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Tess clutched his hand in hers as the meeting started. Hers was just as sweaty, and he whispered, “Whatever happens, we’ll be okay.”
She nodded, but he saw the conflict written on her face.
He wasn’t sure how he felt or what he wanted the outcome to be. He’d gone back and forth in his mind for days. One minute he thought it was the right thing. And the next, he wasn’t sure. One minute he was okay with the idea of moving on, letting go of the home he’d grown up in, raised a family in, had in his family for generations. And giving up his post, his responsibility to the community. But the next minute, he thought just the idea would break him.
Ultimately, it was out of his hands.
The mayor started the meeting, addressing the crowd, but Oliver was barely listening as he waited for him to get to the important part. His gaze was locked on Carly, but she was avoiding his, which told him everything...and made him really nervous that maybe he’d already lost more than just his home.
“In regards to proposal number three forty-two regarding the lighthouse reconstruction, the committee’s decision was split,” the mayor said finally, his gaze landing on Oliver and Tess before continuing, “but after tallying the votes from the public, it was a definite confirmation that the B and B is what would be best for the community moving forward. I’ll hand it over to Sebastian for the rest of the details.”
Oliver swallowed hard. There it was. He glanced at Tess and saw her struggle to control her own emotions, and that made his chest tighten even more. No matter what, he needed to be strong for Tess and build the best new future he could.
Onstage, the mayor took a seat next to his wife as Sebastian took to the podium to address the crowd. The rumble died down as they all stopped to listen to the details of the proposal.
“Thank you all for coming out today and for the overwhelming support of the proposal,” he said confidently. “I’m so happy that you agree that it’s the right move forward for the community and I promise you it will directly benefit everyone in this room, with increased tourism and a new event center.”
He continued outlining the proposed expansion and all the things Oliver had already read about. He looked at Carly, who looked slightly nervous as she shifted in her seat. He frowned. What was up with her? She was definitely acting odd and she’d yet to look at him. Was she just nervous that she’d disappointed him? Was she afraid he was upset?
He wasn’t. He understood. He respected her for making this decision that he knew couldn’t have been an easy one. He wished they’d talked about it and that he could have been more open-minded before...
Sebastian paused for a breath, then smiled as he continued, “And I have another announcement that I think a lot of you will be thrilled to hear.” He paused again for effect and the entire room was quiet. A pin drop could be heard as everyone waited for this surprise news.
Oliver’s heart thundered in his chest, and next to him, Tess looked as though she were holding her breath.
“Author Y.C. Salwert has bought the proposed resort development plans,” Sebastian said.
A gasp and muffled voices ran through the room. Oliver frowned, the name not ringing any bells immediately. Then he got it—the author of the fantasy romance Sealena series. That person had bought the land and the new development from the city.
He glanced around as the crowd continued their excited chatter and he noticed Rachel and Skylar share a smile across from him. Onstage, he saw Carly stand slowly and nervously release a deep breath.
“Which is actually me,” she said at the podium. Her gaze met Oliver’s and he had no idea what was happening. What was she saying? She was buying the lighthouse B and B? She was Y.C. Salwert? A bestselling romance author?
What? How? She’d never told him.
Next to him, Tess squealed in delight. Jumping up from her seat, she raced toward Carly on the stage and wrapped her arms around her waist. “I knew it all along!”
Carly laughed. “You weren’t supposed to be reading those just yet,” she chastised.
Oliver’s heart swelled with pride and wonder at the woman he was definitely in love with.
All around him, people stood and cheered, her fan base excited for the revelation. Carly graciously accepted the applause and, taking Tess with her, she moved back in her seat, pulling the little girl onto her lap as the meeting resumed.
Their gazes met and held, and all he could do was send all the love he had in his heart in her direction and hope that she could feel it. Feel its depth and intensity from across the room.
She’d bought the B and B. He still couldn’t quite wrap his mind around it. She’d obviously done it because she’d known the impact losing it would have on him and Tess, but what else did it mean?
The crowd barely listened to the rest of the meeting agenda; everyone was whispering excitedly about the new development, but mostly about the shocking revelation that Carly was this mysterious author they’d all been obsessing about.
Oliver couldn’t believe it either.
Once the meeting was adjourned, the crowds dispersed slowly, some lingering by the refreshment tables, some chatting in little groups around the community center, but all of them pretending not to be watching as Carly left the stage, Tess’s hand in hers, and approached Oliver. His heart swelled and he resisted the urge to reach out to take her other hand.
Just barely.
“So, you own the lighthouse now,” he said. Overwhelmed with so many emotions, he didn’t quite know where to start.
“Well, the town still owns the lighthouse, but I’m personally funding the B and B and cabins that are being constructed. I couldn’t let it go to anyone else,” she said softly. “It’s too important.”
