Chapter Four
T ori wished she had reconsidered and taken a second pill for her headache before she left the house that morning. She hadn’t slept much, tossing and turning. Finally, she had given in and gotten up before the alarm sounded the usual six a.m. morning wakeup. It was a sluggish start to an already full day ahead of meetings, a ribbon cutting on the new dry cleaners in town, a working lunch with the very busy event planning group, and the list went on and on in her brain. The throbbing at her temple had arrived about the same time as the departure of the uninvited dinner guest the previous evening.
What was it about the man that just seemed to tilt her mood in the opposite direction from what it should be? Granted, he was somewhat full of himself— somewhat ? Make that a lot full of himself—and wasn’t hesitant in stating his opinions regardless of what others might be thinking. He had a knack for taking whatever position on a given subject that was in direct opposition to hers. Had his losing to her, a mere female, been that much of an irritant to his plans? He wasn’t even planning to run, she was told, until she showed up as the only candidate. A spoiled cowboy with an ego too big for his Stetson was not her problem. He agreed that he had learned a lesson last evening and that was that. But somehow she would have to see proof of that one.
The brakes worked quite well as her foot stomped on them to the floorboard. Her front fender could be barely an inch from the fender belonging to an all-too-familiar big black truck…one that was parked dead center in her reserved parking space… again ! Was the man that insane? Or just that much of an ego-maniacal fool? Did he think she was bluffing? That a smile over the dinner table would sway her opinion? Well, she would end this right now . Jerking her phone from her bag, she hit a number that was on speed dial. Her instructions were short and sweet and delivered with a gleeful feeling that seemed to have pushed aside her headache. Hanging up, she circled the courthouse and found a space on the opposite side, directly across from Tillie’s Café. And her smile became even more pronounced as she drew the strap of her briefcase over her shoulder and in determined steps headed toward the café upon catching sight of someone she needed to share the news of the day with.
The bell over the doorway tingled its greeting along with the woman’s verbal one as she stepped inside the busy café, the morning crowd busy with breakfasts and pots of fresh coffee.
“Hi, Tillie,” she returned the greeting of the waitress behind the counter.
“Hiya, Mayor Parker. I bet you want your usual?”
“Not today. Just needing to say a quick word to that gentleman right over there. Thanks anyway.” And she headed toward the man seated with his back to her, the person she recognized from across the street as he was seated almost dead center in front of the plate glass window of the eating establishment. There were two other men seated with him and they caught sight of her first and voiced their welcome.
“Well hello, Tori. Would you care to join us?” That came from Donald Mayes, the president of the largest bank in town. And Steven Haygood, the chairman of the local hospital added his invitation as well. Both men stood in the way of well-mannered country-born gentlemen reared by country mothers who demanded no less from their family males.
“Thanks, but not today, gentlemen. Please do sit and finish your food. I just thought I would stop in and say hello and hope you all have a good day today…especially Mr. Lockwood here.”
Cade was clearly surprised by her appearance and more so by her words. “Well, that is very hospitable of you, Ms. Mayor. You seem to be having a good morning already.”
“Oh, I am. I always feel so good when a wrong can be righted and it can teach a lesson at the same time.”
His gaze narrowed on her. “And what wrong has been righted that has given you so much pleasure this morning?”
“Well, I think it only gives a positive reinforcement to our citizens when they see the laws of our town being upheld…no matter who it might involve. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Just what laws are being upheld?”
“Say, Cade,” one of his fellow diners spoke up at that time, “that looks a lot like your truck that Davy Bales has on the back of his wrecker. But surely it couldn’t be, I guess.”
Cade’s gaze left her and went to the window, and he did not quite react the way she had played out in her brain. He watched in silence. No immediate reaction. Then he took another sip from his coffee mug. Only after he had wiped his hands on his napkin and then folded it beside his plate, did his gaze return to hers.
“I can see what has made you so happy this morning. And I am pleased I was able to provide a reason for that. I was under the impression from a previous conversation you had with your brother last night that you would be later in the day after the ribbon cutting and a couple of meetings.”
“Yes, well my schedule tends to be fluid on many days. A mayor must be flexible. And speaking of meetings, I’m going to be late if I don’t rush away now.” She gave a bright smile to his breakfast companions. “It was good to see all of you and do have a wonderful day.”
“That includes myself as well?” He had to bring her attention to him again. She obliged.
“Why of course it does. It goes without saying what sort of day I would wish for you, too.”
She turned and made her exit but not before she caught the glint in those eyes. A bit of fire? A hint of warning? Too bad. He wasn’t going to spoil her mood. He would be busy the rest of his morning at the local tow lot reclaiming his truck. And she was humming as she crossed the street and moved her vehicle back into its rightfully reserved place. Take that, Cade Lockwood.
