Chapter 37 Logan #2
“And you becoming the mayor wouldn’t kill the contract?”
I shake my head. “It wouldn’t matter since they are planning to start clearing land by the end of the year. The best I can do is take my place, filling his shoes, and control what happens in the future.”
“You know I could never figure out why you decided to come back and do what your father wanted, but I think I see it now.”
I tap my fingers on the table. “I can’t chance one of the many men just like him that will eat out of the palm of his hand taking the position. I don’t know what they would do. At least I can make sure it doesn’t get worse than this.”
Matt runs his fingers through his dark hair. “This is fucked, Logan. No one is going to like this.”
“I know, but there is nothing we can do about it now except make the best of the situation. And honestly, I think we could make this work for the town.”
“How? These people love the small-town life. This is why they stay here.”
“Tourists keep us going, though.”
“Obviously, we are doing fine the way it is now. You add in too many, though, especially the ones that usually do business with Triton, and this place will never be the same.”
That was my fear—Willow Grove losing its vibrancy and character to keep up with the uppity patrons that frequent Triton Resorts all over the country.
I had read horror stories from other towns that were pleading for help online on how to combat the corporate take-over.
No one ever had the answer, and all of the small-town charm was lost quickly after they moved in.
I couldn’t let that happen to our beloved town.
“That’s why I have to stay and fight. I–-”
“There you are.” A sweet voice rings out beside me before her hand caresses my back. It’s gone as fast as it’s there, and I instantly miss it.
Gwen leans down, her mouth at my ear as she whispers, “I just had the most beautiful flowers delivered to me. I’ll thank you for them properly later.”
She straightens up before I respond, grasping the edge of the table beside us. Matt tenses up, his eyes studying his hands like he had never seen them before. I look back to Gwen in time to see Kennedy step up next to her, expertly looking anywhere but Matt as well.
“If it’s not New York Times Best Selling author Kennedy Prescott.” She rolls her eyes at me, but I notice the apples of her cheeks grow pinker just like Gwen’s do when she’s embarrassed. “Don’t hit me when I say this, but can I get an autograph?”
Gwen giggles. “I forgot to tell you, Kenny. You have a new fan.” She nudges my shoulder to emphasize her accusation.
Kennedy pops an eyebrow up at me. “You read my books, Spencer? Why?”
I shrug, grinning at the Prescott who has stolen my heart. “Just taking notes.”
“Smart man,” Kennedy muses. “I approve, Gwenny.”
Gwen ducks her head, and the blush I love so much appears. “Anyway, we came over to remind you boys that you need to be at the gazebo stage in thirty minutes.”
Matt finally acknowledges them, though his eyes never land on Kennedy, staying on Gwen and me as he speaks. “Do I have to do this?”
“Yup,” she pops the p. “You are going to bring in some big money and blow this whole thing out of the water for me. I need to prove to the future mayor that I am worthy enough to plan the event again next year.” She winks at me, and I can’t stop myself from reaching out to caress her hip.
I give it a squeeze and then pat her ass for good measure because I can’t help it before pulling back reluctantly.
“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Kennedy murmurs under her breath.
“What about Logan?” Matt continues. “He can bring in big money, too.”
Gwen clasps her hands in front of her in prayer and looks up to the sky. “Please don’t let that be true. I don’t have a ton of money to get into a bidding war with, and I’d hate to have to fight someone tonight.” The table laughs, and she looks around at all of us. “I’m not joking.”
I know she’s not,and that’s what makes what I’m about to say even harder.
“As much as I would love for you to win me tonight, baby, do you think that’s the best idea tonight? I don’t want to draw any unwanted attention to you.” For more reasons than she knows.
The pain I feel slicing through my chest at her crestfallen expression has me wanting to take back every word I just said and say, “Fuck the consequences.”
“Oh,” her eyes turn down. “Is it really that serious though? It’s not like it should be that shocking to anyone that we have grown closer.” She nibbles on her lower lip, and I want to reach up and pull it away like I’m supposed to. But I don’t.
“You know what,” her hands raise up in surrender.
“You’re right. I have to stay focused anyway, making sure it all goes smoothly.
Can’t exactly get sidetracked with getting in on the action.
” Her laugh is forced. “Actually, I need to go make sure your mother has the updated list for the event. I’ll see y’all later. ”
I jump from my chair, reaching out to grab Gwen’s hand to stop her from fleeing, but Kennedy steps in front of me. Her eyes harden on me.
“What the fuck was that about?” I expect it from Kennedy, but the words come from behind her. Matt rises from his chair and comes closer. His face is full of confusion.
“It’s just not a good idea right now to have eyes on her and me.” I implore him to understand with my eyes, and I see the moment it dawns on him that I didn’t tell him the whole story.
“Fuck, Logan. What have you gotten yourself into?”
Kennedy furrows her brows, looking between us. “What are you two talking about, and what does it have to do with you hurting my sister?”
“I would never hurt Gwen. Please understand that.”
Her eyes go wide, and she throws her arm in the direction Gwen fled. “What the hell was that then?”
“Me stupidly trying to keep her safe,” I sigh.
“She can keep herself safe, Spencer. She’s a strong woman.”
I nod my head because I know. I know she’s the greatest woman I have ever met, and I already fucked this all up.
I run my hands over my face in exasperation. “Fuck, I need to fix this. I should have just let her bid on me.” Hell, I begged her to agree to it the last few weeks. To hell with everyone else. But the fear looming over me of whatever my father could do to her or her family is a heavy, dark cloud.
“You’re right,” Kennedy says. “So what are you going to do about it?”
I stare at Gwen’s sister for a moment, seeing the matching fire that comes with the Prescott name lit up in her eyes. “You’re not bidding on anyone, are you?”
Her eyes, slightly darker green than her sister’s, flicker over her shoulder. She sniffs as she looks back at me. “Nope.”
“Good. I might have a plan.”