What If: A Small Town Big Love Novel

by Collins, Kelly

“Hold on, Hollywood,” she said, looking up at him as he stared down at her. “You came to my house, you badgered me at Blackwood’s, and then you showed up at my office, but I’m pestering you?”

  “Now is not the time,” he warned. “I’ll talk to you any other time, but not now. Okay?”

  Caleb crossed their path, also wearing a suit and looking as fine as John. Anyone in Blackwood dressed like this was usually going to a wedding or a funeral. It made her sad to think that they were dressed to attend the funeral of the town.

  Caleb looked at his watch. “We have to get going.”

  “I’ll talk to you later,” John promised.

  Her face tightened with a new wave of tears.

  “No, you won’t,” she said. “There won’t be any reason.”

  She marched back to her shop, knocking back the rest of the coffee, which was now tepid. Her phone rang. She closed the door to her office, locked it, and drew the shades. She huddled into her phone and sobbed.

  “What’s the matter?” asked Deena urgently.

  “They’re having a meeting.” Water gushed down her cheeks.

  Deena was quiet for a minute. “I’ve looked everything over. I mean, it’s a cursory look, but so far, I don’t see that there’s anything you can do. I actually talked to some of the people at Blackwood Corporation.” There was a lengthy pause. The kind that came before bad news. “Lucy, you sweat making rent and buying groceries. Jesus, if it weren’t for the smoked almonds or olives you ate at the saloon that one week, you wouldn’t have eaten at all. Maybe you should take the deal.”

  “Which people at Blackwood Corporation did you talk to between last night and today?” She asked coldly. “You seem to be on the wrong side.”

  Deena groaned. “Okay, I talked to Caleb,” she admitted.

  “So, talk is the verb you’re going with?” Something told her that little talking had happened between Deena and Caleb. They communicated with their hands and bodies, even their lips, but no words were said except “Oh God” and “Harder.”

  “Hey,” responded Deena indignantly. “I didn’t charge you for any of that.”

  “I apologize,” she said. “I’m upset. I’m the only one who isn’t okay with this, and now you’re arguing for the other side. They’re having a meeting, and I need to find out where they are.”

  “They’re at the town hall, but it’s a closed meeting.”

  “You knew all about it and you didn’t say a word?” Her voice rose an octave.

  “I am arguing for your interests, which is what you pay me to do.”

  “I’m crashing that meeting. Are you with me or them?” she asked. “I knew as soon as he said he was selling that I’d lost this battle, but I’m not going down quietly. Will you at least meet me there?”

  “Yes,” she agreed reluctantly. “But since you made that crack, this is on the clock.”

  It only took Deena ten minutes to meet her out in front of the town hall. By that time her emotions were in check. Still, she stepped into the ladies’ room to double-check her makeup.

  The women entered the town hall building. The discussions echoed into the lobby so they could hear what was being said before they made it into the actual meeting room.

  John was speaking.

  “Blackwood has been attracting more attention lately, and that’s what made it more attractive to investors. We’re not interested in investing in the process to take it to the next level. We’re selling to an outfit that wants to turn this into a resort spot like Idaho Springs, with high-end homes, hospitality businesses, and so forth. Blackwood Corporation will be making a good return, and we think it’s fair to share that with the locals.”

  Since Blackwood was unincorporated, it didn’t have its own government, so a councilman from the county stood in.

  Councilman Russo interjected, “Idaho Springs has casinos. Is it your intent to open casinos here?”

  John answered, “No. It’s Blackwood Corporation’s intent to sell. We’re meeting here today to give official notice so Blackwood—which is an unincorporated town—can take steps to reorganize and prepare. The sale could put Blackwood on the map. Maybe even give it city status. You sit here today as an employee of Clear Creek County but next month you could be the mayor. Growth makes everything possible. The group that’s buying our holdings will have to fend for itself in terms of logistics with their intentions for Blackwood. Those meetings don’t involve us.”

