Red Delicious Death Read Online Free PDF

place,” Mrs. Goldthwaite sniffed. “It’s a shame what’s been allowed to happen there over the years. Absentee owner.”
    Meg refused to apologize. “Yes, my mother inherited it some years ago, but she hasn’t been here since. I’m planning to rectify the neglect, and I’m running the orchard now.”
    Tom broke in, “Well, I for one am happy to have you here, now that that other little mess has been cleared up. Granford can use some new blood, and the fact that you’re smart is a plus.” He smiled at her. “Has Seth filled you in on Granford’s dismal financial state?”
    Meg nodded. “The broad outlines. The bottom line is, the town has no dependable revenue sources, and we’re losing a lot of the working population, which eats into our already shrinking tax base. The new development on the highway will help, and may even keep current residents or attract some new ones, but it may not be enough to stem the tide.”
    “That about sums it up.” Tom nodded. “Eroding tax base, growing expenses—fits Granford and most of the small towns in the state, or even the country. Makes you wonder just why we keep asking to be elected.”
    Mrs. Goldthwaite spoke stiffly. “I consider it a privilege to serve this community, as my ancestors did before me. And surely you exaggerate the problems. This town has survived since the eighteenth century, and I’m sure it will continue to do so.”
    Meg watched as Tom and Seth exchanged an exasperated glance over Mrs. Goldthwaite’s head. Apparently this was not a new debate.
    “That doesn’t mean we can’t do something to improve conditions, Mrs. Goldthwaite,” Seth said. “In fact, there’s one piece of new business on the table, and we owe it in part to Meg. There are some potential buyers looking at turning the Stebbins place into a restaurant.” At the look of utter dismay on Mrs. Goldthwaite’s face, Seth hurried to add, “A nice one, of course, not a fast-food place. It’s not a done deal yet, but I think in principle it’s a good idea, and there are a number of municipal issues we should consider, in the event that this does go forward. I believe the buyers will need some approvals from the town, at a minimum, and we should be prepared for that request.”
    “I for one am appalled,” Mrs. Goldthwaite said imperiously. “That lovely house on the green? You want a car park, and nasty cooking odors, and trash blowing about? Surely there must be a private buyer who would love it as it is.”
    “Mrs. Goldthwaite,” Tom began, trying to swallow his exasperation, “that place has been on the market for close to a year without even a nibble, and you know Frances Clark has been working her tail off to sell it. So we should at least consider this option. Seth, what are your concerns?”
    “We’d have to check the zoning—we might need a variance. Structurally the building is sound enough, but they’d need a whole new kitchen and I’d have to be sure it’s up to code. I can handle that. What I know less about is permitting, liquor licenses, all that stuff. We need to know what hoops the town has to jump through to get this up and running. And the buyers want it all to happen yesterday.”
    “You’ve met them?”
    “I did, with Meg. In fact, it was a friend of Meg’s who pointed them toward Granford, and I think we owe her a vote of thanks. It’s a good idea, and a good opportunity for Granford.”
    Mrs. Goldthwaite gave an audible sniff but said nothing.
    Tom ignored her. “I agree with Seth—seems like the perfect setting, and we sure could use some decent food in this town. We can ask Fred Weatherly—he’s the town counsel, Meg—to look into the legal details, and talk to the assessor’s office. All just in preparation, Mrs. Goldthwaite.”
    Caroline Goldthwaite sat rigid in her chair. “I shall reserve judgment until I have seen the details, but I want to go on record that I think it is a poor idea.”
    And what , Meg wondered, would you