Share the Moon. Sharon Struth
of you have spoken. I am calling an end to this meeting at ten forty-five. Do I hear a second for this motion?”
Someone seconded it and Adli shouted above the noise, “Thank you all for coming.”
Sophie stood, opened her bag, and stored her notepad and pen. Bernadette returned and picked up her jacket from the seat behind Sophie, her satisfied grin suggesting great pleasure over tonight’s outcome. “Guess I raised a few eyebrows, huh?”
Sophie slipped a wool scarf around her neck then zipped her bag closed. “You sure did, my friend. Any idea where the rumor started? It’s just the kind of lead to help me find some legitimate dirt on RGI.”
“No idea.” Bernadette leaned close and whispered, “Sooo…what’s going on with the sandy-haired hottie?” She fanned herself with her fingertips. “Lawdy, lawdy. If his wink didn’t tell all.”
“I’ll discuss it later. I need to interview him now.”
Bernadette twisted her lips and shook her head. “Be careful. You blushed when he winked.”
“I was angry.”
She shrugged. “If you say so, but from where I sat, the last time a guy made you blush, you know what happened.”
Sophie threw a warranted glare at her friend. “Yes, I remember.” She leaned close to Bernadette and whispered, “Listen, this is my chance to prove to Cliff my personal feelings won’t interfere with a story ever again.”
Ryan Malarkey’s arrival in town three years ago would forever fill Sophie with embarrassment. She’d met him around the time she emerged from the dark hole of her divorce and losing a child. Ryan was the defense attorney for a well-known writer living on the lake who’d been accused of murdering his wife.
Ryan’s wavy brown hair and rich chestnut eyes would score an eight on the appearance scale, but what had ruptured Sophie’s better senses was his suave manner and focused attention on her. Each time he begged her to go on a date, she’d refused. After all, she hadn’t completely forgotten about her integrity as a journalist. However, his extra doses of attentiveness soothed her aching soul, empty and untouched for so many years. Thus, when he’d tossed some story leads her way, all favorable to his client, she’d chased them like they were nuggets of gold. They’d run a story based on those leads, leads eventually revealed as false. After reality hit, Cliff just shook his head and mumbled, “Seems your lawyer friend actually is full of malarkey. Now we look like fools.” He’d forgiven Sophie in no time, yet she still hadn’t forgiven herself.
Bernadette touched Sophie’s forearm. “Honey, I’m not sure what’s already gone on between you and El Presidente, but be careful this time. I know how much you got hurt when Ryan took advantage of you. Okay?”
“Trust me, Bern. I’ll never forget how stupid I felt.”
She turned her attention to the stage. Duncan Jamieson schmoozed with two zoning board members, the three of them all smiles.
“Your mention of the rumor definitely ruffled a few feathers up there, starting with RGI’s president. In fact, he just gave me my first lead.”
* * * *
Duncan hurried to the parking lot. After the hearing he’d been pulled aside into a private meeting with the board members and had missed his chance to catch up with Sophie.
He’d wandered to the different pockets of residents huddled in groups talking, searching for her face. Several people cast dirty glances in his direction as he scrutinized them in the dim light. When he entered the auditorium earlier, he’d been elated to spot her amongst the crowd. Her scorching glare, a few seconds after the shock of seeing him passed, reminded him of his misleading introduction.
He turned to the sound of footsteps. Sophie rushed to her car, her blazer tails flapping with a gentle breeze.
Duncan trotted toward her. “Hi. I wondered if I’d run into you tonight.” Puffs of condensation exploded with each word.
“Oh. Hello, Mr. Jamieson. Yes. I work for the local newspaper.” Her relaxed tone from earlier now sounded stiff and formal. “I’ve been looking for you, too.”
The tall parking lot lights glinted off her press badge. “Blue Moon Gazette, huh? I wouldn’t have recognized you from the picture.”
In the photograph, Sophie wore her dark brown hair shorter and her pretty eyes seemed void of life. Different than the long, soft curls she had today, or the smoky quartz sparkle of her gaze that blew him away when he’d helped with the boats.
She wrapped her arms across her chest and covered the photo. “It’s old. I’m the paper’s staff reporter.” She straightened her posture. “As long as you’re here, may I ask you some questions?”
“Sure.”
She removed a pad and pen from her bag, all while her unmistakable glare scorched his skin.
“I’d be happy to answer any questions, but first—”
She flipped open the pad. “What specific steps will your firm take to address environmental concerns—”
“Wait.” He held up a hand. “I’m concerned you might be wondering why I’d tell you my name is Carter.”
“Tell me the specifics about what you plan to do.”
“I plan on having an environmental group perform a study. Sophie, earlier I didn’t—”
“Plans with the scope of RGI’s development are unheard of on this lake. Would you consider modifying them to a smaller scale project if the results show significant damage to—”
“Did I do damage by telling you—”
“That your name is Carter and you’re here to buy a house for your family? You sure did.” She shoved the pad back into her bag. “Neglecting to mention you’re the president of RGI and you’re the one buying the land. That’s what tipped the scale.”
“Sophie, my middle name is Carter. It’s used in—”
“In Northbridge, Mr. Jamieson, a person’s reputation and word go a long way. Actions are never forgotten…both good and bad.”
Duncan counted to ten in his head so he didn’t blow his stack. This frustrating woman had unraveled the calm cool exterior he wore at all times, especially when conducting business. If he yelled at her the way he wanted to right now, God knows what would end up in the newspaper. He couldn’t recall anybody ever having talked to him this way. He drew a breath and then slowly exhaled. “Based on your anger, I’d say I’ve done something so unforgivable neither you nor your newspaper will give fair coverage to my resort story.”
“Fair coverage?” She squeaked. “Is that all you care about?”
A couple walked by and said hello to Sophie. She nodded and forced a weak smile in their direction. When they passed, she looked at him and lowered her voice. “Is your appearance at the kayaks today even a coincidence?”
“What?” Her directness threatened to loosen the bolts of his rusty confidence.
“Look, people have done far crazier things than flirt with someone to manipulate the press.”
“You thought I was flirting with you?” Maybe he wasn’t so rusty. He tried to put on a some-day-we’ll-look-back-on-this-and-laugh grin, hoping she’d find humor in what had happened.
“Whatever!” She waved her hand in the air. “Look, I don’t know what your game is. I’m sure you think you’re very clever.” She stepped to the car door.
“I wasn’t trying to be clever, and I—”
“I think you’ve answered all my questions, Mr. Jamie—”
“Stop being so formal!” A blast of heat rushed up his cheeks. Damn her! The final