Randy frowned. "Well, maybe longer than that. Especially if he doesn't live
right here in town."

Wade frowned back at him. "Now, that's your real problem, isn't it? He doesn't live right here in town. Your problem is that he lives in Gold Valley." He held up five fingers. "We've got five places on the Planning Commission. One's empty, that we're filling, and one's Duane Fowler, and he lives in Marker." He folded down two fingers. "And the other three are Ed Fiddler, who's your next-door neighbor, and Humphrey King, who's your cousin, and you." He pointed right at Randy. "Well, I think it's about time there was someone from Gold Valley on the commission. It's as much a part of the county as Wardsville."

Joe just watched and waited.

With Mort and Louise on the board, there'd been three of them with a lick of
sense and they'd get done what they needed. Without Mort it would be different. But even just the two of them would most often be enough. It would be tonight for appointing Carter.

"Now, Wade," Randy was saying, "it's not that he lives there in Gold Valley, which I know is part of the county, that's not what I'm saying. I'm only worried that, if he hasn't lived here but a couple years ..."

"Five years."

"... that he might not really have a good feel for how people do things here."

Joe checked his watch. He knew Randy plenty well and didn't trust him, either. Three more minutes.

And after this, they'd take up the letter.

Wade was getting hot. "And since I've only lived here four years, what's that supposed to mean exactly? None of the rest of you has ever lived in Gold Valley for a week, and it's as much a part of the county as Wardsville. In Raleigh the Planning Commission was divided by districts so everyone had a representative...."

"You aren't in Raleigh anymore, Wade," Randy said.

"You don't need to remind me. It is really obvious...."

"And you really don't need to remind us about Gold Valley being part of the county, because like I just said—"

"As long as we just pay our taxes and shut up—"

That was enough. Joe tapped his gavel. "As there is no further discussion, I think we're ready to vote." He'd have given them two more minutes if they'd stayed civil.

Louise patted Randy's arm. "It's only fair," she said.

The reporter wasn't even looking up, just writing. He'd have his article finished before the meeting was. Always sat in the back corner.

"Go ahead, Patsy," Joe said.

"Mrs. Brown?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Esterhouse?"

"Yes."

"Eliza?"

"I vote no."

"Mr. Harris?"

"Yes, yes, yes. Yes!"

"Mr. McCoy?"

"Well ... yes. But I still don't think he's necessarily the best person."

"We couldn't find anyone else, anyway," Louise said. "Thank you, Mr. Carter. We really do appreciate that you're willing."

"I'm glad to, Mrs. Brown."

"That's four in favor, one opposed," Patsy said.

"Motion carries," Joe said. Louise was right. Taken two months to find someone willing. "Next item."