“Now see here!” They heard Silas shout and both of them turned to see him standing up from his bench on the opposite side of the room, his face red as a beet, his arms straight down at his sides in fists.
“Mary, I’ll ask, with respect, that you keep your remarks directed to library business,” Cesar cut in before Silas could lose it, speaking into his microphone, his face red as well and he was visibly furious.
“It is library business considering this town through this Council is providing the Library Board with funding to pay the salary of a fallen woman,” Mary returned heatedly.
“Oh my God,” Faye whispered as Chace’s own hands balled into fists.
“Ms. Goodknight’s personal life is not up for public debate,” Cesar shot back even more heatedly. “And, Mary, I’m warning you, one more comment, I’ll close this meeting and re-adjourn later. But that later will be after the members of the Council meet to discuss your behavior here, likely censure you and, personally, if you say one more word, you have my promise that I’ll take steps to have you removed.”
“I think the words she’s already said are enough for the Council to consider taking steps toward her removal,” Nina put in, standing at the microphone up front and her words were heated too.
“Try it,” Mary invited. “I think you’ll be surprised at how much support I have. I’m not the only one who believes Faye Goodknight’s recent behavior is well below reproach.”
“That wouldn’t be me!” Bubba Briggs boomed from the back.
“Or me!” Jim-Billy shouted from the front.
“Me either, you stupid cow,” Stoney, the owner of one of the local bike shops, added loudly.
“Nor me!” Holly shouted.
Lauren shot up from her seat between Tate and his son Jonas and yelled, “You should be ashamed of yourself talking about our sweet Faye like that in front of everybody!”
Faye and Chace’s heads jerked to behind them where Dominic, the owner of the local hair salon, was shouting, “Immediate impeachment!”
Their heads jerked back to the front to see Shambles standing two benches in front of them, yelling, “Dudette, know this, I have the right to refuse service and I never thought I’d do that to anyone in my life. But starting now, you can get your cappuccinos and chunky peanut butter cookies somewhere else! Talking about Crimson Stargazer like that when she’s finally found a hot guy boyfriend is just… plain… wrong but it’s also serious mean.”
“Great,” Faye mumbled.
“I hardly think a hippie endorsement is doing your librarian any favors,” Mary said to Shambles, her lip curled. “You’d do better to sit down, Mr. Shambala.” When she said his name, she said it like it tasted foul.
At that, Chace knew something snapped in Faye and he knew this because she shot to her feet.
“Ms. Eglund,” she called and Chace braced as Mary Eglund turned her venomous eyes to his woman.
At the same time, so did everyone else.