Joe shook his head. “Iceland’s a place I visited. Maple Falls is a life.”
They moved down the sunlit street, Krista snapping photos of storefronts, flowers…and apparently, Mayor Bloomfield.
“You’re looking very summery today, Mayor.”
The older gentleman was wearing bright blue swim trunks with tiny hot pink flamingos on them, and an inner tube circled his waist. The look was topped off with flip-flops and a smear of sunscreen on his nose.
“Just thought I’d take a quick dip,” he announced. “Summer waits for no one!” He jabbed a finger toward the sky like he was delivering a proclamation. “Remember that!”
Then he waddled across the street toward the community park and public swimming beach.
“Your mayor is something else,” Joe said.
“He’s the best,” Krista replied.
They ended up at the town’s fountain, a three-tiered, bubbling centerpiece surrounded by benches and pots overflowing with petunias. Kids tossed pennies in the water.
“Quintessential Maple Falls, no?” Krista said.
She handed him the camera. “Show me how you’d shoot it.”
Before he could start, a spray of water hit his forearm. Krista flicked it at him again, grinning.
“Careful,” he said, shielding his camera.
“Ah, but we had so much fun the last time you got wet,” she said, eyes sparkling.
“Pretty sure you got even more wet that time,” he said, voice low and rough.
Her grin turned wicked. Another tiny splash of water dotted his shirt.
“Krista,” he warned, trying not to laugh. “I’m serious. If you drown my camera, it’ll be bad news for both of us.”
“Relax, Valerio.” She took a step closer, water droplets glinting on her fingers. “I’m just having a bit of fun.”
Then she stepped closer, and before his brain could catch up, she lifted up onto her toes and kissed him.
She was decisive, warm, and a little reckless. Her hand curled into the front of his shirt, damp fingers cool against his chest. He kissed her back, one hand sliding to her hip, thumb brushing the soft curve just above her shorts. She tasted like lemonade and honey.
Until a voice snapped them apart, Krista’s lips inches from his. Both breathing harder than the brief kiss strictly warranted.
“Oh my.” Mrs. Humphrey stood on the sidewalk by the square, clutching a to-go cup from the Maple Leaf Café, eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Well,” she said, fanning herself with a napkin. “I was just out for my morning coffee; I wasn’t expecting front row seats to the Maple Falls summer romance of the year!”
Krista groaned. “Hi, Mrs. Humphrey.”
“You carry on…swapping…to your hearts’ content, dears. But I did catch where those hands were going. Perhaps you need somewhere a little more private than the town square, hmm? Now, I’ve got a very important public announcement to make!”
“Please don’t,” Krista said.
“Oh don’t worry, dear. We’re all cheering for you,” Mrs. Humphrey amended. “And it’s about time the town got the full story.”
She bustled off toward the bookstore, humming.
Krista buried her face briefly in Joe’s shoulder. “We are never going to hear the end of this.”
He laughed, still a little dazed, still feeling her fingers fisted in his shirt. “On the bright side,” he said, “that’ll help with Elsie’s engagement…”
