Page 30 of A Moment In Time

“Sure. I’ve left her before. She’s more than capable of—”

“Whoa. Who are you?”

Gage shook his head. “May I join you?”

Booker laughed. “Yeah. Please.”

Clementine cocked her head. “You aren’t nearly stressed out enough on publishing day. Especially after a community event.”

Gage shrugged. “It came together. Plus I got to the office at four this morning.”

“Okay. That explains it. You’re too tired to be grumpy.”

“Should I just move to another table?”

She put a hand on his arm. “No. I’m sorry. I’m glad it’s done and you’re not stressed out.”

Gage sat down. “I talked to Uncle Duncan Sunday morning.” He looked at Booker. “I assume Clem has filled you in.”

Booker nodded. “Yeah.”

“What do you think?”

“I think I’d much rather work with you than Bessler.”

Gage smiled. “Good. I hope that doesn’t change after I’m actually in office.”

“You’ll be fine.”

Clementine smiled. “Of course he will. As your campaign manager, what can I do?”

Gage looked at Booker again. “Are you okay with your wife throwing all of her energy into a new endeavor a few days after she begins her leave from the sheriff’s office?”

“You and I both know we don’t have any say in the matter.”

Londyn came up to the table. “Coffee, Gage?”

“Yeah. I think I need another cup. And I’ll take scrambled eggs and sausage, please.”

She poured him some coffee and topped off Booker’s and Clementine’s cups. “I’ll get that ordered.”

“How was dinner with Wes?”

Londyn rolled her eyes. “Not fun. The man is a little full of himself. And doesn’t seem to know the meaning of the word no.”

Clementine looked at her. “Did he get out of line?”

“No. He thought about it. But when I pointed out my two cousins and my uncle sitting a few tables over. Plus the fact that two more cousins ran the place, he backed off.”

“I hope you didn’t pay too much for his company.”

“I got him cheap, actually. I guess I should’ve taken it as a sign.” She smiled at Gage. “Of course Gage here brought in Three-hundred and sixty-seven dollars.”

Gage nodded. “And fifty-four cents.”

Clementine smiled. “I heard Sydney came through for you.”

“Yeah. Well, Uncle Rand got the highest bid at three-hundred and seventy-five dollars.”

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