Sparks Fly with Mr. Mayor

by Teresa Carpenter

  He closed his eyes as she massaged her thumbs along the base of his skull. “Darn, that feels good. I may have to give up the barbershop for good.” He sighed and then answered her question. “Outdoors is about more than just sunshine. It’s also about lots of fresh air. The plant may be reacting to some of your products.”

  “I didn’t think of that.”

  “It would probably do better in the lobby area, near a window or the door.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate the advice.”

  “No problem. It’s pretty quiet,” he said. “I thought this was supposed to be gossip central.”

  So he was putting it out in the open—he was here for information. How brazen, coming right into the enemy camp.

  The garden talk had thrown her off for a few minutes, but he’d just been biding his time.

  She leaned down and spoke directly into his ear. “You better want a haircut, because that’s all you’re going to get here.”

  He flicked her a glance. “Just don’t scalp me and no one will be hurt.”

  “Don’t make fun.” She twisted the water off with more force than necessary. “These women feel safe here. I won’t let you threaten that.”

  “Calm down, mama bear, your little cubs are safe from me. You’re the one I’m here to see.”

  “Me?” Incredulous, she demanded, “Why? And couldn’t it wait until Wednesday night? We’re going to see each other at the christening class.”

  “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

  He sat up and she swathed his head in a towel, lavender this time. Ha.

  He went on, “I needed a cut and I heard the Gram squad was trying to talk you into running for mayor. One plus one and here I am.”

  She yanked the towel from his head. “How could you hear that when they only asked me twenty minutes ago?”

  “Ouch.” He rubbed his wet head. “Watch it or there won’t be anything left to cut.”

  “Answer the question.”

  “I don’t know.” Standing, he shrugged dismissively. “Someone must have leaked the news. I hope you’re not falling for their line.”

  “What? I’m not smart enough to run for mayor? I’m not savvy enough? What?”

  “No.” He began to backpedal. “I didn’t say that.”

  “It’s not a line. I’m honored they asked me to run. And you’re not getting a haircut.” She pointed toward the door. “Please leave.”

  “Wait. I didn’t mean you couldn’t manage the job.”

  “You can just stop. I won’t be handled.” As she spoke, she made her way back to her hair station. “But, thanks, you just helped me make up my mind. Get ready for a fight, because I will be running for mayor.”

  “Yeah!” The women broke into applause.

  “Fine.” Cole swept both hands through his damp hair and headed for the door.

  “Oh, Mr. Mayor.” She stopped him.

  He half turned, hit her with a questioning glare. “Leave the robe.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE I let him irk me into agreeing to run for office.” Seated at the island counter in Samantha’s kitchen, Dani rolled her coffee mug between her palms. “It makes me so mad at myself. I never jump into a situation without giving it careful thought. I wished you’d warned me what Matilda was planning.”

  “She never said anything to me.” Samantha sliced a pound cake and transferred a piece to a plate for Dani. “Gram has her own way of doing things. She probably wanted to surprise you, give you less chance of coming back with preconceived excuses. She’s devious like that.”

  “Well, it worked. I had no chance to formulate a response before Cole came in and got me all riled up. I swear, if they weren’t on extreme opposites of this issue, I’d think they tag teamed me.”

  Samantha laughed. “That wouldn’t be past them, but not this time. You’re right, they’re on separate sides.” She clicked her coffee cup against Dani’s. “I would have loved to see him in the lavender turban.”

  The memory tugged a smile out of Dani. “It was an impressive sight.”

  Samantha came around and sat down next to Dani, giving her a friendly shoulder bump. “You know, this might be a good thing. Since Kevin died, you’ve been a tad overcautious. You spend all your time with Faith or at the shop.”

  “I’m not that bad,” Dani denied. She scowled. “I wish they wouldn’t refer to Kevin as a hero.”

  Samantha cocked her head at the sudden change in topic.

