Harmony Cabins (6 page)

Ramona McCloud, the current mayor, was not running for reelection. Instead, she'd made the life-changing decision to leave Trinity Falls next month with her boyfriend, Doctor Quincy Spates. That meant Doreen was the only registered candidate for the election. She'd been prepared to challenge Ramona for the office, though. She'd understood how their visions for Trinity Falls were different and why. In contrast, campaigning against Simon would be like kickboxing smoke.

Simon gave her a smug look. “My platform will be the sesquicentennial celebration.”

Doreen frowned. “I'm chairing the Trinity Falls Sesquicentennial Steering Committee. You're not even a member.”

Yet another example of Simon's lack of civic participation. Why did he want to be mayor?

Simon wagged his right index finger. “The sesquicentennial—in particular, the Founders Day Celebration next month—is our best chance to raise the town's profile and boost tourism . . . if it's done correctly.”

Doreen narrowed her eyes. “Meaning?”

“I'm going to position the outcome of the mayoral election as a judgment on the sesquicentennial events. Will the steering committee you're leading raise the town's profile? Will it increase tourism or draw regional, if not national, attention?”

Doreen's laugh was short and shocked. “So I do all the work, while you just sit back and judge the outcome? How convenient for you.”

“That's not what I said.”

Doreen continued as though she hadn't heard him. “The only flaw in your campaign strategy is that the celebration—in particular, Founders Day—is going to be a success.”

“How?” Simon bounced on his toes again. “You can't even convince Jack Sansbury, the last member of our founding family, to attend the celebration.”

Doreen unclenched her teeth. “The sesquicentennial is going to be a success. But what about your lack of government experience?”

“I'm willing to learn. I'm up for the challenge.”

“Are you talking about on-the-job training?” Was he serious? “I already have experience working with town agencies through my volunteer positions on civic committees.”

A movement in Doreen's peripheral vision drew her attention past Simon and corked her growing head of steam. Her regular morning customers were arriving. Her son, Ean, joined Quincy, Ramona, and Simon's son, Darius.

Doreen glared at Simon. “We'll continue this later.”

“Now, hold on, Doreen.” Simon glanced over his shoulder. “Now that I've given you the courtesy of advance warning, I'm ready to announce my candidacy.”

“You mean your petition.” Doreen fumed. Her soon-to-be challenger preened at his pending spotlight.

Simon didn't appear to hear her. “Good morning.” His voice boomed as though he was already on the campaign trail. “How's everybody this morning?”

Darius gave his father a suspicious look. “What brings you here so early?”

“I have some news I'd like to share with you good people.” Simon rubbed his hands together. “I'm running for mayor.”

“You missed the filing deadline.” It was the first thing that popped into Darius's brain and out of his mouth.

Simon waved his hand dismissively. “I'm circulating a petition, which I expect all you good people to sign.”

The older man's guffaws grated on Darius's ears. Apparently, after thirty-three years, he still wasn't immune to being embarrassed by his parents. “That's not funny. It's unethical to coerce people into signing your petition.”

Simon's grin didn't waver. “We're all friends here.”

Darius put a firm hand on his father's shoulder and spoke to his friends. “Go ahead and order your breakfast. I'll be right back.”

He steered Simon to the farthest table in the bakery.

Simon shrugged off Darius's arm. “What are you doing?”

“I'll ask you the same thing. Why are you talking about running for mayor?”

Simon sent his son a resentful glare as he straightened his dark green jersey. “The residents of Trinity Falls deserve a choice of mayoral candidates. We haven't—”

“Cut the crap.” Darius's head ached from his father's bullshit. He pulled out a chair and sank onto it. “Save the pompous speeches for strangers. Tell
me
the truth.”

Simon settled onto the seat across from Darius. “I want to be the next mayor of Trinity Falls.”

“Why?”

“It's my civic duty.”

“Bullshit. You've never been civic-minded.”

Simon's brown cheeks flooded an angry red. “Who are you to approve or disapprove of the reason I'm running for office? I can run for mayor if I damn well choose.”

Darius ignored Simon's temper and scrutinized the angular features that were discomfortingly similar to his: high forehead, dark eyes, broad nose, and full lips. “Does Mom know what you're doing?”

“I told her.”

“And?”

“I don't have to ask your mother's permission to do anything. I'm a grown man. The only person I need to please is me.”

