Chapter 3: The Accountant and the Trailblazer

The more he listened, the more it clicked. Caleb replayed York’s words in his mind, each suggestion clicking into place. It was like watching a puzzle solve itself. He felt a surge of energy—maybe they weren’t out of options after all.

Practical. That’s what the county needed. He’d always prided himself on his own strategies, but York’s approach was refreshingly down-to-earth. Caleb realized he needed someone who could turn big dreams into workable plans.

He clapped York on the back. “Welcome aboard.” Caleb immediately brought him on as a staff officer to help plan out the town’s future.

The door creaked. Another Carter. He’d barely finished with York Carter when a third Carter showed up.

Windbreaker bright as moss. Beads jangling. Number Three wore a bright windbreaker and silver beads in his hair, looking a bit like someone from the Pacific Northwest.

Barefoot, even on gravel. Tough as leather. His jacket was the color of fresh moss, and the beads caught the light, tinkling softly as he moved. He looked out of place in the dusty old town, like he’d just wandered in from a Seattle street fair.

He grinned, eyes dancing. Number Three Carter asked, “Boss, ever heard of the Rainforest Queen?”

Rainforest Queen? Was that a thing? Caleb was puzzled and replied, “I only know the mayor.”

Two hundred volunteers. Wolf Creek Gorge. Straight into the city. Number Three waved it off. “Doesn’t matter. Give me two hundred volunteers. I’ll lead them through Wolf Creek Gorge. Once I’ve scouted the way, the whole crew can march straight into the city!”

Wolf Creek? That was no joke. Caleb hadn’t expected someone who looked so gentle to be so gutsy. He said, “But Wolf Creek Gorge is dangerous…”

He flashed a thumbs-up. “Easy as pie.” Number Three Carter grinned. “For me, it’s a walk in the park!”

Maybe he was crazy. Maybe he was right. Caleb asked, “What’s your plan, Number Three?”

No trail too rough. No beast too mean. Number Three Carter replied, “I’ve lived in the deep woods for years. No thicket, winding trail, venomous snake, or wild beast scares me.”

He nodded. “Go for it.” Caleb heard his confident pitch and, since the group was small, decided to let him try.

A quiet thumbs up. Will Young watched Number Three Carter leave and gave him a quiet thumbs up.

Coffee swirling. Sun coming up. Charlie Liu heard the councilman’s crew was heading back and let out a sigh.

Seven times in and out. That took guts. Uncle Zack had gone in and out of rival territory seven times to save him.

No matter how he tried, he saw the same kid in the mirror. He’d checked his reflection in the bathroom mirror countless times, but no matter how he looked, he didn’t see the face of someone who could unite the whole county.

Burgers, karaoke, Main Street neon. That’d be enough. If he could just hang on to his dad’s old diner, eat burgers, and sing karaoke with the councilman for the rest of his life, that’d be enough.

He was floored. Didn’t see that coming. When he went to greet the councilman at Silver Hollow’s south gate, he was totally floored.

Voices in his head. Stories crowding his bones. Because he wasn’t alone—at that moment, all the national Carters had somehow possessed him…

He looked ten years younger. He saw that the councilman, who’d looked worn out before the campaign, now had rosy cheeks and a spring in his step.

Was he dreaming? What was going on?

A younger Caleb, but sharper. Behind the councilman was a man who looked a lot like him, only younger.

Rumors, whispers. The kind of guy who solved problems. This man behind Caleb was called Carter Jennings, a genius he’d found on the way back.

Jennings always thinking, always quiet. When York Carter spoke his mind, Carter Jennings always looked deep in thought.

Old paper, burnt toast, black coffee. He soon caught Caleb’s attention, who invited Carter Jennings into his office and poured him some coffee.

He broke down. No words, just tears. Unexpectedly, Carter Jennings suddenly knelt down and broke down crying.

He didn’t know what to do. But he tried. Caleb rushed to help him up and asked, “Carter, what’s going on?”

He’d been chasing shadows. Trying to measure up. Carter Jennings sighed and said, “I used to compare myself to you, boss, but now I see how wrong I was. I always thought the history books left things out, so I watched you every day. Comparing myself to you, I feel ashamed.”

Golden boy. High expectations. Turns out Carter Jennings had also once been a councilman, wielding real power and determined to turn things around.

That was real sacrifice. But he’d always loved the high life. Seeing the councilman eat nothing but a grilled cheese and a bowl of tomato soup day after day, he realized Caleb had worked himself to the bone and decided to help carry the load.

Was it luck? Timing? Or something else? Carter Jennings asked quietly, “Boss, what do you think was the biggest reason for our failure in the county campaigns?”

He’d never thought about it. Not really. Caleb was moved. He’d never really thought about it before.