Nicola Cavendish strode toward her with a look of concern on her face. She wore a hot pink pantsuit with a blouse ruffled at the neck…and an attitude. She didn’t wait for a response before she took a seat.
Reva sighed. “Hello, Nicola. What can I do for you?”
Nicola tossed her purse onto the neighboring guest chair. “I am the voice of many who wish to express our intense displeasure over a matter critical to our way of life here in Thunder Mountain. Or, should I say, a threat to our way of life?”
Reva leaned back in her chair, listening intently to Nicola’s concerns. “Care to expand?”
She braced herself. Nicola had a tendency to exaggerate and blow things out of proportion.
“It’s about that television show being filmed nearby. From what I understand, there have been leaks on the internet suggesting the show is high drama, with extreme violence and…” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “…and onscreensex.”
“I understand your worries, Nicola,” Reva said, trying to reassure her and diffuse the situation. “Unfortunately, there is very little the mayor’s office can do to influence the type of production planned. The city simply does not have that kind of control. Despite any moral issues, some believe there are potential benefits that this television series could bring to our area. It could draw in new tourism and boost our economy. That could result in new businesses and strengthen local commerce. Who knows, maybe it will show the world what a great community we have here.”
Nicola huffed. “Exactly what we don’t want. We don’t want to become another Sun Valley or Sundance, overrun with rich celebrities who don’t care about our way of life. Our town has always been a quiet, humble place, and we don’t want to lose that.”
Reva nodded, now more aware of the source of the rumored concerns she’d already been hearing. Nicola Cavendish was as ruffled as her blouse over the matter.
Reva understood the sentiment and even shared the concern. “I understand the influx of wealthy individuals could have both positive and negative effects on our community. But I also believe it is possible to balance the potential benefits of increased tourism and economic growth with preserving our town’s character and way of life. I assure you that I will take all this into account when making any decisions regarding the matter. But I think it’s even more important that we all acknowledge the extent that I’m officially limited when altering the course of what is happening with that production. The primary film location isn’t within the city limits.”
“Did you know that one of the executives is staying out at Teton Trails? Does Charlie Grace know that?”
Reva took a deep breath. She wasn’t going there.
Nicola leaned closer to the desk. “And let me tell you, Reva. I’ve heard some of these shows can be downright disrespectful to the people and places they film. They come in with their big cameras and bright lights, disrupting the peace and quiet. Who knows what kind of people they’ll bring in as crew? Those Hollywood types do drugs. We don’t want any of this kind of trouble in Thunder Mountain, now, do we?”
Reva nodded in appreciation. “Of course not.” She stood, a signal that she was ending the conversation. “Nicola, I assure you that nothing is higher on my list of priorities than protecting Thunder Mountain and its residents. I’ve noted your concerns. Let me give the matter more thought. Until then…” She circled the desk and extended her hand. “Give Wooster my best. Will I see you both at the oyster fry next week?”
Nicola reached for her bag, placed the strap over her folded arm, and stood. “Of course, I’ll be there. Wooster is the chairman of the event. Do you have your tickets yet?” She dug into her purse and pulled out a pack of bright blue paper coupons bound in a rubber band.
“I’ll take a dozen,” Reva told her. She retrieved some cash from her purse and pressed the bills into Nicola’s hands.
The woman’s face finally brightened. “Excellent. As you know, the funds raised go toward our children’s literacy program at the library.” She removed the rubber band and counted out the correct number of tickets, then set them on the corner of Reva’s desk. “We’ll see you there then.”
“Yes, I’ll definitely see you there,” Reva said.
Just before Nicola exited through her office door, she stopped and turned back. “And you’ll give what we’ve discussed some serious consideration?”
Reva nodded and promised again that she would.
18
Charlie Grace tried to stuff her disappointment when she served breakfast with Aunt Mo and discovered Nick Thatcher absent from the table. Even more so when she mentally calculated he would be checking out tomorrow.
She set a large platter of biscuits on the checkered tablecloth next to a bowl of cream gravy. “So, how did everyone sleep?”
Edith Cameron placed a napkin on her lap. “Oh, like a bear in hibernation.”
“Yes,” her husband agreed. “We were worn out after taking a long drive yesterday through Yellowstone Park.”
“With the top down,” Edith added. “We saw so many wild animals. Harvey and I got a little nervous when we encountered a herd of buffalo along the road in what the map called Hayden Valley.”
“Yes, but what could we do? I wasn’t about to pull over to put the top up on the Mustang.”
They both laughed. Edith poured herself some orange juice. “It was a grand adventure.”
Charlie Grace turned to the family from Utah. “Looks like you are scheduled to leave us today. I hope you enjoyed your time with us here at Teton Trails.”
Kyle motioned for his mother to add a second scoop of scrambled eggs to his plate. “We had a blast!”
