Christian rubbed at the back of his head. “Aw, Linda. Don’t be like that. I was just having fun.”
Cézanne got to her feet. “At present, the people who visit the winery usually don’t bother stopping in town. They shop and stay in Falls Creek. But we can change that.”
“We have the river just like Falls Creek,” I said. “We have the hiking trails and fishing and all of that.”
“My inn is full for the first time in I don’t know how long,” added Miss Therese. “There’s architects and engineers and all sorts of interesting people staying and spending their money in our town right now.”
“I still don’t like it,” grumbled Mayor Carmichael from his seat at the front of the room. “We don’t need some stranger coming in and taking over.”
More than a couple of people nodded in agreement. Dammit.
“The opportunity to start a business in these storefronts is being offered to locals first,” said Garrett. “And rent will be kept at a reasonable rate.”
Josh remained standing with his hands on his hips. “Look, Gary, you seem like an okay guy. And we were all happy to help keep your being here on the down low. Apart from an idiot or two.”
Christian muttered something, which we all ignored.
“But the fact is, you’re new to town and we don’t know you yet. Buying up the place like this is big,” Josh continued. “You could be some trickster out to rob us blind. Lure us into thinking you care about the town and you want to help . . . then, bang. You take all of our hard-earned money and go back to touring with your rock band and making millions of dollars and pumping out music I don’t like. Where would Wildwood be then?”
Garrett’s brows sat high on his furrowed brow and his mouth opened just a little. But I doubt he knew what to say.
I, for one, would love to know if Josh had eaten one of Linda’s cookies before the meeting. But I couldn’t ask that. At least not in public. “Josh, what are you going on about? How exactly is he taking your money?”
“I just think we’d all feel a whole hell of a lot better if one of us was . . . what’s the word?” Josh snapped his fingers. “Liaising with you. Yeah. If someone was representing the town’s interests in all of this and making sure you weren’t up to any funny business. No insult intended.”
“But you did insult him,” I said. “Multiple times. You can’t just say ‘no insult intended’ and pretend it didn’t happen.”
“She has a point.” Yong stood at the back of the hall, holding the baby. “Though it is kind of beside the point.”
“Whatever,” said Josh with a toss of his mullet. “I nominate Ani to be town liaison. She can work with Gary, keep an eye on him and keep all of us in the loop.”
“Huh,” said Claude. “Now that’s a good idea.”
My chin jerked up. “Wait. What?”
Garrett just shrugged.
“That’s a great idea.” Linda stuck up her hand. “I second the motion.”
“I third it,” cried a walker.
“Oh, yes,” said Miss Therese, waving her handkerchief in the air. “I fourth it.”
“But Claude and Lupita are already working with Garrett,” I said, somewhat flustered. “Surely they’d be a better choice.”
Claude clicked his tongue. “We’ll be too busy with the diner, Ani.”
“Yeah. But I have a job and—”
“It should be you,” finished Claude.
“Yes.” Linda nodded. “That would definitely be best.”
“I have to agree with them there,” said Cézanne. And she even managed to keep a straight face.
Holy shit. Talk about a conspiracy. This whole damn town was full of matchmakers.
“Right. You and Garrett are going to work together. It’s decided.” Josh nodded his head. “You’re doing it.”
Mayor Carmichael slammed his gavel down again. “I don’t like it!”
“No point her being just the liaison, though, is there?” asked Linda. “She needs a little power. And I think it’s high time Wildwood had a mayor who didn’t nap through town meetings.”
“But the next election isn’t for ages,” said Harry, scratching his head.
“Um,” I said, panicking just a little.
“I only fell asleep a time or two,” grouched Mayor Carmichael. “I’m up early with the farm.”
“You’re busy. I agree,” said Linda. “Let someone younger have their turn, Roger. Go on. You know you’d rather be at home with your feet up watching a game. It’s past time we joined the twenty-first century and had our first female mayor.”
Roger studied his gavel. “I don’t know.”
“Of course, it’s up to you.” Linda tapped her chin. “But it sure looks like a lot of work is coming the mayor’s way. Librans like you don’t do well with change even when it’s positive. Are you sure you want to deal with all of this and taking care of the farm too?”
“You’ve given so much, Roger,” said Miss Therese. “Maybe it’s time to slow down and have a little peace and quiet.”