about this old mill. “Don’t you want your children to be able to experience parts of Sovalon as they always were? This place tells a story. That water wheel was once used to generate hydropower for the grain mill. Before we had modern technology, we used this.”
“You’re right,” he said finally. “There’s something special about this place.” He faced her. “People want to know how things were done in the past. This old mill is a perfect example.”
Yes! She’d done it. She’d made him see sense.
“I’ll talk to my brother. Maybe we can brainstorm some ideas together,” he said. His eyes dug into hers then. “Maybe you can join in on the meeting of the minds.”
“I’d love nothing more,” she said, silently rejoicing that Edward had listened and heard her, that he’d opened his eyes to see the loveliness that was right in front of him. Clementine squeezed Edward’s hand affectionately. “I’ll help you modernize some of the aspects of this old place too, make it more functional for visitors, make sure everything is accessible for people with disabilities. We want to hold the past dear but also embrace the comforts of the future, right?”
Edward smiled at her. “Right.”
As they stood back and stared at the grounds of the old mill, Clementine thought to herself that perhaps she and Edward weren’t so different after all. Perhaps they could find spaces in which they saw the world in the same way. Hope fluttered in her chest at the thought of standing next to him in those very spaces, overcoming their differences together.
Now, this was progress.
8
Early the next morning, Edward placed a call to his aides, James and Luther.
“Call a press conference,” he told them. “I have some information to share about the Old Jameson Mill on Route 67 at noon.”
He then texted Lance to be ready to leave by nine.
On the drive to the mill, Edward straightened his tie as he silently thought over his speech for the press conference. His ears were ringing as he prepared himself for the ballsiest move he’d ever taken in his career, a move he was sure would garner reproach as well as surprise from his father. Again, his hand twitched to call his father and let him know…but no, it was better to ask forgiveness than permission.
“Are ya alright back there, sir?” Lance asked. Lance had been his driver for five years. Edward knew the man could read him easily.
“Fine, Lance, just imagining my father’s reaction to this announcement, that’s all.” Edward sighed. Every decision he’d made in his career, he’d made with the hope of winning his father’s approval. Today, he would make the first move of his own volition, and he felt sure it was the last thing his father would have expected of him. But despite his modern tastes, he truly appreciated the beauty of the mill and believed converting it into a B&B would result in a great addition to Sovalon’s tourist destinations.
“I’ve decided to restore the old mill and turn it into a bed-and-breakfast,” he told Lance.
“Ah,” the driver replied. A long pause followed. “It’s a beautiful place, the Jameson Mill.”
“It is.”
“And your lady contractor approves of this decision?” Lance released a chuckle.
“It’s not Clem I’m worried about.” This was the most rebellious move Edward had ever made.
“Ah, the king will come around,” Lance said. “Just get through today.”
Lance’s wise words replayed in Edward’s head as he stepped into the sunshine on the porch at the lovely Jameson Mill. The scent of lavender hung in the air, and the sky was a brilliant blue. In front of him was a sea of reporters, along with some people he recognized as protesters from the castle. His father stood up front, arms crossed over his chest, a stern look on his wrinkled face. Edward avoided his eyes.
One person stood out from the rest. Clem Wicke stood in the middle of the crowd, beaming up at him, her blue eyes full of warmth that flooded him with confidence. A feeling of peace came over him, which was unusual. He typically loathed public speaking. But today, with a message he fully believed in, he felt ready and sure of his ability to deliver.
“Hello and thanks for coming,” he began. Clem winked at him from the audience, and he smiled inwardly. “I’ve gathered you here today to announce my plans for the Jameson Mill.
“When Prince Marcus presented this site for demolition and redevelopment, I imagined sleek condominiums overlooking the water, modern housing at its