Page 85 of Happily Ever After

“It’s really about preserving your freedoms,” Joe replied calmly. He pointed to the trophies on the wall shelf off to the man’s side. “Which affects your bowling league just as much as anyone else.”

That got his attention.

The man signed.

Back in the cart, Cece let out a slow breath. “You’re good at this. I mean, really good.”

Joe smiled faintly. “My law professors would be pleased to hear you say that.”

Laughing, they moved on.

By late morning, Cece’s feet ached slightly and her voice felt scratchy, but the signature sheets were filling up. Not fast enough to relax, but fast enough to give her hope.

Fast enough to make that small voice of worry quiet down a little.

They stopped under the shade of a palm tree, Joe handing her a bottle of water from the cooler he’d packed.

“Let’s take a minute,” he said, glancing at his watch. “It’s nearly lunch.”

Cece drank gratefully, then sighed and closed her eyes, glad for the break. When she opened them, Joe was taking a protein bar out of the cooler.

“Joe,” she said after a moment.

“You think I’m going to ruin my appetite for lunch, I promise you I’m not. I shouldn’t have skipped breakfast.”

“That’s not what I was going to say.”

He tore the wrapper open and took a bite. “Hmm?”

“Tell me the truth about this.” She glanced down at the clipboards. “Our chances, I mean. Of actually defeating Darcy.”

Joe didn’t answer right away. He finished chewing and leaned back, like he was thinking. “If you mean can we stop her from causing trouble entirely? Probably not.”

Cece’s shoulders slumped slightly.

“But,” he continued. “If you mean can we limit her ability to weaponize these bylaws? Yes. Absolutely.”

“How confident are you?” she asked.

He met her gaze and gave her a wink. “Enough to be out here with you. This is a solid effort.”

That helped.

“But she’s good at this,” Cece said. “She’s done this so many times before, talking about fairness and inclusivity. She makes people feel like they’re doing the right thing by listening to her.”

Joe nodded. “She talks a good game, I’ll give her that.”

“She’s like a con artist.”

“That, too. Takes patience to work this angle the way she does.”

Cece stared down at the clipboard. “I hate her. She’s a destructive force and needs to be stopped.”

“I know,” he said. “But patience cuts both ways. You have something she doesn’t.”

“What’s that?”

“You’re known and respected in this community,” Joe said. “And you and the Queen Bees have numbers.”