Chapter 5 Kit #2
“I just don’t buy it,” I said. “My friend who works in real estate in Atlanta knows all about your firm Braithway Nick was really stepping into the role of mayor. Nick continued through his speech. He took a picture with each team as they came up to get their participation plaque.
“And now the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Drum roll, please,” Nick said, opening the envelope. “The winner of this year’s Creekstone Christmas Tree Competition, raising a whopping $15,000 for the Boys’ Lodge and Girls’ House, is the Senior Citizens’ Center!”
The program manager, Rhonda, jumped out of her chair and let out an excited whoop.
The community room applauded and cheered.
Rhonda and two of her staff members joined Nick at the front.
It took me a minute to realize that this was William’s tree.
I couldn’t believe it. There must have been some mistake.
As Nick was posing with the group and their trophy, Rhonda grabbed the microphone from Nick. “We just want to say thank you to Braithway & Randall. We couldn’t have done it without their support. Where’s William?” Rhonda scanned the crowd, then pointed. “There he is.”
William was at the back of the room, clapping. When everyone turned to look at him, he gave a humble polite wave and then shoved his hands in his pockets.
My face must have shown how shocked I was because Trent nudged me with his elbow as he clapped for the winners.
“That’s not fair! William’s company bought all those votes!” I whispered to Trent.
“Just remember, Boss Lady, that’s a lot of money for kids living in foster care.” He whispered back from the side of his mouth.
I shook my head to break myself out of the shocked daze. “Oh right. Of course. So great.”
I looked back at William, and he was looking right at me. He raised his eyebrows, and his crooked smile broke out across his face. I rolled my eyes and went back to the circulation desk. That would be the last time I made a bet after drinking three glasses of wine.