Out in the Country by Kate Hewitt Page B

Adam’s success. But to see it all coming full circle, and their grandchild returning here--that will bring them great joy now, in their golden years.”
    “Yes...” Lynne turned around and John’s hand fell away. She tried to smile, but his closeness disturbed her, along with a wave of fresh worry. She hadn’t even spoke to Molly since she’d returned to the city, and she had no idea what her daughter really thought about this madcap plan... if this madcap plan even got off the ground. “We’ll see,” she finally said, “on Friday.”
    Friday came sooner than Lynne expected or even wanted. She’d planned to return to New York for a few days, but with settling Graham back at home and filling out the required forms for the zoning appeal, she realised she couldn’t possibly make the drive and back. And, she was honest enough to admit, she didn’t even want to. The week was full of crisp, clear days, the air so sharp and clean and the sun so dazzling that she couldn’t bear the thought of returning to the endless traffic and heaving crowds of the city.
    She did manage to ring Molly on Wednesday, and even though her daughter spoke cheerfully about a student’s new interest in poetry, Lynne thought she detected a certain weariness in her voice... or perhaps she was just reflecting her own fatigue onto her daughter. She certainly felt overwhelmed, even if Molly no longer did.
    “Have you spoken to Jason?” she asked brightly, and was surprised by the telltale pause that ensued.
    “Yes,” Molly finally said. “He might visit... soon.”
    Lynne couldn’t help but feel discomfited. Jason and Molly had been a couple for most of their college careers, and she’d always liked and trusted the personable young man. “I’m sure he’s busy,” she said, hearing it as an excuse, and Molly replied, her voice just a little bit hard,
    “Yes, and so am I.”
    More things to worry about, Lynne thought as she hung up the phone. She felt like Atlas, the world balanced on her shoulders, and she wasn’t nearly strong enough to bear its weight.
    The feeling didn’t go away as she entered the town hall on Friday evening. John had arranged for several rows of folding chairs, as well as a refreshment table with apple cider and doughnuts. At the front of the room there was a folding table and several chairs and with a sinking feeling Lynne realised that’s where she and Jess would sit.
    “This feels like a trial,” she whispered to Jess, who smiled and squeezed her hand in reassurance.
    “Well, at least there’s no judge.”
    “Just a jury,” Lynne agreed, watching as several dozen townspeople filtered into the hall amidst a flurry of greetings. She recognised most of them as she scanned the crowd, from church or the café or just on the street. She was heartened to see them smiling and waving at her without any sense of disapproval or censure, and for the first time since Anne Jeffries had given her dire pronouncement, Lynne felt a true sense of hope. She caught John’s gaze across the room and felt herself flush when he winked.
    “I call this meeting to order,” Ted Dodd, the town’s alderman, banged an ancient looking gavel, and Lynne and Jess took their seats. “We’ve come to discuss a possible change in Hardiwick’s zoning laws, specific to the area of Elm Street...”
    Lynne tried to look cheerful and attentive as Ted droned on about the process of appeals, but the legal terminology went right over her head. She and Jess exchanged rueful grins, and Lynne knew her friend was thinking the same thing: just tell us yes or no.
    “Now we’ll open the floor,” Ted said, “to anyone who has a view on this appeal.”
    There was a general shifting and rustling throughout the room, and then a man with greying hair and a bushy beard raised his hand. He stood up, a bit self conscious in his checked shirt and dungarees. “Well, I think it’s a great idea. Hardiwick could use a bed and breakfast, and I can’t imagine