Winnie chuckled softly.“Bryan’s stubborn, I’ll give you that.But he’s not unreasonable.”
“He walked out of the meeting when I suggested updating the festival’s social media.”
“Because he’s scared.”Winnie looked up, her eyes kind but direct.“That festival is tied to every memory he has of his grandfather.His father.Changing it feels like losing them.”
She shifted her weight.“I’m not trying to erase anyone’s memories.I’m just trying to help them reach more people.”
“I know that.And deep down, Bryan probably knows it too.”Winnie returned her attention to the flower bed.“He works himself half to death trying to keep everything afloat.The restaurant, the fishing business, and the festival.He’s terrified he’ll be the Lucas who lets it all slip away.”
The words settled uncomfortably over her.She understood that fear.The terror of being the one who failed and who wasn’t enough.
“The festival committee needs fresh energy,” Winnie continued.“And Bryan needs someone who can carry part of the load, whether he admits it or not.”
“You think I should do it.”
“Linda said you looked happy at that meeting when you were giving your ideas.Engaged.”Winnie pulled off her gloves and stood, brushing dirt from her knees.“Even when Bryan was being difficult.”
“I was annoyed, not happy.”
“Sometimes those feel the same when you’ve spent too long feeling nothing at all.”
The observation hit too close to home.She looked away, focusing on the lighthouse rising beyond the courtyard.The white tower gleamed in the morning sun, solid and permanent in a way nothing in her life had ever felt.
“Bryan’s a good man,” Winnie said quietly.“He cares deeply about this town and about doing right by the people who came before him.That kind of loyalty is rare.”
“I’m not questioning his character.I’m just not sure we can work together.”
“Maybe that’s exactly why you should try.”
Winnie gathered her gardening tools and headed toward the keeper’s quarters, leaving Cassidy alone in the courtyard with her tangled thoughts.
Back in Heron Cottage, she tried to focus on anything other than the mayor’s offer.
She reorganized her closet with shirts, then slacks, then the few dresses she had brought.By color, of course.She alphabetized the books on the shelf.Made notes about the cottage’s decor that absolutely no one had asked for.
By three in the afternoon, she had run out of distractions.
She opened her laptop, telling herself she was just checking email and staying informed.Nothing wrong with that.
Her inbox was a disaster.Forty-seven unread messages, most of them automated newsletters or client updates she would normally scan in seconds.But mixed in among them was one from Steve Hodges with the subject line: “Quick Update.”
She gritted her teeth.
Steve had been nipping at her heels for two years, always one step behind but desperate to close the gap.He smiled too widely in meetings and took credit for collaborative ideas like they’d sprung fully formed from his own brilliant mind.
She clicked the message open.
Cassidy,
Hope you’re enjoying your time away!Just wanted to keep you in the loop.The Marnetti campaign you started is moving forward.I’ve taken point on the execution side, and the client is thrilled with the direction.Might be wrapping it up before you’re back.
Also, David mentioned he’s bringing me into the Phillips pitch meeting next week.Big opportunity.Wish me luck!
Rest up.
Steve
She read it twice.