Translation: Ethel Knight was pissed. Great. Another reason for his parents to be at odds.

“You don't know anything about being mayor. You don't know the first thing about running a town.”

“How hard could it be?” Simon sneered. “If Ramona McCloud can run Trinity Falls, so can I.”

“No, you can't.” Darius's voice was flat. “Get a hobby if you're worried about retirement.”

“I'm not worried about my retirement,” his father grumbled.

“This race is too important for you to use it as a way to draw attention to yourself.”

Simon's brow beetled with fury. “What does that mean?”

“You know exactly what I'm saying. You love being the center of attention. That's why you want to run for mayor.”

“That's not true.” Simon seemed actually to believe his words.

Darius ignored his father's interruption. “Trinity Falls isn't your toy. The mayor's office isn't a game.”

Simon stood, pushing the chair under the table. “This isn't a game to me.”

Darius held his father's gaze. “Public servants aren't allowed to have secrets.”

Simon spread his arms. “I have nothing to hide.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” His father turned and walked away.

Simon Knight wanted the town to believe he was an honest, responsible family man. Darius knew the truth. His father's life was a lie. Simon's reckless decision to run for mayor would have devastating consequences for his entire family when those lies were exposed.

Anger and fear stewed in Darius's gut. He had to convince his father that for once in his selfish life, Simon needed to make a decision that wasn't all about Simon.

CHAPTER 6

When was the last time he'd come to Trinity Falls? Jack couldn't remember. It was at least a year and a half ago. Zoey had been alive. But Tuesday evening, Jack pulled his silver Toyota truck into the Trinity Falls Town Center and parked in front of Books & Bakery. He ignored his sudden craving for Doreen's Trinity Falls Fudge Walnut Brownies. That wasn't the reason he was here.

The streets on the way into town had been lined with sesquicentennial banners. He had conflicting emotions over their proclamation,
150 YEARS STRONG.
He was proud his family had founded something that continued to endure, but he regretted that the legacy would end with him.

Jack climbed from his truck and followed the sidewalk that ribboned the center's stores. He paused in front of a shingle that read,
EAN FEVER, ESQ.
It was shortly after six o'clock. Ean must have left for the day. His old friend had visited him three or four times since Ean had resigned his partnership with a New York City law firm and returned to Trinity Falls. Each time, Jack had sped Ean on his way. He wasn't ready to reconnect with old friends or rejoin the community. It was too soon to start caring about people again.

He continued past Gifts and Greetings, Tilda Maddox's gifts and card store. Customers meandered in and out of Are You Nuts?—the shop where Vernon Fox sold peanuts and candy. Business looked brisk in Fine Accessories, Grady Weather-ington's shoes, purse, and accessories store. Few people recognized Jack. Some hailed him, making his name a question. Was it the beard?

Then there were the ones who just stared with pity, dismay, or fear. He hated that. It was one of the reasons he never ventured into town anymore. Jack did his best to ignore them as he progressed toward his destination, Belinda Curby's Skin Deep Beauty Salon.

The bell above the salon's front door played a jaunty tune, drawing unwelcome attention to his arrival. What was he doing here?

“Hey, Jack.” Belinda greeted him as though it had been days rather than a year since she'd last seen him. She stood at her station, halfway across the room, tending to her patron. The young woman with pink-and-purple-tinted hair gaped at him.

“Belinda.” He forced himself farther into the salon.

The large, rectangular interior was bright and even more colorful than Belinda's client's hair. Green tile climbed away from the silver flooring and halfway up the walls. The top half of the wall was a medley of reds, oranges, and white. Silver stylist chairs ringed the perimeter. Customized black porcelain sinks huddled in the center of the room.

Three other stylists—two women and a man—were in various stages of caring for their customers while trying to appear as though they weren't staring at him.

“It's been a minute since I've seen you.” Belinda spoke over her shoulder.

“Just about.” It would have been even longer if he'd been able to forget the beard burns he'd left on Audra's skin. Was coming here the right thing to do?

“What brings you in today?” Belinda's gentle question confused him even more.

Jack hesitated, silenced by his growing unease.

“Isn't it obvious, Belinda?” Novella Dishy, the older stylist, asked the rhetorical question. Jack recognized her from his days of picking up his ex-wife after her salon appointments. “He's here for a damn haircut. And that beard has
got
to go. Jack, who told you that that was a good look for you?”

