He started backing toward the curtain that would part to reveal the stage, the crowd seated beyond, at an angle that also caught the restored mill with the mountains, shrouded in the blue haze that gave them their name. “You’re going to meet some cool folks, including a few big surprises.” He pushed his face closer to the camera on those last two words, then shifted back. “Then we’re going on walkabout up here in the mountains. I’m going to show you this amazing century-old silk mill, which has been renovated and turned into an artisan center. Yes, they grew, harvested, spun, and milled silk up in these hills once upon a time, dating back to the time of King James of England. News to me, too!”
He could feel his energy level revving along. He loved doing this and was excited about the work they’d be doing today. He knew the people watching him could feel that, too. “We’ll check out the Falls that give this mountain paradise its name, then go on safari back into the woods to a truly incredible, recently restored Victorian style greenhouse that I just found out about. They grow endangered exotic orchids there and are working on getting them off that list. More on how you can help with that later, too. We’ll be seeing it together for the first time and meeting the woman who runs the whole program. Honestly, this place will mesmerize you like it has me.”
Dom started to pull the curtain slowly back.
“So, come hang with me while I talk to the good folks in BHF and introduce them to some interesting people you’re going to want to know.” He leaned in again and lowered his voice. “There might be a little entertainment involved as well. Because we’re in the mountains, in an amphitheater with some world class musicians on hand, who celebrate the music born in these hills. So, of course we are going to let them do that.” He moved back again. “After our walkabout, we’re going off air for about an hour or so, then we’ll be streaming live this afternoon direct from the land of Firefly.” He moved closer to the camera. “More on that later, too.” He motioned over his shoulder with his thumb. “You ready? Let’s do this.”
Peli was a little bit of a thing, slender, just flirting with the five-foot mark in height, and had the flexibility of a rubber band. She was a wonder at catching all the angles, covering the stage like a cat. Or a ninja. She backed onto the stage first, crouched low, capturing Wyatt from that angle as he walked out on the amphitheater stage, then slowly panned around to capture the full vista as he viewed it. Wyatt knew she’d continue to move around the stage, and him, as everything he did and said was beamed simultaneously to phones, tablets, laptops, computers, and television screens worldwide, while it happened. She had an amazing eye for composition, and for not making folks dizzy while keeping up with the action.
He waved to the filled amphitheater and Peli lifted her hand in a quick wave as the murmur of surprise filtered over the crowd, before they started clapping in support of Wyatt. There were easily ten to twenty times the number that had assembled days ago on the veranda at Lavender Blue.
Jake, who had played his fiddle many times on that stage and was familiar with the setup, handed a microphone to Wyatt. Then the teen went to sit at the edge of the stage with Bailey, who had also offered to be stage crew that morning. She turned her phone around so Wyatt could see she was watching his livestream, while watching him. She gave him a grin and a thumbs-up, which he returned.
“Hello, Blue Hollow Falls,” Wyatt said, turning to the crowd. “I hope you don’t mind,” he said, and motioned to Peli, then waved to her camera, “I brought a few million of my closest friends with me today.”
A delighted roar erupted from the crowd and it took a minute or two before things settled down. Wyatt laughed and said, “So, this is different for me. For one, I’m not usually on a stage, and normally, folks can see me doing what I do, but I can’t see them. I’ll admit, I think it would be pretty cool to have people cheering me on like this, in person, while I’m at work. Whaddya say? You all want to head out with me?”
More cheering, people laughed, a few hooted and whistled.
Wyatt turned his attention forward now, to the folks of Blue Hollow Falls, and let Peli do her thing, trusting she’d capture what was happening in a way that kept his viewers invested and intrigued.
Wyatt gestured to Addie Pearl, who was seated with Chey, Tory, Hannah, and Will a few rows back in the center. Avery and Ben were just behind them. “Thank you to Ms. Addison Pearl Whitaker,” he said, “and all of the artists up here in the mill, and the rest of the farm and business owners up here, for helping to spread the word to your neighbors and friends about today’s meeting.” Folks cheered and hollered, and Wyatt laughed, guessing they were maybe going a little over the top, because they knew they were live on air now.
He then motioned to Hattie Beauchamp, who owned Bo’s, the restaurant in town; Cyrus Flagler, who ran the library; Moira Brogan Walker, the new local attorney-at-law; and a few others, who all ran businesses or worked in the town proper. “I’d also like to thank everyone whose livelihood is down in town for showing up today as well. This affects everybody in Blue Hollow Falls, and it helps for everyone to be part of the proposed solution.”
Hattie, who was a town institution—her restaurant was one of the oldest businesses in the Falls—stood and waved, then beamed at the huge round of applause she received. “Go on now,” she told Wyatt when she was seated once more, like a queen rightfully claiming her throne.
Wyatt had stood before many a village council or remote area tribunal, and he’d seen close-knit communities before. He supposed he was surprised that one here in the States could be this tight. Which was silly and shortsighted of him. It was both heartening and heartwarming to witness it firsthand.
“I know the rumors have been flying around about this whole resort deal. We’ve come up with a plan that is more in keeping with what Blue Hollow Falls is all about. We hope you’ll support it and let the town council know about it at the town hall meeting set for next week.”
That remark was met with more applause and cheering, and a few folks even lifted signs that said, LET’S TURN BLUE HOLLOW GREEN! He caught Bailey giving a thumbs-up and knew where that campaign had gotten started. He loved all of it.
“Okay, on the big screens we put up to the left and right of the stage you can see the plans up close as they’re explained to you. For this, let’s welcome Vivienne Baudin, part owner of Lavender Blue Farm and Tea Room, as well as a renowned green developer who’s done remarkable work in both Australia and the UK and is now branching into the US with our project, Mr. Bryan Westley. And the man who made it possible to bring all of this about so quickly. You maybe have seen him here or there before . . . Mr. Grant Harper.”
To say the crowd went wild as the three introduced guests took the stage was an understatement. Wyatt moved to the side of the stage after kissing Vivi on the cheek and shaking the gentlemen’s hands. Peli brought the camera up to Wyatt. “I told you this was going to be a new adventure, and we’re just getting started.”
Vivi waved to the crowd, completely at home on the stage, as was Grant. Bryan looked a little out of his element, but gamely smiled and waved, enjoying the vibe of genuine enthusiasm and excitement. Grant turned to Peli, who had moved back on the stage, and gave a little salute to Reed Planet. Wyatt laughed as he noticed Bailey pretend to swoon. He’d been surprised to discover that Bailey was both a lover of old music and old movies. Old to her, at any rate. He’d caught her and Grant earlier as they’d been setting up the event and doing the walk-through, taking selfies together and laughing. He’d seen them both signing and exchanging notes and wouldn’t be at all surprised if, when Grant went back west, he had a few goats in tow.