Page 10 of Strength of the Mountain
“The bank is foreclosing on the loan,” Kelsey confirms.
“No!” I object once I reach the two ladies. I know it’s rude of me to eavesdrop, and even ruder to interrupt, but I couldn’t contain my reaction.
“Cami, I didn’t see you there,” Kelsey says. “I’m so sorry you had to find out this way.”
“Isn’t there something we can do? How much time do we have?” I ask.
Kelsey sighs and rubs her left temple. Her shoulders sag in defeat, and I rub her shoulder in a comforting gesture. “There’s already an offer on the property, and I’ll give you one guess as to who it is,” she says flatly.
“Top Spot Realty,” Samantha and I say at the same time. Hayden mentioned something about them during our first conversation and how they’ve done some shady things around town.
“Bingo. The CEO and her minions will be visiting in a couple of days to do a walk-through of the building. I can’t say for sure what they want to do with the place, but I’m guessing running a non-profit community center isn’t at the top of their list.”
“But, then where are we going to go? Where are all these people who depend on our services and classes going to go? They can’t just shut us down,” I argue.
“I’m sick to my stomach about it, too,” Kelsey says. “I’m not sure what we can do to change their mind at this point. Unless you have a hundred and fifty thousand dollars to cover the loan, we don’t have any leverage.”
I look around the hallway and into the daycare room, searching for… something. I don’t know what. A solution? A secret stash of gold? My eyes land on a small cardboard sign I made last week with a few kiddos. It sparks an idea, and I blurt, “What about a peaceful protest?”
“Hmm… It’s pretty short notice,” Kelsey says skeptically.
“We’ll hold it on the day Top Spot is coming to visit. I know we only have a few days, but this place is so special to so many people. I think we can get a good crowd and maybe a few speakers. The kids and I will work on signs tonight.”
Samantha starts to nod along with my idea. “We can set up a fundraiser as well. It will have to be a simple one with our limited timeline, but I can set up a Kickstarter online and print flyers with a QR code for people at the protest to scan anddonate. I’ll make sure to have several donation boxes available as well for cash during the event.”
“I’ll call an emergency board meeting for tomorrow morning,” Kelsey says, patting both Samantha and me on the shoulder. “I don’t know if this will work, but you two have given me enough confidence to try. It’s not over yet.”
We disperse when the first family shows up for Kids Korner. I explain our unique mission for the evening once everyone is seated. I wrote a few messages on scraps of cardboard and poster board for the younger kids to decorate, while the older kids came up with their own slogans.
Our time is up far too soon, but I thank the kids for their contribution. In total, we have fifteen signs, which I’m impressed with. I make sure to tell all of the parents and guardians about the protest happening in a few days.
As I’m cleaning up and collecting the last of the craft supplies, someone comes up behind me. Hayden’s leather and spice scent wraps around me seconds before he pulls me backward, into his arms.
“Hey,” I greet, spinning in his embrace. We made plans to meet after our respective appointments tonight, but I wasn’t sure if he was going to wait outside for me. I would understand if he’s not comfortable being touchy-feely yet, or if he even wants that kind of relationship.
“Hey, beautiful,” he murmurs before claiming my lips. I gasp into his kiss, then melt into his arms, letting Hayden take what he needs while giving me everything back in return. “Ready to go? I was thinking I could cook for you at my place.”
“You cook?” I ask as he helps me carry my things outside.
“Not usually, but I got an easy recipe from my sister.”
I laugh and playfully bump my shoulder with his. “You’re making me feel special and spoiled already.”
“Good. I want you to always feel that way.”
Hayden loads up my suitcase in his truck and then helps me into the passenger seat. I’m fully capable of climbing in myself, but I don’t mind Hayden’s hands on me.
A few short minutes later, we pull into an apartment complex not too far away from my own. Hayden goes quiet, almost like he’s nervous. He has no reason to be. I’m excited to do just about anything as long as he’s with me.
Hayden helps me out of the truck and ushers me inside his place, though he drops my hand once we’re inside.
“The apartment is only temporary,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck in that nervous gesture of his. “I’ll buy you any house you want.”
How is he so adorable and yet sexy at the same time? “Hayden, I don’t care where you live. I’m just happy to spend time with you. Besides, I need to see how good your cooking is before I decide to move in.”
This breaks him out of his spiral, and he steps closer, circling his arms around my waist. “You always know what I need to hear,” he whispers. “I can’t believe you’re mine.” Hayden nuzzles into the side of my neck and places a soft kiss there. Suddenly, I have a different kind of hunger.
“Yours?” I ask, tilting my head back to give him more access. He groans and nibbles my sensitive skin, followed by his warm breath and tender kiss.
