by Tim Myers
The audience suddenly broke loose with applause. It took Alex a second to realize they were clapping for Tracy Shook, one of the two candidates vying for Grady Hatch’s job as mayor of Elkton Falls. Tracy, a petite blonde around Alex’s age, was nearly hidden by the podium onstage. Alex had grown up with Tracy and her ex-husband, Conner Shook. Though Tracy and Conner had shared the same last name throughout their lives, the two came from opposite branches of the Shook family tree, so far separated that they were less blood-kin than many of the folks who lived in Elkton Falls. Tracy, now running for mayor, had hyphenated her line of Shooks onto her married name, but she’d dropped her husband’s Shook the day their divorce was finalized. In Alex’s opinion, Tracy was what Elkton Falls government needed: someone with fresh ideas and a new approach to shake things up. Conner, predictably enough, was acting as her competitor’s campaign manager.
As Tracy’s opponent, Oxford Hitchcock, took the stage for his own speech, Alex asked, “Elise, is everything ready inside?”
They were having a reception in the lobby of the new building after the speeches were finished, and he wanted to make sure everything was just right.
“The punch is chilling, the finger foods are on their trays, and I’ve got three college kids decked out in their finest to serve our guests. I heard the chamber group warming up a few minutes ago, and they sounded wonderful.”
Alex said, “I’m still not sure about classical music at Hatteras West. It’s a little highbrow for Elkton Falls, don’t you think?”
She patted his arm. “Alex, don’t worry, everyone will love it.”
“I still say we should have gone with a bluegrass band.”
Elise said, “The next time we have a building dedication, we’ll do just that.”
Alex sighed. ‘To be honest with you, I never want to have to go through this again.”
“That makes two of us. But don’t worry so much, our troubles are over.”
On the stage, Oxford was wrapping up his comments, praising apple pie and motherhood, and the crowd roared again. Oxford was a popular man around Elkton Falls, serving on the Town Council for twelve years as well as handling the treasurer’s duties. He was a stout, heavyset man with a full mane of silver hair and a voice that echoed through the hills. As he spoke, Oxford locked both thumbs under his “signature” suspenders.
Oxford Hitchcock was in sharp contrast to Tracy Shook in just about every way: he bellowed, while she always spoke softly, and though Oxford could put away more food than any man, woman, or child at one of his political barbeque events, Tracy never seemed to do more than nibble around the edges of her plate. Oxford was massive and barrel-chested, while she was a slender woman with the biggest blue eyes Alex had ever seen.
Tracy and Alex had been friends since elementary school and had stayed close. Tracy and her ex-husband Conner, on the other hand, had grown to dislike each other more and more over the years following their divorce. Conner was running Oxford’s mayoral campaign, and the general consensus at Buck’s Grill was that the only reason he worked with such enthusiasm was to rob Tracy of her chance for victory.
Longtime Mayor Grady Hatch took the stage as Oxford walked off, and for the first time that day, the applause was across the board, genuine and heartfelt. Grady had been running Elkton Falls since Alex had been a kid. The mayor’s face was flushed, and there was a rasp in his voice as he talked to the crowd. “Well now, I’m sure you’all are tired of the sound of my voice after all these years, so I’ll make this brief.” There was a burst of laughter from the audience, since Grady was notorious for his clipped comments in public.
“Even more so than usual,” Grady added with a smile. He was clearly enjoying his last days in office, with most of the petty squabbles of his political life left behind. Grady had stunned Elkton Falls when he’d announced that he wouldn’t be seeking reelection. Folks were just starting to realize they’d been taking him for granted all along, but no one could talk him into changing his mind. For weeks, Grady had told anyone who would listen that the second he left office, he was going to buy a motor home and see the world. The only thing Grady had promised to participate in after leaving office was the “Save the Bridge” fund, a committee Alex had grudgingly agreed to serve on himself, since he believed so strongly in its cause. Elkton Falls sported one of the last covered bridges still standing in North Carolina, and Grady had made it his personal cause in life to see the bridge restored with private money when Raleigh had turned down his request for preservation funding.