The thin young stylist whose station was behind Novella's giggled. Jack didn't recognize her but the male stylist was Glenn Narcus.

“Novella.” Belinda shot her employee a quelling look.

Jack fingered his beard. He preferred Novella's candor to Belinda's protectiveness. But why would Novella think his beard was a fashion statement?

“I wasn't going for a look.”

Novella made a disapproving face before adding more creamy white stuff to Nessa Linden's hair. Nessa had been a Trinity Falls Town Council member for years.

“What made you start to care again, Jack?”

The sugary sweetness of Nessa's question set Jack's nerves on edge.

“Not sure I do.”

The bell above the front door chimed a welcome interruption. Jack turned as Darius entered the salon.

The newspaper reporter grinned at him. “Thought I recognized your truck in the parking lot. Come to get your nails done?”

Irritation knitted Jack's brows. “Is that why you're here?”

“I'm here for the view.” Darius shared his cover model smile with the room. “Evening, ladies and Glenn.”

A chorus of replies and giggles poured past Jack.
Why am I here?
Jack started toward the exit.

Darius caught his arm. “No manicure? My mistake.” He folded himself onto a bright orange plastic chair in the waiting area and drew Jack down beside him. There was laughter in his dark eyes.

Jack scowled as he sat. “There's a reason you're still single.”

“Hey, Darius.”

Darius leaned forward to see into the styling area. “Well, hey, yourself, Michelle. How could I have missed you sitting over there?”

The young woman with the rainbow hair giggled with pleasure. “Ms. Belinda's going to make my hair all one color.”

“I bet you'll look just as pretty then, too.” Darius winked. “Evening, Ms. Novella.”

Novella waved her thin comb at him. “Save your attentions for the empty-headed young girls who want them.”

“All I did was say hello, Ms. Novella. Any hidden meanings are purely a figment of your vivid imagination.” Darius settled back on his chair.

Novella blushed as the salon filled with laughter.

Jack chuckled. “Still have all the town's single women fighting over you?”

“If that's your intel, you need to check your sources.”

“What are you two talking about over there?” Novella yelled to be heard over the dryers.

Darius raised his voice in return. “Ms. Novella, you know it's not polite to eavesdrop on other people's conversations.”

The older woman gasped. “I'm not eavesdropping! I just want to make sure you talk some sense into Jack. That man is
not
leaving here looking like that. It could ruin the salon's reputation.”

Darius' silent chuckles shook his shoulders. “Jack can make his own decisions, ma'am. And Belinda doesn't seem concerned.”

Jack lowered his voice. “Novella Dishy is just as mean as she's ever been.”

“What are you saying, Jack?” Novella shouted.

Jack closed his eyes briefly. “Just catching up with Darius, ma'am.”

Darius watched him intently. “Man, I wish I could say you looked good, but . . .”

Not him, too.
Jack scowled. “Don't lose sleep over it.”

“The only reason it bothers me is that I know it would bother Zoey.”

Jack gave Darius a sharp look. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Don't you know how scared she was to leave you alone? With her and Kerry gone—”

“Don't bring Kerry into this.”

“This isn't about her.” Darius shifted toward him. “It's not about you, either. It's about Zoey. She was worried you wouldn't have anyone to take care of you.”

Jack looked away. It was killing him to hear how scared his daughter had been as she was dying. But she hadn't been afraid for herself. She'd been worried for him. Hearing that made him feel worse. But Darius's words kept coming.

“How do you think she would feel if she saw you now? You don't look anything like her beloved dad.”

“Stop it.” Jack's pulse raced.

“What would she think if she saw what you allowed to happen?”

“Stop.” Jack couldn't catch his breath.

“How do you think she would feel, knowing her worst fear has come true? You look more like the Beast from her favorite fairy tale than her father.”

Jack jerked toward his tormentor. This was the second time someone had compared his appearance to the beast in “Beauty and the Beast.” “I know what you're doing.”

“No one said you were stupid.”

Jack breathed heavily. “And you're smarter than you look.”

“Don't let that get around.”

“Don't worry.” Jack stood. “Belinda, do you have time for me?”

Silence settled over the salon.

A huge grin stretched the salon owner's painted lips. “Jack, honey, I'll make time for you.”

