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town.
    “Yes, I have a great-grandson,” she confirmed. “My first.”
    “I understand Grace Sherman’s a grandmother now—for the second time, I think.”
    “Just last week.” Grace was as proud of her first granddaughter, Maryellen’s baby, as she was of her grandson, Kelly and Paul’s little Tyler. Charlotte thought it had worked out nicely that her daughter, Olivia, and Olivia’s best friend could be grandmothers together. Those two had always been close and a blessing to each other.
    “It’s unusual to see you at the council meetings,” the mayor said. “Not that it isn’t a pleasure.”
    “I’m here for a reason.” Charlotte jerked fiercely on her yarn as she continued knitting.
    “Anything I can do?” the mayor had the good sense to inquire.
    Frankly Charlotte had hoped he’d ask. “I want to propose that this town open a health clinic. I think it’s shameful that we haven’t had one before now.” At a minimum, people had to drive ten or fifteen miles to the Bremerton area for medical attention, and it often meant waiting hours in the emergency room. A town the size of Cedar Cove could easily support a clinic. But Charlotte wanted a particular kind of health facility, a place for everyone in Cedar Cove.
    “Now, Charlotte—”
    “One that’ll take patients on a sliding fee scale,” she added, unwilling to listen to Louie’s objections. “I know Medicare and Medicaid patients would welcome the opportunity to avoid having to go all the way into Bremerton or Silverdale for their health needs.”
    “I agree, but—”

    “Too many of my friends are reluctant to see a physician for fear of what it’ll cost.”
    “Yes, I realize that, but—”
    “Louis Benson, you’re talking like a politician.”
    “Now, Charlotte, you and I both know this is strictly a figurehead position. The town’s run by a hired manager. If you want to talk to Matthew Harper about setting up a low-cost health clinic, then go ahead, but I can tell you right now there’s no budget for it.”
    Fine, if that was what it took, she’d discuss this with the manager. “I will.”
    The mayor looked slightly uncomfortable and glanced over his shoulder. When he spoke again, he lowered his voice. “A bit of advice.”
    “Anything you can tell me would be welcome,” she assured him, staring down at her knitting as if it demanded her full concentration.
    “Get all your facts together before you see Matt Harper.”
    “I will,” she assured him. Harper was reputed to be a tough bargainer, scrupulous about town budgets, but he’d met his match if he thought he could roadblock her efforts. If it was the last thing she did before she died, Charlotte fully intended to see that Cedar Cove got a health facility of its own.
    The door opened, and the mayor quickly straightened. “How’s everyone at the Senior Center doing?” he asked, as if making polite conversation.
    “Laura’s rheumatism is acting up,” Charlotte informed him. “She says it’s going to be a hard winter. Bess has had a cough all summer. I keep telling her she should see a doctor, but she’s afraid of what he might tell her so she refuses to go. If there was a clinic here in town, I’d make the appointment and drag her in myself. And Evelyn…” Charlottepaused when she realized Louie was no longer listening. His attention was focused elsewhere.
    When he noticed she’d stopped talking, he patted her shoulder and said, “Good to chat with you, Charlotte. I’ll see what we can do about your suggestion.”
    “You do that,” she said, but she already knew her words had gone in one ear and out the other. Louie Benson had given her a bit of helpful advice, however. She needed facts and figures.
    Charlotte decided to leave as soon as she finished this purl row. No one wanted to listen to a cranky old woman. Least of all this roomful of men, each one struggling to appear more important than the next. The door at the back of the room creaked open, and