Page 47 of Courageous Demands

“Ahhh, one of the models of the X-rated photographs…”

“What’d you say?!” Alec roared angrily as two men grabbed him by the arms, pulling him away from Eugene.

“Good luck in the polls, Rushman… with any luck, you might end up working a poll to make ends meet, you tramp. Doesn’t District Court Judge Stevenson sound soooo good?”

And Willow heard a gasp nearby, pulling her horrified gaze from Eugene’s smug face. She saw Alec jerk his arms from the two men holding him – and realized a series of whispers and surprised expressions rippled through the crowd. She felt eyes landing on her, shocked and stunned, as they all looked at their cell phones – and at her.

“You should not be near children nor these decent folks,” Eugene said loudly. “Shame on you, Rushman… for shame on you both. You should leave.”

“What did you do?” Alec snapped hotly, advancing. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO WILLOW?”

“Actually, apparently, the last of our unwed Flirt’s Battalion decided to cross a line that most good and decent people would not…”

Willow was on the verge of a panic attack. Her heart was beating so loudly it was a drum in her ears. Her hands and arms were trembling. She was deathly afraid if she moved, her legs would collapse. This was worse than any nightmare she’d had as a child of being naked in public, and she still had no clue what photographs Eugene was referring to – but it was written all over the townsfolks' faces.

Faces that didn’t forget easily.

Faces of people she knew – and knew they gossiped. There were the gamblers of town, those people who split their pants at work, and those who had to borrow five bucks for gas. Everyone knew who was dating who and who was pregnant – and the list went on. Oh yes, they knew each morsel of gossip that only fed and grew as it passed from person to person.

One of the other firefighters who attended the chili cook-off showed Alec a cell phone – and Alec cursed, looking directly at her. His face was pale and pinched around his lips, but his cheeks were ruddy with anger. If looks could kill, Eugene would already be standing in line to get into Hell.

Alec looked at her, his fists bunched up, and he swallowed. She saw his Adam’s apple bob as he drew himself upward, squared his shoulders, and spoke.

“That’s not appropriate to see online – and while, obviously, someone has invaded my privacy at my home, that is NOT Judge Rushman.”

Alec’s voice was loud over the silence. He was deliberately using her name and title, the words echoing over the crowd. He turned from her and pointed at Eugene standing beside her.

“You, sir, should be contacting an attorney because this will not go unaddressed. You have invaded my privacy, slandered Judge Rushman, and spread indecent photos that should not be seen by decent folk.”

“Why are you addressing me?” Eugene said theatrically, looking taken aback, only for Alec to step forward, coming to Willow’s side.

“Because I came upon you threatening the woman I just asked to marry me today,” Alec said hotly, putting an arm around her waist to keep her steady. She was so grateful that she wasn’t standing alone taking the brunt of this, but at the same time, she hated that he was defending them. She was just so shocked and horrified that someone could sink so low, and then it clicked what Alec had said – to everyone.

Hold up?

Wait a second…?

He was marrying her?!

Willow’s brain screeched to a staggering halt as she was processing what was happening so quickly, combined with the staggering words that kept sounding in her head, heart, and soul.

“There is nothing worse than having a relationship destroyed before it really takes off,” Alec said bluntly to Eugene, loud enough for the crowd to hear it. “We’ve both grown up in Ember Creek. I have been injured for this town, delivered babies, nearly died, and pulled people from this town out of wrecked cars and horrible fires. This is our home!”

Alec was shaking; he was so angry, holding her at his side protectively.

“Willow Rushman participates at every charity event, she goes to church on Sundays, spends time with the people of this town… because she loves them and cares what happens. She is – and has always been – fair, honest, and not afraid to do the right thing, and you are trashing her publicly for votes?” Alec continued, not letting anyone get a word in edgewise. “These people are our neighbors, our families. You have spread your filth and implied lies about someone who is good, decent, and pure. Yeah, buddy – I’d get a really good attorney and recommend you do not say another word in front of all these witnesses.”

Alec turned to her – and hugged her.

“I’m so sorry this is happening to us,” he said calmly, but his eyes were still glittering with pent-up rage. “We’ll handle this batch of lies together and face our friends because we have nothing to hide. I don’t want you looking at that filth because it will only hurt your feelings more. We, the people of Ember Creek, need you to keep a calm head and open heart so you can continue to provide services to our community.” And then he touched her chin, tipping it upward as he continued to hold her gaze. “You are the best person I’ve ever met – and I am so lucky to know you. Don’t let this moment ruin our day.”

“Beckett,” Chief Carpenter said loudly, clapping Alec on the shoulder and looking at the two of them, his eyes questioning. “There is an attorney enjoying her second bowl of chili sitting right beside my brother, who is home visiting from Afghanistan. We all serve our country however we can, and I’m sure Elana Cole-Carpenter, my new sister-in-law, will be honored to help out as well.”

The threat and obvious support hung in the air. One of the firefighters she recognized as Alec’s boss, Justin, also stepped forward.

“If you need anything at all – you say the word. You’ll always have my vote because I hate liars with a passion,” Justin said loudly, grabbing the flyers from Alec’s other hand.

People were looking at each other and whispering, and Willow thought she was going to be sick, wondering what exactly was being said as curiosity plagued her of the unknown. She had done nothing wrong, but Alec said they were filthy photos?

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