Page 67 of Capitally Engaged

A woman stepped to the front of the store, where all our chairs were oriented and a hush fell over the crowd as it tends to in a group of well-trained adults.

“Welcome to Toil and Trouble and thank you for joining us to celebrate the launch ofRide ’em, Cowgirlby Jax Carter.” She led everyone in a round of applause, a few whoops breaking out among the crowd. “My name is Joanie and I’m the Events Manager here at T&T. Just a smidge of housekeeping. While we know things always stay a littlewitchyhere in Salem, now that Halloween is officially over, it’s not too early to start thinkingabout your holiday shopping. Every purchase for the month of November comes with a coupon for free ice skating at the Holly Ridge Holiday Festival, located only a couple hours away from here.”

Charlotte shot me a wink; her best friend planned the holiday festival in the town where my dad and Margaret now lived. She had Charlotte offer all the indie bookstores in the tri-state area these coupons. Jax and I were going to take advantage of our newfound proximity to check it out—Jax had coordinated with Ridge Reads to do a signing next month.

After reading Jax’s bio, Joanie said, “And without further ado, please welcome Jax Carter!”

The applause and cheers were plentiful as Jax walked around the corner where she had been waiting, waving at the crowd. As she stepped up to the podium, her eyes snagged mine. I mouthed, “I love you,” my chest warming as her smile got even larger before she broke my gaze, turning her attention to the rest of the crowd.

“Wow, there sure are a lot of you here. My fiancé and future sister-in-law will tell you I thought no one was going to show up.” The crowd laughed appropriately.

“But seriously, it means a lot to me that you’re here. As little as two years ago, I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to stand up in front of a crowd and claim my work. While I’m not sure I would recommend to anyone the way my work was exposed,” she paused while a few mutters emitted from those who had followed Jax/June’s career prior to this release. “I won’t regret what it’s done for me in terms of standing up loud and proud, and saying I write romance, and anyone who has a problem with it can go—” Jax paused again.

“Am I allowed to swear up here? It’s my first time,” she asked. Joanie laughed, nodding. Jax continued. “Well, they can go fuck themselves.”

The loudest cheer yet erupted, and I may have contributed a wolf whistle to the cause. Once everyone had simmered down, Jax held up the book, an illustration of two cowgirls in an embrace in front of a scenic background on the cover. The ring of the fourth finger of her left hand caught the light, but the diamond’s reflection dimmed compared to the look of joy on Jax’s face.

“Let’s hear a little bit from these two cowgirls, shall we? I promise, no spoilers. Chapter one, Layla: They say never look a gift horse in the mouth, but what if that horse walks right up to you and neighs in your face?”

From there she was off, the crowd laughing at her witty one-liners and groaning in disappointment when she stopped for the question and answer portion of the evening. She first answered questions Joanie had prepared, before opening things up to the audience. Jax answered questions about the difference between indie and traditional publishing, whether she would continue to write under June Kennedy, and what she had planned next.

“I think we have time for one more question,” Joanie said as she and Jax exchanged what could only be described as a conspiratorial glance. Charlotte’s hand raised beside me, increasing my suspicion they were up to something.

“Yes, you there in the front.” Jax pointed to Charlotte.

“As someone who obviously cares a lot about the local community and supporting local businesses, by choosing to have your launch party at an independent bookstore, do you have any comments about the upcoming Election Day?”

My cheeks warmed and I willed myself to not turn red.

“I do, in fact. If you’re visiting from outside of Salem, you may not know that my fiancé, Preston Brandt, is running for our local state Senate seat in next week’s election. Preston, would you come up here?”

Charlotte led a round of applause that was far more lackluster than any Jax had garnered so far that night.

“Do you have anything you want to say to your future constituents and honored guests?” Jax handed me the microphone, and I took it begrudgingly.

“Hi, I am Preston Brandt, and I am running for the district’s state Senate seat. I’d appreciate your support if you’re voting next week, but this is Jax’s night and I don’t want to take away from it...” I glanced back in her direction and read the command in her gaze only a former Communications Director could give to someone screwing up an opportunity for free facetime with their voters.

“But, after you’ve supported this lovely bookstore and gotten any books signed and pictures taken, if you wanted to stop by and chat, I’ll be over there.” I pointed at a corner that seemed out of the way enough it wouldn’t clog up the flow of traffic, though I was sure no one would take me up on the offer.

“Jax and I moved here almost two years ago because I planned to run for the House of Representatives. While representing the state of Massachusetts in Congress is still a goal of mine, once I got here and began to really know this area and the people in it, I knew I wanted the chance to live in the community I was elected by on a more regular basis first. So again, buy books, so Jax can sign them, and then, if you’re not exhausted and ready to head home, you can see me.”

Jax lead a more enthusiastic round of applause as I walked over to my area. Joanie gave instructions on forming the signing line, and the crowd started to fold up chairs and disperse, some to the cash register, some to browse, and some got right in line to be among the first to chat with the woman of the hour.

Charlotte made her way to me. “Sorry, she asked me to do it.”

I looked at her and shook my head. “You don’t look very sorry.”

“I guess I’m not.” She shrugged. “I want you to win, and I agreed with Jax that you had an opportunity here. This time next year, I’ll officially be a Brandt, you know. I have to support my team.”

“So that means you all decided where to do the wedding?” I asked. Hayden and Charlotte were having a tough time deciding whether they wanted to get married in Holly Ridge or in Washington, DC.

She laughed and shook her head. “Not even a little bit. But we did decide we wanted a wedding in September, so we’ll have to make a decision soon. I know Blaire would take care of a lot of the planning if we did it in Holly Ridge, but Duncan has offered to hire a wedding planner if we do it in DC.”

I snorted. “Of course he has.”

“My Mom and I have a plan to sit down and talk things out over Thanksgiving this year. Maybe I’ll make her decide.” Charlotte tapped her chin, musing over that idea when her eyes caught on something behind me. “But I’m going to go circulate. I am technically here for work. I think you have a few people wanting to take you up on that offer.” She flashed me one more smile before moving into the crowd and striking up a conversation with another book lover.

I turned around and tried my best to hide my shock at the small group that waited for me. “Hi,” I said, sticking my hand out to the man closest to my left. “Preston Brandt, nice to meet you.”

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