A Mother For The Tycoon's Child. Patricia Thayer

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      “What about the environmentalists?” Justin asked.

      Morgan allowed herself to smile. “We’ve been okayed for the Silver Sky Canyon area as long as we limit the number of skiers on the mountain. The canyon is perfect for what we have in mind.”

      “Extreme skiing,” Justin said thoughtfully.

      She nodded. “It’s the big craze right now.”

      “Won’t that drive up the insurance costs?”

      Morgan knew she was being tested. Justin Hilliard wouldn’t have wasted his time in Destiny if he hadn’t checked this all out. She glanced down the table to the town controller/treasurer, Beverly Whiting. The middle-aged woman had been Morgan’s biggest supporter since she’d been sworn into office.

      “It’s all in Beverly’s report,” Morgan said. “And remember the caliber of skier we’ll be catering to. They won’t hesitate to pay for the excitement, the adrenaline rush.”

      Morgan watched as he continued to study the report, then glanced at Paige who smiled encouragingly.

      “If I do decide to invest in the resort,” Justin Hilliard began, “and build a hotel here, it could cut into some of the businesses in town.”

      “But if you employ locals in construction it will help our economy immediately, and we’ll eventually get revenue from the ski run.” In the original deal the town continued to own the land, but they needed an investor to build the resort and run it.

      Morgan flipped her chart to the last page to show the mock-up of a planned strip mall next to the hotel complex. “And if you agree, we’d like to add a row of stores available for leasing. No chain fast food places, only fine restaurants, and one-of-a-kind shops.”

      “Like your quilt shop?”

      She shrugged. “We have a silversmith that could make jewelry for shops, and there are artists in the area who would love to sell locally.”

      “What if I bring in my own people to run things?”

      Would he do that? Morgan calmed herself once again. “They will still have to live and shop in Destiny. And I think you know that working with the community is more cost efficient.”

      Justin Hilliard sat there with his elbows on the table and his fingers steepled together as if thinking of another question. Then he closed his booklet and stood.

      “Thank you, Mayor.” He shook her hand, then went down to the end of the table and did the same with Beverly and Paige. He came back to Morgan. “Your presentation was impressive.”

      “This project is close to all of us. Several people were involved in the planning.” She no sooner got the words out when the door opened and Lyle Hutchinson barged into the room.

      “Did you think I wouldn’t hear about this?” the graying man in his mid-fifties said as he marched up to Morgan. “Just because you’re mayor doesn’t mean you get to make all the decisions for the town.”

      This was the last thing Morgan needed today. Lyle Hutchinson, a descendant of one of Destiny’s founding families, hated the fact that he didn’t have a say-so in this, or a chance for any financial gain from the future ski resort.

      “Lyle, you were there when we voted on the project at the last council meeting,” Morgan said. “Maybe if you met Mr. Hilliard…”

      The usually impeccably groomed banker looked frazzled as he shook a finger in her face. “You aren’t going to get away with this. Mark my words I’ll stop you if it’s the last thing I do.”

      Justin wasn’t going to stand back while this angry man threatened her. He moved around the table.

      “I think you better step back from Ms. Keenan,” he warned.

      The older man glared at Justin. “This isn’t your business.”

      “I’m making it mine.” Justin straightened. “For the last time, move away from Ms. Keenan, or I’ll move you myself. Your choice.”

      The man continued to glare at Morgan, but he finally did as Justin suggested. “This isn’t over, Morgan. I will remove you from office if it’s the last thing I do.”

      “Please, Lyle,” she said. “This isn’t the time.”

      The door opened and a tall man in uniform with a silver badge pinned to his chest came in. He walked right up to the intruder.

      “Hutchinson, I don’t remember being told you were invited to this meeting.” It seemed like old Lyle wasn’t popular with anyone.

      “If it concerns this town, Sheriff, it concerns me.”

      “Not if you’re disrupting things. You should leave,” the sheriff said firmly.

      The angry Hutchinson looked as if he was going to argue, but changed his mind. “This isn’t the last you hear from me.” He turned and stormed out, leaving an uneasy silence in his wake. The sheriff followed him outside.

      “I’m so sorry for the disruption,” Morgan said.

      Justin waved off her apology. “The hell with him. Are you okay?” He studied Morgan’s pale face. Although she tried to hide it under oversize clothes, she was delicately built.

      “I’m fine, really,” she told him. “I can’t believe he barged in here like that.”

      A pregnant Paige Keenan-Larkin came around the table to her sister’s side and looked at Justin.

      “Mr. Hilliard, Lyle Hutchinson doesn’t represent the majority of the citizens who live here. But for many years the Hutchinson family controlled most of what went on in this town.” Paige nodded to her sister. “Morgan had the guts to run against him for mayor. Let’s just say she sees a new direction for the town. One that didn’t profit the Hutchinsons.”

      The sheriff came back into the room. “I should have known Lyle would show up today. But I just had a little talk with him. I reminded him that he won’t get away with intimidation and threats.” He looked at Justin. “I’m Reed Larkin, Paige’s husband.” He stuck out his hand.

      “Nice to meet you, Reed. Justin Hilliard.” He smiled. “And they say small towns are boring.”

      Reed grinned. “You just caught us on a good day.”

      Paige nudged her husband. “Stop it. It’s never like this. Mr. Hilliard, Destiny is a quiet town, and most everyone gets along,” she assured him. “They elected Morgan because of her ideas on new growth and bringing in revenue.”

      Justin directed his next question to Morgan. “I take it that Hutchinson is opposed to the ski resort.”

      She nodded. “He says it will take away from the quaintness of the town, that we’ll be overrun with tourists. It’s not true. The skiing will be limited, and the resort is five miles out of the town. Besides, the ski lifts will only be open in the winter months.”

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