Alpha's Rescue (Shifter Ops 5)

“Most attendees will spend the night off-mountain, but there could be good business in local rentals. The town could set up an authorized website to take bookings for homestays and vacation rentals. Like Airbnb, but the town verifies the home and gets a cut.”

“I could make the website,” Hutch offers. More people are nodding. Lana’s winning them over.

“By the way, I agree with Darius. Somewhat. To completely pay off the bond, I think you could consider building housing. But not necessarily what Medvedev Enterprises offers. You could put the word out for bids, and stipulate the project is sustainable and preserves designated wild areas. The winning development would invest in their own roads and the additional sewage. And you can change the town’s bylaws to support local business and discourage big box stores.”

“But what about the next bond payments?” Darius calls loud enough to be heard over everyone’s murmuring. “The town needs immediate cash.”

Lana cocks her head to the side. Her hood has fallen back, and the pink tips of her hair are peeking out. “There are lots of ways to leverage what you already have to earn more. For example, my Uncle Benny scouts for new locations for movies. I bet this place would be perfect for it. New Mexico is fast becoming a top place to film.”

“I think all of this sounds wonderful,” Daisy says. Her granddaughter has helped her up the steps. “We’ll have to move fast. Summer is around the corner.”

“I’ll call my contacts!” Lana says. “As soon as I get my phone fixed. And I can invite Anara here to scout the place. If everything looks good, she'll make the announcement right away. She can film it right on Main Street.”

Canyon hops back on stage and leans into the mike. “I also…uh… know someone who owns a designer clothing business. She’d like to film a few commercials here, for starters.” He and Lana exchange smiles.

“Well, that will certainly put Bad Bear on the map,” Daisy says. “Thank you, dear, for getting the word out.”

Lana beams. “The press will be all over it! Trust me, we’ll have no problem letting the whole world know.”

I should have seen it coming, but I was transfixed by Lana’s brilliance. Suddenly the reality of what she’s suggesting hits me. I rock back onto my heels, the breath gusting out of me like I caught a fist in the solar plexus.

Cameras. Film crews. Paparazzi.

Darius leans close. “Seriously, this is your girl’s idea? This is Tiffany all over again.”

Cold washes over me. He’s right, and he’s wrong.

This isn’t Tiffany all over again.

It’s much, much worse.

12

Lana

That went well. At least, I hope it did. Public speaking isn’t my favorite, but I can put on a good show. My cheeks hurt from smiling, but I wave and thank everyone before stepping off the podium and handing Daisy the mic.

Daisy squeezes my arm as she passes. “Well, nothing’s set in stone, but it looks like we have a few options after all. Let’s all give a big hand to Lana for her ideas!” There are a few stomps and cheers among the golf claps, mostly from the triplets in the front row, but it warms my heart.

A shadow falls over me. Teddy. “This way.” He puts a hand on my back to guide me into the wings. We pass Darius, who’s smirking. I frown at him.

“That was great!” Canyon pops up next to me. “You did it! You saved the town! Do you really know Anara?”

“Canyon.” Teddy’s voice is tense. “Get back to your seat.”

The teen stops short when he sees Teddy’s face. His Adam's apple bobs, and he disappears to the front.

My eyes still haven’t adjusted from the bright lights out front, but there’s tension in Teddy’s stance. “Teddy? What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.” HIs voice is clipped. He grabs my hand and takes me further backstage, into a green room filled with pieces of wood, a few wigs, and an old upright piano.

When I get a look at his grim expression, my whole body turns cold.

I pull my hand out of his grip. “It’s not nothing. You’re upset.”

“We’ll talk about it later.”

Back on stage, Daisy is calling for the town to vote yea or nay on Darius’ proposition.

I swallow, my hand on my chest. “You need to go. Get your vote in.”

Teddy curses. “Stay here. I’ll be back soon. Don’t go anywhere, don’t show your face. And keep your hair covered.”

I pull up the hood. Something’s very wrong. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have gotten on stage. I thought I was helping. It all happened so fast–”

With another curse, Teddy whirls and tugs me close. He squeezes me tight and kisses my forehead. “Wait here for me. Stay safe. I’ll be right back.”

I touch the place he kissed as he leaves. That didn’t feel like a Viking hug. It felt like goodbye.