Chapter 90: The Board Confrontation
The sun had barely cleared the ridge when Brent pulled into the gravel lot outside the community center. The building looked smaller in the morning light, almost fragile — like it wasn’t built to hold the weight of what was coming.
He stepped out of the truck with the photograph in his hand, the edges still damp with dew. Emery had wanted to come with him. Jonah too. But Brent had insisted they stay at the cabin, lock the doors, and wait for his call.
He wasn’t risking them.
Not today.
He walked up the steps, boots heavy on the wood, and pushed open the door.
Inside, the board members were already gathered — Mrs. Carter, Lane, Mr. Whitlow, and two others who had barely spoken during the last meeting. Their faces turned toward him, a mix of relief a
