The Construction of Cheer - Liz Isaacson Page 0,88
feature your app.”
Ranger’s eyes widened. “What? What does that look like?”
“We get signage made,” Bear said. “Advertising the app. We can partner with some of the top businesses in town, and they can have reps on-site to answer questions, hand out fliers, give out coupons, or whatever works for them.” Bear opened the folder he’d given to Ranger earlier to bring to the meeting. “I’ve already asked Oakley about having someone from Mack’s there.” He barely glanced at Ranger, because he wasn’t sure if Oakley had spoken to him about it.
“She said yes. Montana is meeting with Micah Walker this week, and they might have a partnership to promote. Either way, she’ll be there. Sammy is going to be there for her shop, obviously. I’ve called Heidi Ackerman, but she said the bakery is going to have their own booth.” Bear looked at his list and back up at the others.
“I just went through the app and took the number-one rated businesses. I’ve got calls out to several people. Tony from Down Under has agreed, and he’s bringing samples. Roberto from Pizza Pipeline will be there. I wanted more than restaurants, and I’ve got a confirmation from Camila Cruz for her plumbing services, as well as Karl Madrid from that custom glass shop.”
“Bishop is putting his custom windows in the Ranch House,” Ward said. “I was there yesterday while they started the install.”
“Exactly,” Bear said. “Oh, and Ace’s new girlfriend will be there for her catering company. I’m focusing on locally owned and operated shops and businesses. Montana is asking her uncle to represent the outdoor outfitters, and Holly Ann is asking her boss at the tack and feed store.”
“Don’t most people know about all of these places?” Cactus asked. “Especially because of Two Cents?”
“It’s for advertising,” Ranger said quietly. He hadn’t looked at Bear during his speech. “Right? You’re doing this because Ward and I were talking about offering paid advertising on Two Cents, and it’ll be the local businesses who want that space.”
Bear grinned at him. “Yep. And I think we should invest in Two Cents for our yearly donation this year.”
“That’s a conflict of interest,” Ranger said.
“Is it?” Bear asked. “Why? We want our money to make more money. Your app is ripe for that, Range. Why can’t our money make more money through your app? You win. We win.” He looked at Cactus and Ward. “Maybe this is a full-family decision.”
“I would think so,” Cactus said. “Otherwise, why aren’t we investing in Mack’s? Or Sammy’s shop? Or Montana’s home designs? Or Holly Ann’s catering? You know? We could invest in Micah’s construction firm. Just give money to all of our friends.” He looked around at everyone and reached for his bottle of water. “The whole family needs to vote on this one.”
“I agree,” Ward said.
“Okay,” Bear said, frowning. “Can we agree to sponsor the booth at the Harvest Festival?”
No one said anything, which meant none of them wanted to be the first to say yes or no. Ward and Cactus both looked at Ranger, who stared at Bear with a hard edge in his eyes.
“Fine,” Ranger said.
“Okay,” Cactus and Ward said together. The tension broke in the room, and all four of them chuckled.
“I want to see everything,” Ranger said, tapping Bear’s folder. “You should’ve told me about this before now.”
“Sorry,” Bear said, but he wasn’t really sorry. Ranger wouldn’t take the next step for Two Cents if he wasn’t prodded a little, and Bear knew how to prod his cousin better than anyone.
“Up next—Sammy is pregnant.” He couldn’t say those words—or even think them—without grinning from ear to ear. Everyone else grinned at him too, and Bear chuckled and shook his head as the congratulations came at him. “She’s due at the end of February, and I want to take time off the ranch.”
He swallowed, because he loved Shiloh Ridge with his whole heart and soul. “I’ll still be here. I’ll still work. But I don’t want to mow all night, and I don’t want to work from sunup to sundown. I want to enjoy my wife and family.” He cleared his throat. “I want to show Lincoln how to ranch, and I want to teach him how to fix tractors and I want him to know how very much he belongs to me, and that this ranch is important to all of us.”
He blinked and stopped talking. He nodded. “I want more time to do those things.” He looked at Ranger. “I imagine as