She also described how she’d lay out the museum and what she’d sell in the gift shop—Tom hadn’t thought of that aspect of it at all.
Then she made the topic personal, by noting shopkeepers in attendance and sharing what their stores had originally been when the town was founded, mentioning that she possessed artifacts relating to each one.
She’d done her homework.
But so had he, and he was ready when it was time to stand up.
“I’m from Widow’s Peak Creek, and I’ve decided to make it my home again because it’s a special place to raise my children. It’s all about family. So is my store, The World Outside. It will carry stock to help bring folks closer together as they explore the natural beauty surrounding us here. There’s not a similar store within miles, and my store will not only provide jobs as I hire employees but it will draw visitors to the heart of our historic district, where they’ll undoubtedly visit the other establishments.”
He spoke for a few more minutes, and when he finished making his case, Ender and his parents grinned at him. He’d done well in their eyes, as well as his own.
But he was most curious about Faith’s reaction. He wanted to remain friends. But would it be possible now that they were actually in the moment of decision?
Her smile assured him they were okay, and it was hard not to laugh at her discreet thumbs-up.
The sound of Mayor Hughes stacking papers in front of her drew his attention back to the dais. “I think we’ve seen enough. Shall we put it to a vote?”
“No discussion?” Tom blinked. He’d expected the decision to take longer. He leaned toward his parents. “It’s like they decided before we made our presentations.”
“It’s not like jury duty.” Mom chuckled.
It didn’t seem right, though.
“We’ve done our own research into what spot could occupy the vacant building on Main Street,” Mayor Hughes continued, adjusting the fuchsia bow of her blouse tied at her throat. “Based on our understanding of projected tax revenues and so forth, I think we’re ready to come to a decision. Does anyone on the council disagree?”
“I move to close discussion and vote,” said a man in his midforties seated beside the mayor.
“I so second.” A woman—the dentist, maybe—didn’t look up from her notes.
“In favor?” Mayor Hughes arched a brow.
“Aye,” they all said.
“Let’s vote by a show of hands,” the mayor said. “All in favor of Mr. Santos renting the vacant property at number one Main Street for his outdoor gear store, please raise your hand.”
Every member of the council raised his or her hands. The vote was unanimous.
Mayor Hughes met Tom’s gaze. “Congratulations, Mr. Santos, you are hereby granted permission to rent number one Main Street. As you are aware, renting this historic property is both a privilege and a burden. You must comply with the strictures and regulations set forth in...”
The mayor listed codes and lawyer-speak about contracts and duties, but Tom stopped listening. He had the store. The World Outside. Right on the northwest corner of Main Street, the first thing people saw when they turned onto the historic road. Close to his parents. A boon to the community.
All he wanted.
Yet when he looked at Faith, who was unblinking, unmoving, the victory felt hollow.
Chapter Thirteen
Faith managed to sit through the rest of the council meeting with her head held high, though she couldn’t have said what was discussed beyond an update about the schoolhouse fire. The fire investigation team determined a tourist inadvertently started the blaze by flicking a smoldering cigarette out his car window, and now that the area had been cleaned up, the council voted to allow the land to be used for the restaurant next door to expand for patio seating.
After that, Faith found it difficult to concentrate, but the moment Mayor Hughes ended the meeting, Faith made a beeline to Tom, hand extended.
“Congratulations.”
He enveloped her hand in both of his warm ones. “Thanks, Faith. I hope—”
“Tom.” Elena slunk her arm through Tom’s, breaking his contact with Faith. “The mayor wants a word with you.”
“In just a minute, Mom.”
“She’s in a hurry, and you have papers to sign so we can get into that shop and get to work. Faith understands you won fair and square.”
Tom’s dark brows knit. “This wasn’t a game to be won, Mom. Faith and I both want what’s best for the town.”
“And it’s clearly your store.” Elena’s tone was almost gleeful.
Faith had thought Elena didn’t like her friendship with Tom because they were competing for the building. But maybe Elena was just straight-up mean.
Either way, it was not worth saying anything at this moment, except for one parting word. “Congratulations again, Tom.”
She joined Angie and Chloe by the door and they took their leave. They didn’t say much on their walk back to the antiques store, as if they understood Faith was holding it together until they reached the safety of the store. Fortunately, Angie had her key out to open the antiques store so Faith didn’t have to show off how jittery she was by digging out her own key. Once inside the store, Angie rushed for the tea urn. “Here, honey.”
Faith could hardly swallow the tea Angie offered. “I—I just can’t.”
“It’s Earl Grey, though.”
As if the flavor would help. Faith’s throat was tight as a fist, trying to hold back a sob. “Thanks, but I need a minute.”
Chloe came around Faith’s other side. “You did a great job, really. Everyone was impressed by your presentation. I could tell.”
The shop door swung open and Faith braced herself for customers, but it was Maeve who rushed in, lips turned down, arms extended. “My own husband voted for Tom’s store. I’m sorry.”
“No, Tom’s store is a good idea.” Faith pulled back and met her supporters’ gazes. “It’ll bring customers to all of our shops.”
