Page 37 of All Because of You

Chapter 10

Until now, Madison had managed to avoid city council meetings for the most part.

So she’d had no idea that just about the entire town showed up to these things. Or maybe it was just tonight since Evan’s festival was on the agenda. Her eyes scanned City Hall’s council chambers, where nearly every seat was filled five minutes before the meeting began. Apparently, this was the place to be.

Beside her, Evan pointed to a few open spots down front with Reserved signs attached. “Come on. Those are our seats.”

She had to lean in to hear over the din of chatter. “I don’t have to sit so close.”

“But I’m presenting, and you’re with me.” Snagging her hand in his, Evan winked.

Madison pinched him on the wrist.

“Ow. What was that for?”

“Just checking that you’re real. That this is all real.” Because, seriously, there were so many times when it didn’t feel like it. That she was back in Walker Beach, for one. And that she was dating Evan Walsh. Not that they’d said as much. But she didn’t just go around kissing random people unless it meant something. She prayed the same was true for him.

Evan lifted his eyebrows, grinning. “You know you’re supposed to pinch yourself, not some poor unsuspecting guy.”

“That’s not how I remember it.”

Laughing, he led her through the crowd, maneuvering her with ease past fellow town residents. A middle-aged woman with big red hair tied back in a bandanna talked with a group of Stepford-esque mavens in a loud, animated voice.

Evan leaned in close. “Be careful of that one. She moved here about eight years ago, but you’d think she was a lifer the way she knows everything about everyone. Name’s Carlotta Jenkins.”

She lifted her eyebrows. “The queen of the gossips?” Ashley had mentioned her.

“That’s the one.”

In another circle, businessmen in suits discussed something in hushed tones. A pack of young college-aged students laughed as they watched something on one of their phones.

Evan pointed out a group of tall thirty-somethings with a clear family resemblance to one another. Most of their clothing was nondescript, but one of the guys wore scrubs and one of the women sported a dark blue Walker Beach Fire Department T-shirt. “You remember the Griffin sextuplets? Most of them still live here. They’re Ashley’s cousins.”

Madison swallowed, shook her head. There were still so many faces she didn’t know.

Of course, knowing who people were didn’t make someone part of a town. That much had been proven when she’d lived here the first time.

But as she and Evan made their way to their seats, people yelled hello to them. Always comfortable in a crowd, Evan returned the greetings with a smile and a shout as he pulled her along. He also introduced her to his office mate and friend, Alex, who she vaguely remembered from school.

They arrived at their seats, and she slid into the second one from the outside, allowing Evan the seat on the aisle so he could exit easily when it came time for him to present his idea for the festival.

When Madison heard her name, she turned to find Ben Baker and his girlfriend Bella behind her. They’d come into the store yesterday seeking wood, paint, and other supplies for some remodeling projects around the inn. Bella had told Madison a bit of her and Ben’s story and it was interesting—and sigh-worthy—to say the least.

She glanced down the aisle and saw Mrs. Wildman sharing some popcorn out of a Ziploc bag with her husband Bill. Madison usually reserved the salty snack for the movie theater. Perhaps Mrs. Wildman expected a show here tonight.

She grinned at the thought.

As if sensing her attention, Mrs. Wildman looked up and waved.

“Seems you have a fan.” Evan’s voice caught her ear, and she turned to find him close, his eyes lit with amusement.

“She always was the sweetest lady.” It had been so nice reconnecting with her Saturday at the store.

“I ran into her this morning at the Frosted Cake—”

“You were there again?”

“Not a word, woman.” Evan bumped her shoulder with his own. “She couldn’t sing your praises enough. In fact, several people I’ve talked to since Saturday were complimentary of you and the store.”

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