“You didn’t. You wouldn’t.” The words were repeated once more by her brother as he sought to remain calm as he stood in the center of her office a few minutes later. “What made you do such a childish thing to a member of this community? You could have called me, and he would have gotten a ticket he would have to pay to the county. But nothing near what he will have to pay to reclaim his truck.”
“And it will reinforce the fact that he needs to heed the laws of our town the same as anyone else. A warning clearly did little good. And the free meal he got out of it did nothing to sway his civic mindedness. Perhaps this lesson will be the one that makes the difference.”
“Well, I would say that the afternoon meeting today hasn’t an ice cube’s chance in a boiling pot of being amicable and having him change his mind about access to the hot springs on his land. Thanks a lot, Ms. Mayor. You just remember that you did this to yourself…to all of us.”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Matthew. Of course, he won’t change his mind about allowing access to those springs. He has made that abundantly clear. He is stubborn and selfish and cold-hearted and…”
“And standing right here.” That effectively silenced the two people already in the room.
“And where is Wallace? How did you get by him a second time?”
“Your guard dog is nowhere in sight. One of the lovely ladies in the outer office allowed me to come right in. In the future, maybe you should practice closing your door when you want a private conversation.”
“Maybe you should make an appointment before you even come to this office. Don’t just drop in…uninvited.”
“And maybe I hear my name being called downstairs,” Matt said moving toward the open doorway as Cade stepped inside and out of his way. “Good luck.”
“Who are you wishing good luck to?” Tori challenged.
Matt didn’t miss a step but kept moving. “ Both of you need it. Don’t be late to the meeting.”
“I have a meeting to prepare for,” she said. That was a clear cue for him to leave.
“I have the same meeting.”
Tori paused in shuffling her paperwork from one spot on her desk to another…a nervous habit that had seemed to develop with these unannounced visits from Cade Lockwood. “Since when have you started taking an interest in our meetings? You’ve always stayed away in the past.” What was he up to?
“Since I was asked…very nicely, I might add…by the chairperson of the Future Development Task Force. You might take a page from her book.”
“Shouldn’t you be someplace else? Maybe at the tow yard?”
“Ah, yes. I have paid the fine and the truck is now in visitors parking. All nice and legal.”
“That’s refreshing. Glad to be of help in reminding you to follow posted warnings.”
The sound of a clearing throat interrupted whatever else she might have added. Wallace stood in the doorway, an apologetic grimace on his face. “Sorry, Mayor, but I had stepped away to the post office. I thought the ladies could handle the office. And you have no appointments scheduled for this morning due to your council meeting.”
“It’s okay, Wallace. Mr. Lockwood was just leaving.”
“Well,” Cade drawled, sliding his hat onto his head. He nodded to both of them. “Guess that’s my invite to leave. Have a good day, Wallace, and we’ll see how yours goes in a little while…Mayor.”
Was that a threat of some sort? The idea stayed with Tori as she gathered her folders and her copy of the agenda and soon slid into her seat beside the chair of the committee, Maggie Winston. She and Maggie had met through Addie Sims when the elder woman was selling Tori the Primrose Inn. Maggie had been born and raised in Destiny’s River, left to go to college to get a law degree, and then came right back to her roots. Tori leaned over to whisper an aside to the woman before the meeting was called to order.
“Explain to me why Cade Lockwood had to receive a special invitation to this meeting. He seems to think you have more manners than I do so you’ve impressed him.”
“Well, isn’t that a nice compliment? And my question to you is why does that bother you?”
“Bother me? Did I say that?”
“Are you bothered because a gorgeous man complimented me and not you…or because he’s here in this room, and his gaze has been on you since you sat down? Something has my friend all hot and bothered and I, for one, am pleased. Now, let’s get this started.” Her friend became the all-business legal brain and called the meeting to order.
Tori made a slow recon of the room. Besides the other five members of the committee, there were the handful of citizens that always made it their business to show up at each meeting, no matter the subject matter. They then would inform their fellow citizens of the goings-on at the café or other watering holes. Doing their ‘duty’ to keep an eye on their local officials or so they told themselves. Tori generally referred to them in her mind as the local ‘busybody’ society.
Then her gaze wavered as it was caught and held for longer on the person seated at the back of the room, looking as though he had settled in to watch something other than a formal committee meeting. And Maggie was right. Cade Lockwood had that semi-amused look on his face and he was watching her. Trying to catch her messing up? Well, he would have a long wait. She kept her attention on the speaker beside her. That worked right up until the time Maggie acknowledged the man and mentioned that he had asked to address the committee on a matter of importance. She was handing the floor over to him to speak his mind.
He unfolded his long length from the rigid chair and made a slow yet determined approach to the lectern on the table placed in front of the gallery and before the semi-circle bench area where the members sat.
