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“Now, wait a minute,” Jeanine interrupted. “We need to decide what we’d even want to present to a reporter. This organization is still in its planning stages.”
Merry pressed her hands flat to the folder. “It doesn’t have to be. I understand why you’re taking it slow, but maybe the best way to ensure success is to press forward as if you intend for this town to open. To set a date, even.”
“But the funds—”
“All the more reason to go big with this news story.”
Marvin seemed to wake suddenly and slapped the table. “I like it. This cautious, wait-and-see approach really chaps my hide. I say we go for it. Get aggressive.”
The other men nodded. Even Kristen seemed a little roused at the excitement.
“All well and good, gentlemen, but…” Jeanine shot Merry a sidelong look. “We’ve already decided on a slow course. A plan for aggressive development would need more—” she cleared her throat and looked straight at Merry “—consideration.”
Merry felt heat climb from her chest to her neck to her face. All five of them were looking at her, most with some measure of pity, all with discomfort. “I’ll work hard
for you in whatever capacity I can unless you decide I’m no longer the right fit for Providence. But please keep in mind that if you find the funds to hire someone new and that’s the course you decide upon, recruitment could take months. You’ll need an interim curator at least. I’d be honored to—” She swallowed a strange thickness in her throat. “I’d be honored to work in Providence as long as you’ll have me.”
Levi dropped his head for a moment then met her eyes. “We’ll take that into consideration.”
“Thank you.”
“All right, Ms. Kade,” Jeanine said, tapping the folder against her hand. “I think we have everything we need here. We’ll let you know what we decide about the reporter.”
Well, that was that. She was being dismissed. She wasn’t part of the board, and if they were going to vote, she didn’t need to be there. But what they were really going to do, she understood, was discuss the problem of her.
She gathered up her papers, acutely aware that this was likely not the first time people had had this discussion. What are we going to do about Merry? She’s sweet, but not quite right.
As if to confirm her fears, her phone rang and Crystal’s name appeared.
“Really?” she groaned as she hurried from the building. “Really?” She wanted to ignore the call. She desperately wanted not to answer, but what if Crystal was lost on a back road somewhere, surrounded by a rogue herd of buffalo? It could happen.
Forcing herself to cut off her moan, Merry answered. “Hi, Crystal.”
“Merry!” God, she was so fake. She always sounded surprised to hear Merry’s voice, as if she weren’t the one calling. “We’re having a little party. I’d love it if you could come.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so busy tonight. I just got out of a meeting of the museum board, and now I have to meet someone in Providence.” That felt good. Being professional and busy. She grinned in triumph.
“That’s no problem. The party is tomorrow. I’d invite you to bring a guest, but you know how terrible Grace and I are together, and I’m sure you don’t have a gentleman you’d like to—”
“Actually I do.”
“You have a boyfriend already? Didn’t you just move to town?”
“Well, he’s not my boyfriend, exactly. But I’m seeing someone, and I’m sure he’d love to—”
“Perfect. Then we’ll see you tomorrow around nine. I’ll text you the details.”
“Oh, I—”
“Bye!”
Merry held the phone to her ear for a few more seconds. Had she just accidently agreed to attend Crystal’s party? Because she’d jumped at the chance to be petty? Oh, God.
She should cancel. Right now. Call and make up some commitment she’d forgotten. But she knew it would look like Shane had said no and she was too embarrassed to go alone.
So now she’d have to actually attend Crystal’s party. Which meant she’d have to ask Shane.
This was horrifying.
