There was a general murmur of agreement around the table.
The council members were wrong on this count. Luckily, Doreen didn’t have to listen to them. “I’m sorry. I somehow gave you the impression this decision was open to a vote. I’m not asking for your permission. I’m keeping you informed.”
Christopher exchanged glances with the other two council members before returning his dark gaze to Doreen. “You aren’t mayor yet, Doreen. You can’t make decisions like this on your own.”
CeCe chuckled. “That’s right. And, since Simon is petitioning to run against you, your election isn’t guaranteed anymore.”
Doreen counted to ten, then drew a calming breath. “Thank you for your input. I do realize I’m not mayor. That’s why I consulted with Ramona. She agreed that I should tell Jack that Representative Green may attend the event.”
“Why did you speak with Ramona before meeting with us?” There was a hint of censure in Christopher’s tone.
Doreen tilted her head to the side. “She’s the mayor.”
CeCe waved a hand dismissively. “But we’re the council’s Events Subcommittee.”
Doree
n inclined her head. “Representative Green’s invitation to the sesquicentennial came from the mayor’s office.”
“You’re quite right, Doreen.” Nessa lifted her hands, palms out. “Your group is in charge of the event. You don’t need this committee’s approval.”
“Thank you.” Was she imagining things or was the councilwoman’s tone patronizing?
Nessa returned her hands to the table. “I just hope Jack proves to be more reasonable than his past behavior would indicate.”
Doreen dropped her gaze to the table. She dreaded her coming confrontation with Jack.
“Leo signed Simon’s petition. And then he broke up with me.” Doreen sat at Books & Bakery’s kitchen table with Megan, baking and drinking coffee before the store opened Tuesday morning.
Megan blinked. “I can’t believe it. Why?”
Doreen lowered her mug. “Why did he break up with me, or why did he sign the petition?” Their conversation seemed surreal, as though other people were having it.
Megan covered Doreen’s hand with her own. “Doreen, I know you’re worried about Simon’s petition, but there’s no reason to be. Even if his name is added to the ballot, Simon is not a viable challenger to your campaign. Leo knows that.”
“No, he doesn’t.” Doreen stared into her mug of coffee. “He signed the petition because he doesn’t want me to be mayor. He wants me to be his wife.”
Megan blinked again. “Leo proposed?”
Doreen balanced her elbows on the table and propped her head in her palms. “Yes, but I told him I need more time. I need to know who I am without Paul before I can be myself with him.”
Megan came around the table to hug Doreen’s shoulders. “Give Leo time, Doreen. He’ll soon realize he’s being an idiot. Ean didn’t want you to run for office at first, either. Now he’s your biggest supporter.”
Doreen met Megan’s eyes. “I announced my decision to run for office seven months ago. If Leo hasn’t come to his senses by now, he’s not going to. Instead, he’s signed Simon’s petition to hurt my campaign.”
The bell chimed on the industrial oven. Doreen grabbed a mitt from the wall. She pulled out the brownie tray and set it on the counter to cool.
Megan replaced it with several trays of cookie dough. “I can’t understand why you’re worried about Simon. You were prepared to run against Ramona. She would have been a much stronger challenge to your campaign than Simon. So why are you concerned about him?”
Doreen crossed back to the table and sat. “I could handle losing to Ramona. I didn’t agree with some of her plans for Trinity Falls, but she’s a good mayor.”
Megan followed Doreen. “I agree.”
“But losing to Simon would mean that all of my hard work, all of my efforts to help improve the community, mean nothing to anyone.”
Megan’s hand closed over Doreen’s wrist. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
“Why not?”