“Tess is right,” Nick said. “There were issues with increased DUIs after events at the barn.”
“Sounds like somethin’ we can decide on later,” the mayor said. “If there’s no more new business?” He waited a few seconds. “Great. Meeting adjourned.”
Logan looked at Max, who shrugged. “That’s about how I figured this would go.”
Not one word about taxes, regulations, or zoning rules. It was the strangest city council meeting he’d ever been to. And yet, he walked away smiling.
“Pie?” Tess asked.
“Yes, please,” Logan said.
“We’re meeting at Karla’s. See you there.”
He spent the evening laughing with Tess and her friends. They’d driven separately, so he’d had to settle for only a kiss goodbye.
Later, Logan realized he’d gotten nowhere on his mission to find out more about the local business climate. Which meant he was no closer to having a recommendation for Cooper on what to do about The Outpost.
The counteroffer expired in five days, so he was running out of time. And while he was thrilled to have moved out of the friend zone with Tess, that only complicated matters.
Cooper’s idea of rummaging through her office crossed his mind, but he wasn’t that desperate—yet. He would try talking toher first. And if that didn’t work? Well, he’d cross that bridge when he came to it.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Tess
Tess arrived at work early the next morning, eager to reach Mr. Moody. It had been over a week since he’d promised to ask about getting The Outpost out of the deal, and patience was not her forte. His wedding was on Saturday—two days from now—and if she didn’t get an answer before then, she’d have to wait another four weeks while he honeymooned.
As she unlocked the door and entered, she heard something in the rear section. Someone was here! Conveniently, there was a display of crossbows in the front window.
“Hello?” she called, picking up a light-weight model and an arrow, ready to load it if needed.
Crossbow slung over her shoulder, she walked toward the noise. “Who’s here?” she tried again.
In the back, by the camping gear, the model tent rustled. She pulled out her phone and texted Nick, telling him someone had broken into the store.
“I know you’re in there,” she said, loading the arrow, raising the bow, and pointing it at the tent entrance. “I’ve called the police. Come out now.”
The flap unzipped, and Garrett, one of her part-time teenage employees, crawled out with his hands raised. “Tess, I’m sorry. It’s me. Don’t shoot.”
“Garrett!” She lowered her weapon. “What are you doing here? Did you sleep here?”
He nodded sheepishly. “I know I shouldn’t have, but I didn’t have anywhere else to go.”
“Don’t you live with your parents? What happened?”
“It’s a long story, but I…sort of…ran away.”
“From home? Why?”
“I had to.” Garrett’s back stiffened in defiance. “I found a dog on the side of the highway, and my parents say I can’t keep him. I’m protesting!”
“How long have you been staying here?”
“Only a couple of nights. It’s only until I can convince them to let me adopt poor little Sherlock Bones.”
“Please tell me the dog isn’t in there with you.” A yappy bark answered from inside the tent, and Garrett hung his head. “Out. Both of you. I don’t have the time or patience to deal with this right now.”
“Tess?” Nick hollered from the front. “You in here?”
