As Christi pulled out her phone, the bell over the door jangled to admit Marci.

Drat.

Too late to back out.

But Marci would probably shoot her idea down anyway, so no harm would be done.

“Hi, Christi!” The Herald editor dashed into the shop, sparks of energy pinging off her. “How’s business?”

“Slow.”

“I hear you.” The red-haired woman grimaced and gave the empty shop a scan. “Tuesday isn’t the busiest day for a business like this, but Beth told me it’s been slow on weekends lately too. The same story I’m hearing from everyone.” She propped a hip against the counter and folded her arms. “How’s she doing?”

“Improving every day. She claims she’s going to start coming in next week in the afternoons.”

“Wow. Has she talked to her doctor about this?” Marci grinned. “That would be my husband, by the way.”

“I know. I met him at the hospital the day of Beth’s surgery. She claims he’s on board with the plan—barring any complications.”

“In that case, more power to her. I wouldn’t want to be stuck in the house day after day either—much as I love our cozy little haven. Now what can I do for you on this beautiful spring day?”

Christi straightened a counter display of handcrafted earrings and summoned up her courage. “For whatever it’s worth, I wanted to pass on an idea about how to give tourism a boost.”

Marci slid onto the stool across from the jewelry display. “Lay it on me. We’re still foundering after last week’s meeting. I’m open to all ideas.”

“It may not have much merit, and it could be too difficult to implement.”

Marci’s lips bowed again. “Don’t get carried away or build it up too much or anything.”

Her cheeks warmed. “It’s just that I feel kind of awkward about offering a suggestion when I’m so new here.”

“Don’t. Some of the best things that have happened in this town in the past few years have come from new blood. Mine included. I’m all ears.”

You’re on, Christi. Spit it out. The worst she can do is give it a thumbs-down. Or laugh. After all you’ve been through, you can handle having an idea rejected.

“Okay.” Fingers trembling, she pulled her notes from below the counter. “I sat next to Charley during the chamber meeting, and he filled me in on a number of the players. As I jotted down names and professions, it occurred to me that this town has an abundance of talent. Talent many people would travel quite a distance to tap into. That’s a unique asset.”

“Hmm.” Marci crossed her arms on the counter, expression pensive. “I never thought of it quite like that, but I see your point. Go on.”