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I took a breath and stood up straighter. “Because I run the grant.”
Silence took over the room as everyone processed my words. I tensed, waiting for them to explode.
“I . . . What?” Kerry laughed. “You? What?”
“You’re kidding, right?” Tammy asked slowly. “You?”
“Goddammit,” Hugh said. “It makes sense.”
“How?” Kerry asked.
“He’s got money!”
“But he’s not in the Facebook group!”
“I am. Under a different name.”
“No way,” Jackie said. “You haven’t lived here for years.”
“Jackie, you request your rent every single month.” I turned to Kerry. “And you wanted the playground to be redone four years ago.”
Kerry gasped and covered her mouth. “I never told anyone about that.”
“No, you didn’t. Sorry to bring it up now, but I know all the requests. I replaced Dale’s shopping carts with new ones. I made sure Henry had the money for the lights and the flowers.”
“Holy shit,” Tammy said. “Why the hell did you do all of that?”
“At first . . . it was for Jade. She always dreamed of seeing this town in its heyday. But over time, I realized it was a cover. I grew up here. You all were patient with me even when I didn’t deserve it. But in the end, it was for you.”
Every single person in the meeting room stared at me. Most of their jaws were agape. My skin crawled, but I met their gazes.
“I’m not going to sell what I own. I’m not going to use this to hurt you. I did it because it was the right thing to do.” I took a breath before continuing. “And I’ll keep doing it. I want there to be a mayor in this town who actually fights for things. Jade is that person.”
“I . . . Wow, I can’t wrap my head around this,” Kerry said quietly. “But if the person who saves the town is backing Jade, then I guess I am too. Where do we start?”
“Can a mayor legalize buggy races? Oh! What about banning leopard print?”
Jade hadn’t sat since we got back, since the town had voiced their support. She was a ball of energy.
Nervous energy.
“Yes and yes, but you’ll piss off Kerry.”
“So worth it.”
“You haven’t even been elected yet and you’re already letting the power go to your head.” I laughed. “This is very you.”
“I’m just theorizing. You know the second I get in there I’ll actually do a good job.”
“You will. And you’ll have more power to throw around once you’re in there.”
Jade continued pacing. I caught her by the arm.
“You’ll sleepwalk if you keep this up.”
“At least I have you to take care of me,” she replied. “But I’ll sit. The last thing you need is to spend your twin-free night handling me.”
I only shook my head. Now that Atticus had named himself their grandfather, the girls were more interested in him than ever. Even with Alice, they didn’t have grandparents, so this was new and fun to them. I was sure they were making his life a living hell tonight, but they were enjoying themselves, and that was what mattered most.
