Jack’s suspicions increased. “You’re not on any of the town’s planning committees. You’ve never come to the cabins before. In fact, this is the first time I’ve seen you in almost four years. So why the sudden interest in what I’m doing and whether I’m involved in the sesquicentennial?”
“The celebrations are important to the town.”
“Then why aren’t you on any of the committees?”
Simon’s expression became stubborn. “I’ve been busy. Until June, I had a very demanding full-time job.”
Jack crossed his arms over his chest. “Doreen has a full-time job. She’s also running for mayor and chairing the celebration committee.”
Simon’s brown eyes crackled with anger. “What kind of mayor can’t convince a member of the town’s founding family to say a few words during its Founders Day Celebration?”
A lightbulb came on. “Is that what this is about?”
“Trinity Falls deserves to have a real mayoral election. For too many years, our candidates have been running unopposed. That’s not a democracy.”
Jack arched an eyebrow. “So you’re going to run against Doreen.”
“You don’t think I’m a viable candidate?”
“No.”
Simon’s eyes grew wider. “Why not?”
The answer should have been obvious. “Doreen has been a force in this community for as long as I can remember. She’s in the newspaper all the time, raising money for emergency services and the elementary school, campaigning for lights in Freedom Park. What have you done for the town?”
Simon’s face flushed. “I have ideas for the town, including ways that we could bring in more tourists for the sesquicentennial.”
“Doreen wants to do the same thing.”
Simon’s manner cooled. “But Doreen’s going to fail, and I’ll use that failure against her to win the election.”
“You’ll do it without me.” He left before he said something he’d regret. Jack had learned his lesson sixteen months ago. No one would use him ever again.
CHAPTER 8
Jack was as nervous as if this were a real date. Audra arrived at seven o’clock Wednesday night. With just a smile, she lifted the suffocating pressure from his chest. The bright light within her drove the dark shadows surrounding him back into the corners of his cabin.
“Are you going to let me in?” Laughter bounced in her voice.
“Sorry.” Jack moved out of her way. He watched her cross his threshold. Her light blue top draped her high breasts. Her matching capris hugged her slim hips. He could stare at her all night. Forever.
What was it about her that pulled him after he’d spent so many months pushing people away? What did he need from her? And what would happen to him when she and her bright light returned to L.A.?
Audra stood in the middle of the great room, taking in her surroundings. What did his home look like through her eyes? The honey-wood walls, stone fireplace, and large flat-screen T.V. were identical to the ones in Audra’s cabin. So were the dark plaid sofa and matching armchair. But there were no curtains at his windows and the area rug tossed onto his floor was a darker shade of brown. The room was clean but spartan. It looked more like a rental cabin than Audra’s. His shoulders slumped.
She turned to him. “Something smells wonderful.”
“Dinner’s almost ready.” Jack led her to the dining room.
With just the small maple table and matching chairs, the dining room was even more depressing than the great room. Why hadn’t he added a bookcase or artwork or even a table centerpiece? Something that made it seem more like a dining room than a mess hall.
He brought the bowls of mixed salad before serving the baked fish with asparagus and crusty bread.
“Would you like butter for your bread?” Jack was so out of practice. His conversation was putting him to sleep. Was it having the same effect on Audra?
“No, thank you. This is fine.” Her smile seemed stiff. Was it his imagination?
Their dinner conversation was stilted. The moments of silence were awkward. How could he make it better? “More iced tea?”