11. Chapter 11
Chapter eleven
"I wonder about Pax from time to time."
S ydney talked to Clementine, who talked to the school principal, and arranged for the seventh grade class to take a field trip to the Calaway Report newspaper office. Gage was regretting he had agreed to it. Twenty twelve-year-olds milling about, touching everything, asking questions, and invading his space.
The morning of the field trip, Gage was in a grumpy mood. He got to the office early to make sure nothing valuable or breakable wasn't lying around, then he went to his office to sulk. He knew he was being a baby, but he couldn't help it.
When there was a tap on his door, he knew it had to be Sydney. "Come on in."
She opened the door and peered in. "How are you doing?"
He tilted his head and looked at her. "How do you think?"
She came into the office. "It'll be fine."
"How do you figure?"
She moved to the desk and sat down in front of it. "Why does this bother you so much?"
He shook his head. "I don't know." He blew out a breath. "I know it shouldn't. This is like my second home. So it's like we have invited them into my house. And I don't let random people come to my house."
"Hmm. I must be random people then. Because I've never been to your house."
"That's a discussion for another day." He straightened up in the chair. "I'll get through it."
"Of course you will. Have you had coffee yet?"
"I had some at home. I could use another cup."
"I'll get you some coffee. Then get ready. They'll be here in thirty minutes."
He nodded. "Yay."
The tour went better than he thought it would. The kids seemed genuinely interested, especially in the old printing press. They had all written newsworthy articles for English class, and the teacher had picked out four. Gage pre-set the type on the printing press with the headline, Calaway Elementary goes to press. They all eagerly watched as he printed out a copy for each child. The one thing he didn't show them was his darkroom. That was his sanctuary. Rose hadn't even been down there. Though she'd asked him a few times to show her. His answer was always the same. "Someday."
The kids left by noon, and when Sydney closed the door behind the last one, she turned to Gage.
"See, that wasn't so bad."
"It was…okay."
"Printing out the paper for them was a brilliant idea."
"Well, I can be brilliant sometimes." He went to the rack by the door and put on his coat. "I need to go get some lunch. Can I bring you back something?"
"I brought a sandwich from home." He opened the door, and she said, "Maybe some pie?"
"I'll bring you pie."
He left the building and walked down the street to the Ambrose Tavern. As he remembered his new social agenda, he smiled at passersby, and stopped to talk twice. Bessler hadn't yet released the news of his departure. Only Gage's family knew he was on his way to becoming the next mayor.
He entered the restaurant, waved at Becca, then continued to the bar. Paxton wasn't there yet, and only one row of lights was on over the bar. Gage poured himself a beer, then took a seat on a stool.
Becca came up behind him. "This is a little bit sad."
He smiled at her. "Just need some peace and quiet. Rose's class invaded my office this morning."
"How fun. Are you eating? Or just drinking?"
"I think I need some fish today. Lots of lemon. Fries. A salad." He thought for a moment. "I think that's it."
"Okay. Coffee?"
He held up his beer. "Good on beverages, thanks."
She patted his arm. "You made it through the morning."
"I guess I did."
She left and Gage drank some more of his beer. A few minutes later, Remington sat down next to him.
"How's it going?"
"Good, now."
"And how are we feeling about the life-changing choice you recently made?"
Gage took a deep breath. "Still not one hundred percent sure it's the right thing to do."
Remington squeezed his shoulder. "You are going to make a great mayor."
Gage turned and looked at him. "How do you know that?"
"Because I know you. And you've never done anything half-assed in your life. When you're in. You are all in. And Calaway Crossing will be lucky to have you."
"Hmm. You have to say that because you're my brother."
"Maybe. But I'd say it even if I wasn't your brother. I truly believe it, Gage. You're going to kick ass as mayor."
"Uncle Duncan told me last night Jack isn't quite ready to just hand it over to me."
"He wants to run against you?"
"He thinks the people deserve to have a choice."
Remington laughed. "That may be true. But he won't be anyone's choice."
"I don't know. He has a few friends in town."
"And you're related to a third of the people in town. Jack doesn't stand a chance. But this will give you the opportunity to show everyone you have what it takes and you're willing to fight for it."
Gage took another sip of beer. "Okay. Let the games begin, I guess."
Remington nodded. "Let the games begin." He got to his feet. "I should get back."
"Yeah. Who's cooking my fish?"
"Brynlee's more than capable. Adisyn is asleep. It's all good."
"I'm glad you two have got this all figured out."
