Trinity Falls (Finding Home 1)

“A man would have done a better job.” Simon shoveled more pie into his mouth.

Megan’s back stiffened. “Then why didn’t a man run?”

Simon ignored her question. “Women are too emotional.”

Megan’s face heated with temper. She ignored Darius’s growing tension beside her. “Why didn’t you run, Mr. Knight?”

Simon spoke over her. “Ramona’s more interested in bringing higher-end department stores to Trinity Falls. Men don’t want to shop.”

“Dad.” Darius spun on his seat to face his father. “Our last two mayors have run unchallenged.”

Simon drank his coffee. “I haven’t voted for any of them.”

Darius swung his seat toward the counter, turning his back to his father. “You know that old saying, Dad. ‘If you don’t vote, you can’t criticize.’”

Megan shoved away what remained of her salad. “If you have such strong views on what’s wrong with Trinity Falls and how to fix it, Mr. Knight, you should run for office yourself.”

Simon snorted. “Only a fool would run for office. I’m nobody’s fool.”

Megan wasn’t sure about that. How could Darius have come from this couple? Her friend must have been adopted.

“My cousin has worked hard for more than three years to keep this town running—the schools, the emergency services, the health clinics and everything else. What have you done?” Megan stood. “If you don’t like the job she’s doing, either run against her or vote her out.”

Doreen shook her head. “Be careful what you wish for.”

Her friend was right. Megan’s gaze slid to Simon Knight. She didn’t agree with Ramona’s latest plans for Trinity Falls, but things could be worse.

CHAPTER 6

Tuesday evening, Megan glanced at her red Timex wristwatch again. Only eight minutes had passed since her last time check during this interminable town council meeting. Megan shifted in her third-row seat, which probably was older than she was. She crossed her legs, folded her arms and swallowed an impatient sigh.

The metal folding chairs were arranged in the town hall’s largest conference room to accommodate residents. In fact, the council’s business served as a backdrop for what was more of a community social.

Ramona adjusted the microphone on the desk in front of her. “Before the council entertains presentations and new matters from the public, I would like to take a moment to update everyone on the status of the park lamps.” Her pause added drama to a matter-of-fact statement. “Three months ago, the lamps were installed along the walking path in Freedom Park. The lamps are operating properly and have added a sense of increased security to residents.”

A tepid round of applause limped around the room. Megan wanted to sink into her chair. Why did Ramona always have to draw attention to herself ? She’d contracted to have the lamps installed in the park. But everyone in town knew the lamps had been Doreen Fever’s idea.

CeCe Roben, the town council president, cleared her throat. Her auburn hair was a sleek bob framing her alabaster face. “Thank you, Mayor. I’ve noticed a big difference with the new lamps and feel much safer in the park at night now.”

From his seat on Megan’s left, Darius lowered his pen and leaned closer. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “How much of that is sincere, and how much of it is CeCe’s attempt to score points with Ramona?”

Megan nodded. “I wondered the same thing.”

Quincy sat forward in his chair on Megan’s right. He kept his voice to the same hushed tone. “I thought you didn’t believe Ramona had a good side.”

The reporter shrugged. “I don’t believe Publishers Clearing House is real, either, but I’ll open my door if they knock.”

Quincy chuckled. “I jog through the park most nights. I don’t think I’ve ever seen CeCe there.”

CeCe called for new matters, which were very few: Roads were still waiting for repair after heavy storms from the previous spring. The malicious prankster responsible for stealing road signs had struck again, leaving Guilford Lane unidentified. And the search for a new city treasurer was still under way before the current treasurer retired because of “family reasons” sparked by an affair with his brother’s wife.

CeCe tapped the gavel to bring the meeting back to order. “At this time, we’d like to invite to the microphone those in attendance who would like to address the council.”

Megan scanned the room. Apparently, no one felt a pressing need to air his or her concerns. Megan inclined her head at the other members of the Trinity Falls Town Center Business Owners Association. From her seat, she contemplated the microphone waiting at the front of the room. Public speaking was not her forte. Megan’s heart pounded a steady rhythm against her chest. She drew in a deep breath and squared her shoulders before making her way to the podium. She felt Ramona’s eyes on her every step of the way.

Megan gripped the edges of the podium and locked her knees. “Good evening, council members and Mayor.”

A murmur of “good evenings” responded.