“Long time. Was this home?”
He shook his head, not taking his eyes off the fountain. “I loved a girl from here once.”
And clearly he’d lost her somehow. Still caught up in the heady promise of a future with Cam, the thought made her ache for whatever put that look of heartbreak on this man’s face.
“Is she what brought you back?” Norah asked gently.
“The memory of her.” He finally shifted his attention to Norah, expression sharpening with recognition. “And you, actually. I was in Jackson on business and saw you on the news last night. Norah Burke, right?”
She suppressed her instinctive whoop at the fact that they’d made it outside the regional news. “I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, sir.”
“Gerald Peyton.” He offered his hand.
She took it, appreciating the quick, businesslike shake before he released her.
“So indulge my curiosity,” she said, knowing she’d already asked him a more personal question than this, “what about the interview made you come back to Wishful?”
Gerald lifted a brow.
“I’m in marketing, so I’m always working on refining my campaigns, seeing what works, what doesn’t.”
“And you’re marketing the town?”
“Something like that,” she said, and waited.
“The reminder of my personal connection was part of it. I was nostalgic. But it was the fountain. This place always reminds me that hope springs eternal.”
The familiar phrase circled around in her head. “I expect everybody could use a little reminder of that from time to time,” she said. “It’s certainly why I came.”
“Yeah? Where’d you blow in from?”
“The Windy City, as it happens. I came for family and got caught up in the cause.”
“And a relationship, apparently,” he noted with amusement. “Or was that dip staged?”
“Nope, not staged. Just a very unexpected side effect of a wish.”
His look was more one of curiosity than contempt. “You believe in t
hat stuff?”
“I didn’t when I got here, but I think I’m changing my mind.”
They both looked back at the fountain.
“Are you going to make one?” she asked.
“That didn’t turn out so well for me last time.”
“Cam told me you have to be really careful what you wish for. It can rebound badly.”
“Cam? Mr. Dip?”
Norah smiled. “Campbell Crawford. He’s one of the City Councilmen.”
“Crawford?” Gerald went still.
“His mom Sandra is mayor. Did you know her?”