  “At the shop, Mrs. Day said I’d make a good candidate because I was the widow of a hero.”

  Samantha cringed, which was pretty much Dani’s reaction. “Not our most tactful citizen, Mrs. Day,” her friend sympathized. “But he did step between a bullet and a seventeen-year-old clerk in a holdup gone bad. That pretty much makes him a hero.”

  “I’m glad the girl wasn’t hurt, but I’d rather have a live husband than a dead hero.”

  “Oh, sweetie, I know.”

  Dani accepted the comfort of a one-armed hug as an emotional lump clogged her throat. Kevin had been gone for two years, yet sometimes the grief felt so fresh. She swallowed hard as she fought for composure.

  “I’m so glad to be in Paradise Pines and away from the city. I’ll take a squabble about a million-dollar donation of funds over crime, drugs and violence any day.”

  “Amen to that.” Samantha stole a bite of Dani’s pound cake. “The endowment might cause a few arguments but there’s not likely to be any bloodshed.”

  “Well, not if Cole stays out of my shop, anyway.” Dani met Samantha’s gaze and they both grinned.

  Dani’s resentment of Cole Sullivan resurfaced two days later as she sat behind him at the baptismal instruction class.

  He’d baited her into declaring her candidacy when she usually preferred to weigh the situation carefully before making a decision. Not that any decision came easily these days.

  At least she hadn’t had time to brood, to decide one way and then the other, or to fret over how it would affect Faith, her business or the future.

  There’d been no going back after making the announcement in front of the women in her shop. In order to build a successful business she needed to look strong and steady, not weak and foolish. So she was stuck.

  Thanks to Cole Sullivan.

  The only good news was she had no chance of winning. Just as the museum/garden proposal had little chance of winning. Winning? Ha, no one would even listen to them. That had become her goal, to get the predominately female supporters fair representation on the endowment issue.

  She’d lose but the women would feel they got the respect of being heard, a win-win from Dani’s point of view, and she’d get a little free promotion in the mix.

  Which didn’t let Sullivan off the hook.

  His earnest absorption in the lesson did.

  She held on to her snit for all of ten minutes once the class started. Where many of the men in the room shifted restlessly, Cole paid close attention. Better than she did. He’d said he was honored to act as Jake’s godfather and he obviously took the obligation seriously.

  She admired his dedication enough that when he invited her for coffee afterward she agreed. A decision she regretted when she sat across from him in the diner.

  This was way too intimate, just like when she’d had her hands in his hair at the shop.

  “I can’t stay long,” she said, starting on her exit strategy. “I have to get home to Faith.”

  “How’s my little fiancée doing?” he asked, mischief a devil in his blue eyes. “I do miss her.”

  She waited until after the waitress left water and coffee before shaking her finger at him. “That’s not funny.”

  “It’s a little funny.”

  “No, it’s not.” She shook her head, refusing to give into his charming smile.

  “Come on, lighten up.” He slid a hand across the table and traced a finger along the back of her wrist. “Wouldn’t it be funny if we hooked up? What
a story to tell the grandkids—I was engaged to your mom before I married your grandma.”

  She snatched her hand out of his reach. “Again, not funny. We are not going to hook up. Where do you come up with this stuff? I’m not your type, remember?”

  She was still trying to convince herself that hadn’t stung.

  “I might have been too hasty.” His intense gaze roamed over her hair, her face, her scooped-necked black shirt.

  Heat bloomed within her. Something she hadn’t felt in a long time. And had no business feeling now. Certainly not for this man. He was way out of her league.

  Whatever. She shook off the unexpected, unwanted arousal.

  “That was before you washed my hair. You give a great head message.”

  She gasped and quickly looked around. Thankfully, no one paid any attention. “You did not just say that in a public restaurant.”

  He lifted one dark eyebrow. “It’s the truth.”

  “You’re off your rocker. Never say that aloud again.”

  “Samantha wants us to hook up.” He tried looking hopeful when she knew, knew, he was pulling her chain. The man was a danger to women everywhere.

