Page 114 of Royal Icing

Disgruntled murmurs arose.

“And they want to build a ski resort instead.”

“On the edge of town?” someone cried in outrage.

“We’ve seen this before,” Leo said. “It won’t just be a strain on our infrastructure. We will face the very real risk of gentrification. When the last resort moved into Southbridge, property taxes and rents soared and sixty percent of working-class residents were displaced within five years. We can’t let this happen to Hollybrook. This is our home, and I believe in investing inyou.”

“Yeah,” a number of people in the audience said.

“That’s why we need a multi-pronged plan. First, we need to raise the second half of the money for this project. And second,we need to march on the castle in protest. Make the crown hear us. Shut down the lease of this land and reclaim it.”

“Let’sdo it.” A man in his twenties jumped to his feet, then sat back down. “Sorry, I got excited.”

Leo smiled.

“What do you need? How can we help?” someone asked.

“Let me turn things over to my beautiful coconspirator, Emma.”

Emma waved and cleared her throat. “Hi, everyone. This is going to be a huge endeavor, but I know we can do it. The current plan is to have a massive fundraising holiday extravaganza. We need donations from local businesses for an auction and volunteers for a slew of holiday activities, with the proceeds going to the community center fund.”

She turned around and began writing on the whiteboard at the front of the room.

“Gift wrapping, a storefront decorating contest, bake sale, karaoke contest, ornament decorating. We’re open to other ideas.”

Gretchen from the library raised her hand. “What about a book sale?”

“Perfect.” Emma added it to the list.

Sal raised his hand, and she pointed to him. “How about a wine and chocolate pairing?”

“Excellent. The more alcohol, the better.”

“How about a polar plunge?” another man asked.

“No,” Emma and Leo said hurriedly.

A number of other townspeople added suggestions, and by the end of the meeting, they had a date, an extensive list of volunteers, and a plan.

“Thank you all so much for coming. Please take some flyers with you on your way out. Tell everyone you see.”

“I can’t believe it’s actually happening,” Leo muttered to Emma.

“You were incredible. I know you’ve said a thousand times you have no interest in being a prince, but you were born for leadership. You’re doing the right thing, even at great personal cost.”

His cheeks warmed.

“I’m really glad you’re here,” he said with a squeeze of her hand.

Sal sidled up as people started to filter out. “Emma, so pleased to see you again.” They hugged.

“I’m going to take a stack into the city tomorrow,” he said as he slid a ream of paper off the desk. “I might even go to the outer provinces. I think we can go much bigger.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Leo mused.

Emma hopped down from the desk. “It’s time to publish the post.”

He sucked in a deep breath. There was no turning back now. The fate of this town was in his hands. He had already done irreparable damage to his relationship with his parents. He might as well pound the final nail into the coffin.