Page 97

“Take it down brick by brick,” Iris agrees. “I know the O’Gradys—well, Declan anyway—are more into smashing things down in one fell blow, but dismantling things can happen in lots of ways.”
“A slow bleed might drive the good pastor even crazier,” I say, my mind turning. “And it would only take removing a few really key bricks. People who have been solid members, people who are well-known, liked, and respected in town. If they take a look at what that church is doing and decide they don’t agree and leave, others will take a hard look at it too.”
“We’ve seen it in major corporations,” Iris agrees. “We get the right VP to second-guess something or resign, and lots of others follow.”
“And in this town, it’s even more effective,” I say. “The people here are connected. They have history. They have real relationships with one another.”
“Great. If you want to ruin that church, I think you can do it. And it would be a service, honestly. What I looked into wasn’t illegal, but it sure wasn’t nice.”
I chuckle. “No kidding.”
“You should advertise about Ruby’s Way, put together packets, all of that, and hint at being supported by ‘most’ of the groups in town. Just be careful not to get into anything they could yell defamation about.”
“Oh, I don’t have to worry at all,” I tell her. “I don’t need packets or ads. I just need a person. Someone who has a history here, who can talk to people with straight-forward facts and passion about what we’re doing.”
“A spokesperson,” Iris says. “Even better. You?”
“Oh, no. There are dozens of better options.”
“Better than the most charming person I know whoalmostalways gets his way?”
I grin. “Believe it or not, yes.”
“Okay, well, let me know if you need anything else from me.”
“Of course.”
“Talk soon.”
We disconnect and I immediately round the bar to where April is working. “Does Cecelia go to Ruby’s dad’s church?”
April snorts. “No way.”
“And is she well-liked in town?”
April thinks about that for a second. “She’s wellknownin town. And I think people know that she’s honest and no bullshit. Some people like that, and some don’t.” She shrugs. “I’ve learned that most of these people have been here long enough that they all have a few that don’t like them. But that’s normal, right? None of us are perfect.”
I nod. “That’s right. And totally normal.” I grin. “You don’t happen to have Cecelia’s number, do you?”
“I do,” she says. “She doesn’t bake, but she’s always said I can call her if I ever need anything else.”
Of course, she did.
I don’t know Cecelia well, but the little bit I did see of her makes me think that she might really get into taking down a manipulative mega-church human brick by human brick.
And as I’ve already learned during my time in Emerald, Ohio, I probably don’t even need to give her a plan. She’ll come up with something even better if I give her five minutes.
And maybe some cinnamon rolls.
Chapter 22
Ruby
“What do you think?”
I turn and look at Henry.
What do I think?