Chapter 20

The Western Independent’s morning local headline—Gambling and Restoration Planned for Pincari’s Folly—couldn’t have come as a bigger surprise to Jill. Arthur Hale didn’t write articles as often as he once did. These days he spent most of his time managing the paper and writing the Sunday editorial. Wasn’t it her luck he’d worked his journalism magic again by uncovering a story that involved her?

She absently waved to Margie and mumbled hello to the early birds. Despite the busy-ness of the seven o’clock hour, she closed her office door for some alone time. The smoky smell of her espresso prompted an all-over shiver.

It didn’t take long to read the story, which included all the details Mac had told her just the day before. Grandpa’s legendary journalistic sources at work again. Did nothing get by the man? She slapped a hand to her forehead. Oh, hell. Mac might think she’d told her grandfather everything. She eyed the clock and dug into her purse for her cell. Better leave a message for Mac now and tell him she had nothing to do with this.

“Good morning, Jill,” his enticing voice said after the third ring. “I imagine you’ve seen your grandfather’s article.”

“I didn’t say anything, I promise.” Her emotions were a roller coaster. She could feel the climb. “I only said I was in Denver for a meeting.”

“I believe you, Jill. Calm down.”

Her fingers uncurled from the paper, leaving them black with newsprint. “Trying.”

“Your grandfather got tipped off by someone in the Gaming Commission. I suspect I know who. He and Arthur know each other. I hoped he wouldn’t leak this, but now that he has, I’ll have his head on a platter.”

The determination in his voice made her bite her lip. “What do you want me to do?”

“I’m driving up to Dare this morning. Your grandfather moved everything up a bit, but I’ll adjust.”

“What do you mean?”

“I need to submit my development plans to Dare’s local government today. They can review them while the Gaming Commission decides on the validity of my gambling license. The law is on my side. The decision should come in tonight, tomorrow at the latest.”

Another phone rang in the background. “I was hoping to have the decision concluded before submitting my plans to Dare’s Planning and Zoning office, but I can’t afford to wait. I won’t have this drawn out. Jill, have you made a decision yet? A yes would be music to my ears right now.”

She bounced in her seat. Brian had asked her not to rush into anything. “Well, I’m feeling the pinch here. I wanted to have a little more time to think about it. Can’t I tell you once we know whether the hotel’s a go? After all, the position you offered me is for the hotel.”

“Well, I wanted to include your role in the proposal. It cements my local approach and will make people feel more comfortable.” There was an audible pause. “All right. I won’t renege on the timeline we agreed upon, but I have another proposition. My PR person can’t add the value you can in Dare, and I could use your help with the locals. Would you be willing to work with me on a short-term contract until the city council vote? Introduce me to the key people. Be seen in public with me? You won’t believe how much that will help, and it’ll give you the time you need to see if you like working with me. You could wait until the vote to give me your decision about working together on a more permanent basis.”

She had no guilt saying yes to that. This hotel would be good for the town, and she would have helped make it happen even without a contract. “You’re confident. I like that. Okay. Sounds perfect.”

“I’ll give you a higher daily rate than I proposed in the long-term contract since it won’t include benefits. You can bill me for the hours you work. I know you have other demands on your time.”

His understanding made her heart leap; his excitement was infectious. “Great!”

“You’ve made my day,” he said with such enthusiasm, she could almost hear the grin in his voice. “I want your help with the city council members. There will be a public hearing. I’d also like your help with local groups like any women’s societies, the Rotary Club, that sort of thing. And it would be great to get your thoughts on our PR message and whether we’re making charitable donations to the right places. There’s a whole bunch of checks ready to send out. We’ve been ready for this launch for weeks.”

Her mind raced like a bicycle tire going downhill, faster and faster. He was like a tornado in action, his mental gymnastics winding her up. A hearty dose of trepidation came with her excitement. This was a whole new ballpark. Did she have what it took? She looked around her office. Let her eyes scan the Small Business of the Year Award on the wall. Two years ago, she’d been the youngest person in Dare ever to win it. Hell, yes, she could do this.

“Count me in,” she responded coolly.

“I’d like you to come with me to drop the plans off at city hall. Show your support from the start. Can you do that?”

She ran her finger down her yellow and green polka dot calendar. “Yes, I can make time.”

“Fine, I’ll pick you up. It’ll be after three o’clock. Where will you be?”

She glanced down at her jeans and sweater. “At my house. I’ll need to change.”

“How about I call you when I hit Sardine Canyon?”

“Okay,” she replied, mentally reshuffling her day.

“Can you get me an interview with your grandfather? I’d like to pitch my side of the story to the paper as soon as possible.”

She stilled in her chair. “I need to keep the paper separate from our involvement. The Hale family is strict about neutrality.”

His silence had her fiddling with her a pen.

“I see. We’ll work around it.”

“I don’t even place ads for my shop in the paper. Someone else handles it.”

“Understood. I need to run. See you soon, Jill.” He hung up before she could muster a goodbye.

Grabbing her purse, she decided to visit the paper. Grandpa and Mere had some explaining to do first about their meeting with Brian. After they’d eaten crow, she’d tell them her news about Mac. Then, she’d find Brian and clue him in.

It was going to be one hell of a morning.