Page 98 of Take This Heart
“Because you’re sotall,” she says loudly, her face flaming. “So, so tall. Morning, Beverly.” Her head dips. “Carol.”
“Morning, Goldie,” Beverly says, winking at me.
Carol waves at both of us, still laughing behind her other hand.
Goldie pulls out the chair across from me and sits, hissing, “And doing it all frommytable, I might add, Milo Lombardi!”
I lean in until we’re only a couple of inches apart. “There’s a kissing tax to sit at this table.”
Her eyes drop to my mouth. “You think you’re getting a kiss after what you just pulled?”
“Yes, I insist.”
We stare at each other for a long moment and she starts drifting closer, when a voice behind her says, “Just the person I wanted to see.”
Goldie and I look up to see Ava standing there.
Goldie freezes and she and Ava stare at each other.
“Ava, did you want to see me about something?” I ask.
She looks at me, a tiny frown forming. “No, not you…her.” She tilts her head toward Goldie. She takes a step forward and leans closer to me. “Although I have to say, it’s disappointing to see you looking so cozy with a Whitman.” She smiles. “I’ll try not to hold it against you though, cuz. There’s time to change your mind.”
I’m so taken aback, I just stare at her in shock. As I’m about to set her straight, she turns her attention to Goldie. She places a flyer in front of her and points at it. I try to see it, but Goldie picks it up before I can.
“What is this?” Goldie asks.
“I’m giving you a warning. This is what we’ll be bringing to the town meeting next week. There’s time to stop your plans before it gets ugly.”
“Save the Otters?” Goldie reads. “And what exactly do you mean, you’re bringing this to the town meeting? We love the otters. We see them every time we’re in town for the winter. In fact, one comes back to visit every year…Orion.”
“Which is precisely why you must be stopped,” Ava says.
“We’re not damaging the otters’ home. The renovations and buildouts will be where they are now, and we intend to maintain the integrity of the waterfront,” Goldie says.
“We’ll see what everyone thinks at the meeting.” Ava shrugs.
I can’t stand it, I have to speak up. “Ava, what is this about? I assure you, we’ve already taken all of this into consideration. Are you really so caught up in Bruce’s fight that you’re going to follow suit without even getting to know Goldie and her family?”
“I know enough about Goldie and her family,” she says, her eyes flashing.
“I don’t see how,” I argue. “You’ve done nothing but try to stir up trouble for them since you got here.”
Her jaw is clenched as she shifts on her feet.
“Seems like your mind’s made up,” Goldie says quietly. “I guess we’ll see you at the meeting.”
Ava nods and turns to leave. Before she reaches the door, she looks back at me and says, “Dad will be back in WindyHarbor for the weekend. He said he invited you to dinner on Sunday, but you haven’t responded yet.”
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it,” I say.
She stares at me for a long moment then nods. “So, this is the way we’re playing this…okay, got it.”
She turns and leaves.
Goldie is visibly shaken after she’s gone, and the whole cafe shoots curious looks our way.
I take Goldie’s hand and thread our fingers together. “I’m really sorry about that.”
