Page 52 of Starting Over

Back in Boston, I had Colleen. I had friends. Here, I had made what I thought was one friend. But he was currently avoiding me, and I wasn’t sure if he was mad at me or his overbearing brother, who clearly had been lying to him about where he came from.

My thoughts, of course, turned back to that brother. I couldn’t help but wonder why Mr. and Mrs. O’Rourke had moved so unexpectedly all those years ago. Where were they now?

From what was said on Thanksgiving, it sounded like they had moved to Arkansas. But why? And why didn’t they all go?

Before I could ask myself any more questions I couldn’t possibly answer, a woman sat down next to me.

“Hi, I hear you just moved to town. I am Allison Hoffman. The mayor. I wanted to officially welcome you to Diamond Creek.”

I turned and was caught off guard when I realized the beautiful woman who had been sitting with Declan was now sitting next to me.

“By the look on your face, I can see I caught you off guard.”

“Um, a little, yea.” Why was she here, talking to me? “You’re the mayor?”

I don’t know why I was surprised; Boston had women in public offices. However, I never really paid much attention to politics. In my world, men ruled. I guess I always justassumed Boston was just more liberal than a small town in the conservative Midwest would be.

“I am.” She laughed. “Declan said you’re from Boston.”

“He was talking about me? And not scowling?” I scoffed.

“Oh, he was scowling alright.”

We both looked back to where he was sitting, and sure enough, he was scowling at both of us. Alison laughed, and I couldn’t stop myself from joining in.

“Yea, he isn’t exactly my biggest fan.”

“Why is that?”

Turning back around, I sighed. “I’m sure he told you where I came from? Not just the city, but what I grew up in.”

“He did. I was also told you knew each other as kids.”

He was willingly telling this woman things he had kept from his brother. It made me wonder what their relationship was.

Changing the subject I asked, “Are you two together?”

Why I asked, I had no idea.

It wasn’t my business, and it had no bearing on my life.

You know that’s not true. You’re still hoping he’s meant to be yours.

“Oh, God no.” She laughed. “Actually, I’m his boss. And I’m married. Well, about to be divorced.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Wait, did you say you were his boss? Sheriffs have a boss?”

“Yup. Think of me as one step up from a police commissioner back in Boston.”

“Well, I’m glad to know he has someone keeping him accountable,” I mumbled.

“Declan’s a good guy. I’m sure in Boston, you deal with a lot of bad cops. We don’t put up with that here. He has the whole town holding him accountable, not just me.”

I stole a quick peek back at the man we were talking about, and for a moment, I wondered if I’d judged him unfairly. Icouldn’t dwell on that right now. If I did, I would let myself think about what could have been, or what could be. And that just wasn’t smart.

The waitress came back with my food and set the plate in front of me. I still wasn’t quite sure I could eat it all, but at least some of my appetite had returned, because the burger smelled delicious.

“I’ll let you have your lunch; I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself.”

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