Always the Best Man

by Michelle Major

  Everything in his life was exactly where he wanted it. Everything but the mayor’s race. Charles was taking full advantage of Jase’s busy schedule by planning campaign events all over town. Almost overnight, yard signs with the slogan Charles Thompson, A Family Man You Can Trust had popped up on every corner. Jase got calls from friends and business owners, suggesting he ramp up his efforts with the election date quickly looming.

  The problem was he didn’t want to take time away from the rest of his life to focus on the campaign. He couldn’t stop questioning the reasons he’d decided to run for the position in the first place. Yes, he was dedicated to Crimson, but he didn’t need to be mayor to prove that. Or did he?

  He was getting pressure to be seen around town when all he wanted was to spend his free time with Emily and Davey. Although the boy was adjusting to school, he still preferred the quiet of home. Jase had set up a Lego construction area in the corner of his family room so Davey was becoming more comfortable at his house. That didn’t solve the issue of Emily needing a quiet life with her son, while Jase’s obligations to the town pulled him to be more visible with every passing day.

  He checked his watch for the fifth time as he waited for the city council meeting to end late on Tuesday, one day before the big town hall event. Monthly council meetings were held in the evenings because so many of the members also had day jobs. Jase had never minded before because his life was the town. But Emily had texted that Davey wanted to show him his latest Lego structure, and he’d hoped to get out early enough to make it to the farm.

  The council members continued to debate the date for the lighting of the town Christmas tree in December while Jase’s mind raced from thoughts of Emily to the trial to the doctor’s appointment he needed to reschedule for his father to the campaign he was pretending didn’t exist.

  “Jase, do you have anything to add?” One of the longtime council members lifted a thick brow.

  Jase blinked and glanced around at his fellow council members, reluctant to admit he had no idea where the thread of the conversation had gone. Liam Donovan met his gaze and gave a subtle shake of his head.

  “No,” Jase said firmly, as if he knew what the hell they were talking about now. “I agree on this one.”

  Thankfully, the general comment was enough to satisfy everyone and the meeting adjourned. He checked his phone, disappointment washing through him. He’d missed a text from Emily, telling him Davey was going to bed and they’d keep Ruby overnight at the farm. She’d added an emoji face blowing a kiss at the end, which only made him want to hurl the phone across the room.

  Jase didn’t want emoji. He wanted Emily in his arms.

  He punched in a quick text promising to stop by in the morning before heading to Aspen.

  “You realize you can’t speed up or slow down time by watching the clock,” Liam said from behind his shoulder.

  Gathering his things, Jase turned and shook his head. “It’s a damn shame, too. Thanks for saving my butt just now.”

  Liam nodded. “You weren’t exactly dialed in for this meeting. I’ll walk out with you.”

  Jase watched a group of council members standing on the far side of the conference table, heads together as they talked. Charles Thompson was in the middle, as if holding court, and the sight made a sick pit open in Jase’s gut. One of the men glanced back at Jase, guilt flashing in his gaze before he waved.

  “Looks like you weren’t the only one to notice.” He followed Liam out into the cool autumn night. He should be sitting on his back porch with Emily right now. Instead he was heading over to his office to work a few more hours on the cross-examination he was preparing for tomorrow.

  “Also looks like your campaign is in the toilet,” Liam said without preamble. “Before you got to the meeting, Charles made a pretty convincing speech about you being pulled in too many directions to give your full attention to the duties of mayor.”

  “Which is not true—”

  “He also hinted that your dad is having problems and you’ve got too many distractions right now.”

  Jase cursed under his breath and turned on his heel. The town meetings were open to the public so Charles had every right to be there. But not to spread lies about Jase’s father. “My dad is fine,” he ground out, moving back toward the courthouse. “I’m going to—”

  “Whoa, there.” Liam placed a hand on Jase’s shoulder. “It’s not a coincidence Charles showed up tonight, made the comment and now is hanging out after the meeting. He’s playing dirty, Jase.”

  “Why the hell did you tell me, then?”

  “Because you have a choice to make.”

  Jase shrugged away from Liam’s grasp and paced several steps before turning and slamming his palm against the side of the brick building. He cursed again and shook out his hand. “I’ve made my choice.”

  “I’m new to the council,” Liam said, “but from what I’ve heard, the choice was made for you. When the former mayor took off, Marshall Daley stepped in as mayor pro tem. He was never going to seek another term, so the town council members suggested you run.”

  “That’s the basic gist,” Jase admitted. “It wasn’t supposed to be this complicated.”

  “Did you ever really want to be mayor?”

  “Of course I did. I can do the job.”

  “I’m not debating that.”

  “I love this town.”

  “Again, you’ll get no argument from me there. Hell, you had a major impact on my decision to make Crimson the headquarters for LifeMap. But it felt different. You were on a mission to make a name for yourself. I didn’t understand it then...”

  “And now you do?” Jase sagged against the building, tired at the thought of rehashing his family history one more time. “Everyone around here thinks they know me.”

  Liam shrugged. “It’s clear you don’t want it the way you once did.”

  “Is it so wrong to also want a life for myself, as well?”