  Fueled by what he said, Lucy barged through the door, followed by Deena.

  “Let me get this straight,” she said as she moved forward. “Because I did a good job attracting visitors, you want to sell? If I hadn’t come up with the idea to promote Blackwood, we’d all still have our town?”

  “It’s not only a few extra visitors,” argued John. “Your postings created a lot of attention.” He shook his head. “You’re not invited to this meeting. You need to leave.”

  “There wasn’t a huge draw of people,”she responded. “Just more than usual.”

  “It steadily increased, enough to make investors interested,” said John. “You still need to leave. That’s your second warning.”

  “My second? What happens when you get to the third?” she asked. “You gonna spank me? Put me in time out?”

  “Lucy, there will be a meeting where everyone affected by the sale is invited. This meeting is private. It’s our formal notice as required by law.”

  She remained where she was, her eyes narrowing like she was summoning the universe. The pressure in the room dropped in the same way a barometer did when a violent storm approached. The room was dead silent for a long, uncomfortable moment until Caleb spoke.

  “Blackwood has mentions now with most of the hot travel blogs,” he said. “We feel it’s up and coming. Even if there wasn’t increased interest, Idaho Springs is a hot spot and being close to it makes Blackwood an attractive place for development. Again, as my brother mentioned, this is a private meeting.” Caleb looked from Lucy to John to Kevin. “Does that count as three?”

  Kevin was present and in uniform, which meant he was on duty. They exchanged glances. She was oddly glad to see him, but knew he was working for the enemy today. From where she stood, she watched John’s jaw flex as he looked to Kevin for help.

  “Can we clear the room of people who aren’t supposed to be here?” John asked.

  Councilman Russo addressed her. “Lucy, you’ve been clearly warned. You’re disrupting this meeting. This isn’t a forum of exchange. They’re giving us notice. It’s private. I regard your actions as trespassing and disorderly conduct.” He shuffled the papers in front of him. “You don’t want a record. This is your final chance to leave on your own. If you don’t, Officer Holt will escort you out.”

  “What’s the harm if we stay?” asked Deena.

  Caleb shot her a look that she read accurately. She hadn’t been off the mark when she suggested that Deena and Caleb had gotten together. Something had definitely gone on between them.

  She rolled her eyes and muttered, “Unbelievable.”

  Deena’s face transformed with embarrassment.

  She shook her head and turned back to the councilman. “Okay, I’m leaving. I came by to return John’s yogurt.” She hurled the cup across the room. “Shortstop,” she said with confidence.

  John sidestepped the incoming container, but it splattered against the wall behind him.

  Kevin descended on her.

  “Piss off,” she said dismissively.

  “You’re going next door.” Kevin moved like lightning.

  “I don’t hear a thanks for getting you your job back.” She evaded him and stomped toward the door, only to be caught at the last minute.

  One look around the room showed all the men had the same expression on their faces—looks of surprise.

  Deena rushed forward and shoved Kevin. “Get your hands off of her.”

  Another deputy drew the lawyer’s hands behind her back. As the members of the meeting
sat silent, the two women were hauled out and walked next door to the town jail.

  She made use of the building’s great echo, hollering her head off for the benefit of everyone within earshot.

  They kicked and made their bodies dead weight at times to be as difficult as possible for Kevin and his partner Todd.

  Lucy was in super great shape—Kevin not prepared. Regardless, the deputies managed to deposit them in a cell. Because it was a small town, the jail was small and consisted of a single holding cell.

  Deena sat on the cot with her head in her hands. “If I get charged with felony assault, I could lose my license,” she groaned. “You got me into some trouble.”

  “I didn’t ask you to push him,” said Lucy. “But I am sorry you’re in trouble. It makes little sense. You slept with Caleb Blackwood and then you shoved Kevin. You need to pick a lane.”

  “I didn’t sleep with him,” she finally admitted. “We had a few drinks and made out. I kept my wits.”

