That Man of Mine (Whispering Bay Romance 3)

“But that’s always been a perk of the festival,” Doreen said. “We make our money with the food and drink trucks.”

A percentage of all the food and drink sold went straight into the festival coffers, but if they didn’t have decent entertainment, then people were going to leave early (the way they did last year) and it wouldn’t matter how much they charged for the booths. If the current financial trend continued this could be Whispering Bay’s last Spring Into Summer festival, and as mayor and head of the festival, it would all be Mimi’s fault. This was not the legacy she planned to leave.

“It’s true, the food and drink are how we make our money, but we need to make sure we clear enough to pay for the band and leave the festival enough money for next year so they won’t be stuck in the same situation we are. And I’m just not sure we’ll make enough on our concessions to do that.”

“But how are we going to charge people?” Viola asked. “The quad is open to everyone.”

“I thought that maybe after the last community act, Hamlet, is it? We could clear the area and then rope it off. From what I understand it will take the band at least an hour to set up their equipment on the stage. Meanwhile, we can charge for admission into the roped off area. Everyone else will just have to hear the band from far away.”

“That could work,” Doreen said. “But we’d have to have a crew ready on the spot to get all that going.”

“Which means more money,” Sherry said.

“Not if we depend on our volunteers to do that,” Mimi suggested.

Bettina shook her head. “I don’t know. This just isn’t the way we normally do things. I think if we change things up too much then we’re asking for trouble.”

“Agreed,” said Sherry.

“Yes! I agree as well,” Wendy said. Her upper lip was covered with sweat.

“I think Mimi’s ideas are all very exciting,” Viola said, “But I’d like to see more details before I make a decision.”

They all turned to look at Doreen. If she sided with Bettina and her gang, then Mimi and Viola would be outnumbered. Mimi hid her hands beneath the table and crossed all her fingers. Around the office, Doreen seemed polite but distant. Not an enemy, but definitely not a friend, either. Mimi could only hope she wouldn’t let herself by bullied by Bettina.

Doreen hesitated only briefly before saying, “I think Viola is right. I like the way Mimi thinks. Let’s get more details before we shoot this down.”

Bettina looked momentarily jolted. It was obvious she’d expected Doreen to agree with her. “Oh, all right. I guess technically, we are a democracy.” She directed a steely glare at Mimi. “Can you please work out this little plan of yours in writing by next week? Then we’ll discuss it and take a vote.”

“I’d love to,” Mimi said sweetly.

Mimi scooped up her paperwork and stuffed it back into her tote. She had one week to get everything together in order to convince the committee to see things her way. Viola, she could sway. Doreen, she wasn’t sure about, but she got the feeling Doreen would be fair. As for Bettina and her cronies? Mimi wasn’t fooling herself. Those three would be a tough sell. Which meant she had a lot of work to do. She’d have to get on it as soon as she got home. Then she remembered she’d promised her mother they’d have a family dinner tonight. Claire was picking Cameron up after soccer practice and Mimi was meeting them directly at Momma and Daddy’s.

Bettina was still in the parking lot when Mimi went out to her car. Tofu was on her chain, sniffing around the grassy area by Mimi’s minivan. “That went well, don’t you think?” Bettina asked.

“Sure. It went great.”

“So, Mimi, I take it congratulations are in order?”

“For what?”

“I heard you and Zeke were back together! I knew it would just be a matter of time, of course. You aren’t that stupid.” At the look on Mimi’s face, Bettina began to backtrack. “I didn’t mean to imply that you were, it’s just, well, there’s you,” she put up one hand palm side up to symbolize Mimi, “and then there’s Zeke.” She put up the other hand (Zeke, Mimi supposed) and raised it high above the other.

She knew she shouldn’t let Bettina get to her. Years of working alongside her in the PTA had taught Mimi that Bettina was only happy when she was making someone else unhappy. But she had more pride than to stand here in The Bistro parking lot and take this shmoltz.

“Are you implying that I’m not up to Zeke’s standards?”

“Oh, honey! Not at all. Of course not. But let’s face it. He is an extraordinarily good looking man, and I’ve just been so worried about you, what with all those rumors about Cindy floating around.”

The backs of Mimi’s eyeballs began to burn.

“So imagine my relief when I heard that you’d called 911—was it a raccoon scare? Any hoo, that was so clever of you. Getting him to come out to the house in the middle of the night. A man has needs. We all know that. One thing leads to another and—”

“Zeke and I are not back together.”

“Oh.” Bettina edged in closer. “I thought—”

“And he’s not having an affair with Cindy. Or anyone else for that matter. Maybe I’m the one having the affair. Did you ever think of that?”