A round of applause and shouts of encouragement broke the peace.

Jack turned in time to see Darius walk out of the salon. He'd thought his friend would want to watch the fruits of his manipulation. They'd see each other again, though. For now, Jack was more interested in Audra's reaction to his soon-to-be neater appearance.

 

 

“Mom, why do you need the cabin's address?” Audra adjusted her hold on her cell phone. She wandered the great room Wednesday afternoon, hoping the movement would help her understand her mother's train of thought.

Ellen exhaled an impatient breath. “Suppose I need to get in touch with you?”

“You have my cell phone number. You don't need the cabin's address.” Audra paused beside the front window and tipped its curtain aside. The sun was bright and warm on the front lawn. A gentle breeze ruffled the leaves along the tree line.

“I can take care of myself, Mom. I wish you'd stop smothering me and making me afraid to try new things.”

The past six days in the small town of Trinity Falls, she'd grown more than she had in her thirty-one years in Los Angeles.

Her mother sniffed. “I didn't realize I was doing that.”

“You were.” It was with Jack's company and encouragement that she felt comfortable enough to explore.

She hadn't seen him since Monday. She missed the grumpy rental owner. She'd been going to Books & Bakery, but her new friends' company wasn't the same. However, Audra had gone jogging later this morning deliberately to avoid Jack and memories of their brief but powerful kiss. Obviously, the strategy wasn't working, since her mind seemed consumed with both. Audra let the pale green curtain swing back into place.

Ellen continued making her case. “I need the resort's address, Audra. Suppose something happens to you and I can't reach you on your phone? Are the address and phone number secret? You can't even tell your own mother?”

Audra smothered a sigh. “OK, Mom. I'll give you the information. You don't have to lay on the guilt trip.”

She crossed the great room on her way to her bedroom. She'd left the rental's brochure in her nightstand. She read its main address and phone number to her mother, waiting while Ellen repeated the information to her.

“Good.” Ellen's voice was full of satisfaction. “Now your father and I can rest easier, knowing exactly where you are.”

“How's Dad?” Audra returned the brochure to her nightstand and closed the drawer.

“He's fine. He's worried about you, though. He hasn't said anything, but I can tell.”

Audra rolled her eyes in amusement. “Please tell Dad there's no need for either of you to worry about me. I'm fine.”

“There's no reasoning with your father about this. He won't relax until you're home.” Ellen paused. “When are you coming home?”

Audra held on to her patience. She loved her mother, but sometimes . . . “My deadline is August fourth.”

Ellen hesitated. “Have you spoken with Wendell?”

“No, Mom. Wendell and I broke up months ago. You know that.” Audra sank onto the edge of the bed.

“I know the two of you had a disagreement, but you can work through it. He wants to talk with you.”

“He used me, Mom.”

“He cares about you, Audra. He worries that you work too hard. So do I. He understands that there's more to life than work. That's something you need to know, too.”

“I've been having some fun here.” Audra lay back on the bed. The mattress was heavenly, not too hard and not too soft. Just perfect.

“What have you been doing?”

“I went fishing Monday.”

Why had she mentioned that? It just reminded her of Jack—and a kiss that had been so wonderful, even if it had been so wrong. He'd smelled of fresh air and pinecones. His lips had been soft and warm. His taste had been . . . Audra sprang upright.

Ellen exhaled. “I'm glad you're finding time to have fun, although fishing doesn't sound like much fun to me.”

Audra's laughter was forced. “You should try it. I didn't think I'd enjoy it at first, either.”

Yet, how much of her enjoyment had been from fishing and how much had been due to Jack? She didn't want to examine that question too closely.

Ellen gave her a noncommittal hum. “What else have you been doing?”

“I met some very nice people.”

“Other tourists?”

Audra stood and left the bedroom. “No, townspeople. Trinity Falls is celebrating its sesquicentennial.”

“Oh, one hundred and fifty years. That's nice.”

Audra walked to the great room. She stopped beside the dark fabric sofa and stared at her guitar resting on its cushions. “The town's hosting its Founders Day Celebration August ninth.”

“Oh, that's too bad. They're going to have it right after you leave.”

“I was thinking of staying for it.”

“But, Audra, you said your deadline is August fourth. You're already going to be gone so long.”

“It's just a few more days, Mom.” Audra settled onto the sofa. “I'd better get back to work.”