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“Hello, Dwight,” she said in a cool voice.
“I was hoping to see you here today. I have something for you.” He shoved a manila packet in her hands. “Don’t worry. It doesn’t bite,” he said with a smirk.
“What is this?” Paige asked. At the town meeting he’d made it clear that he didn’t approve of her bid to resurrect the cannery project. She wasn’t naive enough to think that he was trying to help her.
“Information that might change your mind about the cannery deal,” he said cryptically.
“And why would I do that?” she snapped.
“Because things don’t stay the same, Paige. Two years ago there wasn’t another cannery in this particular area of Alaska.” He shook his head. “A long time has passed since this deal was in the works. That’s a lifetime in the business world. Things move at the speed of light. I did some research. Three canneries have been opened during that time. Three! Two of them are doing quite well, while the third one is struggling. Rumor has it they might file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.”
Three canneries? She hadn’t known that. Why hadn’t she known that? She had done some research but clearly nothing as comprehensive as Dwight’s inquiry.
“Do you have any idea how difficult it would be for us to compete against two other canneries that are already established?”
Although Dwight was the furthest thing from warm and fuzzy, his words had been heartfelt and to the point. This move didn’t reek of manipulation. There was something very authentic about it. Dwight adored his hometown and he didn’t want to see the town’s finances run off the rails again. And neither did she. She swallowed past the huge lump in her throat. Truth. That was what she had been fighting for ever since her father had stolen the town’s funds. And now, out of the blue, it was being handed to her on a silver platter from the most unlikely of sources.
“I understand,” she said with a nod of her head. “It might be risky to open a cannery here after those other outfits are already up and running successfully.”
But after everything she had endured, it was difficult to just give up on the dream. Maybe Dwight was wrong. “On the other hand, perhaps Love could do it better than those other two. There’s no need for doom and gloom.” She held her chin up even though she was trembling with doubt.
Dwight narrowed his gaze. “Or this town could lose a big chunk of money chasing a pipe dream. You seem to have a lot of pull here despite what happened with your father. You came back with your adorable daughter and the tragic news about your father. That could sway a lot of people to vote for a cannery project that isn’t a smart business decision. Plus, you seem to have the Prescott family in your back pocket,” he grumbled.
“The townsfolk are savvy enough to make their own decisions,” she pointed out.
Dwight held up his hands. “My job here is done. The data I gave you is worth looking at before the upcoming vote. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
He turned on his heel and walked away, leaving her reeling with the ramifications of the information he had just shared with her. She took the envelope and folded it into a small square, then stuffed it into her purse. As she purchased the lemonade and walked back toward the rides to meet up with Cameron and Emma, her mind whirled with the impact of her run-in with Dwight.
With another town meeting scheduled for tomorrow in preparation for next week’s vote, she had no idea what to do in order to best serve the town she loved. The responsibility was weighing heavily on her. At the moment the stakes really couldn’t get any higher.
Chapter Ten
Bright and early the next morning Cameron was serving customers at the Moose Café and whistling as he worked. He was still feeling content after the fun-filled day spent at the spring festival. The kiss he had shared with Paige had been tender and unforgettable. If he closed his eyes, he could almost feel the softness of her lips. Something hopeful had been in the air between them and he sensed that Paige had felt it also.
Was this a sign of new beginnings?
After such a long time of stuffing his feelings down, it was freeing to actually be hopeful about having a future with Paige. And he couldn’t even describe how it had felt to be a family unit yesterday with Emma by their side. He had to believe that in bringing them to Love, God had been shining a light on the path He wanted him to take.
“You seem happier than a hummingbird in flight,” Sophie said as he walked into the kitchen whistling an upbeat tune.
“It’s going to be a good day, Sophie. I can feel it,” he said. And he could—all the way down to his bones. He felt as if a powerful, sweet change was blowing in the wind. And he couldn’t wait to see what bloomed as a result.
The energy surrounding tonight’s town meeting had reached a fever pitch. Most folks in town seemed invigorated by the possibility of Love moving forward to reinvent itself.
Sophie grinned at him, showcasing her girl-next-door smile. “I sometimes have feelings like that, too. Good vibrations, I call ’em.”
“Good vibrations. I like that,” Cameron said.
Yes, indeed. Things were turning around. Not only for the community but for him, as well. His life was different since Paige had returned. He’d been enriched by Emma. His little girl made him think of the future and how he could shape it for good. It wasn’t enough to sit on the sidelines and hope for the best. He’d given up on that front after the cannery fiasco, but he was committed to making Love prosperous again. Paige had forced him to recognize his own pride and blindness. And judgment. Never again in his life did he want to falsely tarnish the character of another human being. Particularly someone he adored.
Although the knowledge of his colossal error had been working its way through him ever since Paige’s return, he’d resisted taking stock of everything. It was painful to realize that he’d been so terribly wrong about this woman who had been his first and only love. Emma’s mother. A woman he had wanted to make his bride.
Two years ago he’d lacked the courage to stand up for Paige amid all the accusations lodged against her. His devotion to her hadn’t been strong enough to silence the doubts. And now Cameron could see even more amazing sides to Paige Reynolds. And when he added up all the pieces, her innocence shone through like a beacon. He couldn’t turn back time and undo the damage, no matter how fervently he wished it were possible. But he could move forward and humbly apologize to Paige. He could try to make amends.
“Cameron. Can you help me with these drinks? I’m getting a little backed up,” Sophie said as she placed two orders on separate trays.
“Sure thing. I’ll follow right behind you.”
