Page 18 of Gideon

“Listen, I wanted to apologize for not recognizing you before. It was my dad who told me who you were.”

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t know if we said more than one word to each other growing up.”

“But you recognized me.”

She shrugged. “Is that why you’re here? To apologize for not recognizing me—no, that’s right. You were here to see my dad. He really liked you, you know.”

“That’s what your mom said. He was a good man.”

“Not everyone thought so.”

“He was a pastor. I think it comes with the job.”

“I guess.”

He noticed the grief that hung in her eyes and wished he could have done more to help her at the markets. “Did you want to talk about the incident earlier? Is that why you asked your mom to excuse herself?”

“You mean Deputy Cole?”

“Yeah.”

“I wanted to apologize for being so…rude to you. I know you were genuinely trying to help. You didn’t know what you were in for.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t stick up for you better.”

“It was my issue to sort out on my own.”

“My dad mentioned Mayor Fairfax. So, he really does have a stranglehold on this community?”

Nikki sighed. “It’s kind of a long story.”

“I have time.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

“Then you’d better take a seat.” She nodded toward a stool.

Chapter 6

“What I havetrouble getting my head around,” Gideon said, settling on the stool near the lineup of mugs. “Is how it even happened in the first place. Why would people let Fairfax take control? Why make him mayor?”

“Desperation. The town was in such a bad way that they were willing to listen to any lies. We opened the door, and he walked right in.”

“You mean because of the drought?”

“Partly.”

“Last time I was here, things were pretty bad, but I was surprised at how desolate it’s become.”

“Most of the surrounding farmland was sold off for pennies because the farmers couldn’t survive, and the land they had wasn’t worth much.”

“Fairfax was the buyer?”

“He was. And for a time, he was everyone’s hero because he’d allow people to stay in their houses for minimal rent if they continued to work the fields wherethey could. After the farms, it was the businesses. Same deal. He’ll let you keep your job if you work for him. A lot of the homes in Asher are owned by him now too. They elected him mayor. It was hard to deny he was doing good.”

“When did things change?”

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