Her sweet cherry scent fries my brain. “Who?” I ask, and yeah, points for me for getting a word out with this intoxicating smell swirling near me.
“Mayor Bumblefritz,” Isla says, nodding to the group near the display case, including the woman with the Santa hat, who looks like a traditional Mrs. Claus.
I scrunch my brow. The name Bumblefritz sounds familiar though. I could have sworn I heard it mentioned before. Or maybe saw it on campaign signs in yards a year ago? “Wasn’t she already the mayor?” I ask Isla.
She shakes her head. “Her husband was. She campaigned last year—against him.And against their dog. The Golden mix with her. That’s Nick. He hangs out at the library during the children’s story hour.And she won, beating both of them. She had a great plan for protecting the trees so they couldn’t be bulldozed with new construction. The town loved that.”
“Did that cause any problems between them? When she won?”
“The new Mayor Bumblefritz and the dog? Oh, no Nick was quite happy. He came in second so he’s the vice mayor.”
“I meant her husband.”
Isla shakes her head again. “He said he was thrilled. During her swearing in, he handed her the key to the mayor’s office and said next time it would be a key on a diamond necklace for his darling wife. She’s apparently even more beloved in the town than he is. He said hedidn’t mind losing to his dog, because…dogs. And losing to his wife felt like winning.”
I take a moment to mull that over. “That’s something else. But I guess it makes sense, in a way.”
Isla flashes a soft smile. “It does. He’s besotted.”
The former mayor looks at his wife with doting eyes and pride in his expression.
Something warms in my chest. That’s odd. I’m not a warm and fuzzy guy. But I suppose it’s nice that he’s so fond of her.
As he takes a seat at a table, I steal a glance at Isla. She’s watching with avid interest. And dammit—the warmth doesn’t go away.
I shift in my seat, like I can shake it off.
I square my shoulders and focus on Mayor Bumblefritz as she strides to the front counter, Fable and Wilder standing next to her. The mayor parks her hands on her hips and flashes a pleased grin. “Hello there, everyone. Isn’t it wonderful to see all of you eager elves here, ready to help out with our Evergreen Falls Annual Best in Snow Winter Games Competition? I’d say I’m dreaming and sugar plum fairies are dancing in my head, but when I pinch myself,” she says, stopping to pinch her wrist, “I can tell this is all real. All of you. And we’re simply thrilled for this year’s competition. We’ve got some extra fun stuff planned, don’t we, Mr. Blaine?”
She sweeps her arm toward Wilder, who gives a professional nod, then says, “We sure do, and thank you, Mayor. I couldn’t be happier to be back in this town this year. With the Evergreen Falls hockey team having such a great season already, I was delighted when the town asked the team to sponsor this year’s event along with…” he sets ahand affectionately on Fable’s shoulder, then adds, “the Renegades football team.”
That’s Fable’s baby, so she chimes in. “And we all want to bring in even more people to this amazing town we love so much. And to give back to local charities. My husband and I will each be donating twenty thousand dollars to the local charity of the winning team’s choice.”
“Nice,” says a bearded dude wearing a flannel shirt. “My vote is Little Friends.”
Fable smiles. “Noted.”
“That’s four times the amount last year. Yes, I can math,” says a woman with a warm voice, and a dry sense of humor.
“And it’s very impressive, Eloise,” Fable says to her, and I make note of everyone’s name so I can remember them for later.
The mayor jumps back in. “We’re excited about their generosity. Which is why we’ve already asked some fantastic folks to help us out. This year, we’re going for maximum Christmas,” she says with a fist pump, like she’s a coach prepping the team to take the field, and it’s a little much for me, but then again I’m trying to mend my Grinch ways. What the hell. I give a fist pump, like I would in a team meeting.
A twinkle shines in the mayor’s eyes as she looks my way. “That’s the spirit.”
Might as well kick it up a notch. “Extreme joy,” I shout out.
Another voice chimes in. “The height of holiday cheer!”
I burn. It’s Oliver, in his charming accent, getting in on the act too.
Well, two can play. I do read my word-a-day calendar. “The jolliest of jingle all the ways.”
Isla’s smile spreads, like the sun rising, blanketing the sky. “The mostest of merry and the bestest of bright.”
The mayor slow claps, then points at Isla. “And that’s how we do it in Evergreen Falls. Thank you, Isla. Thank you very much.”
Isla preens and it’s the cutest thing I’ve seen—how much she loves that game. She’s like a teacher’s pet. “Anytime,” she says.
