Beverly looked downright sick.
Hans laughed from the back. “Well, if this don’t beat all. I’ll bring the drinks.”
Beverly gasped. “Absolutely not!”
As we sat, I cast a confused look at Bristol. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Last time Hans broughtdrinksto a community event, it caused a minor catastrophe. Animals on tables and food everywhere. It was for Derby Day. It was epic.”
“He spiked the punch?”
She winked at me. “Let’s just say the drinks he makes are by the light of the moon.”
My eyes widened, then I burst into laughter. “I thought that was illegal.”
“Only if you get caught. And no one, least of all Reid, really wants to catch him, so…” She shrugged her shoulders. “He’s kind of a legend around here.”
“Let’s make it a real barn dance,” someone shouted. “Live music!”
“And a pie contest!” another chimed in.
The ideas were snowballing, building into a genuine wave of enthusiasm. Multiple people called out what they were willing to contribute. Beverley’s shoulders drooped as she sat down.
Mayor Bowen raised the gavel again. “Well, I think we’ve got our fundraiser. Thank you, Anna—and everyone—for stepping up. Let’s make this one to remember.”
Mayor Sterling flapped his wings and added, “Let’s dance! Let’s dance!”
As the meeting drew to a close and folks began filing out of the room, several stopped to offer ideas or volunteer help. A few simply said, “Welcome back.”
Beverly pushed her way through the crowd to reach us. She cleared her throat, clearly trying to reassert control. “I’ll need you to make sure everything goes through the proper channels…”
“I’ll check in with you when I’m ready, Beverly,” I said, calm but firm. Turned out navigating egos in Nashville had been of some benefit. “Wouldn’t dream of leaving you out.”
Her eyes narrowed, but she forced a tight smile. “Of course.”
I held Chase’s hand as we walked out into the cool night air, heart pounding, but in a good way.
“You crushed it,” he said, eyes twinkling.
“I just hope I can pull it off. I sort of got caught up in the moment.”
“You will. You’re not doingit alone.”
I smiled, already spinning with ideas—hay bales, lanterns, a fiddle band, food tables, and a dance floor under the stars. For the first time since returning, I wasn’t just standing on the edge of this town.
I was stepping right into the middle of it. And I was excited.
Chapter 23
Chase
The next morning,I woke up early. Lately, with Anna by my side, I’d been sleeping later, unwilling to leave her before I had to. Anna was curled up beneath the covers, one arm tucked under her head, the other stretched across the mattress. Her breathing was slow and even, and despite how much I wanted to wake her, I slipped quietly out of bed to let her sleep.
I’d been so damn proud of her last night. I knew what she didn’t—that the Town Hall public meetings were usually funny. Mayor Sterling made it so. But I hadn’t expected her to stand up in front of everyone and pitch an idea. I knew she was nervous, but thank you, Hans Zimmerman. He helped turn the room on its ear, and her idea for the barn dance flew. The second-best part was seeing Beverly Seymour have to stand down to everyone else’s wishes for a change. She wasn’t a mean-spirited woman, just one who was used to getting her way. She loved her town and often had good ideas. But she didn’t like anyone else to get credit for anything, either.
The old floorboards creaked as I made my way to thekitchen. Yesterday’s mail was still on the kitchen table, untouched. After I grabbed my coffee, I sorted through the various junk mail, flyers, bills, and what looked like a contract I was expecting. There was also an envelope with the official green and gold seal of theTennessee Christmas Tree Growers Association—TCTGA.
I froze.
