“We’re hardly at risk of dying,” the mayor protested.
“You’re wrong,” Jenny said flatly. “Young people won’t stick around if there are no opportunities here. We’re already seeing that, Sandra. We’re increasingly a community of seniors on fixed incomes, just as you said. That’s a surefire path to dying a slow death.”
“What about your own great-granddaughter?” Sandra retorted. “She’s chosen to settle right here with her husband and baby.”
“Kelsey’s an exception to the rule,” Jenny granted. “She loves Seaview Inn and the history of the island. The inn can provide a decent income for her. Her husband has the kind of work he’s able to do anywhere. Most of our young people don’t have that same opportunity. They’ll take their talents to someplace where they’ll be appreciated, where they can establish businesses that will thrive or work for companies that can pay them well.”
She sat back and let her words sink in. Abby fell silent, as well. Her heart dipped when Sandra eventually stood up.
“I’ll think about what you said,” she conceded grudgingly, then scowled at Jenny. “And out of respect for our long friendship, I won’t hold it against you that you got me here under false pretenses.”
Jenny grinned, clearly unrepentant. “What false pretenses? I promised you lunch. I’m buying. You got exactly what I said you’d get.”
Abby had to swallow a laugh at Sandra’s expression. Slowly a smile tugged at the older woman’s lips.
“I just wish I’d ordered the steak,” she grumbled. “That salad was the cheapest thing on the menu.”
Jenny patted the seat beside her. “It’s not too late. Sit back down and order it. I’ll have one, too.”
Sandra merely shook her head. “Another time. If I stay now, heaven knows what you’ll try to talk me into.”
Once she’d gone, Abby looked at Jenny. “Well, what do you think? Did I get through to her? Did you?”
“Hard to say,” Jenny admitted. “She’s a stubborn one, but she does have the best interests of Seaview Key at heart. She loves this community as much as I do. I have to believe she’ll do the right thing.”
“Who do we tackle next?” Abby inquired, eager to continue this campaign to win over the dissenters.
“Hold your horses,” Jenny recommended. “Let’s see how this plays out. If Sandra comes around, we may not have any more convincing to do. There’s such a thing as overselling, you know.”
“How are we supposed to know if we need to do more?”
“Jack will hear things,” Jenny said confidently. “He’ll fill us in on whether the tide’s turned. And we have plenty of time.”
“But the next meeting is in December,” Abby protested.
“It’s supposed to be in December,” Jenny corrected. “We haven’t had a December meeting in years. Somebody always moves to postpone it till January.”
“They didn’t say anything about that at the meeting last night.”
“Of course not. But I can just about guarantee someone will float the idea of a postponement, and next thing you know there will be a sign posted down at city hall.”
“Isn’t that illegal? Shouldn’t they vote on something like that in public?” Abby asked.
Jenny merely lifted a brow. “You going to tell Sandra she doesn’t know how to run things?”
Abby sighed. “I suppose that wouldn’t go over very well,” she said dryly.
Jenny nodded approvingly. “Now you’re getting the picture. Sometimes you have to recognize where you are and how things work, then bite your tongue.”
Abby suspected she was going to wind up biting right through hers before all was said and done.
11
“How’d things go with the mayor today?” Seth asked Abby when he dropped by that evening.
He was starting to accept the fact that he couldn’t seem to stay away from her. These visits were going to turn into a nightly ritual, unless he developed a lot more willpower than he currently had...or unless she banished him. This whole friends-first policy was working for now, but it was incredibly hard on his libido. He sensed her frustration from time to time, as well. That didn’t mean it wasn’t the smart way to go.
“I got a lesson in patience and in small-town politics,” she told him. “Apparently this project is going to be a lot more challenging than I thought, and I’m not just talking about winning over the mayor.”
He laughed at the hint of annoyance in her voice. “Not so good at being patient?”
“Or at playing games,” she said. “I can’t imagine why I thought this would be easier than taking on all the city’s regulations in Pensacola.” She glanced over at him. “Did I mention that there were a number of people who wanted me to open a second restaurant there?”
He shook his head, wondering why she hadn’t seized the opportunity. It sounded like the perfect fit to him. “But you said no. Why?” He thought the answer might reveal a bit more about the woman she wanted to become.
“As egotistical as I know it sounds, I envisioned myself rushing back to Seaview Key to save the day,” she said, a wry note in her voice. “I was expecting enthusiasm and cooperation. Silly me.”
Seth regarded her worriedly. “You’re not throwing in the towel, are you?”
“Not a chance,” she said with reassuring determination. “I may have been egotistical, but I’m also stubborn. That looks as if it will serve me well right now.”
“That’s good, then. And enough serious talk for now.” He stood up and held out his hand. “Why don’t you go for a walk with me? I’ll ply you with ice cream. You’ll feel better.”
She lifted a brow. “Haven’t you noticed that the temperature has taken a nosedive? It’s not an ice cream kind of night.”
“Bet I can keep you warm,” he taunted.
She looked startled by his lighthearted banter. “Is that a test of some kind?”
“Could be,” he admitted, keeping his tone innocent. “You afraid?”
“Of