“You contacted this committee wishing to speak on the matter before us, involving the request for usage of the hot springs located on the southern edge of the Lockwood Ranch. The city and county believe there could be positive benefits to the local inhabitants of our community. Yet you have thus far refused to enter into formal discussions with us as our representative, Mayor Parker, has attempted on three occasions to speak with you on this subject. We are still in the fact-finding stages of this matter. I understand you are here to speak with us today. You may have the floor, Mr. Lockwood.”
“Thank you. I will be brief. The hot springs are on our land and have been as long as anyone can remember. It is the same with the natural springs that begin on the north side of our ranch property and flow into and form the river that bears the same name as this town was founded upon. Once the river leaves the boundaries of our land, it has always been for use as any of the other rivers in the state. The hot springs are situated on our property and the main pools are the same. The stream that results and travels away from the springs eventually flows into the river while still on our property.
“My grandfather’s wish was always that these springs be kept in their natural state and safeguarded as private. It has been that way for generations and we maintain that it should stay that way for future generations. If the springs were open to the public, that would bring many other considerations into play…public access such as roads and sidewalks, adequate public restrooms. The flow of traffic on our private ranchlands would impact various other areas of our home and work. This would all require many and varied studies as to the feasibility and liabilities. I do not believe this city or county could handle the financial responsibilities involved here.
“And I respectfully request that this committee stand down from this plan and call off the mayor’s office from continuing to bombard my office, my ranch hands, and myself with her requests and unannounced visits, disrupting my time and that of my employees. The answer is the same as it was thirty years ago, and three hours ago…we are not interested. The hot springs are on our property, and they are private.”
There were a few moments of silence and then Maggie spoke up. “Thank you, Mr. Lockwood. It was always the intent of the committee, and our representative, Mayor Parker, to open a dialogue where both sides could discuss the subject and bring any studies or other pertinent information to the table for examination. We do apologize for any unnecessary disruptions to your workday and employees. I am sure that was not the intent of the mayor.”
Tori bit her tongue and managed to maintain what she hoped was an even expression on her face instead of wanting to indulge in throwing the stapler on the desk in front of her in the cowboy’s direction to wipe that imperious look off his face. But she could bide her time.
“Certainly not the intention at all. But calls were unanswered, and meetings not scheduled. So, it was difficult to open discussions of any type, which made me take the time to move my schedule of the city’s business to allow me to drive out to the Lockwood property to attempt to see and speak with Mr. Lockwood. In response to which, he ordered me off his land. I certainly will not attempt an in-person meeting again.”
“Mr. Lockwood,” Maggie began, “is it fair to say that most items such as the question of the hot springs and all their usage might entail to all parties involved, be thoroughly researched and all facts known to make an informed decision? I do believe there are volumes in our city library that detail the meetings and all that happened when the river was involved decades before. And those were wise people involved, including your grandfather and father, as I recall. There was even mention that you sat in on a few of those meetings during your holidays from college. I saw that noted, too. You would agree that all parties involved came to an agreement, and the people of our towns and county and beyond have benefited in many ways from such forethought.”
“I would agree, yes.”
“Mr. Lockwood, how much do you know about other locations and the benefits and or pitfalls from having provided hot springs for the use of their communities?”
“I admit that I know very little.”
“Well. We applaud the fact that our mayor has spent many hours and weeks even on researching the pros and cons. Might you find time to do the same? Not starting from scratch as she had to do but perhaps you might be willing to take a day or two and allow us to share some of the findings in a neutral setting where hot springs have been a hot-button issue in the beginning and how they came to have a positive impact on their communities and all involved. You strike me as a businessman who does his research on a problem from both sides and manages to form an educated response, pro or con.”
Maggie was good. She had just tossed a live grenade at the cocky cowboy. Tori clamped down on the grin that threatened.
“What does the chairwoman have in mind?”
“A joint fact-finding mission. At the county’s expense of course. We will arrange for you and our mayor to tour one of three hot springs operations in our part of the country. See for yourself what we have in mind. After your research and consideration, return to this committee and whatever your decision after garnering the information for yourself, we will accept your final decision. I think that is a fair handling of such an important issue for this community…would you agree?”
“If all members of your committee agree that the answer would be final on the subject…then I am willing to agree…to this fact-finding mission. But perhaps the mayor might have a crowded schedule and would prefer to not participate?”
Her turn. A smile appeared on her face. “The mayor believes this a very important issue and will clear whatever is necessary on her schedule.” So, take that…the game is on.
“Good,” Maggie said, and others nodded agreement. “We will look forward to your report back to us, Mayor Parker, and to your decision, Mr. Lockwood. Next on the agenda.”
Tori wasn’t surprised the rancher excused himself, sweeping his hat onto his head as he headed for the exit. But he paused and turned…catching her gaze. And there was no mistaking the glint in his eyes…and then a slow wink that clearly sent the message straight to her…
Game on indeed.