Chapter 9 Eve #2
“He’s all upset because his neighbors have decided to start raising chickens—apparently not realizing one was a rooster—and he can’t get the town council to block them,” she explains under her breath as the door slams shut behind him.
“They’re perfectly within their right to raise chickens, so he’s going to have to take care of things the old-fashioned way and make a friend out of his neighbor. ”
Ryder elbows me, nodding as if the whole world is trying to maintain friendly neighbor relations except for me.
I roll my eyes. “He should push them into a stream. That seems to do the trick,” I suggest.
Margie cocks her head to the side as Ryder snorts.
“Well anyway,” she says. “Your approved application.
" She hands a copy of it back to me with a form filled out by the town council that officially designates the water wheel as historical. “Congratulations, Evie. The historical society is really excited about this. And we see your note about preserving the function of the water wheel and we completely agree. Something so unique like that must be preserved. Thank you for allowing us the pleasure of including it—we’ll have a plaque out to you within the next week or so.”
“Thanks Margie,” I say, holding it against my chest.
It might not be the outcome that I always wanted, but it’s a relief that at least Margie—who’s a shining member of the town’s historical society—sees how important the water wheel is.
While this doesn’t necessarily mean I get any of the town’s historical funding if something goes wrong, it does mean I have a chance.
And more importantly, they see that I’m willing to play their game.
I may not have a ton of power here, but if the town council decides to screw over the namesake sunflower farm after the ruckus I made about having protection for the historical portions of my property—after my very public resistance as well as my public acquiescence—they’re going to have to answer to some angry townspeople.
Though, if I had to bet, Margie would be right up front fighting for some answers. The only reason she’s the town secretary is because she felt the historical society had gotten sidelined one too many times, and took it to heart when someone told her if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
And she’s been the thorn in Mayor Reed’s side ever since.
She turns to Ryder. “And I’m sorry to say Mayor Reed wasn’t a fan of your proposal. There are some notes written at the bottom there. We suggest trying again at the next closed session.”
His jaw drops, his eyes wide. “What? But that proposal was exactly what he described to me.”
Margie nods. “I know, Ryder. I’m sorry. That rooster that’s been waking him up every morning is screwing up everyone’s lives. Mayor Reed had an issue with the amount of housing offered as well as the proximity to Eve’s land without any indication that she’s okay with that.”
A little jolt runs through me. Is Mayor Reed actually in my corner for once?
Maybe this application to the historical society is exactly what I needed after all.
Ryder’s eyes narrow. “Amount of housing as in too much or too little?”
“Too little.”
Ryder nods. “So he wants me to somehow increase the amount of units available while also backing off Eve’s land?”
Margie’s nose crinkles as she nods.
“Does he realize he’s asking me to carve up a really beautiful property for the sake of putting units in there?
I’m trying to preserve the land. Preserve the nature around Eve’s property.
Asking me to push more units means asphalt wasteland in the middle of what is—right now, at least—a naturally beautiful area that doesn’t need significant work to build on. ”
Margie shrugs. “I’m sorry, Ryder. I’m sure you can figure something out. He has full faith in you.”
Ryder bites his lip, letting a long breath out through his nose. “How is the road work coming along outside the senior community?”
Margie eyes him. “It’s stalled for now.”
“Because Reed is pissed off by a rooster and is now looking for anyone available to pick on?”
Margie opens her hands in front of her. “I’m sorry.”
He nods, his gaze dropping to the floor for a moment. “No, I’m sorry. Thank you for letting me know what’s happening, Margie. I know you’re just the messenger.”
She reaches out to squeeze his arm. “You’ll figure it out. I know you will.” A small smile spreads across her face. “So how was dinner, you two?”
I roll my eyes, turning on my heel and heading for the door. “Thank you for your help tonight, Margie,” I say, as I gesture for Ryder to follow me.
He nods in agreement. “Thank you, Margie,” he says as he falls into step with me.
“Oh, give an old woman something to live for!”
“Thank you again, Margie,” I say, more firmly as I push the door open and step outside.
She rolls her eyes, waving us off. “Have fun tonight, kids.”
And before the door shuts between us, she winks.
“She’s really something, huh?” Ryder asks.
I snort. “You have no idea,” I say, as we step down to the pavement outside. “You okay? I’m sure you weren’t expecting such a swift rejection.”
He shrugs. “It happens. Just not really sure what he wants me to do. It’s in no one’s best interest to maximize the number of units there.
I mean, I know technically that’ll net me more money, but part of the charm of that area is the nature.
The farm, you know? And even if I did want to just maximize revenue, my grandmother is right across the street.
I want this area to retain its nature for her, you know? ”
I hold up a hand. “Preaching to the choir.”
He shakes his head. “I really thought that plan would be enthusiastically accepted.” He lets out a long sigh. “Back to the drawing board, I guess.”
I bite my lip. “Well, if you still want my help, I’d be more than happy to do what I can. I mean, I was a little hesitant before because I wasn’t sure what it would mean for my land, but I’m feeling cautiously optimistic right now. Like maybe I have a little more protection than I thought I would.”
He nods. “Thanks, Eve. I think at this point I could use all the damn help I can get.”