Days like this made him reconsider running for another term as mayor. In the last twelve hours, he’d gotten a half dozen emails complaining about the issue with Sweetie’s Bakeshop and another half dozen calls about it. Not to mention the folks he’d run into today who’d frowned at him while bringing up the town hall meeting last night. Yeah, those people made up a small percentage of folks in Somerset Lake, but it still weighed on him.
“What do you think, Gilbert?” Jake elbowed Gil, and everyone focused their attention on him.
“Oh, uh…” Gil scratched the new growth of hair on his chin. “I haven’t really thought much about it,” he said, wondering what they were discussing.
“You haven’t?” Miles asked from the other side of Gil. “Why not?”
Gil cleared his throat. “Well, you know, I’ve had other things on my mind. What do you think?” he asked Miles, deflecting.
Miles narrowed his eyes. Then he looked past Gil at Jake, and both men broke into wide grins.
Gil looked between them. “What?”
“You have no idea what we’re even discussing, do you?” Jake asked on a small chuckle.
“Yeah, of course I do. I’m sitting right here.” Gil looked at the other guys. River was seated across from him along with Roman.
“Gilbert Ryan, don’t lie to us.” Jake patted his back. “We were talking about Denise Berger running against you. There’s no way you haven’t given that any thought. What’s on your mind tonight?”
Gil blew out a breath. “There are a few people in town who would probably rather see Denise as the mayor instead of me after last night’s debacle of a meeting.” Gil reached for his soda and took a sip. Most of the guys had beers, but Gil didn’t usually drink alcohol in public. He didn’t think it was good for his public image.
“What I can’t understand is why you aren’t fighting this decision to shut Sweetie’s down,” River said. “Yeah, we need more parking, but not at the cost of someone’s livelihood.”
Gil sighed. “It’s not like it was my idea. I voted against it. But at the same time, it’s the only solution, and this parking problem isn’t something we can continue to ignore. Let’s discuss something else, okay? I’ve been thinking about this issue nonstop, and I came here to forget my troubles.”
“Fine, fine. Let’s talk about this weekend. Who’s going to the Spring into Somerset Festival?” Miles raised his own hand. “I have to work it, which Lucy isn’t thrilled about. She’s going with Moira, who as word has it is only going because she’s getting an award from you.” He looked at Gil.
So much for forgetting his troubles. They seemed to be following him around tonight. “Obviously, I’m going then,” Gil said.
“Tess is dragging me with her.” River looked regretful. He wasn’t much for huge social gatherings.
“Della has already informed me that we’re going as well,” Roman said. He shrugged. “I don’t mind. I love festivals.”
Jake nudged an elbow against Gil’s on the table. “Reva’s blog suggested that Moira might throw the award back in your face. Need a few of us to go up onstage with you as bodyguards?”
Gil slid a look to his friend. “Ha ha, very funny. Moira won’t be throwing anything at me.”
“Well, she certainly won’t be kissing you.” Miles placed a hand on Gil’s shoulder. “Sorry, buddy,” he said in mock seriousness.
Gil expelled a heavy breath. “I thought being the mayor would win me some respect in this town.”
“It has. But it doesn’t win you anything among friends,” Jake joked. “Friends don’t let friends get too full of themselves.”
* * *
Saturday’s weather couldn’t have been more perfect for the Spring into Somerset Festival. Moira glanced around as she approached the town green, where the festival was set up. She was supposed to be meeting Tess here, but Tess had texted ten minutes ago to say she was running late.
Moira didn’t mind. She was on a mission today. Call her crazy, but the more she’d considered the idea, the more it sounded like something she could do. Something she wanted to do. Forget appealing to those in power in this town to ensure that Sweetie’s stayed put. She’d never liked putting her trust or faith in someone else if she could help it. She preferred to do things herself. Which was why she’d made a very important decision.
Moira felt flutters of excitement in her stomach. Was she really going to do this?
“Hey, Moira.” Lucy stepped up beside her.
“Hey.” Moira pushed a clipboard into Lucy’s hand.
Lucy furrowed a brow as she looked up. “What’s this?”
“It’s my petition,” Moira told her matter-of-factly.
Lucy looked at the clipboard she’d been handed, reading the title. “Petition to Run for Somerset Lake Mayor,” she read. Then she looked up at Moira. “I still don’t understand. I thought you were creating a petition to save your mom’s bakery.”
“Well, in a way, that’s what that is. I’m going to save my mom’s bakery by running for mayor,” Moira said proudly.
Lucy looked stunned. “You are? You?”
“Mm-hmm. Me.” Moira continued to smile. Ever since she’d made the decision, she’d felt this giddiness growing inside her. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this kind of excitement.
Tess stepped up to the two. “Hey, you two. What’s going on?”
Moira handed her a clipboard as well. “I’m running for mayor, that’s what. And I need my friends to help me collect signatures to support my campaign.”
“Running for mayor?” Tess repeated, her brows drawing together in a similar way to what Lucy’s had done a moment earlier.
“Are you even qualified to run?” Lucy asked, still looking confused. “I didn’t think someone could just decide to jump into politics.”
“I’ve done my research,” Moira said. “The only qualifications one needs to run for mayor are a high school diploma, proof that they live in the town where they’re running, and a petition with signatures supporting the candidate.”
“Okay. But why?” Tess asked.
Moira shrugged. “Because this is my town and Sweetie’s Bakeshop is my home. I want a say in what happens here. And because I think I’d be good at the job.”
“Are you kidding? You’d be amazing at it!” Lucy finally said. She gestured between her and Tess. “We’ll be your campaign team. We can help. Right, Tess?”
Tess hesitated, but then a slow smile curled at the edges of her mouth. “Of course. I actually love the idea of my best friend running for mayor. All of us in the book club can help.”
Moira’s heart pounded. “Really?” Having the support of her friends meant so much to her.
“What about Gil?” Lucy asked.
“What about him?” Moira shot back.
“Come on. Don’t pretend with us.” Lucy hugged her clipboard against her chest. “We’ve always known the truth.”