Page 39 of Someone to Tempt
“Jodi Moore signed me up to participate in the opening ceremony of the rodeo tomorrow night.”
“That’s lovely. I wondered why I didn’t see you at the summer rodeo series. Usually, the mayor?—”
“I’m allergic to horses.” My voice sounds desperate and pathetic, even to my own ears.
She and the dog incline their heads in unison like they can’t quite figure me out. “They have medicine for that.”
“I think I’m allergic to fun,” I blurt.
“No one is allergic to fun.”
“I’m allergic to the type of fun it takes to be a small-town mayor.”
She lets out an incredulous sniff. Winston averts his gaze like he’s embarrassed on my behalf. “What kind of talk is that? You’re going to have a great time at the rodeo. You don’t have to ride a horse. They’ll settle you in the wagon, and you’ll wave to the crowd, smile and admire some rodeo cowboys. It will be fun.”
That word again.
I shake my head. “It sounds like torture. And another chance for people to see that I don’t belong. I don’t belong anywhere. I’m terrible at being fun. I have cowboy boots that I thought I was supposed to keep nice in a box.”
“Honey, you’re supposed to wear cowboy boots.”
“I’m not western enough for the cowboys and ranchers. I’m not cool enough for the hipsters who love it here. I’m not even outdoorsy enough for the sporty crowd.”
“I’ve seen you running around town, and nothing is chasing you. You’re outdoorsy enough.”
“I run next to the woods, not in the woods. And I don’t know how to have fun or let loose.” I think about the night before at Tony’s and how relaxed I felt after a couple of drinks. “Unless I’m liquored up. What kind of a politician spends their time in office liquored up?”
“I assume that’s a rhetorical question.”
“I belong behind the scenes. I don’t have your gift with people. I’m awkward, and I make things uncomfortable. I’m too direct and don’t pick up on social cues. What kind of a politician doesn’t pick up on social cues?”
Gloria laughs. “Another rhetorical question, given the state of politics in this country. Is working behind the scenes what you want? I thought you wanted to make a real difference because you love this town.”
“I do.”
“You think Joey Moore’s a better person to lead it?”
My eyes widen. “Do you?”
She holds up a hand. “If I thought Joey was the man to lead this town, I would have told you before now. But I didn’t, because I think you’re the right person for the mayor’s position. Even if it’s a stepping stone. There’s nothing wrong with having goals and aspirations, Iris, but you’ve got to play the game.”
When emotions clog my throat, I look away. The view from the house stretches wide, the mountains jagged against a sky streaked with soft blue and faint wisps of clouds. From this angle, the mountains appear both imposing and inviting—a reminder of nature’s permanence and the endless possibilities just beyond the horizon. I want to fill my life with possibilities, but change is so damn hard.
“Another thing I was never good at. I take winning too seriously.”
“Are you telling me all this as an excuse to quit dancing?”
“Why would I want to quit dancing?”
“Because you’re terrible,” Gloria says matter-of-factly.
“Fair point,” I answer, trying not to take offense. “But I like dancing, and I don’t care that I suck. Well, I do care, but I’m getting better. I’ve been watching endless YouTube tutorials.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Gloria pats my arm. “You don’t have to be the life of the party or the belle of every ball to be a good mayor.”
“I don’t think I can be those things even if I wanted to, which I don’t. My mom was the life of every party. More than anything else in my life, I want to not be like her.” I cringe and tighten my hands into fists. “Then I did exactly what she would have done and fell for a married man.”
“I’m guessing it wasn’t the same thing,” Gloria says, and I wonder if she believes it.
