Tory, who was seated in the middle of the room, gave her a thumbs-up and announced, “I taught her everything she knows. My little girl, all grown up.” She pretended to wipe a tear, then lifted a glass in salute.
Everyone laughed until Vivi tapped her spoon against her glass to regain the floor. Wyatt saw Chey’s private smile when she turned back around to give Vivi her full attention once again. He squeezed her hand. She squeezed back.
Vivi held up her glasses to look at her notes, then lowered them again to address the room. She was at ease in the role of team leader, but Wyatt saw the pinched corners of her mouth, and knew she was more worried about this than she let on.
“This, of course, is a serious issue for the businesses in the Falls proper, but if those services fail, then it also becomes a problem for all of us. We rely on them for our own day-to-day lives. What we offer is invaluable in terms of keeping traditions alive, finding new ways to bring growth to the area, and increase tourism while still respecting the rural mountain culture that drew us all to this area in the first place. That said, the businesses in town can live without us, but the same can’t be said for us without them. I feel like it’s on us to come up with some solutions that will, in the end, help us all.”
This was met with vocal affirmations, clapping, a whistle or two, and a lot of murmured conversation. The way Wyatt read the room was that they all agreed with Vivi, and were potentially willing, but had no idea what they could do to help. That was Wyatt’s experience in more village and tribal meetings than he could count. In that respect, he felt right at home.
“I’ve learned this week that the town council has had a plan proposed to them that will remedy this issue,” Vivi informed them.
Everyone fell instantly silent. All eyes were once again on her.
“They want to sell Firefly Lake and the surrounding acreage to a resort developer.” There was a collective gasp that seemed to suck the air out of the room. Suddenly, no one was interested in their bacon and eggs, lavender scones, and hot tea. “Now, I know many of you have been approached by various developers over the years, and you’ve remained united in turning those offers down. However, in this case, the town owns the property, and I’m afraid this proposal solves too many of the council’s immediate problems for it to be turned down. No matter that the short-term fix might change the course of Blue Hollow Falls forever.”
“What kind of resort?” someone asked. “Who runs it? Some big hotel chain?”
“Well, that’s the thing,” Vivi replied. “The developer, Pantheon Properties, has pitched a fully realized proposal, with subcontractors in place, and contracts ready to sign. I have a copy of the plans, and I’ve seen the full presentation. The change will be both expansive and transformative. However, not in the way I think we want. This won’t be a modest hotel coming in and offering to upgrade the nature center, provide better trail maintenance, and better boats for the lake. Pantheon will completely change the face of Firefly Lake, and Blue Hollow Falls.” She picked up the papers and used her spectacles to read from the overview she’d typed up. “I won’t sugarcoat it, so here goes. They intend to tear down the nature center, take out the docks, dredge that whole side of the lake to put in a beach, then build a fifteen-story hotel, with three-story wings extending out from either side, all lakefront.”
Wyatt saw the utter shock on each and every face after Vivi’s blunt recitation and thought it had been the right way to handle the presentation. Go straight to the facts.
“The woods on the near side of the lake will be completely cut down, and condos will be built. The wilderness trails will cease to exist. Some of that wooded area will be retained but cleared in a way to make room for luxury cabins, A-frames, and other independent lease properties.” She sighed and put the papers back on the table. “The rest of the wilderness area will be completely cleared to make way for a championship, eighteen-hole golf course.”
Several people pounded their fists on tables, others shouted, and then things really got out of hand. To say an uproar ensued would have been putting it mildly.
Wyatt stood up and tried to call the meeting to order, but it wasn’t until Chey stood up, put two fingers between her lips, and let loose a piercing whistle that the cacophony finally shut down.
