Page 75 of Meet Me in Ivy Falls

My mother’s words steadied me even as half the town leveled tense stares in my direction.

‘Although she wasn’t born here, my mother was devoted to this town. As a child I walked these streets hand in hand with her. I remember the comforting feel of the brick and stone under my feet. How everywhere we went people had a smile for me and my sister.’

I gave a pained smile to Tessa before turning back to the council.

‘I have fond memories of the roar of the crowds at football games, track meets, soccer tournaments. People in Ivy Falls always ready to be there any time a child from this town needed an inch of support.’

Dad took a heavy gulp. Pulled at the stiff knot in his tie like it was choking him.

‘When my mother grew ill and I came home, there was never a day we went without food, flowers, or a note of kindness. That meant a lot to her. To me. To our entire family.’ My voice broke and I heaved in a full breath. ‘It’s in this place that I first learned how to ride a bike, went to school, fell in love for the first time.’

I paused and glanced at Beck.

‘All of my best memories, and some sad ones too, were made within the boundaries of Main Street and the town limits at the edge of the Buckleys’ farm.’

People shifted in their chairs. Some dabbed at their eyes.

‘What I said that day on the video had nothing to do with my true feelings for Ivy Falls. I was scared, angry and still truly grieving. Many of you I’m sure have made the same kind of mistake in the height of fear. I’m not excusing what I did. How it reflected badly on this town. What I’m asking is that you allow me to earn back your trust. Let Manny and I do the show and return some interest to this town.’

I clasped my shaky hands together and forced out the next words.

‘Someone in Ivy Falls, I don’t know if they’re here or not, believed enough in us to reach out to Hearth and Home. Ask them to give us another chance. I’m hoping that all of you,’ I directed my next words to the front of the room, ‘including the council, can find it in your hearts to do the same. Allow me and Manny to do right by this town and show the world that Ivy Falls is not only a place filled with important history, but a spot on the map that should not be missed.’

My gaze drifted to Barb and Susan. Isabel. Even to Old Mrs Vanderpool who sniffled into a tissue.

‘When I came back to Ivy Falls I took on the job of driving my mother to her treatments. Every time we passed the house on Huckleberry Lane, she gave me a wistful smile.’ I swallowed over the knot in my throat which grew tighter by the minute. ‘On her last day of chemo, she looked at me with a determined stare. Told me I needed to save the house because it was a critical part of the town’s legacy. By letting Hearth and Home continue to film, we can all show the country, the world, the same thing my mother saw. That this town, its history, but most important of all, its people, are worth knowing.’

Tessa swiped at her eyes and Manny gave her a gentle smile.

‘Thank you for letting me say my piece. No matter what you decide, I want you all to know I won’t stop fighting for Ivy Falls.’

I sank down into my seat. The sea of faces before me a blurry haze as I blinked back my own tears.

The speech wasn’t planned, but I knew Ivy Falls. That they’d never forget what I’d done, what I’d said, without some public act of contrition. They deserved it. My fit of anger had cost them so much, and they needed to see the regret on my face. Hear the pain in my voice and know I was truly sorry.

I didn’t want to look at the council. Too afraid that my speech hadn’t worked. That they’d rule against us in order to protect the town. If that happened, Lauren would walk away taking any chance we’d have to get things back to normal in town. To help tourism. To keep the stores on Main Street from going dark like that mysterious email predicted.

The council continued to quietly confer and I glanced at all the familiar faces. Ernie and Brad. ‘Fixer Ferris’, Silvio and Mrs Vanderpool. I’d hoped when I’d mentioned the email sent to Hearth and Home that someone would speak up, confess they’d sent it, but there was nothing but silence. Whoever the author was, they’d remain a mystery for now.

Beck reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. When he’d outbid me at the auction, I thought my world was coming to an end. That his return would bring nothing but misery. But each day he was proving he was worthy of my trust. That he wouldn’t run when things got tough. I’d told him that this job was going to take everything we had, and he’d stood solidly by my side the entire time. Each day he was whittling his way into my heart and I no longer wanted to fight that warmth. Now I sought it out, craved it, in those quiet moments we found together.

My father stood with his chin jutted out giving no sense of what the verdict would be. He knocked the gavel down and the audience went silent.

‘We have made our decision.’ My father looked straight ahead, not a tick of emotion covering his face.

A sinking feeling of dread washed over me.

‘After serious consideration, we have decided on a ruling of three to two that the stay on the permit for Hearth and Home Network should be lifted.’

There was a mixed bag of response. Some people like Isabel and Barb and Susan cheered. Silvio, Brad and Ernie grumbled their unhappiness with the decision. Manny leaned over and patted my knee. ‘Nice work, boss.’

I let out a brittle laugh as he checked his watch.

‘Now enough of this nonsense. Let’s get back to work. We have a house waiting.’

Everyone filed out of the meeting room and I hung back waiting for Beck who was speaking with Miss Cheri. She practically glowed as she chatted with him, making me remember how perfectly he fit into this town.

After they said their goodbyes, Beck walked back my way. As soon as he reached me, his gaze turned apologetic. ‘Now I understand why you needed the house. Why you were bidding so damn hard for it. Why you treated me like I was an ass afterwards. Not that I hadn’t already earned that kind of response.’ He reached out and tucked a loose hair behind my ear. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t figure it out sooner.’