Chapter 13
Penny
How do I get myself into these situations? I shouldn’t even be here today. The town meeting is during business hours, which means I chose to close up shop to attend.
Normally, I love town meetings. Just like I love the town chat.
But today is not a normal day. No—today, instead of the businesses taking center stage, I was informed by Rayna only minutes ago that they’ve decided to change things up tonight.
Apparently, there is lots to discuss about the Maple Festival, and as co-chair, they expect me to have all the answers.
Hope Harbor’s Maple Festival is usually defined by a few simple events: pumpkin picking at the farm, which I’m not sure will take place this year without my father setting everything up.
Same goes for the haunted hayride, which used to be hosted by my dad, and the Fall Ball, which always took place on the farm, too.
I blow out a breath and search the room for a friendly face. Where is everyone? Rosie rarely makes it to town meetings because of the brewery’s schedule, but Tally is usually here at least. And my mother. Where is my mother?
“You look a little lost, Xuxuzinho.”
I almost fall off my chair as I register Monty’s presence beside me. Where did he come from? Why is he even here? Someone should warn him to get out before this meeting starts.
I readjust myself, shooting for graceful. “Where’s your dad?”
Monty grabs the chair beside me, lowering himself into it and stretching out his long, jean-clad legs. He’s wearing one of his old rock band T-shirts, which probably smells like the one I grabbed from his drawer yesterday. The shirt he’ll never see again.
“He wasn’t feeling well. But perk up, we’ve got our first opportunity to play.”
“To play?” I practically screech. “Monty, we need to talk about how we’re going to handle this before—” I don’t get a chance to finish my thought as the lights above us flicker, signaling that the meeting is about to begin.
I face forward, resigning myself to my fate.
I can figure something out—work on my toes, or however the saying goes.
“If everyone could take a seat,” Fletcher says from the stage before angling himself back to us. “Sorry for the last-minute change in the agenda, Pen. I was just as surprised as you.”
Fletcher is such a nice guy it’s hard to be annoyed at him. He’s a single dad to the most adorable four-year-old, Henry, whose mother died only a few months after his birth. Henry is also deaf, which comes with its own set of challenges, I’m sure.
“I’m happy to help,” I say, deciding to let him off the hook this time. “And you know me—I love fall! But, Fletcher, have you met Jake Montgomery yet?”
The mayor’s face lights up. “I haven’t. But I have heard plenty about you, and Rayna just filled me in on how you’re stepping in for your father. We really appreciate it.”
Monty nods as I narrow my eyes, though I don’t get a chance to ask what he means as Rayna starts her lengthy speech.
“We are so grateful that you are all here for this special meeting tonight. And I have been so impressed by how everyone stepped up after I sent that email regarding the events for the Maple Festival. I know this year will be different—” She glances over at me, offering a soft smile.
“But our town will always come together to ensure a successful Maple Festival. I’m determined it will be our biggest year yet. ”
I feel a swell of pride roll through me and find myself nodding in agreement. Rayna is right—we will make Maple Festival an even bigger celebration. It’s what my father would have wanted. And it’s something I can do to honor his memory.
“And we’re so pleased that Monty has offered to step up this year, too,” Rayna continues. “Jake is here to help out our wonderful Penny Darling, the belle of the Fall Ball.”
“You what?” I whisper out of the corner of my mouth, trying to keep a smile on my face.
Monty leans in close and his knee brushes against my own. “That’s what I was trying to tell you. I’m here in my father’s place.”
“But why?”
“Shhh, Xuxuzinho, pay attention,” he murmurs, nodding toward Rayna. “Let’s see what we’ll be doing over the next few months.”
Months? Holy crap. Monty is right. Maple Festival begins in September and lasts through mid-November when we celebrate the end of the season, and the beginning of winter, with the Fall Ball.
Can we really fake it for that long? Will anyone believe us?
I feel like I might be sick. I stare out at all the people in the crowd and I think they can read my expression. They know.
Liar! their expressions all say. Pathetic Penny had to go make up a pretend boyfriend! You really think we’re going to fall for that?
“Have we picked the fundraiser for this year?” Babs calls out.
Okay, so maybe they’re not focused on me at all.
I blow out a breath as Fletcher answers, “No, not yet. But we’ve had quite a few great suggestions. New planters for the sidewalk, new shelving for the library—”
“What about a gazebo? All small towns have gazebos,” Ruby hollers. “My husband can build it.” She nudges her husband and he stumbles out of his chair.
