Aria grimaced. Human interest stories were her favorite; economics, not so much. “If you say so.”

Emily returned to reading. Aria tapped her foot and wondered why she’d been called here. She hated not knowing. It was her mission in life to know everything, and to know it first. She called it journalistic instinct. Her friends called it nosiness.

Finally, Eliza arrived and took a seat across from her. She cleared her throat and rested her hands on the table. “Miss Simons, I’m sorry for being brief on the phone. I wanted to discuss this in person.”

“You said you have a story for me?”

“I do.” Eliza summoned a waitress and requested a pot of tea. “You’re aware, of course, that an investor has purchased the remaining land at the Lakeview subdivision.”

“Yes.” It had been a major coup. Itirangi had once been owned entirely by locals, but within the last few years, out-of-towners had begun investing in holiday homes and accommodation businesses. Only a few weeks earlier, an unknown quantity had purchased the large property left over from a residential subdivision. The subdivision, on the top of a hill, had a clear view over the township to the lake, and the newly purchased block of land was a prime piece of real estate—too pricey for most locals.

“I’ve investigated the company who purchased the land and have some disturbing news,” Eliza said. “They’re planning to build a shopping complex and a motel.”

Aria’s eyes widened in surprise. Once a rural backwater, Itirangi was becoming a popular tourist destination thanks to its warm summers, gorgeous lake, view of the mountains and proximity to the ski fields. Despite that, it retained a small-town charm, and she hadn’t imagined any commercial property developers would be seriously interested in it.

Boutique clothing stores, souvenir shops, and jewelers lined the main street. A shopping complex and an accommodation complex would mean competition for the local stores.

“Oh my god,” Aria said. “Are you sure?”

“As sure as I can be. It’s my understanding that the council received an application to build on the site this morning.”

Eliza was right. This was a good story. A new shopping complex would change the atmosphere of Itirangi. “Surely, the councilors won’t approve it. Something of this scale would mean a change of direction for the town.”

Emily put aside her newspaper and interrupted. “They almost certainly will. Dad thinks it’s a brilliant idea. From what I’ve heard, the other councilors are also on board. It’ll create job opportunities and bring in more tourists. It was bound to happen eventually.”

“But what about the existing businesses?” Aria asked. “A new development will mean more competition for them.”

“But it will also mean more variety for shoppers. They can see potential for an overall benefit to the town. Councilors Jackson and Reynolds plan to set up shop in the new premises.”