admitted. “The review said that I didn’t offer enough seating to actually sit and enjoy a cup of coffee.” She still hated the thought of that review lingering in cyberspace and deterring potential customers from trying out her café.
He shifted around in his wheelchair, seemingly trying to get comfortable. “I’ve grown a thick shell over the years. In my job, negative feedback is inevitable.”
Emma watched a mother and child stroll by holding hands. And then a man walking his young puppy on a leash. “I have a soft shell, and my heart is exposed.”
He narrowed his eyes as he leaned in to whisper, “Politics would eat you alive.”
They both laughed.
“Good thing I have no intention of running for any kind of office,” she said.
They sat awhile longer and chatted about the various things Brian had going on.
“I’m working on a new charity myself,” Emma disclosed, after Brian updated her on his Mentor Match program. “This summer will be the first year. I’m still working out the details, but I’m all ears if you have advice.”
Brian leaned back in his chair as he listened. “Jenny’s Wellness Walk for Women. I like the sound of that,” he said. “That’s inspiring.”
“But it’s open to men and women, of course. Children too.” Emma watched another person stroll by walking their dog. “And dogs. Anyone who can walk.” As soon as she said it, all of the blood in her body flooded her cheeks. Her gaze dropped to Brian’s wheelchair. “I can’t believe I just said that.”
“Relax. I’m not offended,” he said easily. “You wouldn’t believe how often someone says something like that and then thinks that I’m going to banish them from town. Thick shell, remember? Plus, I don’t have banishment power. I’m working on that,” he joked with a wink.
She nodded and released a pent-up breath. “My event is open to everyone,” she amended. “I was thinking that people would pay twenty dollars to walk and that would also cover the cost of their T-shirt. The trail that borders Silver Lake through Evergreen Park stretches a few miles.”
“You’ll need watering stations for the walkers and runners. That costs money,” Brian pointed out.
Emma picked up her pen and wrote that down. Then he pointed out a few more items that she added to her list. As she wrote, her heart began to sink. “That won’t leave much money left to donate to whatever cause I decide on.”
“You’d be surprised,” Brian said. “Get some of the local businesses to be sponsors. I’ll be one. Also add a place for donations on your website too. People are generous in Sweetwater Springs.”
She continued to write. “Wow. Thank you for all the advice.”
“Of course.” Brian grinned back at her. “I’m sure Jessica would love to help. She has a lot of connections. I’m impressed that you’re putting together something like this so fast. And shocked that you were able to book the park. That’s no easy feat.”
Emma pulled her lower lip between her teeth. “I have connections too,” she admitted. And she had kind of traded her singlehood for the summer in order to make this happen. Although there were worse things than pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend.
Brian rolled his wheelchair away from the table and slid the pair of sunglasses that were sitting on the top of his head over his eyes.
“Are you sure you don’t want a coffee?” Emma asked. “It’s the least I can do after all your helpful suggestions.”
“No, thanks. Another time. I’ll see you later, Emma.” He waved and then continued down the sidewalk, leaving her with a bounty of new ideas and thoughts percolating in her brain. If she kept this event simple, she’d be able to pull it off. And in the process, she’d be able to help the community in her mom’s name. Everything was falling into place.
Her cell phone rang, and she looked down at the number on her screen, immediately recognizing it as the Women’s Wellness Center. They were probably calling to reschedule that annual checkup that she’d canceled.
Emma sat frozen, watching the screen until the call ended. She would reschedule. Of course she would. But not today. Today she was too busy planning something amazing.
Chapter Six
Jack was back to staring at the calendar. He’d returned to it several times, only to come to the same conclusion: There were no openings in the schedule for Emma’s 5K event. “Emma is going to kill me,” he muttered under his breath as he ran a hand through his hair and