“Then I’ll see you in a few hours. I’m sure you’ll have your Vote for Matt button prominently displayed, right?”
“Front and center,” she said with a laugh. “Hey,” Tamryn called as he headed back toward the opposite side of the park. She pointed to the messenger bag he still carried. “My bag.”
Matt patted the soft leather. “I’m going to keep this until after the rally. That way I know I’ll get to see you before you leave.” He winked and continued walking.
Tamryn leaned against the rough bark of a massive oak tree, marveling at the crowd gathered for Matt’s rally. There were men, women, and children of all ages. Mothers pushed strollers with chubby-faced babies; fathers pulled toddler-filled red Radio Flyer wagons. Teens loitered around the wooden waterwheel that seemed to be the centerpiece of the park.
There were two canopy tents set up on either side of the path that led to the stage. One tent housed a table filled with campaign paraphernalia: buttons, yard signs, and bumper stickers. The other tent, manned by several of the women she’d met at Claudette’s Beauty Parlor and Dr. Landry’s picnic, was the place to be if you wanted a bite to eat. There were hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, and snow cones—though Tamryn had been informed that they were called snowballs around here. It was like a carnival.
Several members of Gauthier’s civic association had taken to the stage to expound on the improvements that had been made in Gauthier in the past year, but they warned that there was still much that needed to be done. Now it was Matt’s turn. Benjamin Keller, who had introduced himself as Matt’s campaign manager, rattled off a list of Matt’s academic and career accomplishments, along with his outstanding commitment to the people of Gauthier.
“Without further ado,” Ben said, “may I introduce to you the future state senator of District Twelve, Matthew Ellison Gauthier.”
The crowd erupted in cheers as Matt walked onto the stage. Tamryn was once again rendered breathless as she stared at him in his tailored suit. She was pretty sure she heard a collective feminine sigh when he stepped up to the microphone and flashed a smile. Those dimples should be declared lethal weapons.
“Good evening,” Matt started. “There’s no big secret as to why we’re gathered here this evening. You all know that I’ve been contemplating a run against Patrick Carter to represent the people of District Twelve in the Louisiana state legislature. With the support of numerous people from this great part of the state, I come before you all today to officially announce my candidacy.”
The roar from the crowd was infectious. Tamryn couldn’t help getting caught up in the celebratory mood that permeated the entire park.
Matt spoke for several more minutes, listing the goals he hoped to accomplish once he became a state senator. The only thing that wasn’t met with enthusiasm was his mention of finding a way to heal the fracture between the towns of Gauthier and Maplesville. Tamryn had heard from several residents over the past couple of weeks about the tension between the neighboring towns.
Matt ended his speech to yet another roar from the crowd. Tamryn watched him as he climbed down the steps of the makeshift stage and began to greet his constituents. He shook hands and accepted congratulatory pats on the back, flashing that killer smile the entire time. He looked over to where she stood, and his smile broadened.
Her belly experienced an involuntary tremble.
Matt continued to greet folks as he made his way toward her. As he approached, Tamryn noticed that his smile had taken on a slightly more intimate tone.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much gushing over a single person,” she said. “I think I might be just a bit jealous over all the attention that’s being showered upon you.”
Matt leaned in and whispered close to her ear. “There’s only one person’s attention that I care about right now.”
She tilted her head toward the refreshment table, where Claudette and several of Gauthier’s longtime residents stared blatantly at them. “Are you trying to start a scandal on the first official day of your candidacy?”
“The gossip about us started the morning you walked into my law office,” he said. “We might as well give them something to talk about.”
“I don’t want to be accused of monopolizing all of Gauthier’s most eligible bachelor’s time.”
“Too late. You already occupy much of my waking hours,” he said. He leaned forward again, but was interrupted by Ben calling his name and waving him over to a group of business owners from nearby Maplesville who had shown up for the event.
“Your constituency awaits,” Tamryn said.
“Will you be here for a while?”
“I do still have to get my bag from you,” she said.
“That’s right,” he said with a laugh. He leaned forward again and whispered, “Meet me in my office in an hour.”
“Are you really going to hold my bag hostage?”
His brows arched in amusement. “One hour.”
Tamryn shook her head, a rueful grin edging up the corners of her mouth as she watched him confidently stride toward the group of businessmen.
She walked around the grounds of the park, chatting with the people she’d met over the course of her first week in Gauthier and answering the questions of many who seemed highly curious about the town’s newest visitor.
She was browsing over the sign-up sheet for people to participate in the 5K Matt was sponsoring when she heard, “So, how are you liking Gauthier?”
Tamryn looked up to find a woman holding a baby.
