Ethan pulled his horse a couple of steps backward. What was wrong with him, making a move like that? “I have no idea what I’m going to do. I need to pr—”
“Right. Pray.” She gave a nod. “What you need to pray for is that you don’t get swept up in the tornado my life is at the moment. Ethan Winters, I said you were a bright star, and you have no business settling down in a hole like this. You were meant to shine with your wonderful talent.”
He looked up into the sky. “Do you know how many stars are shining in the sky that we’ll never be able to see? Just because I’m not in some spotlight doesn’t mean I can’t shine.”
She shook her head and turned her horse back toward the stables. “You’re a fool if you think you have a future here, Ethan Winters. And I have no more time for fools. You have no idea what’s hanging on the line for me. Drat it all. What am I thinking?” She kicked at her horse and galloped back toward the barn, leaving him standing alone in the cold snowdrifts.
Chapter Ten
Haley parked next to the courthouse, but didn’t make a move to get out of the truck. What was she doing here? The council couldn’t help her. Besides, they just wanted to put a bunch of limitations and requirements on how she ran her business. She slumped in the seat. Ethan had encouraged her to at least come to hear what they had to say.
Ethan.
She’d almost gone and let herself get lost in his kiss. All weekend she’d managed to avoid him since he was often at the auto shop, and he sometimes ate at the diner. When he was gone, she’d sneak up to the house and fix a quick crockpot meal for him in case he wanted it. Most times, when she came back it was empty and washed out.
With the snow covering, he’d been happy to take the snowmobile into town. She’d been pleased to let him. Maybe he’d end up falling for that fake-faced Mallory. Probably soon as his car was fixed, he’d skedaddle out of here. Good riddance.
Too bad her heart didn’t agree with her reasoning.
Haley Isabelle Madison, you have to get a grip on yourself. This is no time to lose your head. Along with her heart, for that matter.
Why’d he have to be so blasted good? Not just kind, but a gentleman unlike any she’d ever met before. He’d said he wanted to be respectful of her the night they kissed. Promised he’d not let that happen again. Well, good.
Shut up, heart.
A small cluster of people led by Karen Black-Borgman headed up the front steps of the brownstone building. She held a fat file of papers in her arms. The men around her all carried briefcases. Haley had brought nothing. Why was she here?
They wouldn’t help her. Nobody here had enough money to take on the Madison house and farm. Ethan seemed to think the Victorian was fixable. He called it a wonderful house with a lot of spirit. She did love the old house in her own way. There were many fond memories, mainly of Memaw whom she’d loved so much.
Her heart had been torn out and stomped on when Momma came with her new boyfriend-soon-to-be-husband and snatched her away from the happiest place she’d ever lived in her life. From the people who loved her the most.
Momma had loved her in her own way, but Haley had something special with her grandparents.
She covered her face with her mitten-clad hands. “Am I doing what’s right? I know I’ve not talked to You in some time, Lord. I’m just all a-flutter. Did I make You mad? Is that why I don’t see You anymore in my life?”
Ethan had said one night during dinner that you had to keep your eyes open because the Lord showed up in mysterious ways. He seemed sure the Lord had wanted him to stop here in Madison Creek for some reason.
Her hands slid down over the steering wheel. The way he’d looked at her in that moment was like the way he’d looked at her the night they briefly kissed.
Had the Lord wanted Ethan to help her? Was that Yankee the help God was sending?
But Ethan was a temporary solution. He had no intention of staying. At least, he hadn’t said so. She needed to guard her heart against him, if that was the case. Dreaming about what-ifs wouldn’t help her or Lexie get out of their predicament.
A knock on her window startled her out of her thoughts. She lowered her hands to find Ethan grinning in at her. Specks of grease dotted his face and he was dressed in Bill’s mechanic garb. He had said he was doing a bit of side work to help pay for his car. Drat him; she would have paid her part.
She rolled down the window, letting in a wintry blast of air. The sky was clear, but a thick layer of snow covered everything.
