“What about the area south of the existing complex?” she asked, deciding not to bring up the organic issue unless it became necessary. “It’s more marginal farmland owned by Cooper Industries and isn’t currently in use. Rezoning would be much more palatable there for everyone.”
Aaron looked taken aback, and she could swear he hadn’t considered an alternate site. “I believe services are better in the other location.”
She would have to look at the city and county maps to determine if that was actually true, or just an excuse. On the other hand, she knew the roads around Cooperton and enough about other town projects to ask a few questions.
“Maybe, but are you aware the proposed site for a new waste-sewage treatment plant is south of the factory complex, as well? By expanding that direction, you would likely reduce your sewage costs and possibly limit any retrofitting to meet new regulations.”
Aaron’s forehead creased in thought. “Does Cooperton have the money to build a new treatment plant? This town is so old and tired, I’m surprised they’re even talking about it.”
“Cooperton is old—that doesn’t mean it’s tired.”
“Really? How about the high school? Or city hall for that matter? This place is ancient. Most towns have abandoned these aged buildings for something modern.”
Skylar’s blood started a slow simmer. “Modern isn’t always better. Have you taken a good look at this place? City hall was restored three years ago with a private grant and placed on the national registry for historic buildings. And believe it or not, Cooperton High students test quite competitively with other students in California.”
Aaron gave her a narrow look. “This is a switch. You didn’t have a good opinion of Cooperton when we were kids, either—you thought the people who lived here were nothing but tongue-wagging, judgmental hypocrites.”
“I’ve grown up since then and discovered most people are basically nice if you give them a chance. And it isn’t as if my parents were pillars of the community—I don’t blame anyone for being glad when they left.”
Skylar stuck out her chin with a hint of her old defiance. She wasn’t even sure where her mother and father were living; they’d left Cooperton shortly before she’d married Jimmie and she’d never tried to find them. As far as she was concerned, the Gibsons were the only grandparents her daughter needed. But then, it was Jimmie and his parents who’d changed Skylar’s mind about Cooperton, helping her see it was more than a place which had made a teenage girl angry and rebellious.
“Regardless, my opinions are not your concern,” she added, realizing the conversation had gone far out-of-bounds.
“Anything that influences your decision is my concern. After our clashes over Melanie...well, the situation is awkward enough.”
Skylar’s nerves tightened. “I’m not biased, I just want to make the right choice for Cooperton. Now, do you have a written proposal to leave with me? I’ll study it so I can have a better idea of what questions to ask at our next meeting.”
“Yes, I have it with me.” Aaron opened his briefcase and took out a thick book with a spiral binding. “This is the basic plan.”
She took the book and wondered if he’d hoped to impress people with the volume of paper in his “basic” plan. How would she know, anyhow? She ran a hamburger stand—a highly successful stand—but a far cry from a business like Cooper Industries.
“I’m sure that at some point our building inspector will need to see full-size copies of the blueprints,” she murmured. “And any approval I give would still be contingent on subsequent building permits and inspections and the like.”
“Of course. I’ll bring copies to the Nibble Nook.”
A surge of adrenaline hit Skylar. She didn’t want Aaron conducting business at the Nibble Nook. Besides, her customers had already complained about his visit the previous Friday—they acknowledged it was a free country, but still resented him giving them a sour stomach.
“No, leave them with Micki Jo,” she said.
“But the hamburger stand is so close.”
Skylar squared her shoulders. “I realize the Nibble Nook doesn’t compare to Cooper Industries, but it’s my livelihood. I’m entitled to keep city council business from intruding any more than needed.”
A variety of emotions crossed Aaron face until he finally nodded. “All right. Micki Jo will have them by noon.”
“Okay. Let’s meet again next week, same time, same place.”
“A week?” He sounded as if she was suggesting a century, instead of a few days, and Skylar could have kicked him. It was typical of Aaron to think she should drop everything to study his proposal. In a lot of ways he hadn’t changed that much—he was still convinced the world revolved around him and his needs.
“Yes, a week. In the meantime, I have material for you to read.” She gestured to the stack of reports that Micki Jo had copied for her, including the public works study on the new wastewater treatment plant.
Her stack topped his proposal by several inches. Whether any of the reports were applicable was another question, and he might have seen them already, but at least they were a start. And she hoped that getting them would show she was trying to give his proposal a valid hearing.
Skylar knew it was vanity on her part—Aaron obviously believed she was going to let personal feelings get in the way of her decision, and she wanted to prove him wrong.
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