  “She’ll get over her disappointment.”

  “That’s cold. Don’t you care about your friend’s feelings?”

  “Not when it comes to my love life. Besides, Sami doesn’t care which of Alex’s brothers I hook up with—she just wants us to be sisters.”

  He laughed. “True. But I saw you first.”

  She shook her head at his nonsense. “Be careful,” she warned him. “Or I may just take you seriously.”

  “There’s hope for you yet, Wilder.” He winked at her as he sipped his coffee.

  Game over. She sighed and reached for the cream, able to breathe for the first time since sitting down. The way he riled her, the man was a walking adrenaline rush.

  “So how is Faith?” he asked.

  “Why?” Unprepared for the conversation to wrap back around to Faith, Dani’s protective instincts kicked in.

  “No why. She’s a cute kid and I miss seeing her. I’ve been a good boy and done as you asked. I even missed seeing the boys yesterday, because I knew she’d be there.”

  Dani felt a bit of regret for the boys. She knew how crazy they were about their uncle Cole.

  “I know. Sami told me you’d been calling ahead instead of just showing up. And I appreciate it. Faith misses you, too.” She eyed him suspiciously. “Somehow she’s figured out it’s my fault and she’s mad at me.”

  He held both hands up in a stop motion. “Don’t look at me. As I just said, I haven’t seen her.”

  “Yeah, as if that would stop you if you wanted to get a message through.”

  All levity left his expression. Obviously she’d hit a nerve, but she waved him off.

  “I believe you. I’m just frustrated. Alex often goes home for lunch and spends time with the kids. He’d be a nice, safe fixation for her.”

  “But he’s Gabe, Seth and Jake’s daddy. She loves Alex, but she wants a daddy of her own.”

  And that’s what hurt so much. But Dani knew he was right, his insight into her daughter was spot on. But short of marrying someone she didn’t love, this was something she couldn’t give to Faith. Unwilling to let Cole see how he got to her, she held his gaze, wishing the world were a different place.

  “Be careful, Dani.” The owner, a slim brunette with aqua eyes, set two pieces of banana-cream pie on the table and slid into the booth next to Cole. “You can’t believe a word this guy says,” Mattie Sullivan said. “It’s all sweet talk and hot air with him.”

  Because she’d been staring him down, Dani caught Cole’s flinch before he ramped up his customary humor and charm. “Dani, you’ve met my cousin?” he offered in the way of introductions.

  She nodded.

  “You need to watch it,” he cautioned Mattie. “The lady and I are about to become parents together. I can’t have her thinking bad things about me. I’m a sincere guy.”

  “Parents?” Mattie rolled the word out for maximum effect. “Congratulations. Wait until Gram hears. Get married and she may even let you back into her good graces.”

  “Godparents,” Dani quickly corrected, with another frantic look around the room. She’d be lucky if she got out of here with her reputation intact. “Please don’t encourage him,” Dani said. “I’ve just got him off the topic of marriage.”

  “Really?” This time true surprise sounded in the word. Mattie ran a questioning gaze over her cousin. “That doesn’t sound like Cole. I’ve always thought he was allergic to the word.”

  “Go away—” he nudged the brunette with his shoulder “—you’re cramping my style.”

  “Gram will be thrilled with this news.” Ignoring him, she picked up his fork and took a bite of his pie.

  “Hey,” he protested, reaching for his fork. “That’s mine.”

  His cousin held the utensil out of reach. “She may even forgive you for the whole sports complex debacle.”

  “Gram isn’t going to forgive me for anything until I settle down and give her a real grandchild.”

  “Or three.” She grinned and passed him the fork.

  “Brat. Do me a favor and scram.”

  “Can’t leave yet. I’m on a mission.” She focused her blue stare on her cousin. “I want to cater the desserts for the Harvest Dance, but Sami plans to pick up pastry items from one of the big warehouse stores. Can you put in a good word for me?”

