The Christmas Campaign

“Yep. And even with a new director, the center couldn’t regain its momentum, and government funding was cut, effectively closing it.”

“How will your center be different from that one?” Nicole asked. “How will you get senior adults to come?”

“There won’t be anyone stealing money, for one thing. And they will be running it, or at least an advisory board made up of senior citizens will be. I’ve talked to a lot of the senior adults in town, and they’ve told me they’d support a center if it provided what they needed.

“Several of them pointed out that they’d like to have a place to exercise without being intimidated or hurried by younger people. I want it to be a place where seniors can be comfortable.”

He sat up straighter. “Last of all, but probably the most important, it’s something my grandfather wanted. It’s a way I can honor his memory.”

Their waitress appeared and set their plates in front of them. Jake’s personality instantly moved into charm mode. “Thanks, sweetheart,” he said, dazzling her with a smile.

Nicole focused on her food. If passion were enough, Jake would make a success of this senior center. Her problem with the project was sustainability—his. If she agreed to help him to the tune of twenty-five thousand dollars of the city’s money, she’d first have to believe he’d stick to the project. Even though she really had no reason to believe he wouldn’t.

He can’t stick to one woman.

That was not a measuring stick, and she couldn’t let how he lived his personal life override his reputation for being a good businessman.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, and then he put his fork down. “Well, what do you think?”

She sipped her tea, trying to find a diplomatic way of saying what was on her mind. “I think it’s a good idea...”

“But?”

“Are you sure you’re the person to do this?” She’d feel much better about it if his cousin Peter were the one asking. “A month ago I saw in the Gazette that you were in Paris and before that, in the wine country in Italy. Do you really have time for this?”

Two red dots appeared on his cheeks. “Are you questioning my ability?”

“Not exactly. More like your focus or ability to commit. It’s a practical concern. And, if it’s something your grandfather wanted, why isn’t your cousin helping you with it?”

The red dots grew to splotches. He crossed his arms. “We don’t work too well together, and I assure you, if I get the go-ahead, I’ll make time for it.”

She’d hit on a touchy subject by the tone of his voice. “Tell you what, I’ll look at your proposal and see how the numbers add up when I get back to the office. I’ll let you know if I can support the center.”

He flashed her another of his high-wattage smiles. “You will. It’s a worthwhile project.”

She didn’t doubt that.

CHAPTER FIVE (#ulink_d4d973eb-ad5e-5ee8-acf9-628fffe35afc)

NICOLE TOOK HER seat in the conference room. They were going over the agenda before tonight’s open city council meeting. Often, problems could be worked out before the actual meeting convened in the adjacent room. It was also a time for minor requests to be moved to the front of the line.

Jake sat along the wall next to Rebecca Caine, a reporter from the Cedar Grove Gazette. Nicole had looked over his proposal this afternoon and had been impressed with how professional it was. Jake winked when their eyes met, and she looked away. The problem was, he was never serious for long.

All the city council members were present except Peter, which was strange, as he was usually the first one at the meetings. But then the whole day had been strange, starting with Jake coming into the office and asking her to lunch.

Peter entered the room and slipped into the chair next to her. She sneaked a look at him and noticed how a lock of his blond hair fell over his forehead.

“Thanks for saving me a seat,” he whispered.

She turned to protest she hadn’t, but before she spoke, he asked if she wanted to grab a cup of coffee after the meeting.

The request caught her off guard. The day had just gotten even stranger. “Coffee?”

The blue pin-striped shirt he wore deepened the blue in his eyes and melted the no forming in her brain. He’s like Jake and only wants your help.Maybe not... The rap of Betty’s gavel kept her from answering.

“We’ll talk later,” he said as Betty handed out the agenda.

Nicole faced the head of the table as Mayor Gordon called the meeting to order. She frowned when he then turned it over to the city clerk. Hugh usually conducted the meeting, but tonight, he looked tired, and more than a little pale.

Nicole scanned the list of people who were on the agenda. She expected Jake’s name, and skimmed further down. Peter was on the agenda, too?

She glanced toward Jake, and amusement glinted in his eyes. Evidently he’d been watching her. She ducked her head and finished reading the list. Maybe Peter was here to support his cousin.

But that couldn’t be it. He wouldn’t be on the agenda unless he was asking for something. What was wrong with her? She looked up as Betty asked Peter to explain his reason for requesting to address the council.

“I’d like a permit for a dance on New Year’s Eve. It’s for a building my grandfather owned, and then I want to present a proposal for a youth recreational center in the same building.”

He passed around a sheet of paper. “This is a brief overview of what I want to do and the funds I’m requesting from the city. All I want tonight is the permit for the dance and a motion to consider the proposal.”

Nicole scanned the paper. A youth center at 1453 Washington Street. Wasn’t that where Jake planned to house his senior center? She lost whatever else was said as she read the outline Peter had provided. Nicole had long believed the town needed a place for older teens to gather. In fact, it was part of her long-range plans for the city—if she ever became mayor.

Betty called on Jake to explain his reason for being there, and Nicole turned her attention to him.

“I’m here to submit a proposal to the council, asking for approval and financial support for a senior center,” Jake said. He handed each member an envelope. “I realize you’ll need time to look this over, but I’ll be glad to answer any questions.”

Nicole had already read the proposal, but she wanted to see his five-year business plan and budgets. She found the address of the building: 1453 Washington Street. She hadn’t been wrong on that.

A slow burn started in the pit of her stomach. If Jake had drawn her into some sort of contest between him and Peter, she’d throttle him. She looked up as Boyd Anderson cleared his throat.

“Jake, how do you propose to get the rest of the money to run your center?”

Jake turned to address the oldest member of the council. “Boyd, I intend to form a nonprofit and have already applied for tax-exempt status. That way I can apply to foundations for money. I also applied for my first federal grant, getting it in just under the deadline. I’ll know in April if I’ll receive it. In the meantime, I have backers who will help fund it until the grant money starts coming in.” Beside her, Peter stiffened. She’d bet he hadn’t applied for tax-exempt status.

“This is a grassroots-type thing,” Jake continued. “Until I receive funding, we’ll start small and see where it goes. The first step will be renovating the building on Washington Street. I applied for a permit this morning.”

Peter raised his hand, and the city clerk nodded. “If you would all look at item four, you’ll see I applied for a renovation permit on the same building late yesterday afternoon, which supersedes Jake’s.”

Mayor Gordon nodded.

Cal Sheridan folded his arms across his chest. “Looks to me like you two need to get your ducks in a row.”

Nicole winced. When Cal used that confrontational voice, it meant they were in for a long meeting.

“That’s why I’m here tonight,” Jake said.

Peter leaned forward. “Same here. Item five is for the permit and the proposal for a youth center, and item six is my request for a permit to host a dance on New Year’s Eve.”

Mayor Gordon usually voted for whatever Peter proposed, but she knew he was a good friend of Jake’s, as well. She turned to see the mayor’s reaction.