UNDER THE DESERT SKY
By Mary Tate Engels
Published by Mary Tate Engels at Amazon.com
All rights reserved.
Copyright 2011, Mary Tate Engels
Cover by www.digitaldonna.com
This e-Book is licensed for your personal enjoyment. It may not be re-sold or given away.
Holding out for rainbows. . .
In the shadows, she could see Holt's angular face and his dark, tired eyes. Her scrutiny dropped briefly to his mouth where she imagined placing hers.
Holt leaned forward, letting their lips brush with a soft kiss.
Lacy trembled at his light caress. A part of her wanted to accept the full force of his kiss. Another part wanted to turn and run. She felt slightly dizzy with his overpowering nearness. Attracted to his earthy fragrance, she wanted to fling herself into the strength he exuded. But she didn't... couldn't. She moved to the door.
"I hope the kiss wasn't inappropriate, Your Honor."
"It was ahhh... nice."
"Nice? Is that the best I can do?" He pretended to pout.
"Well, smooth." She wanted to taste his lower lip, but she refrained.
"Not spectacular? No bells? Whistles? Rainbows?"
She turned back to him and teased his lips lightly with hers. It was a wicked thing to do and went against all her principles, but she had to admit it. "Maybe a few sparks."
"Ummm, good. I felt a few sparks, myself."
"I'm holding out for rainbows."
"I'll see what I can do about that."
She turned and stepped into the night. It took all her strength to walk away from him.
PROLOGUE
"Lacy, is that you?"
"Annie. . . I need. . . to talk."
"Are you all right? You sound terrible."
"Yes. No, I – "
"Is it the divorce?"
"It's everything. And I’ve decided to leave town. Or get away from my family, my ex – everyone, for a while."
"What about your job?"
"All that’s over too. . . I’ll tell you about it later. Do you have an empty bed for a few days until I get my head straight?"
"Of course. Anything, Lacy. We have a whole town of empty beds. Come on out here to the desert, honey. And heal."
"Oh Annie, I needed to hear that. You’re a lifesaver. I’m on my way." Lacy Donahue smiled through her tears. God bless Annie!
She and Annie Clayton had remained friends, even after college at the University of Arizona in Tucson and good jobs in Phoenix and terrible divorces leaving them devastated. They were there for each other. Annie had moved to the outskirts of a small desert town after her divorce, seeking solace on the old family apple farm. Now Lacy was headed there, too, determined to pull herself together and make success happen. Somewhere, somehow.
Lacy was determined not to remember what he’d said to her the last time they spoke, the last time she’d listened. But some of the words stuck. And she couldn’t shake them off, even though she was beginning a new life in an old town with a new destination for herself. She thought she’d left everything behind, but . . . the words stuck. Maybe because they hurt so deeply even now, a year later.
Loser. Jobless. Can’t even have kids.
But Bruce, her ultimate-achiever ex, failed to recognize Lacy’s determination. Maybe her father should take credit for that part, for he was a results-driven guy, no matter what it takes. That's what he taught her. After the divorce, she was driven to prove them both wrong, wrong, wrong. Unfortunately the way she chose was probably the roughest road she could have taken.
Chapter One
A year after arriving in Silver Creek, corporate runaway Lacy Donahue was still trying to get it right. Only now she was the mayor and should know how to succeed. And how to make the town to succeed. She didn’t have all the answers, but she had ideas. The most important element was where to get the money they needed for reconstruction of their dying town.
The painful words from her ex came back occasionally. Late at night. When she was alone. And lonely. Which was often, these days. Those feelings of defeat crept back into the corners of her being, trying to beat her down.
But she fought back, hard, every day. Today, she was her bright, determined self, hiding the pain with her drive and determination. And her most positive, we-can-win facade.
"Here's my dream, my hope for Silver Creek." Lacy's voice rose and she gestured a rainbow shape. "Make Silver Creek a destination spot. B & B's. Lodge with spa. Dude Ranch. Natural hot springs. Even an Apple Farm. Make this the best place to be in the state, in the country, if you want a southwestern experience." Lacy surveyed the meager committee of three gathered in her office. They blinked at her as if she'd said 'Move Silver Creek to downtown Phoenix and paint it purple.' Too much, too fast, she though.
"They call them guest ranches, not dude ranches anymore," Sandy said. Her body language dismissed the ideas. Not possible. Not in this lifetime. Sandy was a math teacher. She had to see the solid numbers before she would believe.
"Lacy, that's way out there, don't you think? We can't even afford street lights in town and you want to turn it into a destination spot?" Annie crossed her arms. Denial. And from her best friend.
Lacy struck back. "We are rapidly becoming a town populated only by women and kids. And we women, our families, are going down for the count, along with Silver Creek, if we don't do something creative and innovative. This old town has a personality and potential. Plus, there's a hot springs a few miles down the road along with an apple farm."
"A struggling apple farm," Annie added. "Let's not do anything too drastic yet. My crops depend on so much. Weather. Pickers. Workers."
Lacy paused and looked at each of her audience of three. "Where is Maxine?"
