Page 9 of A Moment In Time

“I have some health issues that will get in the way of the job.”

Gage cocked his head. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I will be. Just not right away.”

“Shit. What is it?”

“I’d rather not get into it.”

He sighed and sat forward in his chair. “Who’s the other council member?”

“Jack Patterson.”

“Oh. That won’t work.” Jack Patterson was the last person Calaway Crossing needed as their mayor. He was a newcomer per the town’s assessment, having moved to the valley eight years ago. Most people in town had a problem with him just being on the town council. And they certainly wouldn’t elect another outsider to the office.

“Exactly. We need someone else to run. We need a Calaway back in office.”

“Who do you have in mind?”

Duncan took a moment to answer, then smiled. “You.”

“What? No way.”

“You can do it, son. No one knows or loves this valley more than you.”

Gage shook his head. “I don’t think that’s true. Besides, I’m not popular or charismatic. I’m not a politician. Not to mention I’m too young.”

“Which is exactly what we need.”

“People don’t even like me all that much. They won’t vote for me.”

“I’m confident you can win them over, Gage. Besides, if I can get Patterson to back off, you’ll be running unopposed. And honestly, even if he runs, he won’t be much of an opponent.”

“Can you still lose if you run unopposed? It’ll be a cold day in hell before the people get behind me. Find someone else. Anyone else. Dad, Uncle Rand, Uncle Ian. Anyone but me.”

Duncan rested his forearms on the table and leaned forward. “You worked with me for three years before I turned the paper over to you. You’ve reported on every event, every new ordinance, every town issue. You’re also the best historian we have in the valley. I may write about the history of this town, but I often get my information from you or articles you’ve written.”

“That doesn’t make me a good candidate.”

“You’re right. It makes you a perfect candidate.”

This was too much to even comprehend. Him as mayor? “What about the paper?”

“Bessler spends half his time sitting at his desk reading a book. You can do both. You just might need to hand over a little more responsibility to that star reporter of yours.”

Gage sighed. “I don’t know. It’s not really what I’ve ever aspired to.”

“Will you think about it and get back to me tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? You’re giving me twenty-four hours to make a life-changing decision?”

“Well, I was hoping you’d jump right onboard today. But yeah, I’d like to tell him tomorrow you’ll run. I know you’re busywith the festival. But think on it. Call me tomorrow before the bachelor auction.”

“When is the special election?”

“April ninth.”

Gage shook his head. “I don’t know. This isn’t the way I ever saw my life going.”

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