“Because I’m going to Hawaii next week and will be gone for seven days. If this is going to be presented, we need to do it now while we have a quorum.”
“I’ll let Miss Hunt know.”
“Good. See you tonight.”
Chase called Piper. “Your meeting is tonight at seven. The council meets at the elementary school.”
“Tonight?”
“Is that a problem?”
“I’m in line for the ferry. I need to head to Tacoma for a meeting.” She sighed. “It’s two-thirty now. I might make it. Okay. Thanks, Chase. I owe you one.”
The ferry horn blasted his ear. “Have a safe trip.” He pocketed the phone. “What a pickle,” he mumbled. He headed to his truck and climbed inside. Piper Hunt had complicated his life more than he imagined possible. He was either going to lose the peace and serenity he craved or lose his savings. Not to mention that Piper had grown on him in a very short time. If he won and stopped the project then she’d be out of his life for good. No matter what happened, he came out the loser. What a mess.
At six-forty-five Chase stood at the entrance to the elementary school. Where was Piper? Had she missed the ferry? Come on Piper. Even though he wasn’t crazy about having a resort for a neighbor, she deserved a chance to prove herself. Piper had let it slip over dinner the other night that her future depended on the success of this development. What kind of father put business before family? It was a good thing Mr. Hunt hadn’t come to the island because keeping his thoughts to himself would not have been easy.
A Jeep raced into the parking lot. He breathed easier as he strode to Piper’s door and pulled it open. “You made it.”
“Barely.”
“Are you ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be. You sure you don’t want to put in a good word for me?”
“I made this happen. That’s enough.”
She nodded and placed a hand on his forearm. “Thank you for that.” She grabbed her laptop case and the design tube she’d brought to their meal and closed the door. “Let’s do this,” she declared before squaring her shoulders and marching ahead of him.
He admired her tenacity but hoped it didn’t cost him the lifestyle he’d grown accustomed to. He held the door for her and walked beside her through the hall until they reached the third door. They stepped into the classroom, and eight sets of eyes turned their way.
Chapter Eight
Piper’s heels clicked on the tile floor. At the front of the room sat a rectangular table with eight seated people facing her. “Thank you for agreeing to see me so quickly, Mr. Mayor.” She smiled and nodded to the rest of the town council.
“It’s not every day a big land developer comes to our small island. We’re all interested in hearing what you have to say.” Mayor Douglas folded his hands and rested them on the table.
“Thank you. Hunt Enterprises has a reputation for including the community in our projects. We believe community support and involvement guarantee success. When a community we invest millions of dollars into embraces the project and gets involved, it stimulates the economy and allows for healthy growth.” She reached into her laptop bag and pulled out several copies she had made while in Tacoma.
“That is all well and good, Miss Hunt,” the Mayor said, “but what exactly do you propose to do here?”
“I’m glad you asked.” She walked to the table where the council sat and handed each of them a packet. “The plan, along with information about Hunt Enterprises, is in the proposal. I will give you a few minutes to peruse it, then I’ll continue if that’s all right?” She looked to the mayor.
He nodded, then pulled a pair of reading glasses from his shirt pocket.
Piper took that chance to look around the classroom. Where had Chase disappeared to? She’d expected members of the community to attend, but no one was here besides herself and the council. She glanced forward and noted the council still in discussion, so she checked email from her smart phone and replied to a few urgent messages.
The mayor cleared his throat. “Miss Hunt, your development is quite large for this community. Even with your promise of economic stimulus, I don’t believe our residents would be able to give it the kind of support you are looking for.”
Her heart rate skipped up a notch. “We would employ both locals and non-locals. Ferry service makes it easy for any workers who need to commute from the mainland. There is plenty of housing on the mainland. And for those who would like to stay on the island there are several bed-and-breakfasts that would be able to accommodate them during the building process. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the island’s economy suffers during the off-season. This would guarantee business for the locals in their typically slow time of year. The bulk of the work would be done this winter. It’s a win-win. On top of that, this resort will draw tourists year around, not only during good weather months.”
The mayor nodded. “Thank you for doing your homework, Miss Hunt. The council needs to confer in private. We will discuss your proposal and let you know our decision by the end of next week.”
“I appreciate your willingness to give this a thorough discussion, and I don’t mean to rush your decision, but I will need your answer by tomorrow morning. Someone has made an offer on the property, and unless we have the go-ahead for development, the property will be sold.”
The looks of shock on the faces of the council did not bode well for her, but she’d had no choice. Her dad had given her eighteen hours. Time was not her friend.
Dread filled her as she stuffed the extra packets into her laptop case and retraced her steps down the hallway. She pushed the door open and sucked in a deep breath as she stepped out into the cool night. She’d done her best and that was all she could do. If only she could be confident her best was good enough.
“That went well,” a soft voice close behind her said.
She gasped and spun. “Chase! You startled me. Where were you? When I turned around, you’d disappeared.”
“I stepped outside for fresh air when you handed out the packets. I made it back in time to hear most of your pitch, then slipped out again to answer my phone. What I heard sounded great. When will you know their decision?”
