Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Zip It!

Shocked, who me? As I pulled into the parking lot of Zip It!, the bright, cheery sign depicting a cartoon family happily suspended over a painted tree line backdrop, it was increasingly apparent my estimation of what to expect from the protest was a far cry from reality. The small army of angry people of varying ages and ethnicities brandished large signs on stakes held in both hands, shaking the various slogans etched in large, black letters at the narrow line of white-painted sawhorses holding them back from the entry to the park. My hands clenched on the steering wheel a moment, stomach knotting and honestly, if it hadn't been Jared who'd asked I might have turned around there and then. But the sight of his Wilkins Construction truck parked near the front gate-flanked by two deputy cruisers and Crew's own sheriff's 4X4-was enough of a reminder I wasn't here for me.