“I know that none of us want this,” Chey said to the still grumbling room as she continued to stand next to Vivi. “We know this is not the kind of growth we want in Blue Hollow Falls. Commercial resort development of that magnitude will mean other commercial ventures looking to attach themselves to it. Chain outlets, big box stores, and fast-food places won’t be far behind. Now, I know each and every one of us sometimes shops in those kinds of businesses, so they have their place. But that place is down in the valley, in Turtle Springs and beyond, where they already exist and serve us perfectly fine. We live up here precisely because we don’t want to live in the valley, and we don’t mind driving to get those kinds of commercial services when we want them.”
A young man about Wyatt’s age with a stout beard and hair that fell below his shoulders, and the physical presence of a Viking to match, stood up and said, “So, what do we do about it, Chey? Point us in a direction, and we’ll make it happen.”
“That’s what we’re here to talk about, Seth,” she told him.
Wyatt realized now that the Viking was Seth Brogan, the winery owner, whom he’d spoken to on the phone earlier that morning.
“I brought someone who might be able to give us some ideas on how and where to start.” Chey turned and said, “I’d like to introduce—”
“Wyatt Reed.” The words had been blurted out by a young man who was seated at the table to their left, behind Addie Pearl. He was a tall, lanky kid, maybe fourteen or fifteen, with thick brown hair. Next to him was a girl, maybe a few years younger than he, also on the tall side, with dark red hair and a surprisingly direct gaze. On the other side of the teen was a man in his early forties, and next to him sat Hannah. Wyatt immediately put the man and boy together as Will and Jake McCall, Hannah’s new family.
Wyatt wasn’t sure about the young girl, but she had no such qualms about him, apparently. Her gaze was alert and astute and she gave him a very deliberate once-over without any attempt to hide it. Unlike Addie Pearl, she apparently chose to withhold her judgment. He smiled and nodded toward her, accepting her wait-and-see approach. That surprised a smile and nod from her in return.
“I thought I recognized you,” Jake said, looking a little awestruck. He turned to the rest of the room. “He’s Wyatt Reed.” Will nudged his son, who stood. “Sorry,” he said. “I’m Jake McCall. You’re Reed Planet.”
“That would be me,” Wyatt said with a nod. His smile grew as he noted that the young girl next to Jake was not the least bit impressed by that revelation.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Jake said, then looked at Chey with pure hero worship illuminating his handsome young face. “You’re with Reed Planet?”
Hannah made a little axing motion across her neck and a shake of her head and Jake cleared his throat and looked back at Wyatt. “Are you going to livestream from Blue Hollow Falls?”
Wyatt nodded. “If it turns out you need it, I’m game.”
“Yes,” Jake said with a fist pump. Then he turned to the room as if expecting them to share his victorious enthusiasm. When he saw the sea of blank faces, he said, “He has, like, millions of followers. I’ve followed him for years. He goes to parts of the world no one knows about to bring attention to places that need help.”
Wyatt noted that Jake’s younger sidekick sat up a little straighter at that news, though her jury was clearly still on hold with the final verdict. He couldn’t say why that made him feel better, but he liked people who needed all the information before hopping on a bandwagon, or off.
Now Addie Pearl rose, and if the moment hadn’t been so fraught with tension and worried anticipation, Wyatt would have smiled at the disparity in height between her and Vivi. Yet the moment Addi
e spoke, her words quiet but firm, she commanded the room like a spiritual leader. Wyatt knew that in addition to being part owner of the mill, she was a weaver by trade. She was also, it appeared, something of a guidepost for the community. Someone they all turned to for wisdom and advice. As she stood barely more than hip high to Vivi, using her carved walking stick once more, Wyatt smiled and thought, Yoda, you must be.
“Mr. Reed has been kind enough to offer us his global platform,” Addie said, then looked at Wyatt and gave him a broad, genuine smile. The transformation was striking. Her eyes were indeed lavender, and they sparkled with clarity and purposeful intent. He was as riveted as everyone else in the room at that moment.
