their support to free up this fund.
“Last night in an emergency meeting, only two of five councilors voted to release much-needed money. It’s time for your voices to be heard.
“Your city council was elected by you to serve you, the people of Courage Bay. I urge you to make your feelings known. I’ll be standing by for the next hour, taking your phone calls. Please feel free to ask me anything. As your mayor, I’ll do my best to answer what I can, and if I don’t know the answer, I’ll make sure and get it to you within twenty-four hours.”
He paused for a sip of water, reminding himself to keep his voice slow and steady. He thought about his mom and about Mrs. Simpson and pretended he was talking to the two of them. By speaking directly to two women he cared for, and who were caretakers themselves, he felt a sense of calm.
“Too much precious time and energy has been wasted. It’s time to support your emergency crews. Call now.”
The camera switched to Anchorman Hayden, whosaid, “Thank you, Mayor O’Shea. Our telephone lines are open. The station number is at the bottom of your screen. At the end of the program, we’ll also post phone numbers, fax, e-mail and snail mail addresses of all the members of city council. Exercise your right to be heard.” Behind the cameraman, the producer held two thumbs up.
“M AYOR’S OFFICE .” Briana answered the phone on her desk without glancing away from the television screen in Patrick’s office. He was facing the camera, talking sincerely and powerfully, taking his message straight to the people.
As sorry as she was that he’d taken this step without council’s knowledge or approval, she couldn’t find it in her heart to blame him.
She shifted her attention from the TV screen to listen to her caller. “Is my daddy there?” a young voice asked.
“Is this Dylan?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry, Dylan. Your daddy is at the television station right now. He’s on TV. If you turn on your set, you’ll see him.”
“Oh.” There was a pause. Then, “When will he be home?”
“Maybe another hour or two. Is everything okay?”
“I guess. I was hoping he’d be home now.”
Her heart went out to Dylan. He was obviously upset about something and wanted his dad. Maybe there was something she could do to help, Briana thought.
“Did something go wrong at school today?”
“No.”
Well, something must have happened. Had the baby-sitter punished him? Mrs. Simpson had seemed like a decent, caring woman the one time Briana had met her when she brought the kids by to see their dad, but Dylan struck her as a sensitive boy who could be easily hurt. Briana had a feeling that, even though she was younger, Fiona was the tougher one emotionally. Of course, she’d been younger when they lost their mother. Briana was guessing it had hit Dylan hardest.
“Did something happen with Mrs. Simpson?”
While she spoke with Dylan, she kept an eye on the television. Patrick was as appealing on television as he was in person. She had a feeling Dylan would grow up to look similar. Both had the black hair and blue eyes.
“I think maybe it did. She’s not here.”
Her gaze immediately snapped from the TV screen to the phone as though she could see through it. “What do you mean she’s not there?”
“When we were dropped off at home by the car pool, Mrs. Simpson wasn’t home and the door was locked. I had to use the secret hidden key.” His voice held a touch of pride.
Briana would be smiling at how cute he was if her heart weren’t pounding so fast.
“Did the car-pool mom drive away before you and your sister were in the house?”
“Yes.”
“Are you alone? You and your sister?” Alarm spiked through her, but she kept it from her tone. They were awfully young to be alone, and she imagined Patrick would have a fit if he knew.
“Yes. I told you. Mrs. Simpson wasn’t here when wecame in the house. I don’t know where she is. She didn’t
“Last night in an emergency meeting, only two of five councilors voted to release much-needed money. It’s time for your voices to be heard.
“Your city council was elected by you to serve you, the people of Courage Bay. I urge you to make your feelings known. I’ll be standing by for the next hour, taking your phone calls. Please feel free to ask me anything. As your mayor, I’ll do my best to answer what I can, and if I don’t know the answer, I’ll make sure and get it to you within twenty-four hours.”
He paused for a sip of water, reminding himself to keep his voice slow and steady. He thought about his mom and about Mrs. Simpson and pretended he was talking to the two of them. By speaking directly to two women he cared for, and who were caretakers themselves, he felt a sense of calm.
“Too much precious time and energy has been wasted. It’s time to support your emergency crews. Call now.”
The camera switched to Anchorman Hayden, whosaid, “Thank you, Mayor O’Shea. Our telephone lines are open. The station number is at the bottom of your screen. At the end of the program, we’ll also post phone numbers, fax, e-mail and snail mail addresses of all the members of city council. Exercise your right to be heard.” Behind the cameraman, the producer held two thumbs up.
“M AYOR’S OFFICE .” Briana answered the phone on her desk without glancing away from the television screen in Patrick’s office. He was facing the camera, talking sincerely and powerfully, taking his message straight to the people.
As sorry as she was that he’d taken this step without council’s knowledge or approval, she couldn’t find it in her heart to blame him.
She shifted her attention from the TV screen to listen to her caller. “Is my daddy there?” a young voice asked.
“Is this Dylan?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry, Dylan. Your daddy is at the television station right now. He’s on TV. If you turn on your set, you’ll see him.”
“Oh.” There was a pause. Then, “When will he be home?”
“Maybe another hour or two. Is everything okay?”
“I guess. I was hoping he’d be home now.”
Her heart went out to Dylan. He was obviously upset about something and wanted his dad. Maybe there was something she could do to help, Briana thought.
“Did something go wrong at school today?”
“No.”
Well, something must have happened. Had the baby-sitter punished him? Mrs. Simpson had seemed like a decent, caring woman the one time Briana had met her when she brought the kids by to see their dad, but Dylan struck her as a sensitive boy who could be easily hurt. Briana had a feeling that, even though she was younger, Fiona was the tougher one emotionally. Of course, she’d been younger when they lost their mother. Briana was guessing it had hit Dylan hardest.
“Did something happen with Mrs. Simpson?”
While she spoke with Dylan, she kept an eye on the television. Patrick was as appealing on television as he was in person. She had a feeling Dylan would grow up to look similar. Both had the black hair and blue eyes.
“I think maybe it did. She’s not here.”
Her gaze immediately snapped from the TV screen to the phone as though she could see through it. “What do you mean she’s not there?”
“When we were dropped off at home by the car pool, Mrs. Simpson wasn’t home and the door was locked. I had to use the secret hidden key.” His voice held a touch of pride.
Briana would be smiling at how cute he was if her heart weren’t pounding so fast.
“Did the car-pool mom drive away before you and your sister were in the house?”
“Yes.”
“Are you alone? You and your sister?” Alarm spiked through her, but she kept it from her tone. They were awfully young to be alone, and she imagined Patrick would have a fit if he knew.
“Yes. I told you. Mrs. Simpson wasn’t here when wecame in the house. I don’t know where she is. She didn’t
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