"She can't make it today," said Sandy Amado, math teacher looking for a way out of town. "Maxine went to a state principal's meeting in Phoenix. She asked me to keep her posted on the committee's decisions. I just hope she isn’t looking for a job."
Lacy pushed her hair behind one ear. "If we lose this fight, we won’t be able to sell our houses. No jobs. We’ll walk away with empty pockets. Failure is not an option here. I . . . we just can’t afford to lose . . . again. Maybe drastic is what we need."
"What do you want us to do?" Annie Clayton, owner of Annie's Apple Orchard shrugged. There was usually an eagerness about her, which was why Lacy wanted her to be a part of this committee. But today, her negativity tumbled out. "We’re all in the same sinking boat. So, what magic are we going to perform to save this town?"
"No magic. But think positively," Lacy said. "Think big. Think outside the box. Outside the sinking boat."
No one laughed.
"We're here to brainstorm ideas and set some priorities." Lacy applied another floral garnish to the tray of appetizers she was preparing for her little committee. "To come up with some things we can do to start this wagon wheel rolling."
"I thought we were just here for a fun lunch," Annie said, slicing one of her apple cakes. "And to commiserate."
"You know me better than that," Lacy said. "No whining. We have a job to do here. Our new motto will be 'Get busy with your business'."
Annie rolled her eyes. "When did you come up with that?"
"Sometime in the middle of the night, lying there worrying about what to do about us." Lacy arranged another nasturtium on a cracker topped with cream cheese and passed the tray around. "How do you like my edible garnishes?"
Annie took a bite of cracker with cream cheese and rose petals. "Yum, good. I'm starved." She took another cracker, then passed them to Lena.
"I've heard of peopl
e talking to their flowers, Lacy, but you're the only one I know who eats them." Semi-retired Juvenile Judge Lena Corona adjusted her glasses and peered skeptically at the array of colorful flowers on the hors d'oeuvres tray.
This was Lena's town. She was the oldest of the group, grew up here and claimed she wanted to keep it from becoming a ghost town. Lacy knew she would be their strongest advocate.
"I wanted you all to see what’s possible, from the resources we have. More than magic, it’ll take tough decisions and hard work." Lacy smiled grimly at the small group. "But I just can't stand by and watch this town die. Not without a fight. I need your input, your creative ideas. What would you like to see in Silver Creek? Lena, let's start with you."
"Never thought I'd say this, but your flowers are pretty good." Lena took a bite of the apple cake. "And this cake, Annie, is to die for. If only we could make businesses out of these products."
"Actually, I've started an herb and flower business with plants grown in my back yard," Lacy said with a brave smile. What if this failed, too? She lifted her chin and forced some confidence to show. "I’m calling it Blooms and Leaves. I’ve already sold a small order to a restaurant in Bisbee."
Annie took another cracker. "Great idea, Lacy. Wonder if they’re interested in buying apple cakes. Or my chile apple pie."
"Maybe if you called it Arizona Apple Bread. And World Famous Green Chile Apple Pie," Lacy said. "What if we formed a co-op? We could all sell our products through that organization, set up markets here and in other towns, make our products available to anyone. We could all benefit by working together."
"We could even go online," Annie said.
"Now you're talking." Lacy pressed her hands together, feeling grateful that Annie was catching on.
"I don’t have anything to sell," Lena said. "I don't have a business. I'm a judge."
"Why Lena," Annie said. "Your backyard roses are beautiful."
"Yes, well, never thought of selling them. My biggest concern is the hidden results of the town's decline. The kids. High school dropouts often end up in court. It starts with petty crimes but that often grows. We could use a day camp, something to keep them busy and out of trouble. And even summer school, maybe a half day program."
Sandy took a bite of bloom on a cracker. "I agree with Lena. We need some kind of curriculum that will help maintain their education through the summer. I know that Maxine has talked about getting that done… somehow." She nodded to Lacy. "Hmmm, these are good."
"Right now, there are only two places hiring permanent positions - the prison and the junior college," Lacy added. "That excludes the small farms that hire part-timers and migrants during harvest."
Sandy folded her arms. "Most of my students don't show college potential. That leaves the prison. The big question is which side of the fence will they be on?"
Lacy raised her voice above the clacking air conditioner. "Having limited opportunities for employment is one of our biggest problems."
"It's awful when families have to split up so both wage earners can be employed," Sandy added somberly. "I know of at least ten families where the men had to go to Tucson and even Phoenix to find jobs. Not to mention my own. And uh, Lacy’s situation."
Lacy held her hand up to stop the conversation from going to territory better left alone. "We know that everyone is suffering. We have a sick town, and it's up to us to make it well."
"Is it possible? We've done nothing but go downhill since I got here two years ago." Annie shook her head woefully.
Lacy's gaze went to the courthouse window. In the school yard next door was a group of boys playing pickup basketball. They were happy and carefree, as youth should be. It only confirmed the importance of saving the town in Lacy's mind. "We're going to make it possible." She motioned for the committee to look outside. "For them."
