by Toni Aleo
Mom gives me a sly look. “I think she is perfectly in her right mind, and you should do whatever she says.”
I eye her. I’m not totally sure what she is implying, but I think it has something to do with the obscene gesture Mawmaw just inflicted on me. “Okay, Mom.”
She laughs softly as Sister Engelmann stands behind the pulpit and rings a really annoying bell. It’s a loud shrill more than a damn ring. It sets my teeth on edge, but then when Bryce falls into the seat beside me, making a ruckus with all his gear, I really enjoy the annoyed look on Sister Engelmann’s face.
I lean toward my brother. “Hello, Officer.”
“Mere peasant.”
I chuckle as I shake my head, and Sister Engelmann’s voice carries through the church. Just like that damn bell.
“All right, Spring Grove. The board took care of the little stuff, so before we get to the big issue, does anyone have any problems we need to discuss?”
A man in the back stands, his hands on his hips. “Now, I don’t know which one of y’all’s kids have been trying to tip my cows, but can someone tell these idiots to stop tracking shit up and down my driveway?”
Laughter surrounds me as I look around. No one looks guilty, but then I don’t think anyone cares. I don’t know what the big issue is, but everyone seems on edge about it.
“Maybe leave a hose so I can clean off my slippers,” Mawmaw hollers out. “Jesus, Mike, no one gives a hoot.”
More laughter. When I glance back, Delaney looks mortified. That makes me laugh a little harder at the sight of her deep-red face as she slides down the pew to hide.
“This might not be the time to say this.” I turn, looking toward the back of the church at the sound of Theo’s voice. “We have four weddings coming up, and I need some extra help. I plan on paying good money for servers, so send your kids, please.”
And it keeps going. For at least an hour, people stand with their complaints or requests. It’s just how I remember it. Town meetings took forever, especially when people had a lot to bitch about. Just like before, Mawmaw is making her endless commentary, and I wish I were back there with her. If not to hear her then to watch Delaney.
She’s about to die of embarrassment.
When her eyes meet mine, she mouths, Kill me.
Man, she’s pretty.
“Okay, that’s enough, or we’ll be here all night. We have to get to the issue at hand.” There are some groans, but they settle down, and Sister Engelmann says, “We need a new mayor now that Mayor Richard has stepped down. We need someone who loves this town, lives here, and can do right by us. Any nominees?”
No one says anything, and that surprises me.
“Really, no one? Brother Jim?”
I look to where Jim Davis is sitting with an unlit cigar in his mouth and a scowl on his face. God help this town if he agrees. “No, Sister. I don’t have time.”
Sister is frustrated as she looks out at the entire town that has crammed into the church. “We need someone. Please, any suggestions.”
I know I’m not a part of this town, but I only know one person who loves this place, lives here, and whom everyone knows and loves. It’s not my place to say anything, though, and if I tell my mom, she’ll snoop.
I loathe snooping. Especially when it’s through my business.
I lean into Bryce, and he leans into me. “Delaney would be a great choice.”
He leans back, his brows drawn together. He nods slowly as he whispers, “She would be.”
“I know.”
“She’ll kill me.”
“Probably,” I say with a grin. “But is there anyone better?”
He thinks that over. “No, there really isn’t, Mr. I Don’t Live Here and Act Like I Don’t Like Delaney.”
I give him a dry look. “I don’t like her.”
“You do.”
“Don’t.”
“Do. I heard you kissed her.”
“So? I like to kiss.”
“So, you admit you like kissing Del?”
“Secrets don’t make friends, Officer Bryce and Reed,” Sister Engelmann says in her authoritative and annoying way. Bryce’s grin drops off as my eyes widen. Please God, I know my brother loves being an ass, but don’t let him tell her what we were talking about.
My brother grins in a devilish way as he glances up to the good Sister. “I’m sorry. We were discussing our nominee.”
Okay, that’s okay.
Her eyes widen but then narrow in a flash. “Who is?”
