Page 21 of Fake-Off with Fate (Love in Maple Falls #1)
ASHLYN
Maple Falls must be one of the only towns left on the planet where most people still subscribe to the newspaper. Opening the front door of my parents’ house, I retrieve their copy of the Gazette before bringing it back inside.
I contacted the editor of the paper yesterday and filled him in on what’s happening. He asked for a letter to the town from my father. He said that if he got it by six, he would go into the office and reconfigure the Monday edition. We got it to him at five fifty-eight.
Sitting down in the breakfast nook in the kitchen, I open the newspaper and discover we’ve made the front page.
Monday, October 13
Dear Citizens of Maple Falls,
It is with a heavy heart that I need to inform you about a situation that has developed in our town.
My office received a call a couple of days ago from an attorney who represents Victor MacDonald’s heir.
According to documents sent, Alexander MacDonald’s daughter, Alexa, was working on a project regarding her family tree.
By utilizing FamilyHeritage.com, she discovered her family was directly connected to Victor MacDonald.
After doing some research, she learned about the sizable amount of unclaimed land that was left behind by her relative.
As Washington state does not have a statute of limitations on inheritances, we are no longer the owners of Victor’s land. Several properties in our downtown area, the entire arena and outlying land, as well as preservation sites are affected.
In an emergency town council meeting held yesterday, we brainstormed ideas to raise the amount of money needed to hopefully buy back this land.
For the five hundred acres, we are looking to raise two and a half million dollars.
While this is a daunting sum, we are confident our town can make it happen.
The first idea decided upon was to hold a bachelor auction with our newly-minted NHL team, the Ice Breakers.
Both Troy Hart, the owner of the team and arena, along with Dale Hauser, the team’s coach, were present.
They were joined by team captain Jamie Hayes.
The Ice Breakers assured us that they are one hundred percent behind Maple Falls and will do everything in their power to help.
The bachelor auction will be held on October 24 th .
While we anticipate it bringing in a good amount of money, we also need our townsfolk to participate in any way they can.
This is a grassroots effort, so nothing is too small.
We’re talking about bake sales, car washes, crafting events.
Whatever you can do to help, this is your call to arms !
Maple Falls needs all its citizens to step up and fight for our future.
Please join us at our regularly scheduled town hall meeting on October 3rd and bring your ideas.
Very Sincerely,
Mayor Thompkins
I’ve barely finished reading the letter when my dad’s phone rings. I’m not surprised to see that it’s Phillip.
After sending the call to voicemail, I finish my cup of coffee before going upstairs to change. Then I collect a couple of items that will hopefully help get me through the day.
Before leaving the house, I call my mom to see how she’s doing. She answers on the third ring. “Hey, Mom, how are things?” I ask, trying to sound relaxed.
“It’s very beautiful here, Ashlyn,” she says. “You did a nice job in choosing a location.”
“Have you heard about the hurricane?”
“We have.”
“And?”
“It doesn’t look like it will hit us directly. They’re only expecting heavy showers. Having spent our whole lives in Washington, I think we can handle that.”
“How’s Dad doing?”
“Your father is surprisingly present. We’re having a good time.”
“Have you heard any local news about Maple Falls?” I ask.
“Only the fourteen messages from various people regarding the letter from your dad in this morning’s paper. I’m telling everyone the mayor knows what he’s doing and that all will be well.”
“And by the mayor, you mean me?”
“Exactly. ”
“I don’t know what I’m doing, Mom,” I tell her, all the while wondering why she has such confidence in me. “And Phillip is driving me crazy trying to get to Dad.”
“He’s an annoying man,” she confirms.
“I don’t think he’s going to lighten up. He’s very concerned that he hasn’t spoken to the mayor directly. Is there any way you can record Dad saying a couple things for me so I can use them to appease Phillip?”
“I could try …” She doesn’t sound convincing.
“Please, Mom. I really need this.”
“What would you like me to get your father to say?”
I think for a moment before giving her a list.
“That’s a lot.”
“I may not need them all, but I’ve got to get this guy to settle down. Please do your best.” I add, “You know, like I’m doing my best to help you and Dad?”
“Yes, dear. I know you’re very supportive. I’ll try to be the same. In the meantime, tell Phillip you’re going to start bringing your pet snake into work. He hates snakes.”
“So do I,” I assure her.
“Yes, but Phillip will cry if he sees a snake.”
“And you know this how?”
My mom giggles. “His mother told me. She said that when Phillip was fifteen, he saw a garter snake in their yard, and he cried like a baby. She had to get him therapy.”
