Free Dandelion Wishes by Melinda Curtis Page A

wasn’t likely to receive approval to rezone his land. The council was clearly split. Emma attempted to signal Granny Rose to make a motion. But her grandmother had a faraway look in her eyes.
    “We’re trying to turn the fortunes of Harmony Valley around,” Will insisted with the composure an experienced trial lawyer used with prickly juries. “Position it for future growth and sustainability. Bring back the medical clinic. Reopen our schools and fire station. Build parks and playgrounds for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Create a town where families don’t have to move away to chase jobs. Where generations of residents live together. Wouldn’t you like your family to live down the block?”
    “Not like this.” Granny Rose snapped back to the present and shook her finger at Will. “Not when the size of your changes threatens the traditions and values of this town. Just because we don’t have the world wide web doesn’t mean we don’t hear about the outside world. This is our home. You’ve shown us no respect.”
    Larry nodded in agreement.
    Agnes opened her mouth to say something, but hesitated. Mildred still looked lost. Their families had been the most recent to move away from Harmony Valley. According to Granny Rose, Agnes had taken her daughter’s leaving particularly hard.
    “This is exactly like what happened to Napa! Huge corporations built wineries. Old homes were torn down to make room for golf courses, day spas and luxury mansions.” Granny Rose stood, sending her folding chair crashing to the wood floor. She leaned on the table and swung her head around as she looked about the church with wild, feral eyes. “The devil was behind the loss of Napa! And now the devil’s sent this Beelzebub to destroy Harmony Valley, as well.”
    “Granny Rose!” Emma leaped to her feet. She pushed Will aside and charged up the altar stairs, cradling an arm across her grandmother’s shoulders.
    Everyone stopped talking, even Will, who seemed to have an answer to every issue raised, except when it came to accusations involving the devil.
    Granny Rose stared at Emma, slack jawed. Blinked. “What? I...”
    “It’s all right,” Emma said softly.
    The look Tracy gave Emma was pitying. The scrutiny from those in the pews was worse.
    This was all Will’s fault. He’d upset her grandmother with his too-much, too-soon vision of progress and his insensitive suggestion that they chop down the oak tree in the town square. Emma took Granny Rose by the arm and led her down the altar steps.
    There was something wrong with her grandmother.
    Was this how Rose would finish out her life? Prancing about in long johns and shouting about the devil?
    Emma felt sick.
    It couldn’t be dementia. It just couldn’t. There had to be some other explanation. Granny Rose had been clear as crystal today until Will’s presentation. Yes, Rose loved the theater and could be overly dramatic. But this was beyond drama.
    The one consolation was that Will didn’t have enough votes for approval to rezone his land. Mayor Larry clearly hated his architectural plans and Emma was taking Rose home before a motion or a vote could take place.
    Emma held Will’s gaze. “Now who’s looking before they leap? Who didn’t think through the repercussions?”
    “I’m sorry,” Will murmured as they passed him.
    Despite seeing the regret in his eyes, Emma couldn’t forgive him.
    In that moment, she understood Will’s bitterness regarding the car accident, the fear of loss, the uncertainty of a loved one’s future.
    She understood and witnessed firsthand the powerful obstacle those feelings created in the path of forgiveness.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    “T HAT COULDN ’ T HAVE gone worse.” Will slid his laptop into his brown leather messenger bag, trying not to think about the bewildered look on Rose’s face when Emma had come to her rescue. His head pounded and he felt like the worst of bullies, even if what he was fighting for would benefit