“We can’t let our tourists get hurt. That will kill the town faster than anything,” he said, and other members nodded. “Cam’s only been home a couple weeks. That’s not even long enough to assess what the mine needs. I’m thrilled that he’s willing to open this avenue for us, but it’s really a matter of business to be handled after the season. Not in haste, and not now.”

Camden’s jaw flexed, and his fingers bit into the podium, turning his knuckles white. “Then, it’s a good thing I’m more than qualified to see to both the safety and mechanical restoration of the mine. It will be completely safe in the designated tour paths by the time we open and blocked off in every other area. And as for my ability to speak on behalf of the mining company, why don’t you read the first page of the Rose Rowan Mining Company documents I attached?”

All the council members flipped through the stapled pages.

“Are you kidding me?” Xander exclaimed.

“Afraid not, big brother. It was easy to skip over, seeing as the mining company hasn’t made a cent in the last seventy years.”

Xander shook his head, reading the page over and over.

“What does it say?” someone in the crowd yelled out.

“It says that Uncle Cal was the majority owner in the company. You might be able to exercise Dad’s vote, but I still own fifty-five percent of it, and I say we open the mine.” Cam didn’t smile or look away from his brother.

“Give us a moment,” Walter said, then beckoned the other council members. They covered their microphones and moved inward to talk among themselves.

“Look at you, breaking the rules and going against the town,” Cam whispered to me.

“More like bending the rules. And why didn’t you just come out and say that you wanted to open the mine?” I asked Cam quietly. “They would have rolled over immediately instead of putting you through that.”

“I need the mine for leverage, for something way bigger than getting a vote in the Historical Society.”

“Your dad?”

He nodded. “My dad. And honestly, I figured if they wouldn’t let me into their precious club because of my past, they don’t deserve what the mine could mean for their future.”

“I get that.”

“I didn’t know about your degree. Not that part, at least. Thank you for taking my side.” He inclined his head but still didn’t take his focus off the council.

“Always,” I said before I could stop my foolish mouth.

“Not always,” he countered with a wry smile.

“Fine, you’re right. But I’m taking it now.”

“Thank you,” he repeated.

“You’re welcome.” He was right. Once I’d started dating Sullivan, it had been his side I’d taken, not Cam’s. The dynamic shifted, as anyone would have expected.