Everybody Knows (Sunnyside #1) (29 page)

The boy with the snaggly teeth grinned bravely at Zach
after he set the arm that had been broken in an early morning bombing of the
village. Zach’s heart lurched at the inhumanity witnessed by the villagers here
on a daily basis.

This boy. These people. They needed medical care. They
needed what he had to offer. Nothing had been as professionally gratifying as
the challenges he faced here with these undernourished, health-challenged,
poverty-stricken villagers.

His patients in Sunnyside didn’t face the same
challenges or the same type of difficulties, but from this distance, he had a
better understanding that their issues were just as great, just as important to
them. To him. He wondered how Libby Taylor was progressing with her toxemic
pregnancy. If Old Man Shorter’s emphysema was acting up. If Josh was watching
Cora’s blood sugar as closely as he should.

Most of all, he wondered about Harper.

Memories of her constantly invaded his thoughts.
Her sweetness, her kiss, her unfailing optimism, her determination to get
things done, and get them done right. Her hope of winning over the town.

Josh said things hadn’t gone well for her after
they’d let the cat out of the bag about the two of them. The last time Zach had
talked to his brother, the connection kept breaking up, but there was something
about Harper and her former fiancé. Something about some pictures he’d taken.

Zach remembered Harper telling him the jerk had
been a photographer and more interested in Fiona and his career than he was in
Harper, the idiot. But how that related to Harper in the present, he had no
idea.

The night following the car wreck he’d made a
colossal error by walking right up to her front door and marching right in. In
retrospect, he probably shouldn’t have done that. But he was tired of
pretending he didn’t care about her and tired of sneaking around. By the time
he left, everyone knew about them and blamed Harper for him leaving. Like it
was her fault. He’d heard from Rachel that there was a petition to get her
removed as librarian. Damned busybodies. Andrew Berkman probably wouldn’t let
that happen.

It had taken this distance for Zach to see he no
longer owed Sunnyside anything but gratitude. His debt had been paid in full.
They weren’t always perfect, and they weren’t always right. It wouldn’t hurt
them to be more accepting, more inclusive than they’d been in the past.

Harper’s arrival had shone a big spotlight on
their failings, but it had illuminated some of their finer points. too.

With this new perspective, he could admit that he
missed them. He wanted to be a part of the town now. He
needed
to be a part of the town. But more importantly, he
absolutely wanted and needed Harper in his life. He’d called her, but she
hadn’t answered or returned his call. A few days later, he’d typed in a
carefully crafted text message and then accidentally—damn!—dropped his phone in
front of a Jeep, which had promptly rolled over and busted it to smithereens.
Since they’d been packing up to move to another remote location at the time and
hadn’t been near anything that resembled a town since then, he hadn’t been able
to replace it. Or call anyone back home.

He’d made his decision. He’d fulfill his contract.
Before he signed on again, he’d go back to Sunnyside. Hopefully before
Christmas.

Hopefully, in time to help Harper. If she needed his
help.

A week before Christmas, Harper stepped into the
generic town council meeting room with her head held high, just as she had the
first time she’d appeared before this group. If they wanted to fire her based
on a trumped-up morals charge, fine. She’d pack up her stuff and her cat and
move on. Good thing she hadn’t bothered to unpack her Christmas decorations.

She was accustomed to moving on in life. Damn near
a pattern with her. But just like the time she had dug in her heels and refused
to leave Chicago when her mother and Fiona did, she wouldn’t go down this time
without a fight either. She had a speech prepared, affidavits and witnesses to
speak on her behalf, and a detailed rebuttal of the charges against her.

Unlike the first time she’d entered this room when
only a few spectators had been on hand, it was now jammed to the rafters. The
crowd silently parted to allow her to take the only empty seat in the front
row. She recognized most of the faces now. Although she spotted Kate, Brianna,
Al Tucker, and others who had treated her like
persona non grata
ever since Zach left, there were some people
gathered here—like Daxina and her family as well as Liam and Cora—that she
considered friends. Gratifying to see Myrna and Bennie occupying the seats to
Harper’s left with Claire on the right. The reporter, George Mason, had grabbed
a seat down at the end of the first row, too.

Too bad Zach wasn’t here. He’d tried to call her once.
She’d missed the call, but replayed the voicemail message until she’d worn her
battery out. He’d texted her a few days later, but hadn’t gotten a response
since her reply. Josh and Rachel hadn’t heard from him lately either. With his
assignment in such a volatile spot on the other side of the world, his lack of
communication kept her awake at nights.

But she had to face her own problems first. A lot
of folks were rooting for her to get her comeuppance. They’d probably cheer her
termination. If they got the proceedings over quickly, she could be back in
Chicago in time for the holidays.

