Free Easy Bake Coven: Book One of the Vivienne Finch Magical Mysteries by J.D. Shaw Page B

try to find the source of the challenge but failed.
She brushed her long brown hair back with her hands. “As a matter of fact, Harvest Glen Winery is going to open a
small tasting room and gift shop on Main Street next spring. So I do have a
stake in this, thank you.”
    Several
more members continued to barrage the board with questions about footing the
bill and how much everything was going to cost. Mona and her officers did their
best to provide answers but the crowd wasn’t too convinced by their efforts.
      At one point, the discussion turned to the
issue of tenant parking on the street and the board was raked over the coals by
several apartment dwellers who resented the proposed plan to make them park in
lots two streets over to provide ease of customer access.
    “One
last question and we must close discussion and move on.” Mona’s voice was strained
from her impassioned pleas and saleswoman techniques.
    Kathy
stood before the microphone. “Kathy Hemmings , owner
of Trade Winds Clothier .”
    “Hello
Miss Hemmings .” Mona’s voice was cold. “It’s so nice
to have such an active participant in the audience.” She gestured to the
audience. “I hear we have you to thank for such a vigorous turnout tonight.”
    “Hello,”
Kathy replied back in an equally cold manner, “and you’re most welcome.”
    “What
is your concern?” Mona locked eyes with her.
    “Is
it true that you’re using this issue as a springboard to launch your campaign
to run for mayor after your husband’s term ends?”
    There
was a collective gasp in the room. Mona cocked her head to the side. “Whatever
gave you that idea?”
    Kathy
reached into her purse and pulled out some papers. “I have copies of an
interview you did with an online magazine, A
Byte of Upstate , about running for office in a small town.”
    “I
was referring to my husband running for office.” Mona was quick on her defense.
“The magazine misquoted me and I tried to get them to print a follow up to
clarify that.”
    Kathy
quoted from the paper in her hand. “I feel that as a woman running for office,
you need to do something beyond mere campaign promises to convince voters you
are serious about the job. The truth is that the voting public often gets
things wrong and it’s the job of elected officials to make them think they’re
right.”
    Mona
rolled her eyes. “I never said that.”
    “It’s
right here in print.” Kathy shook the paper.
    “It’s
nothing more than slander by a zealous media outlet to get attention.” She
gripped the edge of the podium so tight the color drained from her hands. “I’ve
hired a lawyer to pursue legal action if needed.”
    “Convenient.”
Kathy nodded and turned to face the crowd. “I’ve posted a link to the magazine
article on Social Butterfly for those
of you who want to read it for yourselves.”
    A
general murmur broke out as Kathy stood at the microphone. She began passing
out her printed copies of the article to eager hands nearby.
    “As
there are no more relevant concerns about this project, I move for a vote to go
forward with phase one of the proposal.” Mona raised her voice.
    “What’s
phase one again?” Suzette asked the board.
    “The
historic commission has the power to re-zone parking to prevent obstructed
views of historic buildings.” Mary Ellen reminded everyone. “Main Street will
be re-zoned with one hour parking in front of all businesses.”
    There
were several angry shouts from the apartment tenants in the audience.
    “All
in favor of phase one?” Mona asked.
    “Aye.”
Victoria was first to answer.
    “Aye.”
Mary Ellen added her approval.
    Suzette
looked nervously around the room. She wrung her hands together for a moment.
“Aye,” she stammered meekly.
    “Opposed.”
Cassandra spoke with extra emphasis, which brought a cheer and a few whistles
from the apartment tenants.
    “I
vote yes.” Mona slammed her gavel down. “Motion passes and will be given to
town