Small-Town Sweetheart (The Spring Grove Series Book 2) Read online

  Mom gives me a sly look. “I think she is perfectly in her right mind, and you should do whatever she says.”

  I eye her. I’m not totally sure what she is implying, but I think it has something to do with the obscene gesture Mawmaw just inflicted on me. “Okay, Mom.”

  She laughs softly as Sister Engelmann stands behind the pulpit and rings a really annoying bell. It’s a loud shrill more than a damn ring. It sets my teeth on edge, but then when Bryce falls into the seat beside me, making a ruckus with all his gear, I really enjoy the annoyed look on Sister Engelmann’s face.

  I lean toward my brother. “Hello, Officer.”

  “Mere peasant.”

  I chuckle as I shake my head, and Sister Engelmann’s voice carries through the church. Just like that damn bell.

  “All right, Spring Grove. The board took care of the little stuff, so before we get to the big issue, does anyone have any problems we need to discuss?”

  A man in the back stands, his hands on his hips. “Now, I don’t know which one of y’all’s kids have been trying to tip my cows, but can someone tell these idiots to stop tracking shit up and down my driveway?”

  Laughter surrounds me as I look around. No one looks guilty, but then I don’t think anyone cares. I don’t know what the big issue is, but everyone seems on edge about it.

  “Maybe leave a hose so I can clean off my slippers,” Mawmaw hollers out. “Jesus, Mike, no one gives a hoot.”

  More laughter. When I glance back, Delaney looks mortified. That makes me laugh a little harder at the sight of her deep-red face as she slides down the pew to hide.

  “This might not be the time to say this.” I turn, looking toward the back of the church at the sound of Theo’s voice. “We have four weddings coming up, and I need some extra help. I plan on paying good money for servers, so send your kids, please.”

  And it keeps going. For at least an hour, people stand with their complaints or requests. It’s just how I remember it. Town meetings took forever, especially when people had a lot to bitch about. Just like before, Mawmaw is making her endless commentary, and I wish I were back there with her. If not to hear her then to watch Delaney.

  She’s about to die of embarrassment.

  When her eyes meet mine, she mouths, Kill me.

  Man, she’s pretty.

  “Okay, that’s enough, or we’ll be here all night. We have to get to the issue at hand.” There are some groans, but they settle down, and Sister Engelmann says, “We need a new mayor now that Mayor Richard has stepped down. We need someone who loves this town, lives here, and can do right by us. Any nominees?”

  No one says anything, and that surprises me.

  “Really, no one? Brother Jim?”

  I look to where Jim Davis is sitting with an unlit cigar in his mouth and a scowl on his face. God help this town if he agrees. “No, Sister. I don’t have time.”

  Sister is frustrated as she looks out at the entire town that has crammed into the church. “We need someone. Please, any suggestions.”

  I know I’m not a part of this town, but I only know one person who loves this place, lives here, and whom everyone knows and loves. It’s not my place to say anything, though, and if I tell my mom, she’ll snoop.

  I loathe snooping. Especially when it’s through my business.

  I lean into Bryce, and he leans into me. “Delaney would be a great choice.”

  He leans back, his brows drawn together. He nods slowly as he whispers, “She would be.”

  “I know.”

  “She’ll kill me.”

  “Probably,” I say with a grin. “But is there anyone better?”

  He thinks that over. “No, there really isn’t, Mr. I Don’t Live Here and Act Like I Don’t Like Delaney.”

  I give him a dry look. “I don’t like her.”

  “You do.”

  “Don’t.”

  “Do. I heard you kissed her.”

  “So? I like to kiss.”

  “So, you admit you like kissing Del?”

  “Secrets don’t make friends, Officer Bryce and Reed,” Sister Engelmann says in her authoritative and annoying way. Bryce’s grin drops off as my eyes widen. Please God, I know my brother loves being an ass, but don’t let him tell her what we were talking about.

  My brother grins in a devilish way as he glances up to the good Sister. “I’m sorry. We were discussing our nominee.”

  Okay, that’s okay.

  Her eyes widen but then narrow in a flash. “Who is?”

  Always one for the dramatics, Bryce stands, fixing his belt before looking out at the church. In his best “The Price is Right” announcer’s voice, he says, “The one and only, our sweetheart, Delaney Abbot!”

  Delaney’s brows shoot up to her hairline as her jaw falls open. “Excuse me? Sit down, Bryce!”

  “No, ma’am,” he calls back to her. His eyes are full of mischief, and by the look on Sister Engelmann’s face, he’s on her last nerve. “You’re our nominee for mayor of this town. Come on down and claim your prize, Spring Grove!”

  And with that, mayhem ensues.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Delaney

  “I should kill you dead for that shit you pulled last night.”

  Bryce sits on the hood of his police car with a burger in one hand and a Coke in the other. I know he brought me lunch to smooth over things with me, but that doesn’t mean I’m not pissed. I am in no way, shape, or form mayor material. I’m too damn busy, and don’t you have to be smart for that? Am I smart? Shit. While the town might think it’s a grand idea, I do not. Though, I don’t think anyone was listening to that last night. It was complete pandemonium. Everyone was talking over each other, and no one listened to a word I had to say. People were saying I was too young, while others said I was perfect. It was awful, and I don’t want that kind of pressure.

  I just want to love my town.

  Bryce swallows his food. “You’re the best bet for this town.”

  “I am not!”

  “You are. Everyone loves you, you adore this town, and you keep it running with all the work you do around here.”

  This may be true, but I’m not old. Shouldn’t a mayor be old and wise? I’m not wise. I still do stupid shit. Like, let Reed kiss me and not get any answers. “I am way too young. I still have to get married, have kids, and all that jazz.”

  “Yes, while making sure this town is a success.”

  “I can’t,” I stress. “Really. And now everyone will hate me when I say no.”

  “Don’t say no.”

  “Bryce! Are you not listening to me? I’m not qualified.”

  “You are qualified. You’re the best for the job.” He takes another bite of his burger and talks as he chews. He is absolutely disgusting, even if he is adorable. “When Reed suggested it, I was mad I didn’t think of it myself.”

  I furrow my brow, my nose wrinkling. “Reed suggested it?”

  “Yup, he said you’d be perfect, and I agreed.”

  So now I should kill Reed too. Great. Two murders on my hands. “I think you two should not talk at town meetings anymore. His ideas and your mouth lead to me being nominated as mayor.”

  “Hey, I stand by it.”

  “You drive me crazy.”

  “But I brought you a cheeseburger.”

  I roll my eyes; he makes it so hard to be mad at him. “You did. Thank you.”

  He flashes me a wide grin. “I’d hit on you right now, but I think my brother has a thing for you.”

  Heart be still, he does not know what he says. If Reed had a thing for me then why hasn’t he said anything? Radio silence. That’s all I’ve heard from him. Except when he needs something, he doesn’t say much to me. Last night before the town hall meeting went to shit, he smiled at me. Like, really smiled, and while I was two seconds away from humping the pew, I was instantly confused. Does he like me? Does he hate me? Who knows. Hell, he probably doesn’t even know. In all reality, he was probably laughing a