If that’s where she decided to go. She could spend
Christmas with India and Fiona at Wex’s place in Montana. The ranch would be
beautiful for the holidays. That was always fun. She wasn’t in the mood for
fun, but stepfather’s spread was peaceful and isolated. Perfect for hiding out
and moping in private, if that’s what she wanted to do.

Only it wasn’t.

She wanted to stay here. To see the library
project through its first year and watch it become the fully functioning
community asset she’d planned. She wanted to make her family and friends proud
and win over the people who doubted her.

But she couldn’t do the impossible. Andrew Berkman
would back her, but he wasn’t here and just his written support might not be
enough to save her in the face of stringent disapproval.

All the council members were in place, with Cassie
sitting to her father’s left. The young woman had a recording device in front
of her. In that familial way Sunnyside tended to operate, Rachel had taken
Zach’s seat on the council and Josh had replaced the disgraced Nelson
Whitherford. Rachel, Cassie, Josh, and Barb wore matching poker faces.

Promptly at seven, Mick banged the gavel and
cleared his throat. “Governing a small community is difficult at the best of
times, but the town council is regularly forced to make difficult decisions.
This isn’t the best of times by any means, but our intention this evening is to
hear both sides of a request that has been made to remove Harper Simmons from
her post as the director of the Sunnyside Public Library. No matter what
recommendations are made here this evening, Andrew Berkman will need to be
consulted regarding the ultimate decision.”

“Why isn’t he here?” Barb asked.

“He’s in Russia this week on business,” Cora said
from the row behind Harper.

“How on earth do you know that?”

Cora turned a giggle into a cough. “It was on the
news.”

“I believe everyone here will agree that Miss
Simmons has done an outstanding job with the renovations and the proposed new
programs and community outreach. Early on, she spotted collusion and illegal
activity by a former council member and a local contractor that resulted in an
arrest and the return of a sizable amount of money to the town coffers. For
which we are grateful.” Mick picked up several papers from the stack in front
of him and slid his reading glasses in place. “I have an affidavit here from
Myrna Hopper attesting to the positive influence and leadership Harper has
provided while earning a sterling reputation throughout the state library
system.”

Myrna’s words touched Harper deeply. The older
woman squeezed Harper’s hand and Bennie gave her a thumbs up.

“I also have an endorsement from Andrew Berkman stating
that Harper continues to have his full support. He states the opinion that her
conduct has not compromised her moral or personal integrity in any way.”

Good for Andrew. In her private conversation with
him, he’d asked her not to submit her resignation but indicated he would accept
it if that was her decision.

“Now.” Mick perused another document. “We have a
petition signed by some three hundred Sunnyside citizens with the request that
Miss Simmons be removed from her position. The allegations brought against her
are personal in nature and, in my opinion, vindictive, and have no place in our
consideration of the work Miss Simmons has accomplished here.”

The Mayor’s editorial comment sent a wave of
mutters through the crowd.

“We’ll get to the testimony for both sides
shortly, but we’ve also received a petition signed by over a thousand students
and teachers asking that she be retained in her position.”

Miguel Sanchez, the owner of The Taco Shack,
raised his hand.

Mitch tipped his head forward to look at the man
over the top of his reading glasses. “Yes, Mr. Sanchez?”

“I don’t know the rules here, Mr. Mayor, but may I
speak?” He took off his ball cap and rotated it in his hands.

“Did you petition the council for a slot before
the meeting?”

“No, sir, but it’s about Miss Simmons, and it is
important. It won’t take long.”

“You may speak if you wish, Mr. Sanchez,” Mick
responded, “but if you’ll wait just a moment, you may not find it necessary.”

“I would like speak my words for the record,” Mr.
Sanchez said.

Mick waved his hand. “Proceed.”

“The parents of the high-school students would
like to thank Miss Simmons for providing our teenagers with a place to read,
study, and write their research papers.” He stopped and consulted a crumpled
note in his hand. “She started programs that have helped with their college
applications and helped them determine their scholarship eligibility. On her
own time, she reviewed their admissions essays. She doesn’t frown at them when
they ask for help or when their English is not good or when they make too much
noise in the Reading Room.” Spectators around him nodded in agreement. “Our
children and town have the chance for a better future because she brought the
library back to life in Sunnyside.”

At that moment, he looked over at Harper and waved
at her, like he always did when he prepared her quesadillas. Harper’s vision
blurred from a sheen of tears. “Because we appreciate what she has done for us,
I have brought a petition with another thousand signatures requesting that she
keep her job. Instead of firing her, we should give her a raise.”

“Or a promotion,” Mrs. Sanchez said beside him.

“Or a medal,” Miguel added.