  “Can’t you see what they were doing?” she asked. “Do you think it was a mistake that he came on to you? There were a lot of good-looking women at Blackwood’s Saloon. He picked you so you couldn’t or wouldn’t represent me.”

  “I don’t think that’s the case, but if so, he had me coming and going. They’re either honest as the day is long, or they’re super smooth con artists. It doesn’t help that they’re so handsome,” Deena said.

  “Right?” asked Lucy. “Like if they were short and bald, we wouldn’t even be here.”

  “We have to wait for their meeting to be over before we can think about getting out. Councilman Russo is in there, and he’s long-winded. That meeting could go on all day. They have to formally give notice on every point.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me anything about the meeting?” She flopped on the other end of the cot.

  Deena glared at her. “I’m going to get so far behind by sitting here.”

  “Me too. I wonder if we could get Kevin to get my laptop?” Lucy felt bad for even considering it.

  Chapter Five

  John

  As far as John was concerned, it didn’t matter whether or not Lucy was in the meeting with him, it was ruined. His focus and his game were off. He could miss something and cause delays in the sale. He looked behind him to see the wall was painted with yogurt. Kevin and the deputy returned to the meeting and began the cleanup.

  John questioned why it was so important to him that he make this woman happy. While someone should be concerned about her interests, he wasn’t sure it should be him.

  Then again, as a person of means, he’d almost always gotten his way. What would it feel like if the tables were turned? That was the real question.

  His lawyer, who wasn’t as good looking as Lucy’s, flashed a presentation describing what had inspired Blackwood Corporation to sell the town in the first place. He showed clips of websites, blogs, and other travel-related features that mentioned Blackwood. Between the references and the traffic, there was a definite increased global interest in their little old town.

  “That’s Lucy’s stuff,” said Kevin randomly.

  John’s heart sank. If anyone would know, it would be Lucy’s most ardent admirer. He couldn’t blame the guy for having a thing for her. He clearly had one as well. Otherwise, the man who had threatened to pull a weapon on him wouldn’t have his job back. He’d done that for Lucy, not Kevin.

  “Let’s get back to the meeting,” the councilman admonished, scolding Kevin with a sharp glance. “I’m curious. If this place is up and coming, why would you sell?”

  “Blackwood Corporation isn’t interested in being involved in business or the risk of such a venture, but they are interested in the worth the investors have valued that risk,” replied the lawyer.

  “So, it’s about money,” the councilman summed it up. “As Deputy Holt pointed out, those examples you presented of the press Blackwood has been getting belong to the woman we hauled out of here. It may be an unincorporated town, but it is a real home to real people. Remember that. She can’t feel good that you were using her graphics and words to sell this town. Will you compensate her?”

  John’s arms were folded tightly in front on him. He clenched his jaw. This was precisely why he didn’t like business. He fired a glance to Caleb. The councilman continued when his lawyer gave no response.

  “You can see by the artwork and the careful choice of words,” the councilman explained, pointing with a pen to the screen where Lucy’s work was flashed larger than life, “she loves this place, and she thought she was doing a great thing trying to bring people here for business. She didn’t do it for only her benefit. Everyone had something to gain. Mostly you and your family.”

  John and Caleb’s lawyer replied, “Sir, the presentation was merely a segue to an announcement that we are required to make pursuant to the local rules and those of Clear Creek County. Miss Shoemaker has a lawyer who can represent her for fair compensation.”

  The councilman leaned over the table, clearly offended by the attorney.

  “Since this meeting is merely an announcement and not one that requires deliberation, my advocating on her behalf doesn’t create a conflict. I’m merely pointing out that it is kind of ironic she is the reason she will lose the place she loves. Now she has criminal charges to boot.”

  “Can we work that out?” John asked impulsively. “Please?”

  He didn’t want anything to happen to her, least of all for her to end up with a record.

  “I don’t know what you mean, Mr. Blackwood,” Councilman Russo said.

