Page 86 of No Place Like Home
Cade took a breath. That was one load off, though the fact his dad had to bail him out left a different one in its place. He sank onto the chair opposite the desk. “That’s not why I’m here.”
Dad pointed to the TV, which aired a local news report. “Let’s talk in a minute. I don’t want to miss this.”
Cade leaned against the seat as the news reporter droned about the weather. He wanted to get the conversation over with, but at least this gave him a moment to figure out exactly what he wanted to say.
Maybe he should ease into it.Dad, I’ve been thinking…there’s been a lot going on lately, and I feel like taking on your job would be a bit much right now…
Or maybe the blunt approach.Dad, I’m not qualified to be mayor.
Or maybe he needed to think about something else and let the conversation happen organically. He pulled his phone free from his pocket and went back to Rosalyn’s string of texts.
Rosalyn: Good news!
Rosalyn: You’re supposed to ask what
Rosalyn: Whenever you get this, call me. I think Toiletgate has been solved.
Cade stared at the words, rocking his chair back. His chest flushed as conflicting emotions roiled. Rosalyn had somehow fixed his problem too? Waseveryonebetter at being in charge than he was?
“…an unexpected announcement from Mayor Landry.” A local reporter’s voice on the TV pitched with excitement. “Thanks for joining us. I’ll let you tell the news yourself, Mayor.”
Cade stilled his chair, balancing it on two legs.
Dad’s face filled the TV screen. He wore the same shirt he had on now—a pinstriped button-down under a navy blazer. “Thank you, Laura. It’s an exciting time here in Magnolia Bay.”
Oh no. Had hejustfilmed this? Cade rocked again. “Dad. We really need to?—”
“Shh.”
“I know change can be intimidating.” TV Dad lifted his chin toward the camera.
The brunette reporter nodded, eyes laser focused as if his father was a superstar. In a lot of ways, he was—all part of the problem.
A grin broke across Dad’s salt-and-pepper goatee on the screen. “But I’m very pleased to announce that my son, Cade Landry, will be running for mayor this upcoming election.”
Cade’s chair crashed backward onto the floor. He lay unmoving, staring up at the ceiling tiles. His head spun. This wasn’t happening.
“This is obviously bittersweet for me and the end of an era.” From the television, Dad’s voice filled the air. “But it’s also the beginning of a new one for Magnolia Bay.”
Cade’s heart thundered in his ears and drowned out the reporter’s perky response. He closed his eyes. He was too late. The entire town knew. He couldn’t back out now.
The TV muted.
Cade opened his eyes.
His father peered down at him. “Did you hear that? You’re official!”
Officially in trouble, yes. Cade had the sudden urge to laugh. He snorted. Then he chuckled.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, yeah.” Cade coughed as he stood. “Skittle went down the wrong pipe.” He righted his chair, hysteria past. Nothing about this was funny. Were the walls closing in? He collapsed in the seat, keeping both feet planted on the carpet. What was he going to do?
“Don’t worry—this doesn’t change anything regarding our campaign timeline.” Dad returned to his own chair and clicked off the TV. “You can get past Magnolia Days before you switch gears.”
Switch gears? Cade wanted to slam on the brakes. He pressed his fingers into his temples. “That’s…good. But why the announcement? Why today?”
“I thought it best for the town to have a heads-up. And I’ve already booked your campaign party at Magnolia Blossom for two weeks from Saturday, after the festival.” Dad beamed. “We’ll get everyone celebrating early, and then your race will be a shoo-in.”
