Page 71 of The Christmas Blueprint

That could herald a huge opportunity for Killian and for the town. Sophia felt like she was going to levitate straight out of her boots.

“Yes,” she breathed.

“I realize there is a sizable roadblock or two ahead. Perhaps you want to practice your diplomacy skills on someone other than me.” Zhang’s gaze shifted behind her, and Sophia turned around and saw Jeffrey Bane, flanked by several planning commissioners, only Chase missing. The mayor was gritting his teeth in a semblance of a smile, but he stood close to Killian, his eyes sparking fire.

“Dum, dum, dummmmm,” Zhang’s humor as he hummed in her ear shocked her.

“It’s not going to be my doom,” she said and squared her shoulders and heel-toed it over to the plotters in her favorite pair of Frye boots.

Chapter Eighteen

“This was notthe plan. Absolutely NOT,” Jeffrey Bane said, keeping his voice low but sharp with anger. “We had a plan. You knew the score. You agreed. Apartments. High-rise apartments and condos on the creek. That’s what I want.”

Sophia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She heard the words, but they made no sense. She faltered. Dismay washed over her, but then Killian looked up and spotted her, and she saw the flash of guilt and then worry.

That sparked her anger, which saved her.

All Killian’s kindness. All his encouragement had been meaningless. He’d known all of her work and hope would come to nothing.

“Oh, look,” Sophia said, keeping her voice light but edged with steel and her expression serene. She’d had a lot of practice with that one for the past eighteen months as people—many of whom she didn’t know—thanked her for her bravery and sacrifice as if she’d consciously surrendered Enrique to the fire. “We’re all together finally. Fantastic.”

She saw the apology in Killian’s eyes and ignored it.

“So kind of you to all join us after the work is done.”

“Work? This isn’t work. This is play time. It looks like some Pinterest site exploded in here. This building is condemned. No one can be here,” Jeffrey Bane said, while three of the planning commissioners looked rather staggered by the activity in the building.

“You can’t decide that,” Sophia said, keeping her breathing and voice even as alarm surged through her. “The building inspector and fire marshal gave us permits.”

“They will be revoked by tomorrow first thing.”

“Even the county permits?”

“Yes.” He smirked at her. “I have plans for the building—for the whole Applegate Mill site, and you with your childish dreams and coffee and bad music and stupid art and rustic vibe aren’t any part of it.” Jeffrey Bane got in her face.

“Easy now.” Killian hooked his arm through Jeffrey Bane’s and pulled him back.

The mayor impatiently shook off Killian’s grasp but kept his distance this time. He waved his hand around the building—dismissing it all. “This is amateur hour. I thought with your architecture degree from the University of Washington and your big-city experience and top-tier firm would have more insight and vision,” Jeffrey Bane dismissed Killian. “I only permitted the city council to approve your application because I thought you knew what you were doing and, with your track record, you’d be out the door before your contract was completed.”

He brushed at his suit jacket as if Killian had contaminated it. “But typical Flanagan failure. You haven’t even officially started on the job, yet you’ve mucked it up. And you—” he slapped his hands against Les and Bruce’s chests “—knew better. I told you to keep an eye on them, but no, you wanted to spend time with your families.” Jeffrey huffed out a breath.

“And you, Sophia, you might whine around the town looking glamorously tragic, but you’re nothing. Way out of your league. Go back to your stupid little shop while you can because I am biding my time to buy up that historic building along with a couple of others I don’t yet own, and then your lease for your little shop is permanently canceled.”

Sophia gasped and only by her strong willpower did she manage not to take a step back from Jeffrey Bane’s blazing contempt.

“Shut this down. All of it. Down. I want all of this…junk out by tonight. Including that junkie trailer.”

Then Jeffrey smiled coldly and walked out just as the first school children’s choir started arriving for their performance. “Happy holidays,” the mayor called out jovially shaking hands with the parents. “Sing like angels.” He ruffled the heads of a few of the kids messing up their sleeked-down appearances. “Happy holidays. Merry Christmas. Remember, Santa’s watching.”

“You should probably resign. He’ll only make things harder for you, and you’re young,” Bruce said to her, looking a little ashamed. “You can make a start somewhere else.”

“Bear Creek is my home,” Sophia said, hands on her hips and eyes narrowed on Bruce and Les. “Mine as much as his. The Gonzales family has been here as long as the Banes. I’m not a coward. And I don’t let anyone run over me.” Then she switched her attention to Killian. “Nor am I a liar or a backstabbing, two-faced spy. Run away, boys.” She shooed her hands at all of them. “Go run after your slathering, entitled tyrant toddler master. Crouch at his heels for your scraps. I have an open house to host.”

Sophia turned around and went back into the building. She ignored Riley, who stared at her, her eyebrows and expression telegraphing graphic curiosity, but Sophia wasn’t ready to talk about it. Not now. Maybe not ever.

She’d known it was going to hurt when Killian left. She’d had no idea that it would be that much worse if he stayed.

*

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