Page 175 of Tessa and Nash

Instead, the mayor folds her hands and looks directly at me. “Mr. McCoy.”

That tone rarely leads to good news.

“We’ve reviewed the preliminary proposal for the McCoy Ranch guest expansion.”

I nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

She glances at the other council members before continuing. “Due to concerns regarding the land boundaries near Juniper Creek, the council has decided to officially delay approval of the proposal pending a formal land review.”

The room grows so quiet I can hear someone shift their chair behind me.

“Delay,” I repeat.

Mayor Caldwell nods calmly. “A survey and county review will certainly be required before the council can move forward.”

My mouth goes dry. “How long would that take?”

“That depends on the findings.”

Which is council language for this could take forever.

Behind us, Hank Lawson clears his throat loudly. “Seems reasonable.”

Boone shifts beside me, his shoulders tightening. Dallas’s pen pauses mid-sentence.

I keep my eyes on the mayor.

“With respect,” I say carefully, “that land has been part of McCoy Ranch for decades. I think everything I have shown you over the last few weeks have demonstrated that⁠—”

“And the Long family disputes that,” another council member interjects.

The room shifts again, quietly but noticeably.

Mayor Caldwell continues. “The engagement between you and Miss Long suggested the matter might be resolved privately. Yet, things seem to have stalled in that department. Am I right?”

The word engagement hangs awkwardly in the air.

I swallow.

“That’s… complicated,” I say.

A few people exchange looks. Hank laughs softly under his breath.

Mayor Caldwell exhales. “The council cannot approve development on disputed land.”

“So the whole project stops,” I say.

“For now.”

Those two words hit harder than anything else she’s said.

I lean back slowly, the fight draining out of my shoulders before it even begins. I didn’t even get to defend myself. I hardly said a word.

Boone leans forward beside me. “What exactly needs reviewing?”

Mayor Caldwell folds her hands on the table. “Like I said, we’ll need a full survey of the Juniper Creek boundary before any decision can be made.”

Councilman Price nods beside her. “The county will also have to review the historical filings connected to that parcel.”