Willow had been around the block a few times. She’d suffered her share of jerks and players before finally finding the love of her life in the most unlikely of places. She meant well, but Courtney still resented the intrusion.
“You know, a few weeks ago I had this conversation with Arwen about how romance is dead in America. And here you sit staring at these cupcakes as if they are toxic or something. Why do we have to suspect every man who sends gifts?”
“I don’t suspect every man who sends gifts. But I don’t trust Matt any farther than I can throw him. Courtney, you know he’s a player. And besides, since when are you a cougar?”
Whoa, that was a low blow. “Can we leave my age out of it, please?”
“No. The last time we talked, you were the one telling me that he was too young for you. That you were just friends. I was worried then, and even more worried now. You’ve always been so clear-headed when it comes to guys like Matt. What changed?”
Everything had changed. She’d stopped looking at him that way. Now all she saw was a man with a pretty big heart and a strong set of shoulders, and a wicked-smart brain.
Willow’s gaze softened. “You’ve fallen for him, haven’t you? Damn, I saw this coming the day of Allison Chapman’s wedding.”
Courtney shrugged and looked away. “If I’ve fallen for him, it’s nobody’s business but my own.”
Willow nodded. “I guess that’s right. And I sincerely hope it works out. But just know that I’m here in case it doesn’t.” She paused a moment and leaned in. “And just a word of caution. Navigating the Lyndon family can be very difficult. Don’t expect them to be happy about you.”
“So you agree with Allison Chapman then?”
Willow’s eyes widened as she shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. If you and Matt really are in love, then you have my blessing. And of course I think you’re good enough for him. I’m just not sure he’s good enough for you. But if you and Matt really do become a couple, I’m just saying that the Lyndon family can be challenging at times.”
Courtney let go of a long breath. “Look, Willow, I’m not ever going to marry Matt Lyndon. But I’ve decided to enjoy the cupcakes while they last. Is that so wrong?”
Willow shook her head. “You sell yourself too short, Courtney. Don’t settle for anything less than true love. It’s worth the wait.”
One by one, the tenants at Dogwood Estates began to move out and move away from Jefferson County. By the first week of July, fewer than half of them still remained, among them Leslie Heath, who had rattled a few sabers by suggesting that she and several others might not move out at all—a position Matt had counseled against.
But Leslie was a fighter.
And so was Linda Petersen, who accepted his file with a certain amount of glee. Linda, it turned out, hated Bill Cummins because the chairman of the County Council had thrown her in jail a number of years ago for carrying signs at a council meeting. Linda practically salivated as she read through the information Matt and Arwen had compiled.
It also turned out that Linda knew a lot of Avery Johnson’s neighbors—hillbillies who’d been living up on the ridge for generations, raising pigs and chickens. She nominated herself to go up there and clue those folks in on what Cummins and GB Ventures had planned for them, and in the space of a few days, she single-handedly screwed up at least two land sales.
Linda was a whirlwind all right. And at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 2, Linda and more than a hundred protesters showed up at city hall in order to picket the regular first-Monday-of-the-month County Council meeting. And since Linda had coordinated her efforts with Sally Hawkes, an investigative reporter for the Winchester Daily, an exposé of Bill Cummins and his relationship with GB Ventures appeared in the July 2nd edition of the paper.
That morning, Matt stood in David’s office watching the protesters through his gigantic windows while his cousin sat fuming at his desk.
“What on earth were you thinking, giving that information to the Winchester Daily?” David snarled. “Sally Hawkes is a hack. A couple of years ago, she tried to destroy Dusty’s reputation. I can’t believe you did this.”
“I haven’t had any conversations with the Winchester Daily.” A statement that was entirely true. Matt had handed the file to David’s mother-in-law, and Linda had done all the talking.
“That was a nondenial denial. I’m starting to think you have a future in politics.”
“I gave the file to Linda,” Matt said.
“Damn.” David pounded his desk with his fist.
“I had to give it to her. She was working with Leslie and the tenants. They had a right to know.”
David blew out a long, exasperated sigh and leaned back in his big leather chair. “You’re right, but did you have to involve Willow’s mother?”
“I’m right?” Matt turned from the window. “You think I’m right?”
David nodded. “I hate it when my mother-in-law starts protesting. It almost always upsets someone in the family. But I guess that’s my cross to bear, not yours.” He gave Matt a long, sober look.
“I’m happy to take the heat for you this time.”
“Thanks. Your father is probably going to be furious.”
“Why? I didn’t think he was a big Bill Cummins fan.”
“He’s not, but he wants to turn you into a small-town lawyer. And mounting crusades is not exactly what small-town lawyers do.”
“Unless they’re Atticus Finch,” Matt muttered under his breath. Although the protagonist in To Kill a Mockingbird hadn’t intended to mount any sort of crusade. He’d just been trying to get justice for his client. Matt turned back to stare at the protesters. “Do you mind if Arwen and I go out there and say hi?”
“I have