Always one for the dramatics, Bryce stands, fixing his belt before looking out at the church. In his best “The Price is Right” announcer’s voice, he says, “The one and only, our sweetheart, Delaney Abbot!”
Delaney’s brows shoot up to her hairline as her jaw falls open. “Excuse me? Sit down, Bryce!”
“No, ma’am,” he calls back to her. His eyes are full of mischief, and by the look on Sister Engelmann’s face, he’s on her last nerve. “You’re our nominee for mayor of this town. Come on down and claim your prize, Spring Grove!”
And with that, mayhem ensues.
Chapter Fifteen
Delaney
“I should kill you dead for that shit you pulled last night.”
Bryce sits on the hood of his police car with a burger in one hand and a Coke in the other. I know he brought me lunch to smooth over things with me, but that doesn’t mean I’m not pissed. I am in no way, shape, or form mayor material. I’m too damn busy, and don’t you have to be smart for that? Am I smart? Shit. While the town might think it’s a grand idea, I do not. Though, I don’t think anyone was listening to that last night. It was complete pandemonium. Everyone was talking over each other, and no one listened to a word I had to say. People were saying I was too young, while others said I was perfect. It was awful, and I don’t want that kind of pressure.
I just want to love my town.
Bryce swallows his food. “You’re the best bet for this town.”
“I am not!”
“You are. Everyone loves you, you adore this town, and you keep it running with all the work you do around here.”
This may be true, but I’m not old. Shouldn’t a mayor be old and wise? I’m not wise. I still do stupid shit. Like, let Reed kiss me and not get any answers. “I am way too young. I still have to get married, have kids, and all that jazz.”
“Yes, while making sure this town is a success.”
“I can’t,” I stress. “Really. And now everyone will hate me when I say no.”
“Don’t say no.”
“Bryce! Are you not listening to me? I’m not qualified.”
“You are qualified. You’re the best for the job.” He takes another bite of his burger and talks as he chews. He is absolutely disgusting, even if he is adorable. “When Reed suggested it, I was mad I didn’t think of it myself.”
I furrow my brow, my nose wrinkling. “Reed suggested it?”
“Yup, he said you’d be perfect, and I agreed.”
So now I should kill Reed too. Great. Two murders on my hands. “I think you two should not talk at town meetings anymore. His ideas and your mouth lead to me being nominated as mayor.”
“Hey, I stand by it.”
“You drive me crazy.”
“But I brought you a cheeseburger.”
I roll my eyes; he makes it so hard to be mad at him. “You did. Thank you.”
He flashes me a wide grin. “I’d hit on you right now, but I think my brother has a thing for you.”
Heart be still, he does not know what he says. If Reed had a thing for me then why hasn’t he said anything? Radio silence. That’s all I’ve heard from him. Except when he needs something, he doesn’t say much to me. Last night before the town hall meeting went to shit, he smiled at me. Like, really smiled, and while I was two seconds away from humping the pew, I was instantly confused. Does he like me? Does he hate me? Who knows. Hell, he probably doesn’t even know. In all reality, he was probably laughing a
t my senile mawmaw. Leave it to Mawmaw to make sex gestures in the middle of church.
Crazy lady.
“I thought you’re usually off today?”
Bryce’s question brings me back to reality. “Abby had to go to Hamby for a training course today. I told her I’d cover for her.”
He waggles his brows at me. “See, you’re already doing everything for everyone.”
I narrow my gaze. “You’re lucky this burger is good and I don’t want to waste it, or I’d toss it at you.”
I’m met with his laughter as he finishes off his burger. “Who are we playing tonight?”
“The donut shop from Malatya.”
“Easy win?”
I hesitate. “Should be, but I heard they merged a few of their good teams, so we’ll see.”
“We’re the last game?”
“Yup, after Devin and Reed’s.”
He nods. “Okay, I’m gonna head out. Verna makes me work.”
I smile. “That mean old lady.”
He widens his eyes in agreement. “Right?”
