Page 33 of Returning to Pine Ridge
“We can have real development,” another voice calls out. “Growth. Do we want to stay small and insignificant?”
Mrs. Field stands up. “We’re not insignificant,” she says, her voice calm but firm. “We’re a community that values integrity over profit.”
“Easy for you to say,” the first man shoots back. “You have a steady job. Some of us are struggling.”
Vaughn steps forward, his presence commanding enough that the room quiets slightly. “I understand the concern about jobs and money. But did you hear the same presentation we just heard? HelixGen’s pattern is clear—they come in promising investment, then they extract everything they can and leave communities worse off than before. That’s not growth. That’s exploitation.”
David from the Bookshelf Café stands as well. “I’ve seen companies like HelixGen destroy towns. They don’t care about us. They care about data and profit. If we let them in, Pine Ridge won’t be Pine Ridge anymore. It’ll be another corporate satellite, and we’ll have lost what makes this place special.”
The dissenting voices quiet, though a few people still look unconvinced.
“We can find other ways to grow,” Mrs. Field adds. “Ways that don’t compromise our values or our community. This vote isn’t about staying small—it’s about staying true to who we are.”
The mayor raises his hand.
“We’ll now proceed with the vote. All in favor of proceeding with the HelixGen partnership, please raise your hand.”
A smattering of hands go up. Maybe twenty people. The mayor’s jaw clenches.
“All opposed to the HelixGen Corp partnership?”
Nearly every hand in the room shoots up. It’s overwhelming. It’s decisive. It’s a clear message.
The mayor’s shoulders slump. “The motion is defeated. Pine Ridge will not be proceeding with the HelixGen Corp partnership.”
The room erupts in cheers.
Theyesvoices might be loud but thenovoices were louder, and probably for the first time in my life I feel really proud of my town and my community.
As people are filing out, we’re surrounded by our allies. Vaughn appears first and pulls us into brief hugs.
“Well done,” he says. “I doubt that HelixGen will give in so easily. They’ll try again, probably through different channels. But when they do, we’ll be ready.”
Carol joins us, her expression triumphant. “The mayor is furious, but there’s nothing he can do. The community has spoken.”
Mrs. Field beams at us. “I’m so proud of you both.”
Dad pulls me into a hug, and I can see the pride in his expression. “You did good, mijo. Really good.”
Then Mom appears, and she’s beaming.
“Come on, everyone,” she says, her voice warm. “You’re all coming to dinner. I won’t hear any arguments. We have so much to celebrate.”
I grab Kai’s hand and pull him away from the building and toward my car. “So … are you ready for the full Navarro experience?”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Should I be scared? Maybe I’ll just go home.”
I kiss him and then whisper against his lips, “No way my boyfriend is going to leave me to face my family alone.”
“Boyfriend?” he asks.
“Fuck. Is that too soon?” Shit, I’m already messing this up.
“Not at all. Boyfriend sounds perfectly … perfect.”
We get in the car and drive to my parents’. The house is warm and full of life. Dinner is spread across the table—homemade enchiladas, rice, beans, fresh tortillas. The house smells like home, like family.
Emma and Lucas are bouncing with excitement, clearly thrilled to have everyone here. They’ve taken particular interest in Kai, and I’m trying not to smile at how adorable they’re being.
