Nicola’s eyes narrowed. “The television production, Bear Country, wants to use our lovely area as its set. Now, while some may see dollar signs, we need to think about the consequences,” she argued.
Wooster Cavendish placed his hand on his wife’s arm and attempted to pull her back into her seat…unsuccessfully.
Charlie Grace cleared her throat. “There’s no evidence that the production company will harm the environment. I’m certain the permit issued included guardrails and strict standards. I’m also sure the production company promised to uphold all those standards.”
“They always promise, Charlie Grace,” Nicola countered, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “But can we trust them?”
In a surprise move, Nicola pointed at Charlie Grace. “Besides, isn’t your support for this project rather…personal? After all, you dumped poor Jason Griffith and nearly broke his heart so you could date the production designer on this project.” She glanced around. “Where is Nick Thatcher, anyway? No doubt he’s out at Teton Trails Guest Ranch with an open bottle of wine waiting for your return?”
Her harsh comment turned the room electric with tension. Both Lila and Capri stood. Before they could open their mouths to defend her, Charlie Grace parked her hands on her hips. “My support has nothing to do with my personal life.”
Suddenly, a man’s voice boomed from the back. “I have something to say.”
All heads turned to see Clancy Rivers wheeling himself up to the front of the room. Aunt Mo remained at the back with her hand covering her mouth and her eyes wide.
Clancy stopped his wheelchair next to Nicola. He pointed his finger up at the shocked woman. “Enough, Nicola,” he warned, his voice deep and gravelly. Despite being in a wheelchair, his presence filled the room. “If you have an issue with my daughter, you will have to take it up with me.”
Charlie Grace’s heart caught in her throat as her father spoke with a fervor she hadn’t seen in years, especially since his accident. She could feel her pulse in her temples as her heart filled with a mixture of disbelief and a swell of shock at the deep-seated intensity of his reaction.
He swept an arm in the air. “Everyone here knows Charlotte Grace is one of the most hard-working, altruistic people in this room. In all of Thunder Mountain, for that matter. She has a brain in that head of hers, and if she voices support for something, you can bet her opinion is well thought out and considered.” He gave his daughter’s nemesis a grave look. “Never would she throw this town, or anyone in it, under the bus based on her feelings for a man.”
The weight of their estrangement bore down on her making the air feel thick. Charlie Grace struggled to breathe as her father’s response seeped deep inside her.
She had prepared herself for the town’s reactions—and even for Nicola’s barbs—though she was startled when they were directed at her. Nothing could have readied her for this unexpected show of support from the one man she thought she had lost, evidenced by so much disdain and anger for her choices regarding the ranch. Each word he spoke in her defense chipped away at the wall she’d built around her emotions and left her reeling.
He turned, and their eyes met. Fighting tears, she mouthed, “Thank you.”
Clancy turned back to Nicola, who looked taken aback as she murmured, “I merely meant that?—”
“That what?” Clancy challenged, with a glint of mischief in his eye. “That you’re worried about the lake’s purity? Isn’t that the same lake you used to skinny-dip in during your wilder days? I know where the birthmark is. Or have you forgotten that?”
A ripple of laughter spread through the town hall. Many of the attendees had been around long enough to remember the stories of young Nicola’s escapades. Even Reva suppressed a chuckle.
Nicola’s face turned beet red, her lips quivering with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. “That was years ago! This is about the environment!”
Clancy raised an eyebrow. “Seems to me, the lake survived you. I reckon it’ll survive a television crew.”
Reva banged her gavel, attempting to restore order to the now-laughing audience. “All right, enough. Let’s remember we’re here to discuss the agenda.”
As the crowd started to settle, it was clear that Clancy had managed to defuse some of the tension in the room and in doing so, had shifted the scales in favor of the production.
Fleet Southcott glanced around. “Seems to me we should give the production company a chance. No one’s proven they are hurting the environment. As far as the growth issue, we can cocoon ourselves and try to stave off growth but reality dictates that isn’t entirely possible. Fact is, none of us is forced to sell to outsiders. That’s an individual choice.”
Dot Montgomery nodded in agreement. “I concur. If we had chosen to stop tourism ten years back, then many of our current businesses wouldn’t have been able to open their doors.”
Donna Hatfield leaned forward in her chair and addressed the crowd. “We can simply manage the influx of business and let our town be known for its welcome mat.”
The townspeople started to gather their things. Some stood.
Looking relieved, Reva surveyed the room. “Anyone else wish to express themselves on this matter?”
Most shook their heads no and some started heading for the door.
Reva leaned toward the microphone. “Do I have a motion to table this matter?”
Both Capri and Lila quickly responded in unison. “I make the motion.” They looked at each other and laughed.
Verna Billingsley sat at a nearby table with her pencil poised above a lined tablet, trying to record the minutes. She had a big smile on her face.
