Gil ducked his head, hoping Denise wouldn’t spot him. He didn’t want to associate with the enemy if he could help it. He strained his ears to hear what Darla and Denise were saying. Their tones were cheerful, but he couldn’t make out the words. Not that it was any of his business. His beef with Denise was from high school. Those days were long past, and there was no reason they couldn’t be civil to one another now, even if she was planning to run against him as mayor.
He picked up his bagel and took a bite. Then he focused on Reva’s blog for the day. There were four bullet points on his screen, each with a tidbit of gossip that would spread like wildfire through the town in the next few hours.
Gil took another bite of bagel and read.
There’s a sale at Choco-Lovers! In honor of it being Saint Patty’s month, Jana has shamrock-colored fudge half price. Come and get it!
Have you heard? Denise Berger is running against our very own Mayor Gil this year. Hearsay is an announcement is coming soon!
Here’s another interesting tidbit for you: Last night at the town hall meeting, Moira Green told everyone that the town council is gunning to demolish Sweetie’s Bakeshop and make a new parking lot. We need more parking space, but we also need coffee. Am I right?
Farewell to our friend Louise Herman. She’s been staying in one of the Somerset Rental Cottages for two decades now. I never thought she’d leave, but grandkids are a big motivator, especially when they’re in Florida. Ha!
Don’t forget: This weekend is the Spring into Somerset Festival. Hearsay is Mayor Gil is presenting an award to one of our own. You know I can’t keep a secret. If I knew who it was, I’d tell you. I sure hope it’s not someone from the Green family though—they might just toss that award right back at him. And in my humble opinion, he might deserve it.
Gil frowned at his screen. The whole town was reading this blog. The last thing he needed, going into another mayoral campaign, was his potential voters thinking he was out to shut down the small businesses here.
“Mayor Gil,” a woman’s voice said, approaching him from behind. “Is that you?”
Dread coated Gil’s stomach. He turned to face his old classmate. “Hey, Denise.”
“How are you this morning?” She offered a sympathetic look. “Have you read Reva’s blog yet?”
Gil sighed. “Unfortunately.”
She clucked her tongue and shook her head. “Don’t let her comments get to you. Everyone knows to take it all with a grain of salt.”
“Yeah. Thanks, Denise.”
Denise gestured toward the seat across from Gil. “Do you mind if I sit down?”
Gil did mind. He didn’t want to sit across from his competition. Denise had been brutal to him in high school. He realized that was a long time ago, but some wounds didn’t quite heal. “Have a seat, Denise.”
She pulled out a chair, propped her elbows on the table in front of her, and narrowed her eyes. “I’m guessing you heard about my plans.”
Gil sucked in a breath. “Yeah. I heard something about you running for mayor.”
“I hope you don’t take offense. I think you’ve served this town wonderfully.”
“No offense taken,” Gil said. “Let the best person win.”
“Well, I haven’t completed the process for registering. For all I know, I won’t have the backing to make it to a real campaign. But that is my intention.”
Gil reached for his cup of coffee, wishing he had something a little bit stronger than Hershey’s syrup in his cup.
“I assume I’m the only one planning to run against you?” she asked.
Gil set his cup of coffee back on the table. “I haven’t heard about anyone else.”
“I wasn’t sure if Bryce Malsop wanted to try to get his spot back. He was so upset when you beat him last time.”
Gil chuckled. “I think our former mayor is enjoying his retirement these days.”
Denise looked at him for a moment. “I was at the town council meeting last night. I was surprised to hear that you want to shut this bakery down.”
“I don’t want to,” Gil said. “Being the town’s mayor sometimes comes with tough choices though.”
“I can’t believe you, Mayor Gil,” someone behind them said.
Gil turned to face Vi Fletcher. Vi was Jake’s grandmother and the original owner of the Somerset Rental Cottages. “I told Jake how I feel this morning, and mayor or not, I intend to tell you the same.” Vi was a tiny woman, but she was a mighty presence.
“Hello, Vi. Nice to see you.”
Vi frowned. “I’ve always adored you, Gil, but I have to say, this is disappointing. You can’t put Darla out of business.”
Gil sighed softly. This was the crux of what he did. “I’m the mayor, but I’m not the be-all, end-all. I don’t make these decisions on my own.”
“Well, as mayor, they all come back on you,” Vi said, not sympathizing. “You need to fix this, Gil. I can’t back a mayor who will allow the very roots of our town to be cut out.”
Gil dared a glance at Denise and caught a glimmer of a smile on her lips. Great. Just great. He pushed back from the table and then stood, collecting his coffee and bagel. “It was nice to see you, ladies,” he lied. “Have a wonderful rest of your day.” He started walking toward the exit, slowing when he saw Moira approaching the door from the other side. His heart jolted. In Moira’s eyes, he saw the same disappointment that he’d seen in Vi’s. He felt cornered, physically and metaphorically.
* * *
Moira used to be so much better at avoiding Gil. These days they seemed to be a magnet for each other though. And ever since their boat ride the other night, she couldn’t seem to get her emotions in check. She preferred it when she pretended to hate him and they didn’t speak. Now she was just frustrated. And mad. And confused.
She stood on one side of the bakery’s glass door and stared at him on the other side. Neither of them reached to open the door for a long moment. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut even though there was a door between them.
“What are you doing?” River asked, coming up behind her. “Do you need help opening the door?”
Moira broke eye contact with Gil and turned to River. “No, sorry. I just got lost in thought for a moment.”
River seemed to notice Gil now. “Oh. Yeah, I’ve heard you two have chemistry.”
“What?” Moira’s mouth dropped open. “Tess told you that?” she asked.
River’s brows furrowed. “No, all the guys at the tavern say it. They rib Gil on a weekly basis.” River reached past her and opened the door. “Hey, Gilbert. How are you?”
Gil met Moira’s eyes as he answered the question. “I’ve had better days. Hey, Moira.”
She flitted her gaze toward him. “Mayor Gil,” she said, sounding too polite and stiff to her own ears. “Excuse me. I have to get a coffee and then get to my shift.” She hurried past, walking to the counter, where her mom was watching.
“I hope you were nice to Mayor Gil,” Darla said.
Moira rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you were nice enough for both of us.”