He leaned his elbows on the window frame. “I saw you pull in. Glad you decided to come; I think it’ll be worth your while.”
“Glad you have some confidence. I think it’ll be a big waste of my time.”
“Ah, so that’s why you’re still sitting out here.” He stepped back and opened the driver’s door. “Come on, missy. Get your bag.”
He unzipped the coveralls and stepped out of them. Beneath he wore a thin pullover and jeans. “Not my choice of attire for attending a council meeting, but it’ll do. I’m only going to observe. And offer a bit of moral support.” After tossing the coveralls into her truck, he checked his hands, then offered his arm. “How do I look? I’ll need to stop by the restroom and wash up a little better.”
She grinned up at him, and touched his cheek. “You have a bit of grease there.”
His face reddened a bit. “I’ll take care of that, too. Let’s go, Snowbelle. We’re late.”
“For a very important date,” she finished. Would Ethan Winters, like the white rabbit from her favorite book, lead her into a wild life, or a wonderful one if given the chance? Oh, but she wished he was staying, because she’d certainly like to find out.
Stop thinking like that! Drat and confound it.
Soon as they entered the warm building, Ethan excused himself. She stopped next to a picture depicting a map of Michigan. All around were pictures of various sites. In one was a field of flowers surrounded by pines and birch.
A verse drifted into her mind. One from the New Testament. Wasn’t there something about flowers growing in hidden meadows where nobody sees them? They didn’t spin their clothing, but God made them beautiful, even if people might not see them.
Why would He do that? But she knew there were hidden places in the wilds of Texas where hardly a boot tread and flowers grew in abundance. Never to be admired, picked, or stomped on.
She wondered over that scripture popping into her head at this particular moment. But before she could ponder on it too long, Ethan was back, clean-faced and shining like a new penny. She let him take her hand and lead her into the back room where the council met. The rows of seats were empty, except for the small gathering of well-dressed people sitting around a conference table.
Ethan found them chairs about mid-way down the aisle.
To her surprise, one of the members sitting in the middle of the table spotted him and waved.
Karen, who’d been droning on about the conditions of what Haley dubbed the Bates Motel, stopped a moment and also looked their way, then returned to her report.
Ethan whispered against her ear, “I did a tune-up on Mayor Grime’s car Saturday. He’s a nice fellow.”
He was making friends already. So easily. Who did that?
The discussion continued about the businesses that were working toward adhering to code. How some were struggling to get the money to pay for the necessary repairs.
Mayor Grimes leaned back in his swivel chair. “First Baptist Mission has a fund they’ve set aside for those who need some help. I’m still in favor of discussing a holiday fundraiser. I feel confident our tree lighting event will bring in more money. We can disperse it to the owners with the greatest needs.”
Haley sat up in her seat. They were trying to help people? For real?
Ethan stared down at his hands, a small smile on his face, as if he’d known all along.
The mayor continued, “Any results on the advertisements we’ve sent out around Michigan?”
Karen shuffled through a few papers. “Our ad went into all the larger newspapers across the state. I have a friend in Chicago who works for a newspaper. She loves what we’re trying to accomplish and wants to do a write-up on it. I’ve had a couple of other calls, but I think they’d be more interested if we could prove our idea actually worked.”
Haley wondered what this idea of theirs was.
As if on cue, Ethan once again leaned closer and whispered, “Karen and a few of the founding families are trying to save the town by offering low-cost building spaces for people interested in starting a small business here. They feel if there are more shops and restaurants and places to stay, then it would draw in more tourists from the neighboring towns. I think it’s a brilliant idea.”
“How do you know all this?”
He gave a shrug. “They were all talking about it at Mallory’s Thanksgiving dinner. Weren’t you listening?”
Truth be told, she was trying to be as small as possible; unobtrusive. She knew they’d been talking about the town and its poor condition. She didn’t want to be scolded again for selling one of their landmarks. Karen, who’d showed up after the meal, hadn’t mentioned the house while she was there. Not until the end, anyway, when she ordered her to attend this meeting.
