Chapter Seventeen #3
I process her response for a moment longer than I want to. But if she implying that I’m attracting the wrong kind of clientele? “Ms. Hardy—”
“Mrs. Hardy,” she corrects stiffly.
Do not roll your eyes, Belle, I remind myself.
“Mrs. Hardy,” I reply as sweetly as I can, “the crime rate in Fairbanks, Connecticut is much different than in Pittsburgh. Your homeless community is minimal, and so are the incidents regarding drug use. Unfortunately, those were the people who tended to linger at my last place of business because we were open later than most other businesses around us. We were considered an easy target. The difference is that you live in a safer environment, and that’s something you should all be proud of. ”
If I have to butter them up, I’ll do it. But I also mean it. Fairbanks is the kind of city Hallmark movies are made of. It’s cute and quaint and I don’t see the same type of people I dealt with before.
“Fairbanks is a safe place, and I’d hate for an outsider to come in and disturb that peace, is all,” Mrs. Hardy informs me in a snippy tone.
It’s Rae who scoffs in the crowd. “Oh, sit down. The only thing you’re doing is isolating yourself, Karen.”
Karen turns to the woman who’s been kind enough to help me in her free time. “I’m raising legitimate concerns!”
Rae shakes her head. “No. You’re making it sound like the residents you claim to love and care about are capable of being criminals. We both know that isn’t the case.”
Karen huffs. “We’ve been doing perfectly fine running our businesses. I would hate to see people who don’t know the ways of life here take over and turn this place into what other cities are.”
“If I may,” somebody new says from across the room.
My eyes shoot over to the familiar masculine voice, and instant relief swarms my heart.
Jesse is standing by the door. When did he get here?
“Nobody in this city seemed to mind when an entire NHL stadium was built. There weren’t any complaints when the Fireflies brought new people in and boosted the local economy either.
I’m sure your jewelry business has thrived since we came to Fairbanks. ”
There’s a handful of whispers as my stepbrother looks at Karen. I hear his name spoken in awe and confusion, and it makes me smile a little to myself. He came. He came and he’s defending me.
Mrs. Hardy clears her throat. “Well, yes… I suppose it has done a bit better since the Fireflies claimed Fairbanks as their home city.”
HA! I want to say. Naturally, I refrain.
Jesse nods. “Respectfully, I don’t see how Belle opening a bookstore would bring any unwanted customers.
From what I’ve seen, everybody here is supportive.
Based on the research she’s provided this will benefit everybody.
It fits in. It isn’t a bar or club. It could go hand in hand with what you’re offering. ”
For once, Mrs. Hardy doesn’t have a reply.
Rae says, “I don’t have a problem with it.”
Karen shoots her a look. “Of course you don’t. You’re the one renting the space to her.”
Rae meets her eyes. “I also own your space, and I can take away a lease just as fast if you don’t mind that tone with me.”
If I could hug Rae, I totally would.
Karen shuts her mouth real quick after that.
One of the board members asks if there’s any more questions or concerns.
Thankfully, there isn’t. They take all of my sketches and paperwork, tell me who to reach out to for updates, and say their official response will be mailed out within two weeks.
Based on their smiles, I don’t think I have to worry about being denied despite Karen’s attempts to bring doubt into the fold.
I bid everybody I goodbye, smile extra wide for Rae, and walk out with Jesse close behind.
As soon as we’re outside, I throw my arms around him. “You came.”
He winds those long, strong arms around my waist and squeezes me. “I’m sorry I’m late. My phone died and I was charging it on the way here. I got your messages ten minutes out and figured I’d see you soon enough.”
I blow out a breath, feeling all the tension that’s been tightening my muscles finally release as the wind picks up. It’s chilly out here, but it feels good against my overheated skin.
“She was rude,” I murmur.
I feel his nod, his chin brushing the top of my head. “She was.”
“Thank you for standing up for me.”
When I peel back, he’s looking down at me with calming eyes. “You don’t ever need to thank me for that.”
I shrug. “It still means a lot.”
The doors open and I notice Karen shooting me a look and moving her glare toward Jesse. I ignore her, shifting on my feet.
His eyes search mine before he drops an arm over my shoulder and guides us to my car. He parked right next to it. “I’ll follow you home.”
He opens the door for me and leans down to peck my cheek, except he gets dangerously close to the corner of my mouth.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I nod aimlessly when he adds, “Drive safe.”
All I can think when I climb in is, He came.
I drive home feeling lighter than I have in weeks.