Harper couldn’t believe her ears. She had no idea
she’d made the impact they claimed. She’d just tried to help. And she was so
pleased to know that she had. No matter what happened next, she was happy she
came to this town. Mr. Sanchez’s statements would always be a reminder that she
had not completely failed during this important phase of her life.

Murmurs rose from the observers in the back.
Harper supposed her witnesses had finally arrived. She didn’t want to draw
additional attention to her mother and sister by turning to look for them.

Mick banged his gavel once more. “Thank you for
that ringing endorsement, Mr. Sanchez, although it was unnecessary. The board
is quite aware of the contributions Miss Simmons has made. If we aren’t, we
haven’t been paying good enough attention. We’ve been told repeatedly by our
children, our spouses, our friends, and our neighbors that Harper Simmons has
been a positive influence on our community.”

Two people appeared behind Harper. The scent of
Channel No. 5 had her lifting her face to stare into that of her mother’s. On
her other side, her sister patted her shoulder.

“I’m India Lawrence and this is my other daughter,
Fiona Wilde. We’re here to provide support for Harper.” Her mother’s melodic
voice captured the attention of the crowd.

The citizens of Sunnyside gaped in awe. It wasn’t
every day they had two of fashions brightest lights and most recognizable
beauties grace their nondescript administration building.

Fiona spoke up. “Mr. Mayor, we met when I visited
here last month to work with Harper and some high-school students on a fashion
project. May I speak before the council and the town?”

The laid-back mayor was starting to look
shell-shocked from the chaos of his usual sleepy meetings but didn’t try to
stop her. “Be my guest.”

Fiona held up a grocery-store tabloid. The caption
accompanying the front-page photo screamed
Rock
Princesses Gone Wilde
. “I won’t deny that this is a picture of me and my
sister leaving a party where drugs were being openly used. ‘Leaving’ being the
keyword in that sentence.” She moved forward and dropped the offensive
newspaper into a trash can.

“We were concerned about Marcus Waring, a friend
of ours who was in a bad place emotionally and over-indulging to a harmful
extent. Harper removed drug paraphernalia from his hands as we escorted him
from the club. The picture her former fiancé took of her shows her surrounded
by smoke with the apparatus in her hands. The photographer intentionally
misrepresented the situation in an attempt to blackmail our family.

“My father, Wexley Wilde, learned a long time ago
not to let losers extort money from him and he refused to pay. Intending to get
back at Harper for ending their engagement and to make my father pay in one way
or another, the lowlife sold the pictures to a sleazy tabloid. Harper didn’t
want to incriminate our friend, but I’ve brought with me an affidavit from Marcus
confirming the story. He went into rehab shortly after we intervened and has
been clean and sober for more than a year.”

The crowd audibly gasped as Wexley Wilde stepped
forward. “I didn’t realize what kind of trouble this would cause Harper in Sunnyside.
I figured I’d let the asshole do his worst. Harper’s such a good kid, I never
thought anyone would believe any shit about her.” He glanced at the mayor.
“But, in my world, you can’t let blackmailers get a toe-hold or they never let
go.”

“In any world,” the mayor agreed.

“My security staff recorded his call to me. I’m
ready to prosecute if he doesn’t publicly retract his statement that Harper and
Fiona were using drugs at the party that night.”

Poor Wexley. Harper hated that he’d been dragged
into this mess. She should have known he’d personally speak out about that
dumbass she’d been engaged to. Despite Wex’s hard-hitting rock-and-roll image,
he’d left that lifestyle behind him years ago. Now, when he wasn’t touring, he
could be found tending the gardens at one of his homes, checking on his
investments, or planning exotic family vacations for him, India, Fiona, and
Harper.

“Thank you for your testimony on her behalf, Mr.
Wilde,” Mick said. “But I believe if I ask for a vote in favor of rescinding Miss
Simmons’ contract, it will meet with a minority. Instead, I’ll ask for a vote
of those in favor of retaining her services. All in favor, say ‘Aye’.”

“Hang on, Mayor.” Brianna jumped up. “If you’re
all so ready to sweep aside the allegations of incompetence and drug use, what
about the morality charges? Don’t you remember how she snuck around carrying on
an affair with a respectable member of Sunnyside society?”

Barb sat up straighter at the council table.
“Brianna, sit down, please.”

“Mother, everybody knows she was carrying on with
Zach Novak from the minute she arrived in town. I saw her sink her hooks into
him the very first day they met. No telling who she’s been sleeping with since
she ran him off. I don’t think that’s the right example for our children, do
you?” She looked around for agreement, but very few voices were raised in
support.

“Has anyone seen Harper Simmons behave indecently
in public since her arrival in Sunnyside?” Barb asked, giving her daughter a
chance to make her point.

“No, but I saw her drunk at the Lucky Dog one
night, and Zach went chasing after her.” This came from one of Hugh McMahon’s
cousins.