Doreen crossed her arms. “You walked into the bookstore loaded for bear and pointed your sights at me. Why?”
“Ladies, you may not want to continue this conversation here.” Darius released Peyton’s shoulder. He glanced around the store, scanning the curious glances directed their way. Trinity Falls was a small community whose residents’ curiosity was close to insatiable.
Nessa ignored his warning. “The mayor’s office is going to be handed to you just like everything else in your life. But don’t expect me to let you continue to walk around this town like royalty.”
Doreen’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed with temper. Darius strained to hear her reply. “If you wanted to be mayor, Nessa, you should have run.”
“Next time, I will.”
Doreen inclined her head. “Until next time, then.”
Nessa’s glare shot sparks before she turned to leave Books & Bakery.
Peyton exhaled. “Who was that?”
“Nessa Linden.” Darius observed Nessa’s stiff gait as she left the store. “She’s served two terms on the town council. I didn’t think she wanted to be mayor, though.”
“She didn’t.” Simon shoved his hands into the front pockets of his cowboy costume.
Darius faced his father, who stood on Peyton’s other side. “How do you know?”
Simon’s gaze drifted away. “She told me when I considered running for office.”
Darius wasn’t certain he bought that. Perhaps he’d press his father for more later. He turned to Doreen. “What happened between you and Nessa?”
“I don’t know.” Doreen’s eyes remained on the front doors as though she could still see Nessa. “We’ve never been friends, but she’s never been so confrontational toward me, either.”
“She seemed to have it in for you.” Simon shifted his stance.
Something in his father’s voice put Darius on alert.
“And what did she mean that everything’s always been handed to me?” Doreen sounded more curious than offended.
Peyton touched Doreen’s forearm in a brief but sympathetic gesture. “Sometimes people make accusations that are unfounded and unjust.”
“Like claiming someone’s a player when he’s not.” Darius gave Peyton an innocent look, watching as a blush rose into her cheeks.
Peyton looked away from him and continued. “I wouldn’t spend any time worrying about it.”
Doreen shook her head. “I need to fix this. When I’m mayor, I’ll have to work with Nessa and the other council members to get projects done.”
“CeCe’s council president.” Darius straightened his fedora. “She’ll keep Nessa from turning the council’s work into Nessa’s personal agenda.”
Simon shrugged. “Nessa’s off her rocker. I’d ignore her.”
Darius faced his father, searching eyes that were so much like his own. “What do you know?”
Simon pressed a finger to his own chest. “Me? What do you mean?”
Darius gave Simon a hard look. “Either she told you something or you’ve heard something that would explain Nessa’s behavior toward Doreen.”
Doreen’s wide-eyed gaze swung between Darius and his father. “Simon, is this true? Do you know something?”
Simon’s expression grew haunted. “I don’t know anything.”
Darius set his jaw. “Yes, you do.”
Simon raised his arms in surrender. “I agreed not to say anything.”