Karen cleared her throat, looking pointedly at Haley. Had she spoken too loudly? She sank lower in her seat. Ethan grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Actually,” Karen continued, “we’ve already had a couple of applicants.” She looked down to the end of the table at a white-haired man dressed in a nice suit. His mannerisms and hefty build spoke of money and an easy life. “Lubo, you are the one providing the grants. Do you wish to be the one who decides where the money goes?”
Haley glanced at Ethan, wondering if he knew about this man, too. He gave a slight shrug and shake of his head. All she knew about Lubo Hechinger was that he came from a long line of rich men who’d made their fortune in logging. Even now, Hechinger Lumber was one of the prime places to not only purchase wood, but also wood furnishings and décor.
His family’s business had been around nearly as long as the Madison farm, but her greats got here a month before his, and so the town was named after her family instead. Memaw used to tell her stories of how Madison Creek started off as a port town. The Madisons, Carters - which was Memaw’s family- and Borgmans were apple farmers. Their goods were shipped all over the Great Lakes. Then a few other families moved in and took up growing corn or planting cherry orchards. Before the WWI, the town thrived. But after the Depression, people lost much of their land to unpaid loans.
The town almost revived itself during the WWII, but suffered another economic hit in the latter part of the century. More people moved south where jobs and money were easier to be had. Farms struggled to stay afloat and most floundered, including Papop’s.
“Which is why I’ve invited Haley Madison to our meeting today.” Karen’s mention of her name brought Haley from her reverie. “Miss Madison, would you please step up to the podium and talk about the business venture you have in mind?”
Haley straightened in her seat. No, she wasn’t prepared to speak. Why hadn’t Karen warned her, or had she?
Ethan grasped her wrist. “You can do this. Just go up there and tell them about your plans. That’s all they want to hear at the moment.” He gave her a gentle shove. “Go on; they’re waiting.”
She’d never shaken so hard in all her life. Haley wasn’t sure how her trembling legs supported her walk up the million miles to the podium. When she got there, she grasped the edges as if she were hanging off the side of a steep cliff.
Karen removed her gold-trimmed glasses and set them on the pile of papers before she lowered herself into the chair. “Now, Miss Madison, I invited you here today to share your ideas with us. I understand from our brief talks in the past that you desire to open a restaurant, is that correct?”
“Yes’um. Ma’am.”
Mr. Hechinger tapped his fingers and tucked them under his chin. “What kind of restaurant? We have Mallory’s Diner which serves a simple fare. And I have someone who is willing to reopen the Lakeshore, which will provide fine dining, with live music and dancing. The proprietor wishes to restore it to its former glory. We’ve talked about expanding the bar area to accommodate for indoor entertainment during the winter months.”
Several excited exclamations went around the table. This obviously was great news.
Mayor Grimes fisted his hands in a cheer. “A lakeside restaurant will draw in the boaters. We’ll need to add a few docks around the establishment, don’t you think, Lubo? Create easier access from the lake?”
Mr. Hechinger gave a nod. “It’s part of our plans. The new owner is a relative of mine. We’ll be partners in the venture. I’m pleased with the progress. So, my question is, what type of dining does Miss Madison have in mind? We do want to keep our options varied, doesn’t everyone agree?”
Nods went around the table.
Mayor Grimes furrowed his brows in thought. “It’ll need to be something enticing to draw people so far across town, Miss Madison. Have you considered that the location is outside of the main part of town? I know you have a view of the lake, but you’re closer to the river. That might draw in the adventurers and hunters.”
She waited while they debated her idea before even hearing it out. But their thoughts and concerns, she found with great consternation, were valid. Perhaps she hadn’t thought out her idea at all. She’d figured people would be so glad to get good food that they wouldn’t care how far they had to travel. But visitors? Would they trek all the way across town?