“Happy to help,” he says with a wave.
“We could really use new turf for the high school football field,” the gym teacher says.
“What about a dog park?” I hear my sister call as I turn to locate her at the back of the room, leaning against the door.
“You don’t have a dog,” I point out.
She swings the door of the hall open to reveal her mini Highland cow, chewing on the yellow leash Tally is holding the other end of. “No, but Daisy could use it.”
“No cows at the dog park,” Rayna shouts.
“We don’t even have a dog park,” Fletcher grumbles.
“But we could.” Tally points to Daisy again. “Look how pretty she is. Don’t you all want her to have a place to play?”
“You have a farm,” Babs says over her shoulder. “Acres and acres of land. But you know what I don’t have?”
Oh no. I can only imagine what is about to come out of this woman’s mouth.
“A hot tub.”
“We’re not getting you a hot tub,” Fletcher says firmly.
“Not for me.” She waggles her brows. “It’s for the senior center. A therapeutic heated pool. They’re excellent for circulation.”
“Oh, I like that idea!” someone else calls.
Soon, the entire room has devolved into people shouting what they think is best: a dog park or a hot tub, with most voting for the latter.
“You’re losing them,” Monty says loudly to Fletcher.
“What am I supposed to do?” he replies, looking around the room in desperation.
Monty stands up, sticks his fingers in his mouth, and then does the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen: he lets loose a piercing whistle that quiets the entire room.
The ability to do that is one thing. But to shut up Babs and Rayna?
That is one quality I’ll be sure to add to my must-haves in a future boyfriend list.
“How about, rather than fight over what we’ll spend the money on,” he says loudly, “we discuss how we’re going to raise the money?”
“What a good point,” Rayna coos. The way she looks at him, like he’s the smartest person in the room, has me rolling my eyes.
“Well, we have all the regular favorites: apple picking, the fall dessert bake-off, pumpkin picking, and relay races, Halloween on Maple Lane, and, of course, the Fall Ball. The festival all kicks off at the Montgomerys’ next Saturday with the first official bonfire of the season.
We’re always very appreciative of your family for hosting. ”
There is no mention of the haunted hayride—we don’t have anyone to tell the stories and no one has set up the maze on the farm. I’ll have to talk to my sister about that. We can’t let the Darlings not participate in the festival this year. Daddy would hate that.
“But—” Rayna says, turning to face us again, “we’ll need more than just that to fund the seniors’ new hot tub. So I have a very special idea.”
“What’s your brilliant idea?” Ruby calls.
I have a feeling we’ve walked into a trap. These ladies are just too choreographed.
“Well, you see, since the lovely Penny said she’d do anything to help”—Rayna glances back at me with a sly smile—“what if we do a little bachelorette thing?! Like the show. Men can sign up to date her, and she can sift through the suitors, going on fall-themed dates, all with the goal that she’ll finally meet someone for her happily ever after! ”
I groan, letting my head fall into my hands.
“How in God’s name is that a fundraiser?” Tally laughs.
I glance up and give her an appreciative smile. Someone with reason!
“We can record the dates and upload them to YouTube! Everyone who subscribes will pay a fee.” Stew cheers.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
My heart pounds, but before I can say a word to stop this insanity, Monty bolts to his feet, kicking back his chair in the process. All the chatter in the room dies at the sound. “No one else is dating Penny,” he says with such vehemence I think he might tear a ligament in his neck.
“But why?” Rayna asks, a smirk on her face.
Monty doesn’t even look at me as he declares, “Because Penny Darling is mine.”
Well, that’s one way to announce it to the town.
Hope Harbor Happy Chat
Babs: Who has the video from last night? I know someone was filming. Ruby, you always have that phone out.
Mindy: I need that video! Babs hasn’t shut up about what happened all morning.
Rayna: I’m sure there’s CCTV of town meetings. Right, Mr. Mayor?
Stew: I can log in to the town server and check. Give me five.
Ruby: I took out my phone too late. All I have is a red-faced Penny and a growling Monty. He kicked that chair clear across the stage!
Rayna: Someone could have been hurt.
Babs: Oh who cares! I’d take a concussion for that video!
Fletcher: I’ll remind you this chat is for official town business.
Rayna: What is more official than our sweet Penny Darling being claimed by Jake Montgomery DURING a town meeting?