“Now, I don’t know that we need millions of anything,” she went on, looking back toward the room. “But the collective attention of those millions might be enough to make our objections heard despite that mighty big carrot being dangled in front of the council’s collective noses. Might help encourage them to choose a different solution to the problems facing our town. Our solution.” Her look shifted to one of quiet confidence, with an impish smile that encouraged folks to have hope, to believe they could do this.
Wyatt had seen that exact expression before and realized then why he’d made the Star Wars connection. The vibe, the wisdom, and the calm certainty that exuded from her every pore was so utterly the same. Blue Hollow Falls, you have the force, and she’s right here before you.
“All we have to do,” Addie Pearl said simply, “is come up with one.”
A clatter of conversation immediately erupted again. Addie Pearl merely lifted her walking stick and they quieted. She turned and gestured to Wyatt. “Given this young man has been involved helping countless other villages and towns solve far more convoluted problems than ours, let’s let Mr. Reed speak and maybe we’ll find the beginning of an idea.”
She sat, as had Jake and Seth, and the room grew quiet.
“Thank you, Addie Pearl,” Wyatt said, then turned to the room. “Hello. I’m Wyatt, and it’s a real pleasure to meet you all. The reason I’m here—I’ve known Cheyenne since we were kids, and what’s important to her is important to me. I haven’t been here long, but I have already seen what it is about the Falls that draws you in and makes you want to stay.”
Chey had let go of his hand when he stood up, but he felt her rub the toe of her boot alongside his, giving him her support.
His smile grew. “I haven’t explored the town proper yet—which kind of does demonstrate how easily tourists can come up here, higher in the hills, and enjoy your farms, the mill, and the Falls, but never quite make it into town. I have had the pleasure of spending some time out at Firefly Lake.”
“And in Firefly Lake,” Vivi offered with a glint of humor, causing a ripple of laughter and easing the tension a bit.
“Also true,” Wyatt acknowledged with a grin, seeing that word of his rescue had apparently gotten out. The twinkle in Vivi’s eyes told him she’d likely been the source of that leak. He wasn’t sure how wise it was to poke the deep-pocketed bear that was Paul Hammond by spreading that tale around, but it was her story to tell, and her bear to poke.
He looked back to the room. “I won’t bore you with my story. You can do a quick search online and find out way more than you ever wanted to know about my adventures, trust me.” He nodded to Jake and grinned. “Or Jake can fill you in.”
The teen beamed and flushed all at the same time. Sidekick’s vote was still pending. He nodded at her, too, and got a simple raised eyebrow in return, as if to say, “Go on.” So, he did.
“I’ve been in situations like this many times. Admittedly usually in far more remote areas with far fewer people involved. What Addie Pearl says is true. The best solution in your case is finding an alternate solution, then putting it forth and getting serious consideration for it. This approach does two things. It slows down the decision-making process and allows everyone to take a deep breath. That gives you the time to adequately present your side and why it’s important to you that the council go in a different direction and reject the Pantheon offer.”
“What if they don’t listen?” The young girl seated at Jake’s table stood up. “Hi, I’m Bailey Sutton. What if they just go ahead and do whatever they want? Do we have a way to force them not to take the resort guy’s offer? Is there a town vote or something?”
“Hi, Bailey,” Wyatt said, liking her more by the minute. Young, sharp, and wanting to be involved. “Vivi—Ms. Baudin—has been attending council meetings for some time, and from what I gather, without any other plan to choose from, the town doesn’t have to vote. The council members you elected to oversee your interests will decide yay or nay.” He looked at Vivi, who nodded that he’d gotten it right. “Of course, you do have a say in the next election, meaning you can vote out the council members you think aren’t representing you properly. When you’re in between elections, like now, sometimes, if those in a position of power fear they’ll lose your votes in the future, it can be an incentive to keep you happy.” He lifted a hand to tamp down her enthusiasm. “However, unfortunately, what is more often the case is that they have campaign donors with deep pockets—and they have one with very deep pockets in this particular situation—and those donors are the ones the council will be most interested in keeping happy.”
