’s business,” Faith explained.
“That’s awful nice of ya,” a voice grumbled from the back.
“There won’t be no nude sunbathing up there, will there?” Ramona asked.
Faith shook her head. “No, ma’am. Just a comfortable place to read a book. Totally G-rated.”
When it was finally Logan’s turn, he barely got his name out before he was interrupted.
“Who’re you?” A bald man in the front asked. “Never seen ya before in my life.”
“You the new guy in town? The one after Tessy?” This from the woman who’d opposed the stripper class.
“Stand down,” Max said. “He’s with me. We’re here to propose a new event center. I want to build one next to the inn. We’ll get all the permits and stuff, just wanted to toss around the idea so y’all don’t freak out later.”
“I love the idea,” Rosa said. “Since Faith burned down the old barn, there hasn’t been a place for big gatherings.”
“Hey!” Faith exclaimed. “It wasn’t my fault it burned.”
“It was your wedding.”
“I support it too,” Tess said, obviously trying to head off another meaningless argument. “It would be great to have lodging so close to the venue. Helps with out-of-town guests and might discourage drinking and driving. Right, Nick? I mean, Sheriff?”
