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Based on the above indications, she’s sad. But why? Is it because she hasn’t conceived yet? Do I ask her? No, she cut me off. She obviously doesn’t want to discuss the situation in front of everyone. Should I phone her later?
Although, everyone knows I’m not the best person to deal with feelings. It’s not as if I don’t understand feelings like my sisters claim. I just don’t know how to communicate my sympathy in a way they approve of.
The alarm on Ashlyn’s phone goes off, and I check the clock on the wall. It’s time to begin the meeting. I follow Ashlyn as she skips to the front of the room.
Ashlyn is currently the mayor of Winter Falls. She wasn’t elected. The townspeople don’t believe in electing a mayor. Instead, every year we choose a business owner from a hat to lead us through the next year. Yes, a hat. If I didn’t assist in the ‘choosing’, I wouldn’t believe it either.
Personally, I think the position should be a paid one. Candidates should submit applications and undergo a rigorous hiring procedure. But when I suggested as much to Dad, who is the town’s lawyer, he laughed. I don’t know why and when I asked him why he just laughed harder. And everyone thinks I’m the confusing one.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I inhale a deep breath before I wrestle the gavel out of Ashlyn’s hands. Don’t misunderstand me. A gavel is a perfectly appropriate item for the mayor to wield, but there’s no reason to hit it against a table with such vigor it leaves dents.
After she brings the meeting to order, she states, “We’ll begin with an update of the community center project by Cole.”
Cole kisses Ellery’s cheek before standing. He’s the architect and project manager for the community center the town is currently building. As a matter of fact, the two of them met when he came to town to pitch his firm for the project and stayed at her establishment, The Inn on Main.
They had a one-night stand and Ellery ended up pregnant. Initially, she wanted nothing to do with Cole, but he managed to change her mind in the end.
“I don’t have much to report since our previous monthly meeting,” he begins before filling us in on the current situation.
Once he finishes, he motions for me to continue. I’m the comptroller of Winter Falls, and as such, it’s my duty to ensure the project stays on budget. Being on budget is no longer an issue, however, as Ashlyn and Juniper came into a windfall worth half a million dollars. The story of how they solved a decades old mystery would be preposterous, except it’s true.
“Regarding the expenditures—”
“We want an update on the biomass project,” Sage interrupts to demand from the back of the room.
“Yeah, Lilac, how’s the project going?” Feather asks from next to Sage.
Sage and Feather are part of what the town refers to as the gossip gals. Together with Petal, Cayenne, and Clove, the ladies believe it is their duty in life to ferret out all the secrets in Winter Falls. I’ve explained to them the definition of privacy over a hundred times, but they refuse to listen.
In addition to aspiring to be the biggest gossips in the world, they fancy themselves matchmakers and are convinced they’re responsible for my four sisters being in love. Personally, I believe they hindered more than helped, but I’ve learned to keep my opinions to myself when it comes to the five elderly ladies.
I clear my throat. “As you know, the biomass power plant will provide energy to heat the homes in Winter Falls.”
“Boring!” Petal shouts. “We want all the news on you and the dreamy Beckett.”
“Yeah,” Clove yells her agreement. “Rumor has it the two of you were hot and heavy at the construction site.”
“I heard a man harassed her and her hunk of a boss, Beckett, came and saved her,” Sage claims.
How ridiculous! I’ve never needed saving from a man. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Are they fabricating rumors?
“Beckett did not save me, and no one harassed me.”
Instead of responding to the truth of my statement and stopping the false rumors, Sage removes a large notebook from her bag and opens it. “I’m accepting dates starting from tomorrow.”
I contemplate how to handle this situation. Obviously, Sage has decided to make my relationship with Beckett into some type of bet. I could argue with her, but I’ve never won an argument with her before. Mostly because she claims she’s correct and leaves while you’re in the middle of explaining your point of view to her.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Ashlyn’s holding up the gavel as if she’s ready to use it hit someone.
“No getting into fist fights when you’re pregnant,” Mom hollers across the room.
“You’re not supposed to tell anyone I’m pregnant. And, I prefer the term knocked up.”
“If you didn’t want anyone to know you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t have bought pregnancy tests at Nature Coop.”
