Page 47 of Small Town, Big Storm

“I think it means you need a place to stay.”

He finishes off his beer, pushes away from the railing.

“Andthatmeans you might as well help me repair that water line.”

Fourteen

Poppy

“Okay,”Clementine says, clapping her hands together and using her teacher voice to get us to shut up.“Quiet down so we can get started.”

I slant my eyes toward Clover, whose lips twitch.

And I know she’s thinking the same thing I am.

It’s just like being back in Ms.Murphy’s class.

Clem comes from a long line of teachers and I swear that voice of hers is genetic.

And it snaps us all to attention.

All except Paige who just sneers and keeps tapping away on her phone (I swear Sneer is her default mood—well, that and Judgmental), and Daisy, who keeps chatting away with Gertie Wilkins.

Some things never change.

Daisy’s a talker.Always has been.Always will be.

Paige is a mean girl.Always has been.Always will be.

“Wait for it,” I murmur.

Clover’s mouth quirks.

“Ms.Perez,” Clem says right on cue.“Would you like to step outside to finish your conversation so we can all get started?”

Daisy flips Clem the bird, and Blossom, who’s on my other side, chokes on her laughter.

Yup.Some things never change.

I exchange a grin with Clover and then focus on Clem when she continues talking.

“The first item on our agenda is the Home Ice Classic,” she says, ignoring Daisy’s outstretched hand (and conversation—though to Daisy’s credit, it’s winding down and she and Gertie take their seats a couple of moments later).

“The rink is going to donate the ice time,” Blossom chimes in.

“That’s great.”Clem ticks off an item on her list.“But I think we need to discuss ways to amp up the day’s events.Fundraising for the year overall is down—which isn’t a surprise, considering the economy.Things are tight for everyone, so I don’t want to make the cost out of reach for those who want to attend.But maybe we can think of some ways to draw in tourists rather than locals.”

“You think they’ll care about funding the Pioneer Museum?”someone asks.

“Considering all five towns in the area come to the museum for field trips, I would hope so,” Clem says.“I know it’s important to me and my family and everyone in this room, and I know that many parents in town rely on it for the after-school programs and summer camps?—”

Icertainly do.

“—it provides.But I also know that it’s easy to look at it as a hokey, low-budget museum.”

“Well, that’s rude,” Gertie huffs.

“Not if it’s the truth,” Paige mutters.