“Really.” Doreen chuckled. “We’re acting like a couple of high school kids.” And she thoroughly enjoyed the feeling.
A sudden frown appeared. “Can I still stay for dinner?”
“Of course. But for now, sit down and keep me company while I put away the groceries.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Alonzo settled onto a chair at the kitchen table.
Doreen tossed him a wry look for his response. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Have you decided whether you’ll stay in the mayoral race?”
She hesitated before unpacking her fresh fruits and vegetables into the refrigerator’s crisper. “Why are you asking?”
“I’d like to know who’s going to be running the town for the next four years.” There was a shrug in Alonzo’s voice.
Doreen put the milk and juice on a shelf in the fridge. “Would it upset you if I ran for mayor?”
“No, it wouldn’t.” His voice was firm. “I don’t have any qualms about your being mayor.”
She shut the refrigerator door and faced him. “Why not?”
“A lot of reasons. First, I’m not Leo.” Alonzo gave her a pointed look.
“I know.” Doreen crossed to the table to unpack the remaining two grocery bags.
“Second, I know you, and I know you’d be good for this town.”
Good answer. But not good enough.
“You said you were interested in a relationship with me.” She continued putting away the groceries. “Aren’t you concerned about the demands being mayor would make on my time?”
Alonzo chuckled. “I’m the guy who left town when you married Paul, remember? Doesn’t that prove what your happiness means to me? I’m in love with the woman you are. Why would I ask you to change that?”
Very good answer. Doreen leaned against the kitchen counter, afraid her shaky knees wouldn’t hold her. “That’s a good point.”
“It’s also the truth. So, are you going to remain in the race?”
“Yes, I am.” She stuffed the empty plastic grocery bags into the cabinet below the sink, then returned to her position at the counter. “Ramona convinced me that if being mayor is what I really want, I should run. I shouldn’t let other people define me.”
Alonzo’s dark eyebrows stretched up
his forehead. “Ramona, huh? Well, I’ll be darned. She’s right, but I never would have guessed she’d be the one to convince you to campaign.”
Doreen tossed him a smile. “She wants to make sure there’s someone to step in when she and Quincy leave Trinity Falls.”
“It’s more than that.” Alonzo stretched his long legs, clad in his green uniform pants, in front of him, crossing them at the ankles. “She wants to make sure she’s leaving the town in good hands.”
Doreen blushed at Alonzo’s words. “Maybe if we take this slowly . . .”
“It’s been forty-two years. I have been taking this slowly.”
Doreen’s blush deepened. “I suppose you have—” The doorbell chimed, interrupting her. She checked her watch. It was nearing five o’clock in the evening. “Excuse me.”
As Doreen passed him, Alonzo stood, trailing her across the living room. Doreen went up on her toes to check the front door’s peephole. Leonard. What does he want?
She opened the door with more than a little reluctance. “Hello, Leo.”
“I figured you’d be home from the grocery store by now. We need to talk.” Leonard’s dark eyes were grim with resignation. He stepped forward as though he assumed she’d welcome him into her home.