She opened her copy of The Trinity Falls Monitor before digging into her breakfast—spinach quiche, fruit, and coffee. Even this far from the café’s kitchen, she could smell the fresh bread, confectioner’s sugar, and homemade soups.
The sound of heels crossing the hardwood floor toward her made her look up. Ramona floated toward her like a runway model on the catwalk. Her tall, slender figure was clothed in a scarlet knee-length sweater dress. Black stiletto boots made her legs look even longer. Her glossy, shoulder-length raven tresses billowed with every step. With her wide ebony eyes and café-au-lait complexion, Ramona reminded Peyton of a young Dorothy Dandridge. She was the type of woman Irene Biery Harris could envision marrying Peyton’s soon-to-be-ex-fiancé, Bruce Grave. Beside Ramona, Peyton must appear as a vertically challenged, mousy shadow.
“May I join you?” Ramona braced her left hand on the back of the chair opposite Peyton. Her right hand held a white porcelain cup of coffee.
Peyton glanced toward the front of the café where Ramona usually shared breakfast with her friends. Jackson, Audra, Ean, Megan, Darius, and Doreen were at the counter.
“Please do.” Peyton pulled her gaze from Darius’s broad shoulders wrapped in an emerald-green sweater.
She was having breakfast with the mayor. At fifteen hundred residents, Trinity Falls wasn’t in the same stratosphere as New York City. Still, she marveled the town’s mayor knew who she was and sought her company.
“What did you think of our council meeting?” Ramona crossed her long dancer’s legs and settled back on her chair.
“I enjoyed it.” Peyton cut another slice of her spinach quiche with a fork.
“We’re not as exciting as New York City.” A slight smile curved Ramona’s pink lips.
“I wouldn’t know. I didn’t attend city council meetings.”
“I used to live in New York.” Ramona sipped her coffee.
“You did?” Peyton almost choked on her quiche.
Although she knew Ramona planned to join her boyfriend, Dr. Quincy Spates, in Philadelphia in the new year, Peyton couldn’t imagine the mayor living anywhere other than Trinity Falls, Ohio. This was her town.
“I used to think I wanted Trinity Falls to be more like New York—the shops, the culture, the sophistication.” Ramona leaned forward, holding Peyton’s gaze. “Now I realize my hometown has its own identity, and I never want it to lose that.”
“I’ve only been here five months, but I agree with you.” Peyton ate more quiche. In the cozy neighborhood just outside the town center, she witnessed residents greeting each other on the street. “Trinity Falls is a very special place.”
“Yes, it is.” Ramona set her coffee on the table. “That’s one of the reasons I brought up the fundraiser for the community center during the meeting.”
“It sounds like a great idea. Community centers are vital for residents in need.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that.” Ramona rewarded Peyton with a smile. “I’d like you to cochair the fundraising committee.”
Peyton froze with a forkful of quiche in her mouth. Her gaze locked with Ramona’s as she chewed, swallowed, and tried to speak. “You want me to cochair the committee?”
“Do you have any experience with fundraisers?”
Peyton searched Ramona’s serious expression. “I’ve volunteered on fundraising committees in the past but—”
“Perfect.” Ramona spread her arms.
“But I barely know the town.”
“You’ll bring fresh ideas to the project.”
“I’ve never even seen the center much less used it.”
“You won’t have any preconceived notions of the facilities.”
Peyton sighed. “Ramona, I’m very flattered that you thought of me. But I don’t think I’m the right person for the job.”
“Yes, you are.” Ramona raised her hands to count off the reasons. “You’re new. You’re enthusiastic, and you’re falling in love with my town.”
“Your town?” Peyton gave the mayor a teasing look. “You’re moving to Philadelphia in January.”
“Trinity Falls will always be my town, and I want what’s best for it. Will you help with the fundraiser?”