While she knew she could count on her girlfriends to help, the responsibility to lead her town through the storm of emotions and conflict that lay ahead weighed squarely on her shoulders.
31
The midmorning sun cast a warm glow through the kitchen window as Charlie Grace sat down at the counter, sipping a cup of hot coffee and making a grocery list. She’d been up since the crack of dawn. She’d helped Aunt Mo with breakfast and clean-up. Then she’d helped Lizzy strip the beds in four of the cabins after guests had checked out. Horses had been fed. One of the saddles had a tear in the stirrup, so she’d need to take that to town for repair later today.
She placed the steaming mug down on the table, picked up a nearby pen, and went to work adding a list of things she’d need for a guided hike she planned on offering her guests. The Lupine Meadows Access Trail was living up to its name and was lined with mountain lupines in purple, yellow, white, and pink. While the trail was popular, it was also challenging—but worth the effort as it took trekkers up to Delta Lake with stunning panoramas of the valley below.
She’d written out several items on the paper tablet before her—bear spray, sunscreen, insect repellent, plenty of water—when her phone buzzed with a message from Reva.
“Emergency meeting at City Hall tonight. Urgent. Please meet me at the mayor’s office as soon as possible,” the message read. Charlie Grace noted the text was also sent to Capri and Lila.
Frowning with curiosity, Charlie Grace quickly replied, assuring Reva that she would be there. The meeting must be important for Reva to call them all together like this.
Charlie Grace stuffed the unfinished list in her jeans pocket, took a final sip from her mug, and headed for the sink where she dumped the remaining coffee down the drain. Then she grabbed her keys and headed for her car.
Arriving at the mayor’s office, Charlie Grace was ushered into a small conference room where her friends gathered, heads bent in serious discussion.
“You go on in there, honey,” Verna told her. “Something awful is brewing and the mayor needs your help.”
It looked to be true as Charlie Grace glanced at the scene before her.
Reva appeared visibly tense, her brows furrowed with worry. Capri and Lila exchanged concerned glances.
“What’s going on?” Charlie Grace asked, taking a seat beside Reva.
Reva took a deep breath. “You know about the television production Nick is working on, right? Well, there’s been some unexpected opposition beyond what we’d anticipated. Apparently, Nicola Cavendish has rallied support for trying to shut down the production. She’s convinced a number of people the production will disrupt the peace and harmony of Thunder Mountain.”
“And she’s telling everyone it will have a negative environmental impact,” Lila added.
Charlie Grace scowled. “Can she do that? Shut it down?”
Capri nodded. “It’s ridiculous! Nick’sBear Countryproduction would bring more business to the town and put us on the map. My river rafting company is only one example of a business that would benefit.”
“Some folks are worried about the changes it might bring,” Lila explained. “They think it will attract the wrong crowd, bring in wealthy people who will buy vacation homes, and raise our housing costs, ultimately turning Thunder Mountain into another highly-populated tourist town with traffic jams and crowds. Like Jackson and Sun Valley.”
“Or Aspen,” Reva clarified. “That argument, if well made, would lead to tension among the locals…and invite in-fighting among our residents. Conflict that we don’t need.”
Charlie Grace listened attentively, her mind whirring with thoughts. She understood both sides of the argument. Thunder Mountain had always been a quiet, close-knit community, and any major change could be intimidating for some.
“They do know that the actual production is miles away—in Wilson?” she pointed out.
“That’s still too close, according to Nicola. She claims our proximity and current lower real estate prices would migrate the influx to Thunder Mountain,” Reva said, anxiety evident in her voice. “If this opposition gains momentum, it could split the town in two.”
Lila nodded. “Just look at what is happening at the national level. I agree with Reva, if leadership doesn’t stave this off, the residents of Thunder Mountain could end up angry and polarized. We don’t want that.”
Reva rubbed her forehead. “Exactly. Disagreements like this can be deeply personal, and potentially create wounds that take generations to heal.”
Capri pulled her long blonde hair into a pony and knotted it at the back of her neck. “I talked to Pastor Pete when I heard rumbles of this over at the Rustic Pine. He mentioned change is inevitable. Yet, he believes it’s essential to find a balance and address all these concerns head-on.” She turned to Charlie Grace. “Perhaps you could talk to Nick about the issues worrying folks…especially for those concerned about the film production’s impact on the environment. I mean, I hear they’ve been granted a conditional use permit and will be filming inside the park?”
Charlie Grace leaned her arms over the table. “Pastor Pete has a point. Maybe some compromise could be reached to address the concerns and ensure the production benefits everyone. I’d like to help, but Nick left for Los Angeles yesterday.”
“He’s gone?” Reva asked.
“Afraid so.”
“For how long?”
“He said he’d only be away for a couple of days.” Charlie Grace glanced between her friends at the table. “I’d be happy to talk to him when he returns, but that doesn’t do much to help with tonight’s meeting.” She grabbed her phone from her pocket. “I could text him if you think that would help.”