  “Can’t,” Cole said. “You’re family—I can’t show favoritism, it would be a conflict of interest.”

  “That’s what Sami said. It’s not fair I’m being penalized because I know the people in power.”

  “It’s not fair to the community either,” Dani said as she forked up a bite of pie. “Your desserts are wonderful.”

  Mattie smirked at Cole and then beamed at Dani. “Did I tell you how much I like you? You’re too good for this big brute. Is it true you’re running for mayor against him?”

  After enjoying their playful banter, the question came as a cold slap. As levity clashed with harsh reality, panic raised its ugly head. That fast Dani felt overwhelmed by everything in her life. How could she take care of Faith and the shop and run for office, too? But what would happen to her reputation and her business if she let the ladies down? It was all too much.

  A warm hand settled over hers, bring her back to the table, back to her senses. She followed the hand up a hair-dusted forearm, past a broad chest, over a relaxed mouth and landed in understanding blue eyes.

  “Dani doesn’t have to do anything she doesn’t want to do,” Cole declared, sounding sincere, but was it truth or hot air?

  Was he saying she could back out of the mayoral race without disappointing her new friends and clients? Or did he just want her to think she could so she’d leave the field clear for him?

  Pulling her hand free, Dani confirmed her bid for candidacy and then quickly turned the conversation away from herself.

  “So, Mattie, are you pro sports center or museum and botanical garden?”

  Mattie glanced around the busy diner and shrugged. “These days I’m all about the food. But I grew up watching these guys.” She bumped shoulders with Cole. “Football, baseball, basketball, track, one of them was always playing something. Softball was my thing. So, much to Gram’s disappointment, I’m for the sports center.”

  “Your grandmother remembers the Anderson family. She’d like to see them honored for their generosity.”

  “Right, and the sports complex makes the most of those funds, which is the best way to honor Anderson.” Cole said, and then polished off his last bite of pie.

  “And around and round we go. We have a sports complex. If we need the fancy misting system and such, why haven’t we done something about it before now?”

  “No money for it. The endowment makes it possible. Plus a bigger and better complex will draw tournaments, which will bring in revenue, not only to the tow
n coffers, but to the local merchants, too. Within a few years the town will be able to do a lot more to improve the community. Including a scaled-down museum and garden if the citizens want it.”

  He made it sound so simple, so sane.

  “The museum and garden will be a source of revenue, as well, with the rooms and garden space rented out for social occasions and community events.”

  Cole shook his head. “Social occasions around here are mostly backyard barbecues. The reality is that the upkeep of the garden would probably be a strain on the economy and, in drought years like this, a drain on our water resources, as well.”

  “That’s unfair.” Outraged, Dani hit the table, causing the gentleman behind Mattie to turn and check out their booth. Paying no attention to him, Dani argued her point. “The fields at the sports complex would require the same care and water.”

  “No. The fields are dirt and grass with a few hardy bushes and trees that the local teams can help maintain to offset expenses. A landscaped botanical garden would require one, maybe two, full-time professional gardeners and a specialized irrigation system.”

  The authority in his tone, the confidence in his posture reminded her this was what Cole did. As a landscaper and nursery owner, he obviously knew what he was talking about, leaving her little room to argue.

  The gentleman eavesdropping quickly picked up on her hesitation.

  “That’s right, Lady Candidate, that garden is a money hole. Paradise Pines can’t afford to pour money into a useless venture, no matter how pretty it is.”

  From there, one diner then another chimed in with an opinion until shouts were being traded across the room. Dani did her best to represent the values of education, tradition and history, but she was nearly drowned out by coaches, proud dads and the odd soccer mom.

  The derisive attitude sparked several women to speak up in defense of Dani. She sent Cole a sidelong look. She noticed he did nothing to add to the melee, but he did nothing to stop it either. He caught her gaze and she cocked her head toward the vocal locals.