Page 30 of Dreams and Desires

Now that I'm standing here, I know it’s time to share the news.

“I’ve got some important news,” I start as my voice shakes slightly. “Some of you might have seen the paper, but I’m here to confirm it. Zade Patterson has officially pulled back on his resort plan for Cody. The project is canceled.”

For a second, the room is dead silent, like no one quite believes it. Then, the place erupts. People are cheering and clapping, and I can’t help but smile. We’ve saved Cody from becoming just another tourist trap. I look around and see faces lighting up with happiness and relief. It warms me to the core.

“I knew it! I knew he wouldn’t win,” Mrs. Williams shouts from the back, tears glistening in her eyes, her usual stern look softening into a smile.

“Thank you, Juniper!” someone yells, and the room echoes with the same sentiment. Their gratitude fills me up, and I feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

I raise my hand to quiet them down. “This also means we don’t need to file that lawsuit anymore. Zade’s decision means the park is safe. There’s no need to drag this out in court.”

There are murmurs of agreement, and I see relief washing over their faces. Some still look skeptical, but most of them nod, accepting the news.

“You’ve done more than enough, Juniper,” someone says, and a fewothers agree.

As the applause dies down, I spot Brian standing at the back. His face is twisted with anger, and his eyes are boring into me like I’ve just ruined his life. Without a word, he storms out, slamming the door behind him. The noise echoes through the room, but it doesn’t take away the joy of the moment.

“He’s just mad because he wanted the resort,” Dominique whispers beside me, giving my shoulder a supportive squeeze. “You did good, Juniper. You really did.”

Her words bring a lump to my throat, and I blink back tears. “I just did what had to be done.”

“No,” she insists, her eyes filled with pride. “You did what no one else could. You stood up to him.”

As people start to move around, talking excitedly about Cody’s future, I take a moment to let it all sink in. The fear, the worry—it’s all melting away, replaced by something lighter, something hopeful.

Jacob comes over, his smile so wide that it lights up his face. “I knew you could do it, sis,” he says, pulling me into a tight hug. “You’re incredible.”

“I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support,” I reply, my words brimming with emotion. “This is our win.”

I’m standing there with all these people around me. Everyone’s smiling. Talking. Some are hugging. It’s loud, but in a good way. For the first time in a long time, this place doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart.

It’s done. We did it. Cody’s not getting bulldozed after all.

But even while everyone’s celebrating, my head’s somewhere else. I keep thinking about Zade. I don’t know why it won’t leave me alone. After all the yelling. After how hard we went at each other. He still did what he said he would. He kept his word.

That… matters. I don’t know what to do with that, but it matters.

The town hall slowly empties, and I’m left alone with my thoughts. The reality of what’s happened starts to hit me. I stood up to Zade Patterson, and I won. But more than that, I found my own strength and my own voice. And no one can take that away from me.

Chapter Fourteen

Zade

The hotel owners of The Opal look at me, and I feel a surge of confidence. Even though I’ve publicly stated I’m stepping back from the resort project, I know actions speak louder than words. To truly win over Cody's residents, I need to prove that I’m here to invest in their future, not just pad my bank account. My first move? This hotel. I’m going to buy it, upgrade it, and transform it into the five-star destination this town deserves. It’s more than just a business decision—it’s a statement.

Mr. Thompson, the owner, finally speaks up, carefully picking out each word like he's scared of wasting one.

“We’ve heard a lot about your plans, Mr. Patterson,” he begins, his eyes narrowing as he looks at me. “But talk is cheap. What exactly are you proposing here? And more importantly, what guarantees do we have that you won’t back out like you did with the resort?”

Beside him, Mrs. Thompson nods slightly, her sharp gaze fixed on me. “We’re not interested in empty promises, Mr. Patterson,” she says, her tone firm. “This hotel has been in our family for generations. It’s our legacy, built from the ground up.”

I nod, leaning forward slightly, showing that I’m not just here to throw money around. “I understand and respect that,” I reply, keeping my tone sincere, each word chosen to convey both respect and confidence. “That’s exactly why I’m offering significantly more than its current market value. I see the potential here, and I want to honor your legacy by elevating it to new heights.”

Mrs. Thompson narrows her eyes, leaning forward as if to challenge me. “And how exactly do you plan to do that? We’ve heard promises before.”

I smile. Not too wide, just enough to show that I’m not intimidated. I lean back, my hand resting casually on the arm of the chair. “My plan is simple but ambitious. I’ll start with a complete renovation—modernize the facilities while preserving the charm that makes this place special. We’ll bring in top-tier staff—professionals who understand luxury and service. Then, we’ll market the hotel as a premier destination, not just for tourists but for high-profile events, retreats, and more. This isn’t just about a hotel; it’s about revitalizing Cody as a whole. We’ll attract tourists, boost the local economy, and create jobs.”

Mrs. Thompson's stern expression softens just a bit.“And what about our staff? They’ve been with us since the beginning. We won’t let them be cast aside.”

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