A Hamilton Family Christmas - Donna Kauffman Page 0,93
together and began to clap. He couldn’t make out who it was, but the sound came from the other side of the auditorium, drawing the gazes and glances of the audience as they, too, shifted to see. Then someone else started clapping, and another, and yet another.
The throbbing in Griffin’s temples returned with a swift vengeance as he watched all of his carefully calculated work dissolve. The herd was turning against him. Or, at least, toward Melody Duncastle.
“Miss Duncastle,” he said into his mouthpiece, loudly enough that for a moment, the clapping paused. He pounced on that single moment, knowing what came after would make his life easier ... or a bloody living hell. “Miss Duncastle,” he repeated, and the clapping stopped completely as everyone’s attention shifted from her ... back to him. You’ve got the floor, Gallagher. Better use it wisely. “I’m sorry our initial meeting this morning didn’t go well.” He paused to allow the murmuring to begin ... and build.
“Mr. Gallagher, this has nothing to do—”
“Please, kindly allow me to respond to your statements just now,” he interrupted, careful to keep his smile wide and his tone jovial. And if his accent deepened just a little bit, well, they’d just think it was because he was feeling the moment. “I’ve no desire—or I should say, we’ve no desire to cloak or mute any of the wonderful qualities that make Hamilton the special place it is to all of you. We’re aware and deeply respectful that this isn’t simply where you’ve started your businesses, but where you’ve chosen to live your lives, raise your children. Hamilton Industries has never done anything to thwart your growth potential, quite the opposite.
“You’ve trusted us with your livelihoods, your families ... you have no need to doubt that your trust is still well-placed.” He turned to the audience in general. “I urge you all to read the information and to bring any and all concerns and questions to our full town meeting. Not only will there be Hamilton board members there but also your very own town councilmen, whom you’ve put into office. We’ll all answer every question you have.”
He saw Melody raise her hand, knew she was going to take back the floor, so he preempted her next strike. “And Miss Duncastle,” he went on, turning on every bit of charm he had. “I’d like a private meeting with you, directly, if possible. It’s important to me, especially after this morning, that you feel comfortable and confident about the plans for Hamilton.” He flashed a wider smile. “I promise I’m no’the bad guy here, Melody.”
The crowd’s attention shifted from him to the baker. There was a collective holding of breath. The use of her first name had created an almost palpable intimacy, despite their location. The power was firmly back in his hands.
As his gaze locked on hers, he knew he’d have felt a lot better about his chances if that same palpable intimacy hadn’t affected him as much as it did the crowd. He’d have thought her outburst would have cured him of any kind of attraction toward her. But while his mind saw her as an adversary, and a more worthy opponent than he might have thought, his body had completely different ideas about the best way to handle Melody Duncastle. With the handling part playing a prominent role.
“Everyone, thank you for coming,” he said, breaking the silence. “Miss Duncastle, we’ll talk.” And with that, he removed his mouthpiece and left the stage. Some might have viewed the move as a cowardly retreat. He viewed it as a preemptive strike. Concluding the meeting while he was still in control gave him time to regroup before they reconvened. Of course, he had no doubt at all that she’d be regrouping as well.
That thought shouldn’t have made him grin.
But it did.
He was still smiling that evening when he approached the door to her shop just as she was flipping the sign to CLOSED. That hadn’t happened by coincidence.
She paused in mid-flip, her distracted expression changing swiftly when she spied him. Her expression was smooth, polite even, but there was a distinct chill in her magnificent deep blue eyes.
He could live with that.
She pulled the door open, but blocked his entry with her body planted directly in the doorway. “I believe we discussed your patronage here.”
“I’m merely here to set up a convenient time for us to meet.”