Desperate Lovers by Adam Carpenter (good beach reads TXT) 📕

on its past, how it seemingly grew from a simple stretch of ocean into an exclusive haven to the kind of evolved people who embrace diversity, tolerance, and human strength. What it hasn’t always embraced is progress, and while it’s clear that’s what Mr. Converse and his company represent, I’m here to say that as a long-time resident of Wonderland, I am fully in favor on the Palaces project—and for it to be built on Eldon Court.”

“That’s very well and good, Parker,” LeeAnn said, “but might I remind you, first, that you haven’t called Wonderland home in nearly ten years, since graduation, and second, this board has already ruled…”

“If you would allow me to finish,” Parker said, withdrawing a tattered old piece of paper from the folder. He passed it with a flourish to LeeAnn and to the two elder gentlemen who made up the zoning board. “I present to you the original deed—well, a copy of course, the original is under lock and key—for the land on Eldon Court, passed down through generations of the Saunders family. As you all know, the Saunders have not lived in Eldon Court for several years, not since…since the incident at Number Two Eldon Court. But the Saunders family still retains ownership. And according to this deed, not just to the house at Number Two but also the land where Numbers One, Three and Four are built. So, as you’ll see from the fine print, it is the right of the Saunders family to do anything they wish with the land, and I am here to say that the Saunders family embraces Wonderland Palaces one hundred percent.”

Marc was so shocked by what Parker was saying he missed Rich walking up the middle aisle. But then he saw that Parker and Rich had met eyes, and damned if sparks weren’t bouncing off them both. Everyone could see the attraction, of that Marc was convinced. Marc knew that despite his love for Rich, he could never hope to contain the man’s intemperate lust.

Rich spoke up. “You say the Saunders family owns all of the land except Number Five—my home. Why is that?”

Parker waved off the question as if it was a pesky fly. “An old family feud that should mean nothing today. I’m sure we could work out a settlement in private. After all, Rich, in light of this deed, you’re really the only person standing in the way of the Wonderland Palaces. Edgar and Jack, Sawyer and Dane, Aaron and Paolo, they’re all powerless to stop progress. Powerless to stop me.”

“Then I’ll stop it for them,” Rich said.

“Gentleman, please, this meeting is getting out of hand,” LeeAnn said, trying to break the intensity escalating between these two men.

“Parker, I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make. Are you here to tell me that you’re somehow representing the Saunders family?”

Parker turned to LeeAnn, his smile as wide as the oceanfront they were all fighting over. “Of course not. I’m here to tell you that I am a member of the Saunders family. In fact, the only surviving one—unless of course you count that crazy old shell of a man who lives as a recluse and denies to this day the events that happened inside Number Two. The one who continues to deny that I’m his son and rightful heir.”

The bombshell pronouncement from Parker St. John had certainly been dramatic and caused a genuine flare up of emotions at the meeting, but when the dust settled, the committee said they would have to look into the matter further. As such, the battle for Eldon Court was on temporary hold, with neither side able to make a move until the true issue of the land’s ownership could be determined.

An hour after the meeting ended, Marc Anderson found himself alone, walking the streets of Down Wonder and wondering just how he could help his friends and neighbors. Rich had left him at the municipal building, telling him he was going to do some research, and then maybe later, maybe on Sunday, all the neighbors could convene and they’d discuss their next plan of attack. He kissed Marc in broad daylight and then disappeared around the corner. Now Marc, having finished off a latte at the March Hare’s Tea Spot and thinking he should just return home to Number Five Eldon Court, suddenly found a needed distraction. The Healy Gallery was just down the street and he supposed now was as good a time to drop by and talk to Lauren.

He came to the front door of the gallery, peered through the plate glass windows to check out the action. He didn’t see anyone, not Lauren, customers, or artists. He knocked once, timidly, then wondered why he was acting so skittish? Wonderland was laid back, casual, the kind of place where you could drop in unannounced and have a conversation with a friend; no appointments, no phone calls, nothing like that. So Marc knocked harder, and that’s when he realized the door was unlocked. He stepped inside the cool gallery, and heard nothing but the gentle hum of the air conditioner.

The walls were bare, blank; the gallery seemed to be in between shows, and that was good. Marc hoped to discuss with Lauren the possibility of setting a date for his own showing. He’d been making great progress on his work in the past few weeks, and he felt in a month’s time he might be ready for his Wonderland coming out party—so to speak.

Coming out seemed to be a theme of the moment because when Marc moved deeper into the gallery, he detected sounds that were…well, unmistakable.

Gentle moans emanated from the back office. Marc stood in his tracks, unsure what to do. My God, if you’re gonna indulge in a little afternoon sex, lock the door! Still, with the groans intensity building, Marc felt himself irresistibly drawn toward the office. Wonderland loved gossip; Wonderland always wanted to know who was sleeping with whom, and well, as far as he knew, Lauren Healy wasn’t involved with anyone.

Anytime he’d seen her, she’d been with LeeAnn, and