Grady told the crowd, “Save your applause for someone who really deserves it. We’re here to celebrate the dedication of this fine structure,” he said, gesturing to the new building, “and the man who made it happen. Alex, come on up here and say a few words.”
Alex shook his head numbly. He absolutely hated speaking in public.
Elise gave him a nudge. “Go on, Alex.”
“I can’t,” he said. Why had Grady done this to him? Alex would rather take a beating than talk in front of all those people.
She nudged him and said, “You can do it, Alex. Don’t look at the crowd.
“Focus on me,” she added as the applause started to fade.
Alex took in a deep gulp of air and walked toward the stage like a man on his way to his doom.
As he approached the microphone, he walked past the mayor and whispered, “Grady, I’ll get you for this.”
The mayor chuckled. “You’ll have to stand in line, my boy. There are a lot of folks with bigger grudges than yours waiting to take a shot at me.”
Alex walked up to the microphone as panic swept through him. Everyone was staring at him! He fought the urge to bolt from the platform as his frantic gaze found Elise. Taking a deliberately deep breath, Alex kept his gaze on her as he said, “Thanks for coming, everybody. Now let’s all go inside and enjoy the refreshments and music.”
It was by far the shortest speech of the day, and the crowd showed their appreciation with enthusiastic applause. As they filed past the stage to tour the newly completed building, Grady grabbed Alex’s shoulder.
“Your speech was even shorter than mine,” the mayor said. “I’ll make a public speaker out of you yet.”
Alex said, “That’s going to be tough to do, Grady. You just witnessed my debut and farewell performance, all wrapped up into one.”
Grady shook his head. “We’ll just see about that. Folks around here have a real fondness for you, Alex; you could do well in politics.”
Alex shook his head in reply. “No Sir, it’s not going to happen.” He looked all around for Elise, and Alex finally spotted her greeting folks on their way into the newly rebuilt Dual Keepers’ Quarters. That was where he belonged, by her side, instead of up there making speeches, however brief. Alex was an innkeeper, like his father before him, and his father before him, and he was proud to be one. Let the politicians have the limelight; they were welcome to it. The only light he wanted was the one he had, perched atop the lighthouse.
As Alex started off the stage, Tracy stopped him. “Alex, thanks again for letting me speak here today. I need all the exposure I can get.”
He smiled. “You’re very welcome. How’s the campaign going?”
She looked a little frazzled around the edges. “I’m definitely the underdog, so it’s a lot harder than I thought it would be. He’s making it even worse.” Tracy added the last jab as she stared heatedly at her ex-husband, standing off to one side in a whispered conference with Oxford.
Alex said, “Don’t look at it that way, Tracy. Just think how sweet it will be when you beat him.”
“Do you really think I’ve got a chance?” she asked.
“Hey, I’m voting for you,” Alex said.
Just then Oxford’s booming voice sounded in his ear. “I hope you give me the opportunity to change your mind, Alex.”
Alex grinned. “You can try, but I won’t make any promises.”
Oxford returned the smile. “Then you wouldn’t
go far in politics, my friend.” The big man turned his attention to Tracy, automatically tucking his thumbs back under his suspenders. “That was a wonderful speech, Ma’am. I had to stop myself from jumping up and applauding myself.”
She said sweetly, “If you want to concede now, Oxford, we can save Elkton Falls the trouble of holding the election.”
Oxford’s smile dimmed a bit, though he could clearly see that Tracy was teasing. He said, “Come now, what fun would that be? I think we’re all looking forward to the battle ahead. Now if you two will excuse me, I’ve got some meeting and greeting to do.”
Tracy followed closely on his heels. “Not without me, you don’t.”
Alex was surprised to find Mor and Emma standing so close to the chamber group when he got inside. They were obviously hovering there for some reason. He walked over to Elise, pointed to their friends, and asked, “What’s going on?”
