For the Love of Bigfoots and Butterflies by Joselyn Vaughn

Author:Joselyn Vaughn [Vaughn, Joselyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Bigfoot, butterflies, environment, small town, running, millionaire, environmental disaster,
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2018-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

After Jane disconnected the call, she squealed. She discovered the owner of the Magnolia Learning Center. He agreed to meet. If she convinced him to relinquish the property to the state forest, she’d finally win against the developers. Finding the butterfly would cinch her argument. The Magnolia Learning Center focused on conservation. The new owner should carry on the same tradition.

Glenna strolled across the office, wearing a business suit and heels today.

A formal outfit meant a meeting with a big-shot from the state regarding funding cuts.

“Why are you so happy?” Glenna brushed lint from her navy skirt.

“I got in touch with the new owner of the Magnolia Learning Center, Zeke Meinert, and he agreed to meet.” Jane leaned back in her chair and balanced a pen across her fingers. “Why are you dressed up?”

Glenna tugged on the cuff of her jacket. “State forest advisory committee.”

“What are they doing out this way?”

“They are moving a few thousand acres out of their jurisdiction.”

“Out of their jurisdiction? They want to sell property?” Jane sat up straight.

“Yeah. Coffers are empty. By selling, they cut costs and raise money at the same time. The plan is a win-win as far as they are concerned.”

“But a lose-lose for the people of Willow Creek. I won’t convince them to annex the learning center.” Jane’s shoulders slumped.

Glenna shook her head. “Doesn’t look good. If this Zeke-guy donates the acreage, the state will auction it off.”

Jane’s stomach clenched. “Bear scat.”

“Pretty much.”

Jane sighed. The butterfly was her last chance. If she found it, endangered species laws would preserve the property. The pressure settled on her chest. She had to appeal to Zeke’s conscience.

The following afternoon, Jane climbed out of her car. She’d chosen to wear a teal T-shirt, khaki shorts, and hiking boots for this meeting at the learning center, hoping to put forth a connection to and affinity for the nature around her. She wanted him to know she was prepared for exploring. Perhaps, she could point out ideal Karner Blue habitats. Surely, Zeke wouldn’t build on the property with that knowledge. Any reasonable person would understand the need for their preservation.

A man waited outside the main building. He paced along the rotting boards of the porch, his hands clasped behind his back below the end of his gray braid. He chewed a toothpick, which he tucked in the pocket of his leather vest.

Jane draped her messenger bag with her camera over her shoulder and closed the car door. Zeke was a bit more biker than the hippie she imagined. Her environmental arguments would fail against his “make war, not love” vibe. The sun shone after days of rain, so she’d take hope.

“Good afternoon.” He shuffled down one level on the rickety stairs.

“Beautiful day,” Jane replied, struggling with her argument. “The learning center was my favorite summer camp as a child.” She shook his hand but didn’t climb onto the step. The desiccated wood might hold Zeke’s weight, but she didn’t want to tempt the failing boards or hazard her newly-healed ankle by adding her weight.

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