  “I mean, is there a way to forget the nonsense that happened earlier?” he said. “Outside of the interruption, it wasn’t all that bad. We understand she was upset.”

  “That, and the fact she prefers strawberry yogurt.” Kevin swiped a speck of yogurt from the wall and tasted it. “This is vanilla.”

  Everyone erupted in laughter.

  “What about Deena?” Caleb broke in. “It was the heat of the moment. We’re partially to blame. This is all happening so fast. People are bound to respond emotionally.”

  “You’re the one who made it a closed meeting,” John said to the councilman.

  “That’s procedure, Mr. Blackwood,” Russo replied. “This matter isn’t up for debate. But how far do you think we would get with the two of them here?”

  He laughed at the idea.

  “Not far,” he said. “We’d have to find a place with a dugout. Possibly a bomb shelter. Having said that, can we let them slide?”

  “On the condition you sit down and talk it out. Have this meeting with the two of them. Let Lucy know what she’s getting out of it.”

  “We’ve actually tried that,” interjected Caleb.

  “You need to do a better job of it, or she’ll get mad again, and who knows what she’ll throw next? She won’t get a pass next time,” said the councilman.

  “But she will this time, correct?” asked John.

  “No charges were filed. She got a timeout as it were,” said the councilman, looking straight at John and Caleb’s lawyer. “Despite her behavior, I like her a hell of a lot better than I like all of you.”

  John waited for the meeting to finish, then grabbed Kevin.

  “Take me to her.”

  Kevin looked to the ceiling like it was the hardest thing he had to hear. He walked silently in front, leading the way to the holding cell. Caleb followed them both.

  The two women were cuddled together on a single cot, snoozing until the noise of the lock woke them. Lucy stirred lazily, then startled awake when she saw that John and Caleb were setting them free. She nudged Deena twice before she got a reaction.

  “Oh, hey,” said Deena, smiling as if glad to see them.

  Lucy elbowed her softly, clearly not liking her lawyer’s friendliness.

  John’s heart warmed.

  The woman was a character. He was pretty sure his crush grew stronger each time he saw her.

  “They’r
e letting you let us out?” Her eyes lifted with suspicion.

  “We’re going to talk before anyone leaves,” said John sternly.

  “I have to find out the status of our charges,” said Deena. “Kevin held us without actually formally arresting us.”

  “No charges will be filed on condition that Lucy and I have a conversation,” he said.

  “Is this legit?” Deena looked to Caleb.

  “A hundred percent,” he said. “I think we should all sit down and chat.”

  “I’m all for discussing a deal that’s in my client’s best interests, but throwing us in jail to get us out of the meeting was going a little far.” Deena looked at John.

  “You weren’t so lawyerly last night.” John frowned.

  “Hey,” said Deena defensively. “I already got that routine from her. I don’t need it from you too. I have a right to a life, and at the time I engaged with”—she looked toward Caleb—“I was certain there was nothing that could be done. Tell me, Mr. Blackwood, is there something she can do?”

  “No,” said John coldly. “There’s nothing.”

  “There you have it.” She pushed past Lucy. “I need to find the ladies’ room.”

  Caleb marched after her.

  John looked to Lucy and took a step forward. He pressed his arm across the doorframe and leaned into her.

  “If I let you out, will you behave?”

  She shrugged. “I guess. I don’t have much choice if I want out.”

  He stood up straight and let her pass.

  “Will you let Cal and me take you both to Idaho Springs?” he asked softly. “Please?”

  She stopped. “Take us to Idaho Springs. What the hell for?”

  “It’s a neutral location. This place is too emotional for you,” he reasoned.

  “For what? Like dinner? That’s an awful long way to go to eat. I’m fine here in Blackwood.”

  “I was thinking we could go tomorrow, start fresh in the morning. A do-over, in a place where we aren’t distracted. Stay a day or two to unwind. You’ll have your own space.”

  “It’s an awfully long way for a talk.”