She enjoyed being a catalyst in the renewal of Brody’s Crossing. Someone needed to take a lead role in bringing the town back, if not to railroad-oil-cattle-boom days, at least to a realistic standard. The zoning report was about the removal or renewal of dilapidated buildings, although she’d have to excuse herself from votes relating to her renovation projects.
She’d just finished her phone calls when Wyatt’s press secretary—or perhaps she was a public-relations director—showed up.
“Hello, Louisa,” Toni said, hoping she’d remembered the young woman’s name correctly. “What can I do for you?”
“I was wondering if I needed a permit to take photos on the community center property or on a public street. I wanted to get some to update the foundation Web site and perhaps some video that could be used for downloads by the media.”
“Technically, you need a permit, but since Wyatt is serving an unofficial sentence at the community center, there won’t be any problem taking his photo. I can call the director for you and let her know you’re coming by.”
“Well, if you’re sure. I wouldn’t want to cause more trouble for him that would come back to haunt him later.”
“You won’t.” Toni eyed the efficient-looking and -sounding PR person carefully. “You know, despite what Wyatt thinks, I didn’t intentionally tell that reporter about him leaving town before he finished repainting the tower. It was an honest mistake.”
“I’m sure that’s between you and Mr. McCall.”
“Yes, but you might think I’m looking for a way to make trouble for him, because that’s what he thought at first. Perhaps he still does. I’m not trying to hurt his reputation or bring up the past. Believe me, I’d rather he only visited town to see his folks. His arrival here is causing quite a stir.”
Louisa shrugged. “He’s a draw wherever he goes.”
“I’m sure that’s true. We see photos of him at many high-profile events.” People who felt that Toni might be interested in knowing what her former boyfriend was up to often showed her entertainment and business news stories and photos of him. She always smiled and said, “Isn’t that nice,” or some such remark, and went on with her day. If she ever showed the least bit of interest in him, someone might interpret that as an “attraction,” which she could never acknowledge. Her feelings for Wyatt were absolutely private.
“If you’d be more comfortable, we can rush through a permit. However, I’ll be glad to make that call and you can take your photos whenever the light is right or Wyatt starts working again.”
“Oh, he’s there now. We had lunch—a working lunch, actually—and then he went back to the community center.”
“That’s fine. I’m not keeping track of him that closely. As I said, I just want him to finish his task and then Brody’s Crossing will get on with Christmas.”
“He’s doing his best. He’s serious about this foundation. I’m sure he’s anxious to get back to California.”
I sure hope so. He definitely wouldn’t be leaving before the chili dinner on Saturday evening, though. “Please, let me know if you need anything else,” she told Louisa, hoping the woman would take the hint and leave so they wouldn’t have to keep talking about Wyatt. If there was one thing that could spoil her holiday spirit, it was constant reminders that she’d been dumped by her now-billionaire boyfriend.
AFTER WORKING AT THE COMMUNITY center for another few hours, setting up white spiral Christmas trees and big lighted boxes trimmed with bows, Wyatt decided to call it a day. He needed to go see his parents. They’d wanted him to come out last night, but he’d put them off. He’d needed to get settled, he’d told them, which apparently had sounded reasonable. Tonight, he had no excuse. With a sigh, he plugged in the extension cords and watched the Christmas display light up the cloudy afternoon. Everything seemed to be working properly.
He looked across the street at Toni’s neat cottage-style house. The frame siding and roof looked new, or at least well kept. She’d come out just a little earlier and swept the porch and walkway, looking at him occasionally. He knew because he’d been looking at her. She’d finished in what was probably record time and retreated inside. She hadn’t spoken to him since this morning.
He rattled her. Good. She’d rattled him yesterday, with her calm demeanor and classic beauty. She’d grown into a woman in the years he’d been gone, but she still had a bit of the spunky girl he’d known—and at one time, loved—inside.
Good thing they hadn’t stayed together, he thought as he gathered up the few tools he’d used. Or gotten married, which was where they were headed if he hadn’t left town when he had. Marriage would have ruined their relationship a little more slowly than his abrupt departure, but just as surely.
No, he’d done the right thing in leaving for Stanford as soon as he graduated from B.C.H.S. He knew Toni didn’t understand, but better she thought he was a jerk than begin thinking about “the future.” That place defined by white wedding gowns, giggling bridesmaids, two-point-three adorable children and a three-bedroom house near Mom and Dad. The reality was more like credit card bills, snotty noses, dirty diapers and family feuds.
He’d actually done Toni a favor by running off, he thought as he placed the tool kit inside the community center storage closet. She’d gone to college not so far from home, started her own business and been elected Brody’s Crossing’s first female mayor since the early 1900s. Back then, the widow of a popular but crooked mayor who’d been shot in front of what was now the Burger Barn had taken over her husband’s position. Life was considerably more civilized now.
Wyatt stretched the kinks from his back and walked to the Hummer. He pulled his cell phone from his jacket and called his parents. There had been a time when calling in advance was absolutely essential. Now, it was more of a courtesy.
“Hey, Mom. I’m headed your way. Can I bring anything?” And by that, he meant from the grocery, but he didn’t make any snarky comments like he used to when he was younger and his mother went to Graham or farther to get what she really wanted.
“A half gallon of milk,” he repeated back to her. “Anything else?”
“No, we’re fine,” she answered.
“I’ll be there soon.” With another sigh, Wyatt slid behind the wheel. He shouldn’t have asked. Now he’d have to stop by Casale’s Grocery, unless he wanted to go way out of his way to the minimart at the gas station outside of town. Hopefully, he wouldn’t see Mrs. Casale. He assumed she still didn’t like him much. Good thing she’d never be his mother-in-law. Talk about awkward situations!
As soon as he entered the grocery store, he felt as if everyone was watching him. And they were. He was the only man around. There were mothers with school-age children and grandmothers and pregnant ladies. He recognized a few of the older women as he headed through the produce section toward the dairy case.
“Wyatt McCall! Why, I’d heard you were back. What are you up to this time?”
“Just setting up some Christmas decorations at the community center. How are you, Mrs. Hammer?”
“I’ve got arthritis in my knees and I just got over a nasty sinus infection. Why are you setting up those decorations? You could hire someone to do that.”
Leave it to Bud Hammer’s wife to get straight to the point. He remembered Bud and Myra as being very contentious. “You know, I did a lot of crazy things when I was younger. It’s time that I did something nice for Brody’s Crossing, don’t you think?”
“Well, that might be true, but I don’t think setting up that yard art really cuts it. I heard you had more money than Bill Gates.”
Wyatt laughed. “Hardly. But I do have enough to get by.”
Mrs.