  “No.”

  “I won’t let Charles win.”

  “Even if it means you lose in the long run?”

  Jase straightened. “I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

  “How?”

  “Can I make a suggestion?”

  Both men turned as Cole Bennett stepped out around the street corner.

  “Evening, Sheriff,” Jase said. “Out for a stroll downtown or is this official business?”

  Cole moved closer. He wore jeans and a T-shirt and held up his hands, palms out. “Off duty tonight. I was hoping to talk to you before the town hall meeting this week.” He glanced at Liam. “It’s private.”

  Jase started to argue but Liam held up a hand. “I need to get home anyway. Let me know if I can help. No matter what you decide.”

  “Thanks, man.” Jase shook Liam’s hand, then watched him walk across the street to where his truck was parked.

  “You have some advice for me?” he asked the sheriff.

  “Information,” Cole clarified. “Your office is on this block, right?”

  Jase nodded.

  The sheriff glanced over his shoulder. “Let’s go there.”

  “Why do I have a bad feeling about this?” Jase asked as he led Cole a few storefronts down until they reached his office.

  “Because you’re not stupid,” Cole answered bluntly.

  With a sigh, Jase unlocked the door and flipped on the light in the reception area. The scent of vanilla from the candle Emily burned at her desk filled the air, and his heart shifted. The subtle changes she’d made to his life mattered and he hated that his sense of duty to the town was keeping them apart.

  It wasn’t only his schedule. They’d agreed their relationship wasn’t casual, but he could feel Emily holding back. He assumed it was because of his increasing commitments t
o work and the campaign. While he wanted to tell her it would pass, how could he make that promise if he won the election?

  “Since you’re not on the clock, how about a drink?” Jase asked, moving toward his office. “I’ve got scotch or...scotch.”

  Cole chuckled low. “I’ll have a scotch. Thanks.”

  Jase motioned him into the office, then went to the kitchenette area and poured two squat glasses with the amber-colored liquid. Back in the office, he handed one to Cole, then sat behind his desk.

  Cole took a slow sip before placing the glass on Jase’s desk. “How bad do you want to win the election?”

  The question of the hour. “Not bad enough to do something illegal for it.” It was the most honest answer Jase could give without exposing the doubts plaguing him.

  “What about exposing something your opponent had done?” the sheriff asked. “Not exactly illegal but it’s definitely borderline. Turns out Thompson had been going easy on his friends and neighbors for years. Anytime there was a problem with someone he knew personally, the issue disappeared.”

  Jase actually laughed. “Everyone except my father.”

  Cole shrugged. “There’s a lot of politics involved in small-town law enforcement. I’m overhauling the department, but I do have records that certain procedures weren’t exactly...aboveboard when he was in charge.”

  “What are you going to do with the information?”

  “That’s why I’m here. Charles Thompson was supposed to retire and go fishing or whatever the hell else he wanted. I didn’t take his bid for mayor too seriously at first.” He picked up his glass of scotch and tipped it toward Jake. “You had the blessing of the council, so there was no question you’d be elected.”

  Jase didn’t shy away from Cole’s scrutiny. “Now there is?”

  The sheriff finished off his scotch before answering. “Thompson is pushing you hard and you’re letting him. I don’t know if it’s because the garbage he’s throwing is getting to you or because you’ve decided you don’t care about winning.”

  “Maybe I’m tired of my whole life revolving around Crimson.”

  “Fair enough, but I’m asking you to get your head back in the game. We need you, Jase. We need somebody decent in charge of this town.” Cole placed his glass back on the desk and stood. “I can leak what I know about Thompson, make him go away, but it won’t change how he’s trash-talking you or what it means if you don’t answer the accusations. You have a chance to tomorrow night. I hope you take it, but if you need something more let me know.”

  “Thank you,” Jase said and watched the sheriff walk out the door. He threw back the rest of his scotch, welcoming the burn in his gut. Maybe he had been ignoring the campaign in the hope the decision would be taken from him. But that wasn’t who he was, and Cole’s visit proved it.

  Why couldn’t he have Emily and the mayor’s position? Yes, she had doubts but he’d worked too hard to give up now. He needed to prove that she and Davey fit into his life, every part of it. The town hall meeting would be the perfect place to do just that.

  * * *

  Emily stopped in front of the entrance to the Crimson Community Center where the town hall meeting was about to start. She smoothed a hand over the fitted dress she hadn’t worn since she’d stood next to her ex-husband when he’d made partner at his law firm.

  “I should have picked something else. This is way too formal.”

  Her mother squeezed her hand. “You look lovely and the sweater softens the look.” Meg glanced down at Davey, who stood a few steps behind Emily, his hands tightly fisted at his sides. “You are very heroic tonight.”

  Emily shared a look with her mom, then smiled at Davey. He’d insisted on changing into his superhero costume after school today and refused to put on a different outfit for the meeting. She understood that sitting still in a crowd of strangers was going to be a challenge, so hoped Jase understood Davey’s wardrobe choice. Her purse was stocked with Davey’s favorite snacks, a small bag of Lego pieces and the fail-safe iPad loaded with a few new apps. She prayed it would be enough to keep him content during the meeting.

