Page 4 of Stopped

Snacks-and-Sips was bustling. Itshouldn't have surprised me, considering it was early on a Saturday morning. Tourists from near and far loved to flock to our little town no matter the season and the corner location of the coffee shop made it a hotspot of activity. I wrestled my way through the crowds admiring the eclectic décor and generations-worth of old newspaper clippings cluttering the walls before collapsing into a chair at my usual table. My friends were already there and waiting for me.

“You're late, Elijah.” Ashley, with her perfectly coiffed platinum blonde hair done up in a bun and her glittering blue eyes, grinned like the devil and pushed a latte across the table. “We ordered for you.”

“Thank God I'm predictable.” I lifted the caramel-laced confection to my nose and inhaled deeply. “How are you all? I feel like it's been ages.”

“Because it has been, you buffoon.” Lionel scooted his chair closer to me with a chuckle. The waifish man had downy softfawn hair and the palest blue eyes in a fine-featured face that was reminiscent of a porcelain doll. We’d briefly dated before mutually deciding we worked better as friends. I loved him to death.

My cousin Brent leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table. “So, Town Supervisor? That’s going to be quite the upheaval if you win.”

“Whenhe wins,” Sally, a mousy brunette with a sassy side and glasses too large for her face, elbowed Brent in the ribs.

“When. Sorry.” Brent laughed and patted the top of Sally’s head. He turned back toward me and peered over the rim of his wire-frame glasses. A history teacher at the local school, he fit the stereotype to a T—bow tie, button-down shirt, and suspenders. I'd tried a million times to help him in the fashion department, but he was an old soul trapped in the strapping body of a young man and liked to dress the part.

“I'll need your help.” I shifted to loop my arm around Lionel’s shoulders as he scooted even closer. Even as friends, he desperately sought physical affection whenever possible. My cheek rested atop his hair as he cuddled into my side.

“I can get my graphic designer to make flyers!” Ashley punctuated her words with animated movements of her hands. “She does a ton of work for the salon. I'm sure she'll be more than happy to add campaign materials to her portfolio.”

“Perfect. God, I have to host events, I'll need to get a booth at the back-to-school block party… go door to door.” I shuddered at the thought of it. Maybe campaigning wasn't such a great idea.

Sally sat up straighter in her seat. “Ooo, I'll raid the Dollar Tree in Harper’s Falls for balloons and streamers.”

“And I'll go through my books for inspiration on political talking points.” Brent gestured with his teacup before bringing it to his lips for a microscopic sip.

“Don't look at me. I’m here for moral support only. If it isn't a flower, I'm utterly useless.” Lionel laced his arms around my waist with a laugh. “I can be the emotional support koala.”

“Here, here!” I gave him a squeeze and reached my free hand for my drink. “I appreciate you all so much.”

“Are you nervous?” Ashley cocked her head with a keen glare. “You surprised all of us with that text, you know?”

“I'm absolutely terrified, but it feels like the right move.” I squinted at the crowds but brushed off the niggling feeling that I was being watched. With so many people in the shop, it stood to reason we had an audience.

“I think it's a great idea. We need to shake things up around here.” Brent pushed his glasses higher on his nose. “Old man Dickson was progressive for his time. Which was five decades ago.”

We all laughed. No truer words had ever been spoken. The former Supervisor was a good, honest, hard-working man, but some of his ideals hadn't aged as well as others.

“Rainbow colors.”

We all turned to stare at Sally, who was off in her own world. She blinked behind her giant spectacles as if we should all have known what she wasn't talking about.

“Rainbow colors,” she stressed again, a shy smile sneaking over her features. “For your brand and decorations. I'm going to get rainbow colors. It'll be so cheerful.”

Ashley cooed and fluttered her fingers. “Yes, girl. I'll match it to the campaign materials. We can get pins, too!”

I balked with a soft gasp. “Don't you think that'll be a bit… aggressive? A little too in-your-face?”

“No, it'll be perfect. We love rainbows. Everyone loves rainbows.” Lionel peered up at me with a grin. “And we want this to be in your face. It's quite fitting.”

With a sigh, I gave a relenting nod. “If that’s what you think—”

“Morning, folks.”

Every eye snapped toward the all-too-familiar voice. My nerves were instantly on edge. I'dknownsomeone was watching. No surprise, it was the bane of my existence.

“Sheriff Will! Hi.” Ashley leaned forward just a little more, flicking a lock of hair from her eyes. “Look at you, all dolled up.”

“Just Will is fine. I'm not on duty.” He rested a hand on the back of my chair. Though there was no physical touch between us, I could feel the heat radiating from his fingertips. Lionel was still cinched tight to my side, leaving me unable to pull away.

“Have a seat, Will.” Brent gestured toward the only empty chair at the table—the chair right beside me.

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