I hug him tightly before he gets into his cruiser and drives off. With my burger in my hand, I head inside as I polish off the rest of it. I still have thirty minutes of lunch, but I’ll get started now so I can maybe get us out of here on time today. It’s usually late nights for the doctors, but with Reed having a game tonight, I’d like to help him out a bit. Even if he won’t even explain himself for that kiss. Maybe I should ask. He doesn’t really volunteer information very well. He’s always sort of kept to himself. Hmm. Maybe I’m the reason I don’t have an answer. I haven’t asked.
Well, I’m gonna ask now.
Before I go to the office, though, I take the next patient back since Mrs. Capernackle is here already. She usually waits in the waiting room while Gary goes back with me. Like always, Gary is here because he has a very bad obsession with marbles. We’ve told Mrs. Capernackle over and over again that she shouldn’t use them, but she insists it’s the only way to make art.
People are crazy.
After taking Gary’s weight and putting him back in his carrier, I head to the exam room and place him on the table. I then walk to the office to get Reed. When I push the door open, he is leaned back in his chair with Wilbur sleeping on his chest. It’s such a beautiful sight I want to take a picture, so I do. At the click of the camera on my phone, Reed opens one eye.
“Stalker.”
I smile. “Sorry to wake you, but your one o’clock is ready.”
He groans as he glances at his watch. “I have twenty minutes.”
“I thought you’d want to get out early tonight since we have games.”
He groans some more and slowly sits up, trying not to disturb Wilbur. The pup wakes at the first move, though, and goes crazy licking Reed. I smile as he laughs. The noise so throaty and sexy and dirty and, oh God, so wrong. Once he places Wilbur on the floor, Reed gets out of the chair, standing tall.
I try to ignore the undeniable need to attack him and instead ask, “Ready?”
He claps his hands together. “Ready.”
We head out of the office, and he falls into step with me. “So, should I start calling you Mayor Sweetheart?”
I roll my eyes. “No, asshole. Thanks, by the way.” He laughs loudly. “I don’t think I’m meant for it.”
“Why not?”
“I’m just not.”
“Everyone loves you, and you love this town.”
I shake my head as I open the door. “Maybe, but I’m not qualified.”
“How so?” he asks as he goes to the sink to wash his hands. “You’d be great. You’re smart, a real quick thinker, and the town loves you. What other qualifications do you need?”
I hide my grin. I’m a little giddy that Reed thinks that about me, but I still know I’m not right for the job. I push the iPad to where he can reach it. “I don’t know.”
“Well, you can’t figure it out if you don’t talk about it.”
I scoff. “That’s fresh from someone like you.”
He looks over his shoulder at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I roll my eyes before taking Gary out of his carrier. This probably isn’t the time, but the owner isn’t in here, so who cares. Gary can’t talk human. “You kissed me, and you’ve said nothing. I mean, why—”
Before I get the rest of my words or even Gary fully out of the carrier, a horrific sound leaves Reed. When he jumps up into the sink, my eyes bulge nearly out of my head as he hangs, white-knuckled, to the cabinets. The water is running, soaking his feet, but I don’t think he cares. He’s staring at Gary as if he’s a bomb about to blow.
“Put. It. Back. In.” He clenches his jaw. His eyes are so wide they’re about to pop out of his head, and he’s starting to sweat. He begins to shake as he points at the duck in my arms and then at the carrier. “Now!”
It takes me a few seconds to realize what he is talking about, and then it all comes back to me.
“No way. You’re still scared of birds?”
“Not birds. Ducks. I hate ducks.”
“Really?”
He squints at me. “Delaney, please.”
I do as he asks, quickly, and then I look at him. “Done.”
“Is the carrier locked?”
“Yeah.”
He doesn’t seem sure, so he moves his head, trying to see. When I turn the carrier, he yells out. I hold my hands up and come toward him. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I gotta get out of here.”
“Okay. I’ll take Gary out of the room—”
“Gary? Who names a devil bird Gary? They should all be named Satan.”
I press my lips together in an effort not to laugh. “I know. I agree. It’s okay. Breathe. You’re turning white.” He looks from the carrier to me, and then he nods. I give him a reassuring smile. “It’s okay.”