Remington smiled. "Mom did it. Raised us in that kitchen. At least part of the time."
"That she did. And I guess most of us turned out okay."
"Who didn't?"
Gage grinned. "I wonder about Pax from time to time."
Remington nodded. "And Cooper." He laughed. "I'll go check on your fish."
As Gage was pouring himself another half glass of beer, Becca returned with his food. She set it on the bar.
"Here you go."
"Thank you." He went around the bar and sat down, then looked at Becca, who didn't appear to be in any hurry to leave. "What's up?"
"You tell me. I get the feeling everyone knows something. And I'm the only one left in the dark."
She was right. Gage had only told the immediate family. "Do you have a minute?"
Becca smiled and sat next to him. "What's going on?"
"You aren't the only one left out. I didn't tell anyone beyond my siblings, parents, and grandparents."
"Okay. I guess I get that. What is it?"
"You need to keep it to yourself. The mayor will be making an announcement during his Valentine's Day dinner."
"What announcement?"
"He's leaving office and I'm running in the special election in April."
Becca was quiet for a moment, then she squealed. "Oh, my gosh. Are you kidding me?"
"No."
She hugged him. "That's so cool. My cousin the mayor."
"You don't think it's weird? Or that I'm totally unqualified?"
"No. Not at all." She took his hand. "And you know me. I'd tell you if I thought you couldn't do it."
"I believe you would."
"How long have you known?"
"Since the Winter Festival. Not long."
"This is so exciting." She looked at him. "Why aren't you more excited?" He cocked his head, and she added. "Right. I forgot who I was talking to for a minute."
Gage looked at his fish. "I should eat this before it gets cold."
"Oh, right. I'll leave you to it."
"Remember, it's a secret."
Becca put a finger to her lips. "Not a word."
The fish was excellent as always, and as Gage was finishing up, Paxton came up behind him.
"Excuse me, sir. The bar isn't open yet."
Gage glanced back at him. "Not even for the next mayor of Calaway Crossing?"
Paxton grinned. "Man. I'm so sorry. What was I thinking?"
"I guess the job may have a few perks."
Paxton went behind the bar. "Do you need a refill?"
"No. I had one and a half. I have some articles to write."
Paxton shrugged. "It didn't stop Hemmingway."
"I'm not Hemmingway."
"No. But you're good at what you do."
Gage smiled. "I guess this is pump up Gage day."
"We all have our parts to play." He started setting up the bar. "I don't suppose you'd like to help me get ready to open?"
Gage stood. "Sorry, man, I've got to get back."
Paxton shook his head. "Give a guy a bit of power and he forgets about the little people in his life."
Gage finished his beer. "I'll never forget about you, little brother." He took a five out of his wallet. "Will you give this to Becca when she wanders by?"
"Sure. But you're spoiling her."
"You need to be nicer to her."
Paxton saluted him. "Yes sir, Mr. Mayor."
As Gage was walking back to the office, he ran into Lily.
"Good afternoon, Gage."
"Hello, Lily." She blushed, and he added. "I've been meaning to come in. I need some new reading material."
"Well, there's an entire building full of books waiting to be read."
"Maybe you can set aside a few you think I might like."
She blushed again. "Of course. I'll do that when I get back from lunch."
"Thank you. I'll be in this week. Have a good day, Lily."
"I will. You too."
He continued to the office and went inside. Sydney was at her desk eating a sandwich and Gage suddenly remembered he offered to bring her pie.
"Damn. I forgot your pie."
She waved a hand. "It's okay."
"No. I'll go get you a piece from the café. I'll be right back."
He went the opposite direction and went into the café. Londyn was serving a table, but came to him when she finished.
"Hey. Are you here for lunch?"
"No. Just pie. For Sydney."
"That's sweet. What kind does she want?"
"Um… I don't know. What does she usually get?"
Londyn cocked her head. "You've been working with the woman for three years and you don't know what kind of pie she likes?"
He shrugged. "I'm a terrible person. What can I say?"
Londyn smiled. "No, you're not. You're just a little chronically distracted."
"Can you be a little chronically distracted?"
"Sure. You can be whatever you want." She smiled slyly and lowered her voice. "You're the next mayor of Calaway Crossing."
Gage put a finger to his lips. "No one is supposed to know."
"My father is the mastermind behind this plan. Of course, I know."
"What do you think about it?"
"Father knows best."
"I guess we'll find out. So, pie?"
"Right. Sydney usually gets peach or banana cream. If she's eating at her desk, then I think she deserves banana cream."
"Banana cream it is."