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

  When I glance up at her, she is glaring at us, but that’s nothing new. Ever since Mawmaw told her off, she hasn’t been the kindest to us. But that’s how it is in this town. You don’t cross the older folks and expect to walk away unscathed.

  “Okay, let’s get to the business of our new mayor.”

  I squeeze Reed’s hand and smile when he brings them up to his lips, kissing the back of my hand. Sister Engelmann lifts a yellow envelope and then opens it. Inside is a smaller white envelope, and when she opens that one, I hold my breath.

  A wide grin takes over her face, and my heart drops into my gut when I see it. “Our new mayor is William Engelmann Jr.”

  Silence fills the church, and tears spring to my eyes. Betrayal, anger, and then pure hurt race through my body as I look around at the people who came, ate my food, and promised to vote for me. Was it all a waste? What the hell happened?

  When the first tear spills over, Reed stands up, pointing to Sister Engelmann. “I call bullshit!”

  Mawmaw stands too. “I second that!”

  Sister Engelmann looks hurt as she glares back at them. “Excuse me? Are you calling me and the heads of our town liars?”

  I glance at Mr. Fitz, and he looks stricken. “I’m sorry, Delaney. I was outvoted.”

  My heart falls once more into my gut, shattering and dissolving away. This isn’t good.

  “I still call bullshit!” Reed yells once more, and then Theo and Holden stand with him, agreeing.

  Sister Engelmann is unfazed. “Officer Bryce, please remove these men.”

  Bryce scoffs. “No way. They’re right. This is bullshit.”

  Mayhem ensues.

  While everyone yells and argues, I sit there in complete shock. I honestly thought I had this. As the tears stream down my face, I know I’m not crying because I lost. No, I can learn to accept that. I’m crying because nothing is holding me here now. This will give Reed the perfect opening to ask me to leave, and I won’t be able to say no, even though I don’t want to leave. I love this town. I love these people, even if they don’t want me as their mayor.

  I love Reed more, though.

  “Let’s go.” Reed takes my hand, and I go with him, wiping my face. “This is absolute bullshit, and I urge the heads of the town council to do a recount,” he yells behind us. The whole church is losing its mind, but I’m glad Reed is pulling me out. I don’t want to face the people who don’t want me.

  When we get outside, he turns to me, wiping his thumbs along my cheeks. “Don’t you cry over this. I think she rigged it, and I’m going to figure out a way to prove that.”

  “I can’t believe they don’t want me.”

  “Fuck them. I want you, and that’s all that matters,” he says, kissing me hard on the mouth. “You hear me? I want you.”

  He’s blurry through my tears as I nod. “Reed, I don’t want to leave.”

  His brow furrows more. “Okay, we can go back in—”

  “No, I mean this is a perfect opening for you to ask me to move to Lexington. There is no reason for me to stay here, especially after this, but I still love this town. I don’t want to leave.”

  He moves closer, threading his fingers through my hair as he cradles the back of my head. “Did I ask you to leave?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Do you want to leave?”

  “No.”

  A quirk appears at the side of his mouth. “Then we’re going nowhere.”

  “Really?”

  “Really,” he promises. “But I will make that bitch pay.”

  I choke on my laughter. “I think it’s a sin to call a Sister a bitch.”

  He grins as he pulls me in close, our chins touching, our noses brushing together as his gaze holds mine. “I will continue to sin when it comes to you.”

  “That sounds so dirty,” I breathe, and he smiles.

  “You have no clue how dirty it can get.”

  I kiss his top lip, my body vibrating with love for him. “Wanna show me? Maybe make me forget that I lost tonight?”

  He nods. “Already planning on it.”

  His lashes caress my cheek as he kisses down my jaw, and my heart soars. I close my eyes as he holds me tightly. “Don’t worry, Delaney Kate. I’m not going anywhere without you.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  His mouth makes it to mine, and after a long, lusty kiss that has me panting, I pull away to cup his cheeks in my hands. When we hear voices, we look back to see Theo and Gen coming toward us. With a wide grin, I call out, “Hey, Gen.”

  She gives me a grim smile. “I’m so sorry—”

  “Don’t,” I stop her, and she eyes me curiously. “I guess I don’t need the famous Zoe Jayne to write me a happily ever after, after all.”

  Her eyes twinkle with happiness. “Nope, you’re living it, girl.”

  I bring my gaze back to Reed’s, and I nod. “I sure am.”

  Epilogue 2

  Reed

  “I do.”

  Gen looks like a princess. I don’t know much about wedding dresses, but Delaney sure did gush about how timeless Gen’s is. Everyone oohed and aahed as she walked down the aisle from the Blu to the deck that I remember building when I was a kid. The whole backyard of the Blu is full of chairs that hold most of the town. I can tell you who isn’t here though…Sister Engelmann. It’s easy to say we’re all still very upset with her, and I’m still sure she ripped my girl off. I’ll find the proof one day, but today, I’ll enjoy watching my best friend marry the girl of his dreams.

  By the look in Theo’s eyes, he thinks Gen is damn near perfect. Looking to Gen’s left where Delaney stands in a little yellow dress, I have to agree the same about my girl. It’s only been three weeks since the election, but no one would ever know Delaney lost. She holds herself with such poise, such beauty. Anytime anyone brings up the election, she just smiles and says, “We vote again in two years. I’ll get them next time.”

  It blows my mind. She’s so kind, so sweet, and man, I love her.

  “And do you, Theo, take Genevieve as yours?”

  Theo’s voice is rough as he stares into Gen’s eyes. “Mercy, yes.”

  He’s such a dork, sounding like Uncle Jesse from Full House. I hold back my laughter as Pastor Ryman says, “Now Genevieve and Theo have prepared some vows for each other. Who wants to go first?”

  “Me ’cause you’re all wordy and stuff. If I go first, maybe people will think I’m cool,” Theo says quickly, and Gen laughs, her eyes full of tears.

  “They won’t, but please go ahead.”

  Theo sticks out his tongue at Gen, which has everyone in the audience laughing. He clears his throat, his hand shaking as he holds one of hers, a paper with his vows in the other. “I’ve loved you since I was eighteen years old, and I’ve never stopped. I knew one day I’d get you, and believe me, I’ll never in my life let you go. I love you, Genny, and I promise to always make sure you have complete silence when you’re writing and a snack and loads of wine when you’re editing. And believe me, I’ve got you on the inspiration,” he says with a wink. Delaney snorts with laughter, and Gen hiccups a sob, but a beautiful grin sits on her lips. “I will always be better than the men you write about because I want to be the only hero in your life. I love you, Gen. How about we write some steamy stories and loads of happy times in between?”

  “I love the sound of that.”

  Gen wipes away a tear as Theo tucks his piece of paper back into his jacket, his eyes still on Gen. When she clears her throat free of the tears that are streaming down her face, Theo gives her a dry look. “You didn’t write it down?”

  “Nope, didn’t have to.” She sighs loudly, and Theo threads their fingers together. “I spent hours writing these perfect vows that would blow you away. When I was done, I had over a hundred pages worth of words, and since I know everyone here is ready to drink, I saved them just for you.”

  “Thank God,” Bryce calls from his seat, and we all laugh