Then Sakkara opened up the floor to allow people from Eastshore to speak. Patti LaRue was first, shooing Jocelyn to a seat near the council table so she could takethe podium. Her remarks praised Jocelyn’s plan and research, making it clear she supported the idea.
The elderly woman ended with, “You know I’ve made it my life’s goal to preserve Eastshore’s history, and I’ve been delighted by how many young people are interested in it these days.” She grinned at Ashlyn Anderson and her Mate. “My collection is private, which is why I have to offer tea to fund it, but Eastshore deserves something builtbythe community,forthe community. Putting it next to mine makes sense—and I’m not just saying that because I think a giant lighthouse in the middle of the historic district will attract plenty of attention. We’ll have all sorts of people coming to the island for the day to visit!”
The next man who stood up seemed to be on the fence, stating that he didn’t want his taxes to increase in order to pay for upkeep. Then another woman stood to speak in support of it, pointing out that while Eastshore was known for their beaches, this could attract a different kind of day tripper, one interested in culture, and that could be beneficial to the community.
Several others spoke—including a few orcs—but after a while, I realized I wasn’t listening to their words. Why? Because I was staring at my Mate as a sense of certainty grew in my chest.
It was as if myKteerwas urging me to stand, to speak.
Why the fuck would I do that?
I had no plan, nothing in particular I needed to say. There’d been nothing I could say that hadn’t been said already, and it would basically be me making a fool ofmyself, saying I agreed with Jocelyn because she was fucking brilliant.
Maybe that’s all you need to say.
Huh.
Maybe…maybe myKteerwas urging me to speak in support of her plan, not because I would say anything mind-changing…but just because I needed tosaythe words?
I took a deep breath, and I swear I caughtherscent.
My gaze slammed to the front of the room, and yeah, Jocelyn was looking right at me.
Her expression was carefully blank; I could read the sorrow in her eyes, but there was also cautious pride there, as if she wasn’t quite sure how to feel. Or maybe she was trying tohidehow she felt from me. Maybe the sorrow was there only because she was looking at me?
So I held her gaze.
And slowly, I grinned, allowing my pride inherto show.
We were surrounded by a hundred and fifty people, all perched on those flimsy little folding chairs in a room where the air conditioner ran too loudly and the ceiling tiles had been repaired one too many times…and it was as if none of that mattered. It was just me and Jocelyn, staring into one another’s eyes.
Slowly, her shoulders straightened, her chin came up, and I nodded once, in approval. And her lips? Fuck me, those kissable, delicious lips? They slowly curled into a shy sort of smile.
And I knew then.
It didn’t matter what I said, not to the rest of the people in this room. But Jocelyn? She had to hear me say it.
So I stood up and, without dropping her gaze, pushed my way past the knees and teasing murmurs from my friends, to make my way to the podium.
Of course, once there, I felt fucking ridiculous.
I’d never, not once in my life, stood in front of this many people and had tospeak.
Gods below. Don’t pass out.
Right.
I took a deep breath, leaned too close to the microphone, and began.
“I’ve been here on Eastshore only since last November, but I like it here.” When my friends nodded emphatically in agreement, I exhaled and glanced to my left, where Jocelyn sat, watching me warily. “I’m a heavy equipment operator for Butch Holdings, and that’s how I got involved in this project—I was supposed to dig out the foundation for the lighthouse.”
Slowly, I began to relax, realizing I was speaking directly to my Mate, and it didn’t matter if these people happened to be listening in.
“I’ve spent my entire life moving dirt around, and it never once occurred to me to look inside that dirt.” My lips twitched. “But Jocelyn sees stuff like that that no one else sees, and I think that’s pretty incredible.”
Something she told me triggered a memory, and I swung my attention back to the watching crowd. “Did you know that the most-found artifact at lighthouse digs is packages that food or drinks used to come in? Tins and bottles and stuff like that, which can tell archaeologists a lot about supply routes and lifestyles in the area during that time.” I huffed a small laugh. “There’s no way I would’ve known that, unless I’d been smart enough to sit down and listen to Jocelyn when she talks about this kind of shit.”
I winced, remembering there were kids like Jay and Milo in the room, and I probably should watch my language. “I mean…Jocelyn has only been on Eastshore for two weeks, but she’s become part of this community in the same way I have. She understands not just the history, but what we need. She’s done this before and understands how to make these kinds of things profitable. So…” I shrugged. “I think we’d be stupid not to listen to her suggestions.”