“I’ll be offering barbecue. Sirs. Ma’am. Good ol’ Tex-mex fare. I’ve got training. Been cooking on ranches for the nearly ten years. An’ soon as I can, I still want to attend culinary school. Just thing’s been happening to keep that from happening.”
She stopped, realizing she’d probably said too much. Why would they care if she’d been to school or not?
Mr. Lubo shot Karen a look Haley recognized as pure, unadulterated doubt. Karen must have wanted Haley to talk in front of the money man, if he really was giving grants to small business owners. What if he only wanted to give money to his own family?
Karen smoothed out her navy blue skirt. “Miss Madison, the approval to declare the Madison home a historical site has finally arrived. It’s up to us to see this through. I know you’ve wished to sell the house to fund your restaurant idea, but I hoped we could all sit together today and see how we can help each other. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Haley scowled. She wasn’t an imbecile. They wanted to control where and how she did her business. If she played nice, they’d help, so long as she did things their way. That’s how it looked to her, anyway.
“Mrs. Black-Borgman, if you stop me from selling the house, then I’ll not be able to start my restaurant at all. I have no money, as I’ve told you—”
“You could sell the land the barn is on. I don’t understand why you wish to hold on to that building, and not the one your family lived in. I can see you getting much more use out of the house than the pasture and barn.”
Haley shot back, “I need the barn and the land. I’d planned to raise my own meat by purchasing a few cattle. I know how to butcher. And the land is fertile. I can grow some of the produce I’ll need for cookin’. It’s how I was taught to do it in the South, on the ranches I lived on. They pretty much grew and raised all they needed to survive: Chickens, beef, hogs, even ostrich made fine eatin’.”
“Miss Madison,” interrupted Lubo Hechinger. “My dear, you are not in the good ol’ South. You are in the North, where it snows most of the year. Have you considered how you’d grow everything you’ll need, all by yourself?”
She did have a plan, but her papers were at home. It was risky, but she had to get her ideas to work. Of course, finding cheap labor was more difficult here. She’d have to hire workers to help tend the stock and gardens. And i
t had been years since she’d picked apples, so she’d need help with Papop’s remaining trees, too. In her head, it would all work out beautifully. On paper… that’s where the risky part came in.
Karen flipped through a few of her notes, and then slipped her glasses back on. “I have here the value of your property, Miss Madison; collectively, and separately.” She made a few notes. “Do you have a business plan written out that you can present to us?”
“Why?” Haley asked, perplexed as to where all this was going. “Are you thinking of giving me a loan? I thought only banks did that, and I don’t want a loan. I’m not going into debt if I don’t have to. Selling the house to the Lucky Dollar people would provide the funds I need to at least get started. I’m hoping, as the business thrives, I can put money back in to get more things as time goes on.”
Mayor Grimes addressed her question. “Haley, Mr. Lubo has graciously offered to help fund the rebuilding of our town. He’s offering grants to help people get started. Of course, we all want the money put to good use; secure businesses we believe will draw people to our town. Farming, though a few still survive, is no longer a viable way to keep Madison Creek going. However, more and more tourists come to the Great Lakes for sports, boating, and leisure activities. The towns north and south of us have begun to thrive, and we hope to pull ourselves back from extinction by offering the right attractions here in Madison, despite our size. People seem to like the quaintness of small towns.
“We’ve begun renovation on many of the older homes turning them into shops or businesses that provide services. Mr. Lubo wishes to renovate Main Street and Lakeshore Drive, including the old club that once thrived. The park, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, has been adopted by the Ladies’ Auxiliary. They’ve planted tulips and other flowers to brighten the place up. The Lions’ Club is building benches and picnic tables for visitors to enjoy the lake view. Basically, people who really care about this town are banding together, Miss Madison, in an attempt to revive the city named after your family. So, of course, we’re interested in what you plan to do with our founding father’s land and home.”
Snow Belle (Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast Book 1) Page 10