“I did it myself. I needed a change.” She raised her right arm, drawing his attention back to the black-and-silver décor and modern furnishings.
The room was attractive but cold, impersonal, reminding him of Hugh Bolden’s office at the firm. Abstract metal sculptures posed on glass tabletops and shelves. Framed works of modern art hung from her office’s white walls beside local newspaper and community magazine interviews with her.
Ramona continued. “I couldn’t believe it when I got your e-mail telling me you were coming back.”
“I felt the same way three years ago when you told me you were Trinity Falls’s mayor.” Ean settled his right ankle on his left knee. “I still don’t understand how you became interested in politics.”
He couldn’t picture his high school sweetheart running their hometown. As teenagers, all they’d dreamed of was leaving Trinity Falls. Seven years ago, he’d made his escape when Craven, Bolden & Arnez hired him to work in their New York firm. He’d asked Ramona to join him. She’d seemed ecstatic at first. But less than a year later, she’d returned to Trinity Falls without giving him a reason for breaking up with him.
Ramona gave a low, husky laugh. “Someone had to save this town from itself.”
“What was happening?”
“Nothing. That was the problem. The town was stagnating. We need to attract new industry and new people.”
“The sesquicentennial celebration should help.” Ean noted the miniature version of the 150 YEARS STRONG banner sitting on Ramona’s desk. “Publicity for the event should attract some attention.”
“But will it be enough to revitalize the economy?” Ramona shifted toward him. “We have to do more. We need to improve the town’s infrastructure and add first-class features to stimulate growth.”
Ean’s eyes widened. “Who are you and what have you done with Ramona McCloud?”
It scared him to hear the woman he’d grown up with speaking like this. She sounded like the consummate politician, which meant she used a lot of words that said nothing.
Another husky laugh. “I could ask you the same thing for coming back here.”
Ean tried again. “Wh
at was wrong with Trinity Falls?”
“There’s never anything going on here. Sure, we’re planning a yearlong celebration for the town’s one hundred and fiftieth birthday, but all of the events are so small-town. That’s why I can’t believe you came back. You’re not really staying, are you?” That sounded more like the old Ramona.
“Yes, I’m home for good.”
Was it possible for them to rekindle their relationship? They’d once wanted the same things. It didn’t seem that way anymore. Without that common purpose, did they have anything to build on?
“Why have you come back?” Her wide eyes and parted lips said she thought he’d lost his mind.
“It was time for me to come home. The work I was doing in New York wasn’t fulfilling anymore.” Ean stood, shifting his gaze to the window. “I don’t think it ever was.”
The view from town hall was so different from the panorama visible from every window at the firm. Instead of skyscrapers, there were trees. Instead of billboards, he saw blue sky. In the distance, he could see the Trinity Falls Town Center, home of Books & Bakery—and Megan McCloud.
“There’s nothing to do here, but so much to do in New York.” Ramona placed both feet on the ground. “You can do something different every day. And there’s so much to see there.”
“I enjoyed living in New York. But now I want something less hectic.” He couldn’t explain why he gave up his dreams of making it big in the Big Apple. Even if he could, Ramona wouldn’t understand.
“You’re not making any sense, Ean. New York is where we always wanted to be. Why would you throw that all away to come back to this?” She gestured toward the window.
Ean met her gaze. “Six years ago, you threw it all away and returned to this town. You never told me why you left the city—and me.”
Ramona rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Was that a blush darkening her rounded cheeks? “We can go back to New York together.”
“I’m not going back, Ramona.”
Her expression brightened. “Then maybe we can go somewhere else. It doesn’t have to be New York. We can go to Los Angeles or Chicago. Or even Boston, although I hear it gets really cold there.”
“If you want to leave Trinity Falls, you should.” Ean returned to sit beside her. “But I’m not going with you.”
Ramona leaned toward him, laying her hand on his right thigh. Her features eased into a seductive smile. “I bet I can get you to change your mind.”