“There’s no trying about it. Davis Industries will be acquiring that property one way or another. It’s a prime, waterfront location, and we need it for a new project we are developing in Harbor Shores.”

He said it so matter-of-factly, as if the whole world just caved in to whatever he desired. He talked about my beloved town like he could morph it into whatever he felt it should be. “What kind of project?” I spat the words out.

“We are going to turn Harbor Shores, Michigan into a destination.” He gave me an exaggerated smile as he started his spiel. It felt like he was practicing his speech to win over the locals to his way of thinking. I frowned at him as he continued. “There will be a shopping boardwalk leading up to a huge pier that features local artists and vendors. Anchoring the end of the pier, we will build a double-decker state-of-the-art restaurant that juts out over the lake. We’ll have live music and a prominent bar that will put that ramshackle little place Joe calls a restaurant to shame.”

I had crossed my arms over my belly waiting for him to stop trying to sell me on his plans. Rather than taking the hint, he continued on. “It will have a huge marina that will draw in sailboats and other boating enthusiasts from surrounding towns on the lake. We’ll add some classy, waterfront condominiums. You’ll see, Abby. We’ll turn Harbor Shores into the place to see and be seen.”

“I like my town just the way it is, and I think you’ll find that most of the locals will agree with me.”

Unaffected by my rebuff, Sam countered. “This is progress. There are always going to be people who are resistant to change at first, but once it happens, they are some of the happiest about it.” I glared at him as he continued. “Think of the jobs that we’ll be creating and the money that we will bring into the area.”

“What about the jobs that you’ll be eliminating?” I raised my eyebrows at him. “What will happen to Joe’s restaurant and the people who work there?”

“The location of Joe’s is prime real estate. The restaurant will need to be razed, but the people who work there will be able to get jobs at the new, improved restaurant that we will build.” I had always thought that ‘razed’ was such an odd word. It sounded like a building was being ‘raised’ or built, when in actuality it meant the opposite. Sam was planning to tear down Joe’s Bar & Grill.