turned on the projector. As the lights dimmed, Daniel launched his PowerPoint presentation. The room became silent as images of the current deplorable condition of the lighthouse filled the screen, broken windows, rotting wood, crumbling foundations, peeling paint, and finally the broken lens. Which brought angry murmurs as people wondered who would have done such a thing.
This image was followed by a long shot of the entire lighthouse station that slowly dissolved into a computer generated image of the station beautifully renovated. Those gathered let out a collective sound of approval that made Daniel smile.
The following slides showed artist’s renditions of his vision for the renovated lighthouse station. The light keeper’s cottage would become a museum highlighting the local history of the village with displays and with rooms decorated in authentic antiques from the era.
The lighthouse would include interactive displays and video feeds of the higher floors with views from the top of the lighthouse, that way anyone who was unable to climb to the top of the lighthouse would not miss out on the complete lighthouse experience.
The final slide was another computer generated long shot of the renovated lighthouse station, only this time it was early evening and an animation showed the lighthouse light sweeping over the cliffs and out into the ocean.
The lights came up and Daniel turned in surprise when the room erupted into applause. Grinning he pulled Sarah up beside him and they took a couple of laughing bows.
When the applause died down Daniel reached into a box and began to pass out copies of the final proposal to the council members. “I’m sorry I don’t have enough copies for everyone here,” but before he could finish someone in the back yelled,
“We don’t need to see your report, let’s do it!” followed by cheers from those gathered.
Mayor Shue stood up and gestured for everyone to settle down, “While I appreciate your enthusiasm, I think it would be best to know exactly what we’re contracting for. If you’re not interested in the financial details I’ll understand if you leave.” No one budged, and Heather smiled into her drink.
“Okay,” Mayor Shue said tentatively. “Mr. Bradford if you would walk us through your proposal I’d appreciate it.”
Daniel led the council members through the proposal with the same finesse that he had led them through the PowerPoint presentation.
Tallying up the cost of the repairs until many in the room were shaking their heads and looking dumbfounded at how much the renovation was going to cost.
Then he set the hook, “Now, let’s talk about how much this will cost the village and what type of revenue you can expect from increased tourism, both directly from visitors to the lighthouse station and from tourists visiting the village.”
Daniel spoke of the various donors and how much each of them had pledged toward the renovation. He explained that if his company received the contract for the renovation that they could provide a replacement lens for only $50,000, a savings of over 50%.
Next, he offset the expense of the renovation against the estimated increase in tourism dollars.
He had hoped that by starting with the full amount and then deducting the various pledges, savings from the used lens and the offset of the expected revenue that his final number would look like an amazing bargain.
As he looked around the room, he could tell that his strategy had worked. People were smiling and looking excited about the potential project.
Even Mayor Shue looked more agreeable than he had when Daniel had started.
“Well that’s my presentation. Are there any questions?”
For 30 minutes Daniel fielded questions, until Mayor Shue called a halt.
“Mr. Bradford, thank you for your time and the amazing amount of effort you’ve put forth for our little lighthouse. At this time I would like to schedule a closed door meeting for the council where we can discuss your proposal and take a vote.” A general uproar spread through the room and Mayor Shue had to bang the table to restore order.
Hoping to avoid another uproar, Mayor Shue tried to backpedal. “I miss spoke. We are not going to make a decision tonight, we need to read Mr. Bradford’s proposal more closely in order to make an informed decision.”
“How much more do you need to know?” a voice rang out from the crowd.
“You just want to table this project like all the others,” said another voice.
“Now, now that’s not true!” Mayor Shue insisted.
“Then why make the meeting closed-door?” insisted an older woman who Daniel recognized as the owner of the general store.
“Okay Diane, would it make you happy if the meeting was open to the public?”
“Why yes it would, and I think a week is long enough for everyone to see a copy of the proposal and express their opinion, since this decision will impact the whole village.”
There was a general murmur of agreement and Mayor Shue knew he had better cave to public opinion.
