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“Watch your mouth, Jackson. Be a gentleman. I guess we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?”
“Sorry about that.”
Before the meeting, I have a few things I need to do. I’ll have to try to forget what happened between Solia and me long enough to focus. I want to research and understand the regulations involved in the sale of land and the development of wind farms using wind turbines.
I’ll speak to my dad and ask him about zoning regulations and the laws around the destruction of habitats and wildlife. I know he supports my grandparents selling, but that doesn’t mean he can’t feed me some information.
* * *
On the day of the town hall meeting, I arrive early, thinking I’ll be among the first. I couldn’t be further from the truth. People are searching for places to park. Meriden Town Hall is a small building; I’m not sure anyone gave the potential size of the crowd much thought.
The building has been in the central downtown area since 1849 and the original single-story wood-frame structure remains, but improvements to the building have been made over the years. An addition was added in the late 1800s to incorporate an indoor stage. A wide recess in front provides a large entrance, and slender sash windows around the building allow light to enter from all angles. It still has its old-world charm while remaining functional for today’s purposes. I’ve only ever stepped foot inside to vote. And before that, a play in elementary school.
But today, I’m walking into town hall with a whole new purpose. Through the crowd, I spot Greg.
“Hey, man. Glad to see you here. I guess the old man finally filled you in. What a load of horseshit, right?”
“Seriously, Greg. I’m not a snowflake. I should’ve known from the beginning. But whatever, I’m here now.”
“I hear you, man, but it was Earl’s call. If he says not to say something, I’ll be damned if I’m the one who crosses him.”
“I get it. Just can’t believe these pricks think they can waltz in here and buy our land from under us. There are so many people here to support whoever’s on the property list.”
“For sure. But I’m not so sure everyone is on the same side of this thing. There’s a lot of talk around town. Some people are dead set against it, some are willing to listen because raking in some money sounds appealing, and some don’t know what the hell to think.”
“Where do you stand on the issue?”
“Well, I’m not the one who owns any of the land they want. I don’t know shit about wind farms, but the landscape around here is going to look a hell of a lot different with these monsters in the sky. And shit, I’ve been working for your family since I was a kid. To think of that place being sold to some big-city boys looking for a fat paycheck makes me sick. So if you ask me, I’m against it. But unfortunately, I’ll be an audience member for this one. No one is looking to buy my little postage stand on the other side of the lake.”
“I’m with you on all accounts. I don’t understand the process and what rights the property owners have. It pisses me off.”
We walk around the side of the building. I can tell by the vehicles filling the spots we’re dealing with people who are certainly not from these parts. Two black SUVs with faded windows bear the Green Breeze Enterprises logo on their side. Several luxury vehicles are parked side by side, each one sticking out among the family SUVs and pickup trucks.
We walk inside and I spot Shannon, Lucas, and a few other orchard workers. Sharon and Gary from the Fire Hearth sit by the door. Most of the people we pass I either know personally or recognize from around town. Greg points to several empty seats toward the back, perfect as I prefer to stay away from the stage. I sit beside Greg and try to relax in my chair, nodding to Shannon when she turns and waves at me.
I twiddle my thumbs and look around the hall. This company has tacked twenty or more posters along the walls with information about wind farms and their benefits. From where I’m sitting, very few people seem interested in reading how the turbines will reduce the use of fossil fuels or energy imports. I certainly don’t care about how wind farms will increase revenue in the area.
This is absolute bullshit—these guys are out to make a buck and will destroy a community to get it. I cross my arms against my chest and stare straight ahead.
People of all ages fill the room, from older couples up front holding hands to young mothers bouncing babies on their laps. Toddlers run circles around their parents who are trying to keep their cool. The sun beams through the glass of the floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides of the stage, illuminating everything inside. Between the windows, center stage, sits a large wooden conference table and three office chairs. The stage looks like a setup from a catalog.
These fucking guys brought their own furniture.
Each seat has a folded, upright nameplate with bold block lettering:Nick Ford, CEO,Mark Hogan, CFO, andTim Lambert, COO.
A hush falls over the crowd, parents hand out snacks to quiet the kids, and the energy in the room shifts to a higher level of discomfort. Several men in suits walk through the front side entrance, the door slamming behind them. The three men march in a single line toward the stage without a glance at the audience and then take their seats.
Everyone is facing forward and silent when, all of a sudden, the back door creaks open and slams shut. As if on cue, everyone looks. I force my eyes to refocus because I’m stunned to see Solia walking through. Her cheeks burst into a shade of hot pink and her eyes cast to the floor. The sight of her takes my breath away.
It’s only been a week, but it might as well have been an eternity since I last laid eyes on her. Her thick hair hangs in a long braid over her left shoulder and her beautiful face shines. A short, flowy skirt blows to the side from the wind of the door and settles mid-thigh. A tight white tank is tucked into her shirt, revealing her firm, bronzed cleavage. She’s absolutely edible and kissed by the sun.
My insides tighten, and I find it hard to breathe.
She follows the walkway, my eyes glued to her body as she scans for a seat. She approaches my aisle and her eyes meet mine for an extra half a beat, long enough for me to see the sadness and defeat in them. She gives me a soft smile and continues looking for an open chair. I follow her as she chooses a seat twenty rows in front of me, right behind my grandparents and Shannon.
She disappears from my view, and someone nudges my leg. Greg pushes his knee into mine, sporting a grin that tells me he watched me watch her. I don’t have the energy to respond; I simply shrug and smile. There’s no way I’m going to deny or even pretend I’m not undressing Solia with my eyes. She is the sexiest woman who’s ever walked into my life.
Once the men settle onstage, I stop envisioning Solia’s body for two minutes and make sense of the fact that if she’s at this meeting, she received a letter from Green Breeze Enterprises. My heart sinks. Not only did I let her down, but now her dream of starting over in a place that means so much to her is at risk.