“But what about a museum?” Angie shook her head. “This town needs one, and I intend to write a letter to the council to say so.”
“I will, too,” Chloe said.
“You don’t live here, so they won’t listen to you, sugar bear,” Maeve reminded Chloe. “It’s a nice gesture, though.”
The door opened. Kellan bore a sad smile for her. Nice of him to come by, but oh, Tom was right behind him, tie loosened, hair rumpled. What was he doing here? Shouldn’t he be celebrating with his parents?
Everyone stared at him, but he only looked at her. “I’m sorry, Faith.”
“Thanks, Tom. And I meant what I said. Congratulations.”
He didn’t look the least bit happy. “I didn’t expect it to be unanimous. Or so fast.”
“I would say that makes the outcome hard to dispute, then. This is what’s best for the town.” Even though she wanted a museum to be best, too.
Maeve reached out her hand to him. “Our Faith is a good sport, so I should do the same. Congratulations, Tom, and welcome to Main Street.”
“Yeah, welcome,” Kellan echoed.
“Thanks for being so gracious to me. All of you.”
Faith picked up her cool cup of Earl Grey. She still couldn’t drink it, but the bergamot fragrance was calming. So was the sight of Bettina peeking down the staircase. Little reminders God was with her and loved her, even on utterly awful days.
Chloe nudged Tom in the ribs. “We’re discussing writing letters to the council stating our desire for a town museum.”
“I’m going to write my letter today,” Maeve said.
Angie’s eyes brightened. “Maybe we should make it a petition.”
“I’ll sign it.” Tom yanked off his tie and tucked it into his pocket, like he was full of nervous energy.
In fact,
everyone seemed to be talking over one another now, as if they needed to do something to help Faith. It was touching, truly, but it was all starting to feel like too much. Like she needed some space. “It’s okay, everyone. Really. God has something in mind, I’m sure.”
“Of course He does.” Maeve nodded with sympathy.
“But the way things are now, no letter or petition is going to get Mayor Hughes’s support for a city-funded museum. That’s the reason I decided to start my own in the first place.” Faith set down her cup. “This just clearly isn’t the right time.”
“I don’t know if it’s the timing that’s the issue.” Kellan shoved his hands in his pockets. “I think it just wasn’t the right place. Before the schoolhouse burned, you were talking about fixing it up, right? What if we built a recreation of it to house the museum in? All we need is a vacant lot.”
Tom leaned against the counter. “It was too small for Faith’s exhibits, though. We need a larger building.”
Maeve crossed her arms over her ample midsection. “What about one of the new storefronts to the west? By the high school?”
“Or by the highway, to welcome visitors?” Kellan rubbed his chin.
“They’re all great.” Faith sighed. “But I can’t work at those locations and here in the store at the same time. So maybe if we’re going to have a museum in town, I need to back out of being a docent. It’s more important that Widow’s Peak Creek gets a museum than it is for me to run it, right?”
“Right,” Chloe said. “But I don’t like the idea of the museum in a strip mall. It needs to be downtown, in the historic hub. Which is why I think it should be right here.” She circled her index finger, pointing around the room.
“Here? As in Faith’s Finds?” Faith gaped. “There isn’t room for the exhibits and my wares, too.”
“No, you can’t have them both here.” Chloe folded her arms.
Tom’s brow furrowed. “Do you mean, put the museum upstairs, and Faith could live somewhere else?”
Kellan shook his head. “No, the store can use both stories, just like I do at Open Book.”
“But your second floor wasn’t altered into an apartment, Kellan,” Maeve noted. “The apartments above these stores are zoned residential, so that option is out.”
Chloe grinned. “Not upstairs. I mean right here, where we’re standing, and it wouldn’t push out your stock, Faith, because your antiques store will go somewhere else.”
“Move the store?” Faith had never considered such a thing. “But Main Street is the main tourist strip.” As well as her home. She could live above the museum, of course, but how would she handle that and a store? It was the same dilemma she faced if she put the museum elsewhere.
Chloe leaned against the refurbished desk Faith had fixed up for Willa. “I know it’s a lot, Faith, but thanks to this baby right here, you’re going to need more room anyway. You’ve sold one of these renovated desks sight unseen. Well, unseen except for texted pics, anyway. But once others see this? Up close, so they can get a gander at the detail you and Jason put into this? And they will come to see furniture like this, by the way, after hearing about them through word-of-mouth and the website you need to set up. Believe me, you’re going to need more space than you’ve got right now.”
It was nice of her to say so, but Faith shook her head. “I doubt that.”
Tom rubbed his chin. “You already know I agree with her projection, Faith. Vintage charm, quirky touches, modified for the modern consumer? You get a website, make a few more connections, and it could really take off.”
“If it does, it’s thanks to you and your idea.” It was all she could think of to say.
He shrugged off her thanks. “It was an idea, but you ran with it. You’re the one who had the vision and talent to create this desk, which is gorgeous, by the way. I’d buy it, if it wasn’t already sold. In fact, I’m going to put in an order with you. Before you get swamped. Custom one-of-a-kind furnishings like this? Who wouldn’t want this?”
