“You’re certainly generating quite a bit of buzz for our little hamlet,” the woman pressed on, poking her head into Maggie’s office as if she were in charge of the tour. “I have it on good authority that Campbell’s novels are selling better than they have in the last twenty years.”

“Really?” Dean asked.

“The Campbells left the rights to Aaron’s novels to the town of Kinship in their trust. They haven’t amounted to anything as long as I’ve been deputy mayor. But with the attention you’re bringing with your lovely little show— Oh, dear. I must admit I expected more progress in here.” Kressley blinked at the mostly empty room.

“I did, too,” Maggie told her. “We’ve run into one snag after another. But I’m starting to wonder if maybe it wasn’t all for a reason.”

Kressley spun back to look at her. “What makes you say that?”

“Canyon Custom Cabinetry,” Maggie said.

She saw the shrewd spark in Kressley’s eyes. She arched a thin eyebrow. “What about the plant?”

“I need a kitchen. The plant needs some visibility to attract a buyer. I thought maybe we could help each other out,” Maggie mused.

Kressley tapped a finger to her chin. “Intrigued. Tell me more.”

“Let’s talk over drinks,” Maggie suggested. “Iced tea? Coffee?”

Kressley peered at the tiny gold watch on her wrist. “I really shouldn’t this late, but I don’t think I could turn down a coffee.”

“Now you’re talking my language,” Dean said, offering the woman his arm. “Right this way.”

Thirty minutes later, a caffeinated Kressley was saying her third goodbye.

“I have a good feeling about all of this,” she announced, pointing a finger at Maggie.

“I do, too,” Maggie agreed, shooing her toward the open front door. Kevin and the kittens had given up running in and out in the middle of the second goodbye and now lay snoozing in the den.

“Oh, silly me! I meant to bring up the opportunity for you to stay in town and renovate the Canyon Country Townhomes. Business has been absolutely dismal for the last few ski seasons since the ski resort renovated.”

“Oh, uh…,” Maggie looked around wildly for help.

“What a great idea, Deputy Mayor,” Silas said with a sly grin.

Maggie kept her smile firmly in place as she elbowed him in the gut.

“We’ll have to talk about it,” she said.

“Have your people call my people,” Kressley called cheerily over her shoulder as she finally crossed the threshold and stepped onto the porch.

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