  As her mother held open the door, Emily put a hand on Davey’s shoulder to guide him, then drew back as he flinched away from her touch.

  Breathe, she told herself. Smile.

  She’d come back to Crimson for a quiet life, and now she was putting herself on display for the entire town. Her mother led them up the side aisle to the front row of chairs marked Reserved. Emily glanced over her shoulder as she took her seat and saw several of her new friends sitting together a few rows back. April waved and Natalie Donovan gave her a thumbs-up sign. A little bit of the tension knotted in her chest eased.

  A tap on her shoulder had her swinging back around.

  “It’s not Halloween,” Miriam Thompson, Charles’s wife, said in a disapproving hiss as she made her way into the seat next to Emily, with Aaron’s brother, Todd, on her other side. Aaron wasn’t with them, a fact for which Emily was grateful. “You should show some respect to the seriousness of this election.”

  Red-hot anger rushed through Emily. Anger at Miriam for making the comment, at Jase for asking her to do this but mostly at herself for still caring what people thought of her and her son. Before she could respond, her mother whipped around in her seat.

  “You should shut your mouth, Miriam,” Meg said. “Before I come over there and do it for you. My grandson can be a superhero every day if it makes him happy.” She wagged a finger at each of the Thompsons. “We could use more heroes in this town, not people who feel like it’s their right to taunt and bully others.”

  Miriam gasped but turned away, her cheeks coloring bright pink as she made her son shift seats so she wasn’t sitting right beside Emily.

  Emily tried to hide her shocked smile as she leaned over Davey toward her mother and spoke low. “‘Come over there and do it for you’?”

  Meg sniffed. “I never liked that woman.”

  A hush fell over the room as Liam Donovan walked onto the stage, along with Jase and Charles. Liam was moderating the meeting. A few general announcements were made first and then Liam formally introduced Jase and Charles, although Emily couldn’t imagine there was anyone in the room who didn’t know either man. Crimson had grown in the years since she’d been gone, but it seemed as though everyone in attendance tonight had some history with the town.

  The thought made her encouraged for Jase, as so much of Crimson’s recent boom could be attributed to work he’d done as part of the city council. No wonder he was torn between making decisions for his own happiness and his duty to the town.

  Charles took the mic first, detailing his background as former sheriff. Emily gritted her teeth as he made special mention of his long marriage, and his family’s history of service and philanthropy in Crimson.

  Jase didn’t seem bothered, though, and stepped to the podium after shaking Charles’s hand. He smiled as he looked out over the audience.

  “It’s great to see so many friendly and familiar faces in this crowd,” he began. “This town means a lot to me and no matter what our differences, we can all agree that we want the best and brightest future for Crimson.” After a ripple of applause, he spoke again. “I’d like to personally thank Charles for his contributions to our town over the years. Families like the Thompsons gave us a strong foundation. As many of you know, my family’s history runs in a different direction.” He chuckled softly. “Which is why I’m especially grateful for this town and the people in it.”

  Emily didn’t turn around but she could feel the energy building in the crowd as Jase spoke. He was sincere and articulate, not shying away from where he came from but taking the power of his family’s troubled history away from Charles by owning it himself. She’d never been prouder. Then she felt Davey shift next to her. It was hard to tell whether he was re
acting to the excitement of the crowd or Jase’s voice booming through the room or one of any number of things that might disturb his equilibrium.

  The reason didn’t matter. Something was also building inside Davey. He fidgeted, tugging on the tights of his superhero costume and humming softly under his breath. She reached in her purse and grabbed the bag of Lego pieces.

  “Here, sweetie,” she said, placing them gently in his lap. Keeping her voice calm and trying to regulate her own energy was key for keeping him from moving any closer to a meltdown.

  Her mom shot her a look but Emily shook her head. It didn’t matter what anyone thought at the moment. She had to keep Davey calm or everything she’d worked so hard to create would blow up in her face.

  Davey opened the bag and methodically pulled out building pieces.

  Emily breathed a tentative sigh of relief and focused on Jase. He was looking directly at her.

  “With me tonight,” he said, “is a family who have made me a part of their own over the years.” His gaze left hers, but she could still feel the warmth of it across her skin. “What makes this town special is that we take care of each other. Meg and Jacob Crawford took care of me when I needed it most. As mayor, I want to make sure we continue to move Crimson forward and, more importantly, that we continue to look out for one another.”

  “I guess your own father isn’t part of your grand plan?” The loud, slurring voice rang out in the quiet of the meeting room. Emily heard the crowd’s collective gasp but kept her eyes on Jase. His expression registered shock, confusion and finally a resigned disappointment as he looked out past the audience toward the back of the room. His gaze flicked to hers for a moment. The silent plea in his chocolate-brown eyes registered deep in her heart even as he schooled his features into a carefully controlled mask once again.

  “You count, Dad,” he said calmly into the microphone. “But we should talk later.”

  Emily turned to the back of the room to see Declan making his way up the center aisle. The door to the hallway was swinging closed and she caught a glimpse of a figure moving to the side as it shut. Aaron Thompson.