A loud bang sounded on the door, followed by his father’s voice. “You’re moving out tomorrow!”
4
MICHAEL
“Good to have you back,Mr. Parker!” Mayor Cameron shouted as she hurried across the street in her high heels and suit.
“Thanks. I see you still hold the reins on the town.”
Tucking Blake into my side, I smiled at the mayor, who had been a few years younger than me in school.
“Well, I can’t let those Delaneys get their hands on the town. God knows what we’d end up with around here. Probably circuses and clowns all over town.”
“They’re not that bad, but I’m still glad you’re in office.”
The mayor shifted her attention to Blake, already dismissing me in the process. “And you must be the famous Blake Collins. I’ve heard a lot about you. And congratulations, by the way.”
I stifled a laugh as Blake shifted uncomfortably beside me. “Um…for what?”
“The baby. It’s all over town. You’re the new ‘it’ couple, so you’d better watch out.”
Blake spun in my arms, her eyes wide with panic. “Everyone knows? How does everyone know?”
“Small town,” the mayor laughed. “You can’t do anything in this town without everyone knowing five minutes later.”
“Butwedon’t even know!”
“Baby, it’s not a big deal.”
Blake huffed out a laugh in irritation. “It’s a big deal to me. I’d like to know that I’m actually pregnant before the town starts throwing me a parade.”
“Oh, that’s already in the works,” Mayor Cameron laughed. “I believe it was Beatrice Fletcher who approached me about getting it on the town schedule.”
“Bea?” I asked. “As in Bea, who works at the police station? She’s still there?”
“Still there and still in everyone’s business. But that’s not really why I stopped you. I was actually hoping to run into Blake.”
“Me?”
Blake looked shocked, but I wasn’t at all surprised.
“I made a few calls when I found out you were former FBI. There was a glowing review about recent things you were involved in, along with a presidential recommendation. That pretty impressive, and I almost want to say you would be wasted on our small town, but I’m selfish.”
“That…that was for me to take a new position at the FBI.”
Mayor Cameron snorted. “If you’re good enough for the FBI, then you’re good enough for our town. Come see me soon. We should talk,” she said, handing over her business card.
I beamed with pride at my woman. She was damn impressive, and it was clear to others that she could make a huge difference no matter where she went.
Convincing her to think the same way might take some time when all she wanted was to settle down after the crap we’d just dealt with.
“Anyway, I have to run. It was great to see you, Michael!”
I waved as she rushed down the street, then wrapped my arm around Blake’s shoulders and continued toward the pharmacy. Blake was still staring at the card in confusion, so I let her have a minute.
“What could she possibly want me for?”
“I would imagine she needs an ally on her side, and she’s thinking you’d be the perfect fit.”