“Okay Diane. I propose that we adjourn and reconvene one week from tonight to vote on this proposal. All in favor?”
The room shook with the resounding “Aye!”
“Opposed?” no one uttered a sound.
“Then the motion is carried. We’ll convene here next week. If any of you want to see a copy of Mr. Bradford’s proposal, just find one of your council members. Thank you all for attending. Goodnight.”
Sarah gave Daniel a big hug, “You were great! I think we’re going to be able to fix the lighthouse. Thank you so much!”
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Sarah.”
As Heather watched Daniel’s presentation unfold, she felt her heart swell with pride at how skillfully Daniel had handled those gathered. He had held them in the palm of his hand even before his PowerPoint presentation was finished. As she realized how much work he must have put into the presentation, she felt more and more ashamed at how selfish she had been. In fact, it was a wonder that he had found any time to spend with her.
Heather slipped out of the booth and stood up. She felt awkward approaching Daniel because she felt like she owed him an apology, even though he wouldn’t know why.
Daniel turned to her and smiled, “What did you think?”
Heather smiled back, “You were wonderful.”
“Thank you. Will you help me load all this into my car?”
Heather nodded and they moved over to clean up the remnants of Daniel’s presentation.
After they loaded the last of his supplies, Daniel took her into his arms and gave her a gentle kiss.
“Get in the car my darling Heather.”
“What? Why? It’s a short walk back to the Junction.”
“Trust me?” Daniel asked. Looking into Daniel’s eyes, she nodded.
It didn’t take long for Heather to realize that they weren’t headed for the Junction or to Sarah’s.
“Where are we going?”
“A surprise, you said you trusted me.”
“I do.”
“Then sit back and relax.”
They pulled up to the lighthouse. “We’re here,” Daniel said as he got out of the car and went around to open the trunk.
Heather looked out over the lighthouse station and shivered. It was a warm night and the moon was large and round casting everything in a beautiful silvery blue light but the station gave her the willies.
Daniel came around and opened her door. “Come on,” he said smiling.
Feeling apprehensive, she got out of the car and took Daniel’s hand. Looking to see what he had gotten out of the truck, she saw his other hand was holding the handle of a large picnic basket.
“A picnic?”
“Yes, a moonlit picnic.” Smiling, he led her down the short slope and into the grassy front yard of the cottage. He opened the picnic basket, shook out a large blanket and then gestured for her to have a seat. Next, he pulled out two champagne flutes and a bottle of champagne.
“We’re celebrating?” she asked.
“Yep,
we’re celebrating.”
“But you haven’t won the proposal.”
“Not yet, but that’s not what we’re celebrating,” he said smiling at Heather as he handed her a glass. “We are celebrating us.”
Heather felt her guilt ramp up another notch.
“Daniel I have something to tell you.”
“No, you don’t.”
“But I do.”
Daniel leaned forward and shut her up by pressing a kiss to her lips.
Looking deeply into her eyes, he whispered in a seductive voice, “Scuttlebutt darling,” then he watched her eyes as they widened with comprehension.
“Ah, fuck.”
Daniel just laughed and clinked his glass to hers, “Ah, fuck.”
Heather felt frantic, “Daniel I’m so sorry, and I’ve been an idiot...”
Daniel interrupted her rambling, “I’ll kiss you again to shut you up if you’d like.”
Heather’s mouth snapped closed.
“It’s okay Heather, I understand. I just have one request, the next time you have a problem with our relationship please come to me instead of Jose Cuervo.”
Heather nodded her head, “Look Daniel I’m sorry…” Daniel leaned forward as if to kiss her and she pulled back laughing, “Okay, okay. You’ve made your point. I promise that in the future I will come to you first.”
“That’s all I ask,” Daniel replied. “Now let me apologize…” grinning mischievously, Heather leaned forward to kiss him to into silence.
Daniel let her kiss him and then pulled back laughing, “Touché. Now let’s leave all that behind us and enjoy this beautiful night.”
Daniel reached into the picnic basket and pulled out a sensual feast of strawberries and whipped cream and