The Sit - N - Spill Chronicles: Brewing

Chapter 3

The next morning, Annie was out the door before the sun had fully risen, her heart heavy with the weight of the meeting ahead. She had spent the entire night tossing and turning, debating whether calling Kane was the right move. But the truth was, she didn't have time to hesitate. The council's threats were looming, and she needed to be ready.

The coffee shop in West Brook was small but cozy, the kind of place where people gathered for casual conversation or a quick caffeine fix before work. At this hour, it was mostly empty, save for a couple of early risers sipping coffee in the far corner. With Annie seated in a back booth, far from the counter to avoid being overheard, the espresso machine hummed in the background.

She ordered a tea, hoping the familiar warmth of the drink would settle her nerves. Her fingers traced the rim of the cup absentmindedly, her eyes flickering toward the door every few seconds, waiting for Kane to arrive.

When he finally walked in, he looked as calm and composed as ever. "Is the man ever nervous?" Annie thought to herself. He wore a dark jacket over his button-down shirt, his hair slightly tousled from the wind outside. He spotted her immediately and gave her a small nod before making his way over.

"Morning," he greeted her, sliding into the booth across from her. She tried to read his face, but he was hard to pin down. He seemed relaxed but alert, like someone who was used to playing high-stakes games but never showed all his cards.

"Morning," Annie replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. She took a sip of her tea, using the moment to gather her thoughts. "You said you'd bring everything."

Kane reached into his bag and pulled out a thick folder, setting it down between them. "I did. I've gone through the council's records, the bids, everything I could find that might help us get a clearer picture of what we're up against."

Annie stared at the folder, the weight of it somehow heavier than it appeared. "What did you find?"

Kane opened the folder, flipping through pages of legal documents, council meeting notes, and land assessment reports. "For starters, it looks like Councilman Davis has been pushing for new developments for months—probably longer than anyone realized. The land your family owns is prime real estate for the type of expansion they're after. They've already started shifting funds to other projects nearby, setting the stage for a larger takeover."

Annie's stomach tightened as she listened, her fears confirmed in black and white. "So, they're going after my land to make room for more developments."

Kane nodded grimly. "It's not just your land, either. Several other properties in town are at risk. It's a classic eminent domain situation—they'll argue that the new development plans are in the public's best interest, which gives them legal grounds to force you out. But I've been through these battles before, and there are ways to fight back."

Annie clenched her fists under the table, anger rising in her chest. "So, what's the strategy?"

Kane leaned in, his voice lowering. "First, we'll challenge the council's claim that this is for the public good. We'll gather support from the community, show that the tea bar and the land it's on are an essential part of Liberty Rose. That's going to be crucial. Public opinion can make or break these kinds of cases."

Annie nodded slowly. "And then?"

"We go after the legalities. The council has made a few missteps—nothing huge, but enough to raise questions about their process. If we can prove they didn't follow the correct procedures, we might be able to delay or even halt the whole thing."

Annie's eyes flickered with a sliver of hope. "And you really think we have a chance?"

Kane met her gaze, his expression steady. "I do. But it won't be easy. We'll have to be strategic about every move. The council will come after you hard, especially Davis. He's got a lot riding on this deal."