“I told them I need an answer by morning. They were surprised, but I expect to hear from the mayor in the morning.” She’d been annoyed with Chase for not sticking around for the presentation and was glad to hear she’d only missed seeing him. The man was confusing. It felt like he wanted to support her idea, but he was so hung up on protecting the island he couldn’t see her plan for what it was—healthy growth that could be managed.
“Good.” Chase looked resolved to accept whatever the council decided.
“So you thought it went well? I’m not so sure. Then again I suppose it depends on your desired outcome. Do you think they will approve the resort?”
He shrugged. “It’s difficult to say. I know they were all interested enough to throw the meeting together at the last minute. I was watching their faces as you talked, but they weren’t giving anything away.”
“I noticed.” She shook her head. “I should have been better prepared, but it was the best I could do with such short notice. I needed more time to get my thoughts organized.” She held back tears of frustration. What would she tell her dad?
“There is nothing more you could have said to alter the outcome.” Chase ducked his head to her eye level. “What’s wrong? You seem to be taking this very personally. It’s just business.”
“Maybe to you, but not to me.” Until that moment she had believed deep down that Chase was on her side, but he seemed pleased that the council had doubts.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
She almost brushed off his question but saw sincerity in his eyes and shrugged. She had no intention of baring her heart to this man while standing in the parking lot of an elementary school.
Chase sighed. “I feel partly responsible for all of this.” He looked toward his truck. “Will you come ba
ck to my place so we can talk? Not about what you want to do, but why you want it so badly.”
“Why do you care?” She crossed her arms. “You hardly know me.”
“True, but the little time I’ve spent with you, makes me feel somewhat responsible. After all, you came to me first. And if you must know, I admire your ambition. I like you, and I think we could be friends. Even if we don’t agree on everything.”
Her throat thickened. She didn’t have many friends, thanks to her job. She traveled often, and when she was home her time was usually spent with her family. “Thanks but…”
“Did you eat dinner?”
“I grabbed an apple earlier.”
“Doesn’t count.” He placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her toward her Jeep. “Follow me. We can talk and eat. Come on, I’d love the company. Please.”
Her resolve crumbled at the sincerity in his face and voice. “Okay.” She climbed behind the wheel and waited until he pulled forward in his truck. She followed, never losing sight of him.
Chase turned left onto a private road that led up a slight incline lined with giant fir trees. Piper pulled beside him when he parked. He waited next to the hood of his pickup.
She reached for her purse then opened the door and slid out. “It’s beautiful here.”
“You should see it at sunset.”
“I think I might. It’s getting close to that time. Do you mind if I stay long enough to watch it?”
“Not at all.” He followed.
She walked over to a pair of Adirondack chairs facing the Sound. Landscape lights lit the area around the outlook and followed along a path that led to the house. She stood behind the chairs and took in the sight. The sun, low in the sky, turned the horizon pink over the tranquil water. “I can’t get over this view. I was told there is a spot like this on the property I want to develop, but it’s too small of an area for the hotel. That’s why I chose the land around the lake.”
“Developing around the lake is a better idea anyway. You’re welcome to stay out here and watch the sun set. Let yourself in when you’re ready. Follow the lit path. Once the sun goes down it gets pretty dark out here away from everything. I don’t want you falling off the edge.” He gave her shoulder a light squeeze.
Piper’s insides warmed at the caring in his voice and his gentle touch. She could get used to being here on the island, especially if she got to see Chase every day.
Chase kept an eye on Piper from his kitchen window. She’d settled into one of the Adirondack chairs and didn’t move. It must be getting cold by now. The sun had set below the horizon, and except for the lights, darkness surrounded her. He ladled two bowls of seafood stew he’d had cooking in the crockpot, poured two glasses of sparkling grape juice and placed the bread he’d warmed on a plate. Then he set it all on a tray along with silverware and napkins and grabbed a couple of blankets. His loafers slapped along the pathway to the outlook he’d created. “Hi there. I hope you like seafood stew.” He lowered the tray to a small side table between the chairs.
Her eyes widened. “I’ve actually never tried it.” She breathed in deeply. “It smells wonderful, though.”
He handed her a bowl. “It’s an old family recipe my mom gave me.”
“Thanks. What a treat. I’m not much of a cook, so I’m impressed.”
They ate in comfortable silence as the light in the sky disappeared. He placed his empty bowl on the tray. “Care to share now why this project is so important to you, Piper?”
She nested her bowl in his. “Not particularly, but you’ve been so nice, I will.” She turned to face him.
In the soft glow of the ornamental lamps he could see pain in her eyes. “You don’t have to tell me. I thought it might help to talk about it.” He shrugged. “At least that’s what my sisters always say.”
“How many sisters do you have?”
“Four. I’m smack in the middle of them.”
“That must have been an interesting childhood.”
“You have no idea.” He loved his sisters but suspected the reason he treasured the peace on this island had a lot to do with them.