“Can’t we have like a town meeting or something? Voice our opinion on this at least?” Bailey looked around the room, then back to him. “Loudly if we have to?”
Wyatt smiled, and there was a scattering of applause and voiced approval for Bailey’s question. “Absolutely. You can call for a town hall meeting. It’s not the same as you all getting to officially vote on the proposal, but it’s the next best thing. That is where you can make your voices heard. That is honestly exactly what you do.”
“Only you’re saying that even if we do, they’re probably still going to make Mr. Deep Pockets happy, and he wants this resort, right?” Bailey asked. “Is there anything else we can do?”
“First, they can’t change what they don’t know you want changed, so you have to present your case. Make your opinion on this known. Second, at the town meeting, if not before, you would also present your solution. It’s hard to get anyone to say no to a big shiny object that will solve all their problems if you’ve got no other choice to offer.”
“Even if it ticks off Mr. Deep Pockets?” Bailey asked, looking more dubious and distrustful by the moment.
Wyatt nodded. “Even then. Especially then. If no one ever challenges the council members, they’ll just continue to do more of whatever is in their own self-interest. Push back has to start somewhere.”
“Couldn’t we present this alternate solution to them directly?” This from Seth. “Or is the town hall spectacle necessary?”
Wyatt shrugged. “You could, yes. You could get petitions signed as a measure of showing town support for your plan, and the lack thereof for theirs. But nothing beats a room full of people, all with the same concern, and an expectation that their needs will be met in some way. It’s more visceral.” He lifted his hands. “I’m not saying be a mob. The exact opposite, actually. You can accomplish more with direct, sincere, open dialogue. Coming in hot can oftentimes trigger instant defense mechanisms, and then everyone digs in their feet and nothing gets done.”
Vivi smiled. “If we show them that there is overwhelming opposition to their plan, won’t that make it clear that if they go against the wishes of the majority, no amount of campaign contributions from Mr. Deep Pockets is going to help them get the vote next time around?”
“Yes, that’s step one of the town hall meeting. Step two is the alternate proposal.”
“I think we all know who Mr. Deep Pockets is.” This from Seth. “The Falls isn’t that big.” He scanned the room, and Wyatt could hear Hammond’s name being murmured. He looked back to Wyatt. “Rumor is he doesn’t play fair. What can we do if he’s got some backroom deal going?” His tone made it clear he suspected this to be the cas
e, and the nods of everyone else confirmed he wasn’t alone in that suspicion.
“Go beyond your locality, draw broader attention to your situation,” Wyatt told him. “More attention brings more pressure to bear on those in control of decision making. The problem with most of the places I travel is not having a direct conduit to the outside world, not one that would draw attention to them in the way they need. You all already have those established links via your music center, your mill, and your various independent Web sites. In this case, however, because time is of the essence, gradual campaign-building from multiple sources won’t get the job done in time. We need focused attention, all at once, with as many eyes on the situation as possible.” Wyatt looked toward the rest of the folks in the room. “I can help with that. Take your story from a local one to a national one.”
“A global one,” Jake added.
Wyatt smiled and nodded toward Jake. “It’s true that if I stream from here, people from all over the world will be watching, but all we need to do is to draw attention in this country.”
“How does that work?” Vivi asked. “This . . . streaming.”
“It’s essentially like watching a video online, only it’s live. I post an announcement to my subscribers when a live event is going to happen, so they know when to tune in, then I assemble my crew—camera guys, that kind of thing—and take my viewers with me to show them what’s going on. It starts a conversation, which, due to the numbers of people watching, spreads very quickly, and that usually gets notice.”
“From who?” This from an older gentleman in the back. He stood. “Mabry Jenkins. I own the apple farm and cidery. What kind of notice do we want?”
“Well, normally I want attention that grows the story beyond the online conversation to one that is seen and discussed in newspapers and on television. What that does is bring the problem into a broader realm where folks who might be able to help can hear about it.”
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