Page 58 of A Touch Charmed

At least I’d given them something interesting to talk about over coffee tomorrow.

Everyone had an opinion on my bid for mayor, and because of the echoing quality of the hall, every one of those opinions reached my ears. There were those who thought I was doing it for attention. Some who thought it was for revenge. Some who thought it was a publicity stunt. None of them had it right.

I’d done this for me.

The days of me being defined by my relation to someone else were over. Ever since I’d moved in with Finn, bit by bit, the person who had always been inside me had begun to surface. I found a purpose, strength, leadership. I found myself.

I had a gift that could help keep this island safe and a desire to do right by the people who hadn’t been given a voice in so long out of fear. Warren Chase was done threatening the businesses and reputations of anyone who disagreed with him. It was long past time to strip him of his power. He couldn’t hurt me anymore, but that wasn’t enough. I wanted to ensure he couldn’t hurt anyone else either.

“Thora.” He stepped to the edge of the stage with his fists clenched. He kept his voice low, but everyone in the front row could hear him. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Finn stood behind me with his arms wrapped around my waist, holding me tight against his chest. His sawdust and spice scent centered me, kept me grounded, while I faced off against the man who had once been able to intimidate me with a single look. “She’s running for mayor. And she’s going to win.”

Wes came and stood beside me. “I was going to run, but I can’t think of anyone better for the job than Thora.” He turned back to the crowd and yelled, “Plus, she’s going to let us have our cars back in the summer.”

A cheer went up behind me and I had to bite my cheek to keep from laughing. I hadn’t given the cars much thought, but why not? I didn’t really like walking or biking everywhere in the summers either. I turned back to the man who I’d once admired and couldn’t see anything left of who I’d hoped he’d be for me one day.

“This isn’t personal.” It was a little personal. Okay, a lot personal. But I also wanted to make a real change around here. “I just want to do what’s right for Zodiac Cove.”

He gave the room the fakest of smiles before holding out his hand to shake mine. He tried to crush my fingers, but his grasp had always been weak. “May the best person win.” He pulled me forward, bringing his voice down to a near whisper. “I’m going to destroy you. By the time I’m finished, neither you nor your boyfriend will be able to find work on this island or within a hundred-mile radius on the mainland.”

“That’s fine.” I gave him my brightest smile. “Because I’ll have your job.”

For the first time, I saw a hint of worry cross his eyes, there for an instant, then gone. He squared his shoulders and went back to the podium. All around us, money changed hands as people began placing their bets on who would win.

It gave me a boost of confidence to see a fair bit of money changing hands in my direction. More whispers reached me. People wondered what Warren had done to cause such a rift in our family, more comments about the light that glowed between me and Finn, and even a few more observant residents who said it was about time I stood up for myself.

All the eyes in the room followed me as I walked up to Dale Samson and handed him a twenty. “Put this on me.” I glanced back at Warren. “I’m betting on myself for once.”

With the big news of the evening over with, people began to file out of the town hall. Eager to get on the phone or back to their garden walls to gossip with their friends and neighbors. I gave everyone gracious smiles as they left. I was officially campaigning.

Olivia made a quick exit out the back way and didn’t stop to talk to anyone, probably wondering who I would tell about what she’d done. If she’d been in my position, she no doubt would’ve spread it as far and wide as possible, but that wasn’t how I operated. I had no use for continued scrutiny and gossip. I just wanted to live my life.

Outside, Audrey pulled me into a hug. “That was so awesome. I had no idea you were going to run for mayor. The look on Warren’s face, oh my God. I wanted to snap a picture and put it up on flyers all over town.”

I looked at Finn, who wore a smug expression. “It was kind of a last-minute thing.”

“Better you than me,” Wes said. “The only reason I was going to do it was because I couldn’t talk Cole into taking it on. It needed to happen though.”

As the four of us walked through the parking lot, people stopped me to let me know I’d be getting their vote. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones who were ready for a change. The crowds thinned as people headed in various directions on foot to their homes. Warren came out of the hall last, with my mother trailing behind him looking half-dazed.

“Thora, a word if you have a minute.” He motioned me over like I was a dog he could summon. Finn glared at him, but I placed a hand on his chest. I had a minute. No more.

I approached him and barely gave my mother a glance. “If you’re going to issue more threats, I will walk away. I have no interest in hearing them.”

“No threats.” He dabbed his forehead with his handkerchief. “I know I said some things in there that sounded harsh, but you know how I get when I’m caught off guard.”

I had no interest in excuses either. I glanced at my wrist that didn’t actually hold a watch, letting him know time was ticking. “What did you need then?”

“I’d like to know what possessed you to undermine me like that in front of the entire town. I understand we’re having a spot of trouble right now, but you’re still my daughter.”

“Am I?” I glanced at my mother, who blanched. I had a feeling the whiskey had loosened her tongue a lot more than she was comfortable with. “Because I had a very interesting conversation with Hank Wilder the other day.”

Warren’s eyes narrowed. “What did he say to you?”

“He seems to think Dante Everett was my father. Not you.”

Warren turned back to my mother, rage tightening his features. “Did you send her there? Because Hank never would’ve said anything if he didn’t have your permission.”

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