At the end of the meal, they heard a loud gasp from Franco and Shelly's table. Shelly was looking at her piece of chocolate pie in a very odd way. Franco got up, then knelt on one knee by her chair. Lisa burst into happy tears, watching Franco propose to her friend. Both of them had been so lonely and finding each other had been the best thing that ever happened to them. Shelly was crying, too, but obviously had said yes. She wrapped her arms around Franco's neck. Franco slid the ring onto Shelly's finger, then got up to sit in his own seat. Fabian handed Lisa a handkerchief and she started to laugh through her tears.
"Always prepared, aren't you?" she asked.
"Always," he grinned. "Can you walk in those shoes?"
"I think so. I've been practicing and they're pretty comfortable. Why?"
"I did promise we'd go see Rodney, and we could take an after dinner walk. Unless your feet hurt."
"Maybe we should take the truck," she smiled. "Wow. A car. Seems hard to believe."
"Dante had a business proposition for you," Fabian told her. "You know he started a trucking business."
"I'd heard about that," she said.
"He has some other guys who drive smaller trucks. If you ever have deliveries out of town and can't do them for some reason, he wants you to call. He promises that the price will be more than reasonable."
"That's wonderful, Fabian. I'll keep that in mind. It's great having Autumn in case of headaches, but I was wondering how I'd manage deliveries. I know Adrianna did them once, but she has her own business and I don't want to keep taking her away to do mine. Tell Dante to send me his contact information."
Franco stopped by their table with a glowing, happy Shelly.
"Congratulations," Fabian said. He and Lisa both got up and distributed hugs to each.
"Fab, please be my best man?" Franco asked.
"Absolutely," Fabian smiled, giving Franco a few pats on the shoulder. "But only if you'll be mine." Franco looked at him in shock.
"Really? Fabian, are you serious?"
"Yes I am. Franc, I know we didn't always get along. But we're brothers. And twins. Best man is where you belong. Dave, Keith and Greg will understand. Maybe we waited until now to be friends, but we've always been brothers."
Franco hugged Fabian again, hard.
Anything to do with cars, Rodney would be the guy you'd want to see.
"I would suggest a Jeep, or some other kind of sport utility with four-wheel drive," Rodney said. "If you're going to be making deliveries in this vehicle, you'll need to be able to rely on it no matter what the weather."
"That would make me feel a lot better," Fabian nodded. "Expecially when you expand into other areas besides just town." He looked at Lisa, who was thinking about that. A Jeep really did suit her, and she nodded.
"Okay," Rodney said. "Let me look around and see what I can find."
"How's Jill, Rodney?" Lisa asked.
"She's great," Rodney grinned. "Really happy. Thing is, my mom had an oops-baby right before Jill happened, so now my youngest sister has a younger sister of her own and someone to grow up with. They're already close.
"That's great!" Lisa said. "And Leslie?"
"She loves her training courses. She's looking forward to getting back here, but she's absolutely loving police school. I went to see her over Christmas -- she didn't make it home. She's working part-time in security to help pay her way. We had a really good time. Next year we'll get our Valentine celebration."
"Here's what I have for you," Amy said, "then we'll talk about what I need to make these things work for you." She pulled out some brochures. "Are you taking Fabian's name when you get married?"
"Yes," Lisa told her. Amy nodded.
"Good. What do you think of this?" She showed Lisa a brochure which was emblazoned with "Lisa DiSserts" Lisa burst out laughing.
"I love it!" she said. "I like the logo, too."
"I had to walk a fine line here -- upscale enough to attract places like the Tavern yet down home enough to attract diners."
"I'd say you hit it exactly, Amy. This is great!"
"Okay, what I'll need next are photographs of your desserts. Do you know anyone good with a camera? I'm okay, but I'm better at drawing."
"Fabian's dad is really good. He taught a photography course in addition to psychology when he was a college professor. I'll talk to him."
"Good. If he'll do it, have him call me and I'll tell him what sort of shots I want."
"This all seems sort of silly, Amy."
"On the contrary. This is the most important thing that you'll do," Amy told her. "This brochure will get you in the door, bringing samples to win them over. If I were you, I'd use Pablo's contacts first, while we compile the brochure. Eventually, when you're ready to expand, use the brochure in a mailing. Although now that I think about it, I doubt that will be necessary. I suspect you'll be very popular." She winked at Lisa.
The truth too often comes as a rude slap in the face.
The hearing filled up fast -- most of the town was showing up to root against William, who was making his big presentation to the zoning board. The town council had told him that they wouldn't issue any permits unless he had zoning variances, so William had applied immediately. Lisa sat next to Fabian, her heart pounding as William made his presentation. Acres of fine homes. Lower taxes for everyone. Lots of business for local merchants and service people.
"But you don't own the property," one of the members of the board pointed out.
"It's owned by my mother's estate. I have permission to make this application."
"Grudging permission."
"But permission nonetheless," William replied. "Now. I plan to divide the property up into forty lots." He placed a large poster of his plan on an easel to show the board and the audience.
It was not until that moment that Lisa realized that the trees would be cleared. She understood about the house and the garage, but killing the orchard was more than she could bear. Her face went deadly white as she stared at the plan in complete horror. Then she began to weep silently, covering her face with her hands, her body shuddering. Fabian watched her crumple and helped her up and out of the hearing room. As he did, he glanced at the podium. Lisa's uncle was watching them, a hideous smirk on his face.