Beyond the boys were the twin smokestacks of the now-empty copper processing plant. Those smokestacks had belched gray smoke until a year ago, when the company stopped copper production. The result was cleaner air in exchange for economic deprivation.
Whatever made Lacy think that any of the mining company execs would stay in town? More than once, she had considered following Colin to . . . where was he now? Oh yes, Peru. He was a man of the world, following mining companies and leaving the small mining towns to dry up when his company was finished.
"No, we can’t give up. It’s for their sakes," Lacy said slowly, "and for ours."
Sandy reached for another flower-topped cracker. "You're right, Lacy. The kids are suffering most. We can't seem to keep good teachers. Our coach quit yesterday." She released a frustrated sigh. "Can't really blame him, though. He found a job in Tucson that offered him more money and the opportunity. He was our last male staff member."
They all nodded in silent agreement. Sandy's complaint was a familiar one. The coach, like everyone else, sought greener pastures. Silver Creek's pastures were no longer green. They were more like dull brown.
Lacy rose to pour more herbal iced tea for the committee. "I think we have to address the job market first."
Annie held her glass out for a refill. "But what can we do to bring more jobs to town?"
"What encouraged you to go into the apple business?" Lacy asked. "That's the spirit we have to tap."
"The apple trees need me," she answered with a little laugh. "And I guess I needed them. Needed an escape, much like you, Lacy. When the opportunity came to take over from my aunt and uncle, I thought it would solve all my problems. I love the orchard, but will admit, I wonder about the wisdom of that decision. I’ve considered selling out more than once. But who would buy?"
"What would make it better for you?" Lacy asked.
"I need to be able to sell my products. A co-op might help. I’m sure the other local farmers would join. And maybe we could have a regular farmer’s market, something to include other things besides plants and food. Things like arts and crafts to attract more customers."
"I don't see how that'll help much," Sandy said. "Local people buying a few pumpkins and apples? Besides, I have no idea what I’d provide. The only thing I do outside of teaching is to knit."
"That would work," Lena said. "You bring knitting. I’ll bring roses."
Lacy knew that Sandy was struggling. Her husband was working a hundred miles away and she was stuck here taking care of Jay's youngest brother, her mother, and the house. Sandy made it clear she wanted to move with her husband to Tucson. But they couldn't sell their home.
Lacy made a few notes. "I like that idea, Annie. A farmer’s market with arts and crafts and music and more."
"No offense, Annie and Lacy," Lena said, "but Sandy's right. A handful of local farmers won't solve our problems. We need more jobs than a couple of truck farms, even successful ones, can provide. I believe our young people are our greatest potential, but we have to keep them in school or we'll lose Silver Creek's future, as well."
"Now Lena, I realize choices are limited right now," Lacy cautioned. "But Silver Creek has potential. And Sandy, I understand --"
"No you don't!" Sandy pounded her fists on the table and stood up. "You don't know what it's like to have kids and can't pay – " She looked around wildly. "What the hell is wrong with that infernal, noisy air conditioner? Is it even working? It's hot as hell in here."
"Barely. But the shop can't get to it until next week." Lacy pushed her red hair back in frustration. This meeting was on the verge of corruption.
Lena leaned over and gave Sandy's hand a pat. "I'm sorry, Sandy. Maybe we're being too idealistic and insensitive. Actually, Lacy's got some good ideas here."
Sandy squared her shoulders and sat back down, near tears. "What we have is Lacy's idealism, Annie's apple extravaganza, and Lena's eternal hope. Am I the only realistic one here? Day camp and farmer’s market. Free music. Free art. Free love. None of it will bring in revenues, taxes, or jobs." She fanned herself with a sheet of paper. "Can we have some realistic solutions for jobs around here?"
She pushed aside her lunch plate and leaned forward, elbows on the desk. "What if we developed an overall winning strategy, something to give the town a rallying point? And by strategy, I mean an umbrella of success with more than one solution."
"Like what?" Sandy lifted her chin.
Lacy's blue eyes lighted with a determined gleam. "It's everything we’ve mentioned. And more. For instance, we could do something with our town's own resources. What’s already here."
Sandy chuckled derisively: "All we have now are empty, run-down buildings."
"Well, yeah. Historic and solid old buildings with an interesting past and potential for the future." Lacy pulled copies of an official statement with the state seal from her briefcase and passed them around. "We qualify for some state funds for re-habitation of existing buildings. So we should take advantage of it. That might help us get to the other parts of our strategy. Make these substantial old buildings work for us."
Sandy skimmed the paper quickly. "So some of the state funds came through. But this isn't enough for much of anything."
"Agreed, the amount's limited. But it's enough for a beginning." Lacy shrugged. "Now we have to decide the best use for this money."
"Are you thinking about renovating the historic section?" Lena asked. "People have tossed that ball around for years."
Sandy groaned. "Don't flatter those dilapidated buildings. Why don't we tear them down and build a community swimming pool. Something fun, if not useful."
"Some of them are quite old, aren't they, Lena? They have a history, and stories to tell. Museum quality."
Under The Desert Sky (Desert Sky Series) Page 1