Free Buffalo Valley by Debbie Macomber

do?” she asked, feeling the need to act.
    Heath shook his head as he opened his car door. “Don’t worry, Carrie, this isn’t over yet. Not by a long shot.”
    All Carrie could do was trust that, somehow or other, he’d convince Ambrose Kohn to be reasonable.
    The drive into Grand Forks passed in a fog. Burdened by the news, Carrie was surprised when the two lanes widened to four as she reached the outskirts of the big city.
    Vaughn was waiting for her inside the mall at a coffee shop they’d designated as their meeting place. He stood as she approached. She was struck again by what an attractive man he was. Her ex-husband had been attractive, too, but Alec’s good looks had belied his selfish, arrogant nature. She’d learned, the hard way, that a handsome face proved nothing about the inner man. No, handsome is as handsome does, hergrandma always said. Which made Vaughn Kyle very handsome, indeed.
    He’d been so gentle and caring with Hassie. He’d spent time with her, listened to her talk about her son. Carrie marveled at his patience and his good humor and the respect he seemed to genuinely feel for Hassie and for the town. When he’d asked her to meet him in Grand Forks to help him finish his shopping, she’d agreed. It’d been a long, long time since a man had impressed her as much as Vaughn Kyle.
    â€œThanks for coming,” he said now.
    Although it was relatively early, the mall was already frantic. With exactly a week left before Christmas, the entire population of Grand Forks had apparently decided to cram itself inside.
    â€œThe only person I still need to buy for is my mother,” he told her, looking around as though he already regretted this.
    â€œWhat about perfume?” Carrie wasn’t feeling too inspired, either.
    â€œShe’s allergic to a lot of those scents.”
    â€œOkay, how about…” Carrie proceeded to rattle off several other suggestions, all of which he categorically dismissed for one reason or another.
    â€œDo you have any more ideas?” he asked, looking desperate.
    â€œNot yet, but we might stumble across something while we’re here.”
    Vaughn sighed. “That doesn’t sound promising.” He glanced around. “How about if we find a quiet restaurant and discuss it over lunch?”
    He didn’t need to ask twice. She was as anxious to get away from the crowds as he was. They found an Italian place Joanie and Brandon Wyatt had once recommended and were seated almost immediately. Sitting at their table with its red-and-white-checkered tablecloth, Carrie could see why her friends liked it here. The casual atmosphere was perfect. If the food was half as good as the smells wafting from the kitchen, she was in for a treat.
    Carrie quickly made her decision and closed the menu. Lowering her gaze, she pushed thoughts of Value-X from her mind for the umpteenth time. Her worries kept intruding on the pleasant day she was hoping to have.
    â€œYou’d better tell me,” Vaughn said. His hand reached for hers and he gently squeezed it. “Something’s wrong.”
    Apparently she hadn’t done a very good job of hiding her concerns. Rather than blurt everything out, she stared down at the tablecloth for a long moment.
    â€œWe learned this morning that Value-X is considering Buffalo Valley as a possible site,” she finally said. “Apparently they’ve already negotiated for a piece of land. I don’t need to tell you what that’ll do to our community.”
    â€œIt might be a good thing,” he said slowly. “Try to think positive.”
    â€œIf this is progress, we don’t want anything to do with it,” she muttered. Vaughn couldn’t possibly understand. She was sorry she’d brought up the subject. “We happen to like our town just the way it is.”
    â€œIt isn’t that—”
    â€œWe’re going to fight it,”