Page 14 of A Moment In Time

Gage got to his feet and went to the coffee pot. This called for a shot of something. But seeing as they were in the sheriff’s office, he’d settle for a third cup of coffee. He filled a cup and returned to the chair.

Clementine smiled. “Hey, Sydney. How’s it going there?” She was quiet for a moment. “I’m at my office with Gage. Can you come join us? We have something interesting to run by you.” She listened again, then ended the call. “She’ll be right here.”

“I swear, Clem. I wish I’d never told you.”

She laughed. “No you don’t. This is going to be great.”

Gage groaned. “Just shoot me now.”

“Shush and drink your coffee.”

While they waited for Sydney to arrive, Clementine rattled on, but Gage wasn’t really listening to her. He was regretting talking to her about it. He thought she’d agree with him and tell him he’d be crazy to take it on. Instead, she wanted to be his campaign manager or the equivalent.

When Sydney came through the door, he climbed out of his head and gave her a small smile. At least she didn’t have a husband at home to spill the beans to. Gage was sitting in the one chair in front of the desk, so he stood and offered it to her.

“Thank you.” She sat down. “I’m getting mixed readings here. What’s going on?”

Clementine looked at Gage and he shrugged, then nodded. He’d completely lost control of the situation.

She smiled at Sydney. “What would you think of Gage being our next mayor?”

Sydney appeared to be speechless, and she looked at Gage, who shrugged again. She finally managed to say, “Um…mayor?”

Gage cleared his throat. “It’s fine if you think it’s an idiotic suggestion. God knows I do.”

“Not idiotic. Surprising. How? When?”

He leaned on the desk. “First off, this information doesn’t leave this office. The mayor is leaving and there will be a special election in April. Uncle Duncan thinks I should take Bessler’s place.”

“I thought he was going to run in November.”

“He was. And he’d be a great mayor. Me? No. And I told him as much. But he can’t do it now.” He looked over his shoulder at Clementine. “Then I made the mistake of telling my sister about it. And now you’re here and I’ve broken my uncle’s confidence twice in less than an hour after he told me to keep it to myself.”

Sydney looked at him for a moment. “Gage. I think Duncan is right. You’d make a great mayor.”

“Shit. Here we go.”

Chapter five

"Greer Calaway, you watch what you say."

After listening to the women chat about his future for several minutes, Gage pushed away from the desk.

“It seems I’m not really needed for this. I’m going to go to the horse auction.”

Clementine got up and hugged him. “We’ve got this.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” He stepped away from her. “I still haven’t agreed to do it.”

She patted his chest. “Take some time to think about it. We’ll talk later.”

Gage gave Sydney a nod, then left Clementine’s office. Maya looked up from the counter.

“How’s it going in there?”

He shook his head. “I opened a can of worms, and I’m not sure I can put them all back in.”

“Do you want to put them in?”

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