Darius wrote down her response. It hadn’t escaped his notice that Nessa had given the council credit for the town improvements Doreen had claimed Ramona had accomplished as mayor. He kept those thoughts to himself. “Do you have any comments on the ballot issues?”
“I wish the town had options.” Nessa straightened as though preparing for battle—or a mayoral run. “The residents of Trinity Falls deserve to have a choice of mayoral candidates. For too many years, our candidates have run unopposed. That’s not a democracy.”
Nessa’s words nudged Darius’s memory. “That’s almost the exact response my father gave me when he was considering challenging Doreen for mayor.”
“Your father and I aren’t the only people who feel this way. We’re just two of many.”
His eyes held Nessa’s. “I’ve wondered who talked my father into running for mayor. Was it you?”
CHAPTER 8
Darius waited for Nessa’s reaction. The new town council president needed to know she couldn’t scheme in secrecy. Trinity Falls was a small town with very nosy neighbors.
Nessa didn’t blink. “As I said, Simon and I aren’t the only ones who feel this way. There are hundreds of people who could have planted that seed. I’m only sorry he dropped out of the campaign. If it weren’t for the skeletons in his closet, he would’ve made a good mayor.”
Darius doubted that. “Why didn’t any of these hundreds of people run for office?”
“I’m sure there are as many reasons as there are people in Trinity Falls. But I’m hopeful things will be different in the future.” Nessa straightened her shoulders as though once again preparing for the campaign trail. “Single-candidate mayoral races put an additional burden on the council. Now we have to ensure that the mayor doesn’t abuse her position.”
“Doesn’t the council have to do that regardless of how the mayor gets into office?”
“Yes, but this is an added burden because . . .” Nessa’s gaze swept the corridor as though seeking inspiration. “Well, if the candidate is uncontested, she may think she’s entering office with a mandate.”
Darius didn’t buy that, but he recorded her words anyway. “What about you, Nessa? Will you run for office in 2018? Is that the reason you became council president?”
“I accepted the position of council president after CeCe Roben stepped down for personal reasons. My focus is on serving the town as council president and continuing the good work the council has accomplished to date.” Nessa attempted to look down her nose at him. It was a difficult maneuver, considering Darius was half a foot taller than her.
“Thanks for your time, Nessa.”
“Of course. You can call my office to schedule an interview about my becoming council president.”
“Already done, Madame President. I’m just waiting for you to set the date.”
Fleeting surprise replaced Nessa’s arrogant expression. “I’ll have my secretary call you after he’s checked my calendar.”
Long, jerky strides carried Nessa down the hall and into the parking lot. Was Nessa’s secretary about to hear his boss’s displeasure with his delay in scheduling media interviews? Hopefully not.
Darius looked at the notes from his exchange with the council president. Doreen was in for a challenging term. Despite Nessa’s protestations, which were typical of politicians, Darius knew Trinity Falls would have a two-person mayoral race in 2018.
“The next four years are going to be interesting.” Peyton’s lily-of-the-valley scent alerted Darius to her presence just before her words.
He faced the professor. “You read my mind.”
“Something tells me that’s not often done.” Peyton’s winged eyebrows took flight. Her caramel eyes sparkled with humor. “Will I find my way back out?”
Darius struggled against a smile. “What did you think of your first experience voting in Trinity Falls?”
Peyton’s expression told him she was claiming victory in this exchange of wits. Darius let her.
“It was definitely different.” Peyton secured the strap of her dark purple purse onto her shoulder.
“In what way?” Darius pulled his attention from her full, moist lips, and readied his notebook and pen.
“I’ve only been here five months.” Peyton shrugged a slender shoulder. “I’m used to having at least a year to consider the pros and cons of ballot issues and candidates.”
“Some people would consider that too much time.” Darius wrote quickly.
“I’m in academia.” Her eyes twinkled again. “No one makes quick decisions in academia.”