I slowly and cautiously lift the carrier and head for the door. Once outside, I place Gary on the floor. When I look back into the exam room, Reed is slowly getting off the counter, his eyes still wide. I poke my head in. “I hate to tell you this—”
He runs out of the room before I can even finish. I know that when you have a traumatic experience when you’re younger, it can affect you all your life, but Reed is a damn vet. This is ridiculous. I take Gary back into the room, placing him on the exam table as he quacks happily. When I enter the back room, Reed is leaned up against the big exam table, breathing in deeply and letting it out harshly. “Is it gone?”
I shake my head as I come up to him. I reach out, taking his massive and sexy biceps in my hands. Any other day, I’d make a move, but I’m pretty sure if I don’t help him, he’s gonna pass out. “He’s in the exam room—” His eyes cut to the door. “In the carrier.” He lets out the breath he was holding. “You’re fine. I won’t let him get you.”
“They have ways, Del. You know I hate ducks.”
“I know, and I forgot. But from now on, I’ll make sure the ducks go to Dr. Ross.”
He swallows hard. “But don’t tell anyone. It looks really bad that I’m a vet and terrified of ducks.”
“No, no, it doesn’t,” I say, and maybe that would have been believable if I wasn’t holding back my laughter. “Lots of people are scared of animals when their profession is to care for them.”
Reed flashes me a dark look. “I hate you right now.”
I press my lips together. “And I apologize for that, but we have a small problem.”
His eyes go crazy. “I don’t like problems with ducks.”
“Really, Reed? It’s been like…what, twenty years?”
“So? The fucking flock tried to take my eyes out!”
I close my eyes in the hope it helps keep me from laughing, but then I see it. Eight-year-old little Reed, running full speed from the pond that was on his land. A bag of bread is clutched in his hands as a flock of ducks chases him like he is holding their last meal. I remember Old Man McElroy yelling to him
to drop the bread, but Reed was so damn scared he didn’t hear him. Then he fell, face first, in the grass, and the ducks pounced. I can still hear him screaming.
And the laughter.
There was lots of laughter, and by the whole town since it was during Spring Fling at the distillery. The more I think of it, the more I understand his hatred for this town.
“And I get that, but you’re a vet.”
“So?”
I’m getting nowhere. He is still crazy-eyed, and I know he isn’t going to take this well. “Okay, well, Dr. Ross isn’t here. It’s me and you. Mrs. Capernackle needs her duck healthy. I know you can do this, and I’ve got you. So I need you to help me.”
He turns white as a sheet as he struggles with the choice. He wants to run. I can see it in his eyes. Fear is shaking him at the moment. “What’s wrong with him?”
“He swallowed a marble.”
“So? He’ll shit it out.”
“It’s lodged in his neck.”
He groans and closes his eyes. “Can you see it?”
“I can.”
“How far down?”
“Not far at all. Last time, Dr. Ross had to sedate him.”
A whimper leaves Reed’s lips. He opens his eyes and peeks into the exam room. “Pull him out.” I go into the room and do as he asks. When Gary is out of the carrier, Reed is the color of snow. He shakes as he tries to do the exam from the doorway. “I think he’ll pass it. It’s at the very bottom?”
“No, it’s at the top.”
“Oh, I’m trying not to look. He might get my eyes with his beak.”
With a dry tone, I say, “Thank you, Dr. Reed.”
He shoots me an even drier look. “I’m freaking the fuck out here.”
“No… I thought you were being totally normal.”
His eyes burn into mine. “Del, if you get it out, I’ll owe you.”
Oh, the list of things I could have Reed McElroy owe me.
Be professional, Delaney.
“Fine. But you’ll have to talk me through it.”
Sweat drips down his face. “But I don’t have to go in there.”
“No,” I say, and I feel awful for him. While it’s funny to see a 6’2”, beautiful specimen of a man scared of a little white duck, I can’t laugh. I feel for him. I know he’s scared. “Okay, tell me what to do.”