Now he was just trying to make her feel better about her lousy day. She smiled anyway. “I appreciate your support, but I doubt I’ll be swamped. It could be a while before these sell. If at all. And in the meantime, I’m not giving up my antiques store.”
“You can have an antiques store anywhere, though, Faith.” Chloe folded her arms. “And if you had a bigger store, you could sell your regular stock alongside your refurbished furnishings. And you should have it in the Bay Area, which is where the bulk of your buyers will be. I’m not ragging on small towns, but you know as well as I do the market is better for things like this in a larger, metropolitan area.” She rapped on the desktop.
Faith’s mouth went dry. “You want me to relocate?”
“Yeah.” Chloe grinned.
Faith felt Tom’s heavy gaze. What was he thinking? It was impossible to tell.
Chloe reached and shook Faith’s arm. “You can stay with me until you get your feet underneath you. Won’t that be fun?”
“What about the museum?” Maeve voiced one of Faith’s thoughts.
“It’s for the town, right? Faith just said someone else could run it, and this spot right here is as good a location as any.”
She’d decided to trust God about the museum, hadn’t she? Was Chloe right? Should she leave town and start over?
Okay, this was a little dramatic. Losing the property, discussing options... It was a lot. “I’m not going to make any decisions right now. This has been a long day and it’s not even lunchtime.”
No one laughed at her attempt at humor.
She decided to change tacks. “You know, we should celebrate Tom’s new store. Will you have a grand opening party?”
“I haven’t thought about it.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“You should. You deserve to launch your store in style. And I want to help with it.”
“That’s really generous of you, Faith. You’re a great friend,” Tom said.
Yep. That was her. Friend zone all the way. “It’ll take my mind off things. Chloe’s going home tomorrow, anyway. It’ll be awfully quiet around here.”
“I’ll miss you, too, sis.” Chloe hugged her for the first time since she’d come back to Widow’s Peak Creek. “Move in with me.”
“Oh, Chloe.”
“It might be good for you to start over, if all the doors here are closed to you,” she whispered.
She didn’t just mean the museum. She meant Tom, too.
Faith had to wonder if her sister was right. Maybe staying here, with Tom as her neighbor, wasn’t the wisest course of action when it came to protecting her heart.
* * *
The following Friday, Tom stood in the center of his store, a surge of pride swelling in his chest.
His store. The World Outside. God had been so good to him.
“You can see how it’s going to look, can’t you?” Ender walked past, tapping a screwdriver against his palm. “Now that the shelves are going in?”
“I can see it.” And Tom loved it.
It had been nine days since he’d received the key to the storefront, and they’d accomplished a lot in that time. A new counter had been installed yesterday. Jason, from Sparky’s, stood atop a ladder, installing track lighting above. They’d hired staff, stock had started to arrive, and in another week, the grand opening celebration would take place.
“Perfect, huh?” Ender dropped the screwdriver into the metal toolbox with a plink.
Tom’s chest deflated. “Almost.”
“I take it by your tone you’re referring to Faith.”
“Yeah.” Tom moved behind his new counter. “I hate that this hurt her.”
“Angie said she’s been quiet. More than usual, anyway.”
“The whole museum thing is upsetting. I want to help her, but I don’t know how. When I dropped off my r
ental agreement, I spoke to the mayor. She confirmed there is no money for a museum, not for the space or personnel or obtaining new artifacts. Faith is right. It has to be private or it can’t happen at all.” If God wanted the museum, He’d make it happen, but it was beyond Tom how it would work out.
Faith seemed hopeful, though. At least she said she was. And she hadn’t said a word about taking Chloe’s suggestion that she move out of town. She clearly wasn’t taking it to heart, to his relief.
“I’m blown away by how nice Faith has been through this,” he said, buffing the countertop with a rag. “She made flyers for the grand opening. She’s bringing them by tonight.”
“Here?”
“No, the house. The kids have been asking for her, so I’m ordering pizza.” Asking was not the right word, though. Insisting was more like it.
“Well, that’s interesting.”
Tom puffed out a breath at his friend’s amused tone. “Don’t do that, man.”
“Do what?”
“Smile, like this is something it’s not. There’s nothing going on with me and Faith, okay? Not like with you and Angie. You know I’m focusing on the kids.”
Ender’s brow arched. “Does Faith know that?”
“She does.” Tom pushed harder against the countertop. It needed to sparkle.
“It’s okay if you want to be more than neighbors with her, you know.”
“We are more than neighbors. We’re friends. Faith is such a good friend that she’s helping me with the grand opening, and you know what? I’m going to help her with the museum when things settle down. That’s what friends do.”
“I’m not arguing with you there. But I think you two could be a lot more. You’re allowed to love someone again, you know.”
Tom was not going anywhere near the L word. “Do you mind picking up sparkling cider for the grand opening?”
Ender shook his head at the change of subject. “Sure. How many cases?”
A Future for His Twins Page 14