“I’m an only child, and I don’t have a lot of warm and fuzzy memories of my childhood except for when we lived in a house in the country. Every afternoon I would change out of my school clothes and go exploring in the woods near our house.”
Suddenly her appreciation for the land made more sense.
“My dad always worked, and my mom stayed busy doing her own thing and didn’t care that I’d disappear for hours, often only coming home when it got dark.”
“Sounds idyllic.”
She chuckled. “I suppose you’d think so. But it was lonely at times too. I determined to follow in my dad’s footsteps in business since I figured that would be the only way to get his attention.”
He took a sip of his sparkling juice and waited. Experience told him silence would help her gather her thoughts.
“Anyway. The project on this island is for me. I either succeed and my parents gift me the entire thing, or I fail and I’m out.” She shot him a look as if trying to size him up. “The last two assignments I was given ended in disaster. If I don’t succeed this time, I know my dad will let me go. It’s not like I’ll be left destitute or anything like that, but it would really hurt to fail at the family business.”
“Seriously? Your dad would fire you?” He had a hard time believing her dad would let her go. He’d heard her talk with him on the phone, and though they mostly stuck to work, it seemed like they got along very well.
“Afraid so. If his employees don’t show results, he finds someone else who will.”
“But you’re his daughter.” She had to be wrong. What kind of parent would fire his own kid?
“I’m his employee first, his daughter second.” She shifted to face him. “You see, there’s still a little girl in me who wants the attention of her daddy. And this is the only way he will notice me.”
“So you want his approval?” It seemed everyone sought approval from someone, including him.
“Yes! But it’s more than that. I want his respect and confidence as well. He constantly calls to check up on me. It’s like he doesn’t trust me to do my job anymore. But I’m capable. I’m good at what I do.”
“Then why do you think he will let you go if you don’t get the town council to approve the development?”
“Like I said, my track record of late hasn’t been good. The last project he put me on went south and cost the company a lot of money. Dad was furious, and he blamed me.”
“Was it your fault?” he asked softly, not wanting to offend her, but still curious.
“In a way, yes, but mostly no. Sometimes things grow bigger than we are and take on a life of their own.”
He stared out at the water. The lights from the mainland in the distance reminded him of the fast paced life he’d left behind when he’d moved here eight years ago. It sounded like her dad needed to get away from it all too. Maybe Mr. Hunt should take a portion of the property and build himself a house where he could escape. Then it hit Chase. The property would be his in the morning if the council didn’t approve the plan. But now he wasn’t sure that’s what he wanted. Not at the price Piper would have to pay. It wasn’t worth it.
Chapter Nine
Zoe walked along the shoreline of the Sound. Her hair whipped in her face until she gathered it into her hands, twisted it, then looped it at the base of her neck. It probably looked terrible, but at least she could see where she walked now.
Ever since her talk with Nick she hadn’t been able to get the idea that they were rushing into marriage out of her mind. What did she really know about him? He was a widower and by his own admission he’d been an absentee husband, due to the long hours he’d worked as a doctor.
She stopped mid-step. What if she didn’t live up to his expectations of a wife? Surely he’d have some. But, he’d never made her feel like she had to live up to any pre-conceived ideas. She wa
s probably getting cold feet. But, didn’t cold feet happen closer to the wedding? Was it normal to be this insecure? She wasn’t like this when she’d been engaged to Kyle, and he’d turned out to be two-timing her. She sighed.
She’d put off calling Michelle, hoping she’d figure this out on her own, but she didn’t have the luxury of waiting any longer. Her cell rang, and she checked the caller ID. Michelle. She accepted the call and put the phone to her ear. “Hi, Mom. I don’t know how you always know when to call, but you do.”
“Hi, sweetie. I’ve had you on my mind for a couple of days. What’s going on?”
Zoe blinked away sudden tears. “I don’t know. Everything is happening so fast.” Her voice wobbled. She took a deep breath and let it out in a puff. “Am I doing the right thing?”
“What do you mean?” Confusion clouded her mom’s voice.
“Marrying Nick. I love him, but I wonder if we aren’t rushing things.”
“I see.” Michelle’s voice softened. “Have you prayed about this?”
“Uh. No,” she dragged out the word. She should have known this would be Mom’s advice. She always directed her to the Lord, but for whatever reason, prayer usually was the last thing Zoe thought to do. “I suppose praying would be a good idea.”
“Yes. I have always found bringing my concerns to the Lord to be helpful. When I give Him my problems and stop carrying the burden myself, my blood pressure goes back to normal.”
Zoe chuckled. “You don’t have high blood pressure.”
“It runs in my family. There were many days when you were younger that I had to turn you over to Him or risk a stroke or heart attack.”
“Surely you’re exaggerating.”
“Nope. You, my dear, were not an easy girl.”
Zoe grinned, remembering the early years of her time with her foster parents. Michelle was correct. In fact, she was being gracious. Zoe was anything but easy to deal with back then. “Okay. Fair enough, but what do I do now besides pray?”
Island Dreams (Wildflower B&B Romance Book 2) Page 5