Chapter One #3
“What a kick to the gut,” Noah muttered.
“There ain’t a Calvary man alive that’s been let go from a job.
I ain’t aiming to be the first.” If his PawPaw were here, he’d roll through the engine bay with his green machine trailing behind him and talk some sense into leadership.
Noah had built his whole life around earning that badge on Chief Novak’s chest. Now his ticket to the next level came with a threat warning.
“You and your brothers are good workers, but this position involves county politics. Better to know what you’re getting into so you can walk away. So, I’m asking”—Harvey raised both elbows, resting them on what was supposed to be Noah’s desk—“do you want to take this risk?”
“Yeah,” Noah immediately replied. He had a reputation to uphold. Besides, he never ran from a battle worth fighting. His guys needed that training center. The people of Service deserved a well-prepared emergency response system.
Harvey raised one bushy brow, the glint of silver hair a testament to the years he’d given to this community. Noah wanted the same thing: to give back to the folks who’d followed him his whole life, cheering him on.
“There’s no shame in taking a step back to reevaluate the situation, son.”
“Right,” Noah drawled. Shame, losing, walking into the Black Bear for a beer with his tail tucked between his legs.
Not happening. Ever. “If you’re asking me to withdraw my name, it ain’t happening.
I can win the people over. Get a new engine for the firehouse.
Upgrades for the building. This town loves me. ”
“This isn’t a high school football game.”
Stopping in his tracks, Noah looked down at the man who’d managed to secure the job and keep it for thirty-plus years. What would his PawPaw have done?
“What more is there that I can do?” He wasn’t being coy. It was a serious question that Noah couldn’t answer. Noah would never set out to hurt anybody, including the town he loved.
“My suggestion, show that your commitment to this department and the town supersedes a quid pro quo between friends.”
“Wait a minute,” Noah shot back, his temper flaring.
“Questionin’ is one thin’, but accusin’ a man is another.
I don’t cheat. And my friend would never put me in a position for others to assume so, Captain.
” His Appalachian accent boiled over along with his blood.
“I saved Pete Judelson’s life when we were stupid kids.
The man has been nothing but loyal since that day.
I didn’t let go of him then. And I won’t now.
He’s had my back when it counted. He’ll do the same for this town.
Folks criticize, but the man works hard—”
“The question is for who?” The captain held up one hand, giving Noah the Heisman stop sign. “The view is different depending on where you sit. Him being your friend doesn’t change the fact that since the election he’s edging closer to self-serving. You can’t save the man from himself.”
“I get there’s been some disappointment with his public policies,” Noah replied, waving off the comment.
“Pete’s not perfect. But it’s more than my friendship with him that I need to navigate.
Bethany Walker has put in work to secure a portion of the grant for a medical clinic in town.
She’s marrying my neighbor. Her daughter is married to my brother.
Shucks, I’m running close to out of bounds on all sides.
” For heaven’s sake, Noah had volunteered to haul supplies for her upcoming wedding.
He had counted it a bonus that the woman was to marry Rachel’s father.
It made it easy for Noah to rub his success in a cute little freckled face. Now he wasn’t so sure.
“Noted,” Novak sighed, nodding his head in approval. “You’re smart, Noah. Decent. Don’t make waves with the other committee members. Keep it professional. Keep it civil. You’ll find a way to allay everybody’s fears and do what’s best for us and the town.”
The words flushed the salt from the fresh cut about the town’s reaction to his appointment and his friend but failed to solve his dilemma.
Service residents had voted for generations to protect the natural beauty of their mountain town and its waterfall—unlike the nearby town of Whynot, which had surrendered to the expanding tourism market, devouring homesteads and farmlands of families who’d called the Appalachians home for generations. “Thanks, Captain.”
“Good.” Harvey nodded. “You’ve got two weeks to formulate a design and renovation plan for the council meeting that aligns with the grant guidelines.”
“Less than a month?”
“A lot less.” The other man shrugged. “This is leadership.”
The guys downstairs expected him to come through for them the way he always had. Noah won. Not sometimes. Every time. Gripping the chair back, he reclaimed his seat. “I’m not worried.” Yet somehow, the sure confidence he rode in on had dissipated like smoke vapor from the small office.
“Don’t underestimate the competition. Bethany Walker has garnered a lot of support for funding a healthcare clinic.”
Well, Noah wasn’t giving anyone a leg up, either. “Got it.”
“Remember. The position could be the tip of a potentially damaging iceberg. If this goes sideways, your job could be in jeopardy.”
Noah eased the chair back. Under his muscled frame, the metal legs scraped against the tiles.
Novak winced. Noah’s mind focused on the task ahead.
He stood up and shook the captain’s hand.
“You don’t have to mention any of this to the fellas, sir.
I’ll make it happen,” he said with a smile, ready to tackle his problem.
The unimaginative accepted defeat. Noah was more determined to make his mark.
No one knew this town better. He’d woo any protesters to his side, support his best friend, and protect the firefighters’ interests.
“That’s your call about how much to tell your friends.” Harvey Novak angled his head toward the exit as he reared back in his chair. The metal springs howled in protest. “One last thing.”
“Yes, sir?”
“With your expertise in building codes and regulations, the grant still requires someone equally qualified in urban planning and architectural design.”
“Makes sense to me, Captain.”
“Good. Rachel Johnson’s being floated by Mrs. Walker and her supporters.”
Noah bellowed. “What the—”
Captain Novak’s attention shifted to his desktop computer screen. “Close my door behind you, Calvary.”
Noah’s roots in this town ran deep enough to move a mountain.
Rachel had left the town of Service in her rearview.
Calm down, Calvary. He had the situation under control.
If Rachel Johnson thought she could slide into town and upend his plans…
Wrong. The only gliding at his expense would be her nose in his success. Game on.