I share Phillip’s phobia, so I’m a little torn here. Even so, I put this piece of information in my back pocket in case of emergency. “Okay, Mom. I’m heading into the office now. Pray for me. I expect it’s going to be an awful day.”
Seemingly unconcerned with what lies ahead for me, she announces, “I had a mimosa with brunch. It was delightful, but I think I might need to take a nap to sleep it off.”
“Please get Dad to record those things first.”
“Bye, dear!” My mom hangs up so abruptly I start to wonder if she didn’t have quite a few mimosas with brunch .
As I leave the house, I make a last-minute decision to take my dad’s car to work in hopes it will convince Phillip that the mayor is in the building somewhere doing his best to save Maple Falls. I just have to park it without him seeing that it’s me behind the wheel.
A block away from Town Hall, I pull over and text my dad’s assistant from his phone.
Mayor Thompkins
Phillip, I’m on my way into the office. Will you please put on a fresh pot of coffee and make sure to have a cup on my desk waiting for me?
Phillip
Yes, sir! I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to come into work. The town really needs you!
Mayor Thompkins
Are you in the office now?
Phillip
I’m in the parking lot, sir. I’m waiting to greet you.
That slimy little slug of a sneak. I know he isn’t there to greet my dad. He’s trying to keep me from parking in my dad’s spot.
Mayor Thompkins
Hurry along inside, Phillip. My head hurts and I need my caffeine fix.
My dad’s morning caffeine fix is something he talks about often, so I’m pretty sure his assistant will do as he’s told.
Pulling back out onto the street, I turn into the parking lot. Sure, enough, I see the backside of Phillip walking into Town Hall. I hurry to pull into my dad’s space. Once I’m out of the car, I text Phillip again.
Mayor Thompkins
Phillip, I forgot a stack of papers in the front seat of my car. Can you please bring those in for me?
Phillip
Yes, sir!
I hide behind a bush long enough for Phillip to leave the building again, and then while his back is turned, I rush to the elevator, which is where I am when he next texts.
Phillip
There are no papers in your car, sir.
Mayor Thompkins
Shoot. I’ll text Ashlyn and ask her to bring them in with her. Sorry to bother you.
Phillip
No bother. I’m on my way up, sir. I’m looking forward to seeing you.
I hurry into my dad’s office and open the door to his private bathroom—which is a pretty darn fancy feature for a small-town mayor’s office. I prop his favorite toy onto the counter before shutting the door.
Within moments, Phillip barges into the office. He looks positively wild-eyed when he sees me instead of my dad. “What are you doing here?” he demands.
“What’s it to you?”
“Your father said you were still at home. I just talked to him.” Again, with the “I just talked to him.” Does this moron know that talking and texting are two very different animals?
“I left before he did,” I tell him. “I wasn’t sure he was feeling up to coming in.” Pointing at the bathroom door, I add, “And sure enough, I think it was too soon.”
I hit the button on the toy’s remote that I’m holding under the desk. The resulting sound is so funny it’s all I can do not to burst into laughter. One short toot is followed by a cluster and then a long, rattling chain of flatulence.
Phillip stops short in front of the door like he’s afraid a bomb might go off. Then he yells out, “Sir, are you okay?”
I hit the fart machine’s remote again which starts a different variation of sounds.
Phillip turns toward me in shock. Trying not to howl with laughter at Phillip’s face, I insist, “I told him he wasn’t well enough to come in, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“What’s wrong with him? Do you still think it’s food poisoning?”
“I’m worried it’s the flu. I hope you’ve had your flu shot, Phillip.”
The panic etched across his face is truly satisfying. “I haven’t had it yet.”
“Maybe you should go do that now,” I suggest.
“But if the mayor has the flu, getting a shot now won’t help me. It takes a couple of weeks to build up the antibodies needed to ward off contamination.”
I give him my best deadpan glare. “Maybe you should plan on spending some time at home then. You know, just to be safe.”
Phillip looks conflicted. It’s clear he doesn’t want to leave me here without him, but he also wants to stay healthy. He takes one step toward the bathroom door, so I click the remote again. This time a long and rumbling serenade explodes from the speaker and echoes off the walls of the small room.
Phillip turns around and practically sprints toward the door leading out of the office. “I think I will go get my flu shot. Please tell your father I’ll continue to stay on top of things from home.”
And just like that, my day gets easier. Now all I have to do is contact Alexander MacDonald’s lawyer and see if he thinks his client might be willing to sell back his land to Maple Falls at the bargain basement price of two and a half million dollars.