“It’s a surprise. I told them they could make a little announcement of their own today. I hope that’s all right, Alex.”
“You run this place, too, Elise. You can do whatever you like.” Alex was a little hurt that Mor hadn’t asked him for permission himself, and Elise must have sensed it.
She explained, “Emma’s been planning this for a week. Mor just found out himself.”
“So what’s going on?”
The musicians stopped, and Elise whispered, “Wait and see.
As the group took a break, Mor said loudly, “If I can have your attention, there’s something I’d like to say.”
Everyone stopped talking and turned to the big man. Alex could see the flush rising on his friend’s face. He was no more comfortable talking in front of a crowd than Alex was.
Once Mor had everyone’s attention, he said, “Emma and I wanted to share this with everyone. We’re getting married.” There was more robust applause for Mor’s announcement than there’d been for any of the politicians earlier. Mor added, “As a matter of fact, the nuptials will be here, if Alex will have us.”
Alex smiled broadly from across the room. “Try to have your wedding anywhere else. Just tell me when.”
“One month from today, and everyone’s invited to the party,” Mor said as the crowd roared again. As people filed past them offering their congratulations, Alex tapped Elise on the shoulder. He asked, “So you’ve known about this for a week?”
Elise grinned. “Are you kidding? I’m the maid of honor.”
Alex said, “I don’t even know which side of the aisle I’m supposed to sit on.”
Elise started to say something when Mor joined them. “Alex, got a second?”
“Sure thing. Congratulations.” He slapped the big man on the back.
“Thanks. Listen, sorry to spring it on you like that, but Emma and Elise cooked this all up. You don’t mind having the wedding here, do you?”
“I couldn’t think of a better place for you to have it,” Alex said. “I’m honored.”
“That’s great. While I’m on a roll, let me push my luck a little more, then. How about being my best man?”
Alex grinned. “I’d be happy to.” A cloud crossed his face as he added softly, “Oh, no.”
“What’s wrong?” Mor asked. “You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”
“It’s not that, I’m honored you want me. I just realized I’ll have to make another speech if I’m going to be your best man.”
Mor pounded him gamely on the shoulder. “You’ll do fine. Look at all the practice you’ve been getting lately.”
After the reception was over, Mor and Emma were the last ones to leave. Alex marveled that his two good friends had actually decided to get married. Here he was, waiting for his first promised date with Elise, and Mor and Emma were already tying the knot. His much-anticipated first date with his housekeeper wasn’t far away, though; it was set for that coming Saturday night. Alex and Elise were free of their encumbrances and entanglements, so finally they were going to be able to see if there was anything more to their relationship than just friendship.
After the betrothed pair left, Alex and Elise began to clean up the mess left behind.
“The wedding’s going to be beautiful,” Elise said as she finished sweeping the lobby floor.
Alex said, “It looks like I’ll be a part of it after all. Mor just asked me to be his best man.”
Elise’s budding smile froze as Mor and Emma walked back into the lobby. It was obvious from one look at their faces that something was desperately wrong.
“What happened?” Alex asked, afraid that the engagement was already off.
Mor said, “You’d better call Sheriff Armstrong. Somebody’s slouched over in the front seat of my truck.”
Alex felt an icy fist clench his heart. “Passed out or dead?”
“Dead,” Mor said simply, and Emma started sobbing softly beside him, collapsing against Mor for support.
As Mor reached for the telephone, Alex asked, “Any idea who it is?”
Mor nodded, looking grim as he dialed the sheriff’s number. “I’d never seen him before in my life, but Emma recognized him right away. Hang on a second, I only want to have to say this once.” Mor turned his attention back to the telephone. “Sheriff, this is Mor Pendleton. You’d better get out to Hatteras West. I just found a body in my truck.”
There was a pause, then Mor added grimly, “Yes, we know who it is. Somebody just killed Emma Sturbridge’s ex-husband.”