12. Chapter 12

Chapter twelve

"I wore it just for you, sweetheart."

T he mayor's Valentine's Day dinner was a bit of an elitist affair. But it had been a thing in Calaway Crossing since the eighties. The city council attended, along with the chief deputy and several prominent business owners. The latter included the editor of the newspaper. But Gage had never attended. This year, however, Mayor Bessler was announcing his retirement and endorsing Gage as his successor. This year, Gage had to attend.

When he pulled up in front of the Ambrose Tavern, he checked his tie in the rearview mirror. He'd been struggling with the knot since he put it on.

"Dammit." He got out of the truck and saw Booker and Clementine walking toward him. Clementine looked beautiful in a long, red dress, and Booker was wearing his dress uniform.

Gage smiled. "Whoa. Look at you two."

Clementine laughed. "Whoa, right back at you." She scowled at his tie. "What's going on with this?"

"I don't know. I can't get it right."

Clementine stood in front of him and untied the tie, then re-tied it. "There you go."

He laughed. "I don't know what we would've done all these years if Mom hadn't taught you how to tie a tie when you were, what, ten?"

"Twelve. She said with all these brothers, I needed to learn." She stood back. "Perfect."

Gage checked it out in his side mirror. "Thank you."

"Where's Sydney?"

"She'll be here."

"I thought you'd be coming together."

He shook his head. "Why would you think that?"

Booker came up and took Clementine's arm. "Leave your brother alone."

She smiled at Gage. "Are you ready to go in?"

"No. But I guess we have to."

"It's no big deal. Most of the people tonight are family."

"I suppose. We do own at least half the businesses in town."

She took his arm. "Let's go."

Booker went ahead of them and opened the door. "Thank you, my dear husband, looking all muy sexy in his uniform."

"I wore it just for you, sweetheart."

She smiled. "I can't wait to take it off of you later."

Gage shook his head. "Really, Clem?"

She laughed. "It's not my fault you don't have someone to undress when you get home tonight."

"Shit. Just stop talking."

The Ambrose Tavern hosted the event every year with Rand and Remington working in the kitchen. Delaney and Lincoln attended along with Ian and Maya, Duncan and Sasha, and Corbyn. Cassie had come the last two years since she took over managing the Café. They were all sitting together at a large round table.

Gage, Clementine, and Booker joined them, and the first thing Gage noticed was Sydney wasn't there yet. He hoped she hadn't changed her mind about coming. Like him, she'd never attended in the past.

Gage sat next to his mother, and she squeezed his hand. "I'm so proud of you, honey."

"Thanks, Mom. But I haven't done anything yet."

"You've put yourself out there and accepted a challenge I know is hard for you."

He smiled. "I come from a long line of Calaways who took on the unexpected or seemingly impossible. I'm just following your example."

When Sydney arrived at the table, she sat in the empty chair next to Gage. He looked at her, not quite believing how beautiful she looked.

"Wow."

She smiled. "Thank you. You don't look half-bad yourself."

"I can rock a suit when I have to."

Mayor Bessler was set to address the guests before dinner was served. Gage was glad it was being done first. He wanted to enjoy the prime rib and he wouldn't have if he'd been dreading the announcement. When he saw the mayor stand up and go to the front of the room, he got nervous. Sydney seemed to sense it, and she took his hand. It was a sweet jester and didn't seem odd, even though she'd never held his hand before. He found it comforting. On his other side, his mother patted his knee.

All eyes were on Mayor Bessler. Word had gotten out that he had an important announcement to make. Only a handful of people, with all of them sitting at Gage's table, knew what the mayor was going to say.

Bessler cleared his throat. "Welcome to our annual St. Valentine's Day dinner. As always, the Calaways have prepared a wonderful meal for us. But before we eat, I have something to say." He smiled. "I fear some of you have been expecting it. So I won't delay." He took a pause for effect. "Sadly, it has become necessary for me to retire from my position as mayor of this great town." There was a collective gasp from the guests, and he held up his hand. "It's with a heavy heart, I assure you. But factors beyond my control make it necessary." He gave everyone a moment to let the news sink in. Then he went on. "There will be a special election on April ninth, giving you all a chance to vote for your new mayor. But tonight I'd like to give my endorsement to the man I feel will be a great asset to the office." He looked at Gage. "Gage, come on up here."

Everyone at Gage's table applauded, while the rest of the guests took a moment before joining in. Gage stood and walked to the front of the room. Mayor Bessler shook hands with him.

"I would formally like to endorse Gage Calaway for the next mayor of Calaway Crossing."

There was clapping and a few whistles, which surprised Gage. As Bessler moved back, Gage faced the guests and smiled.

"Thank you." He waited for the clapping to stop. "I appreciate your support. Thank you." When the room was quiet, he took a moment before addressing them. "I imagine this is a bit of a surprise to some of you. Honestly, I'm surprised to find myself standing here in front of you with the possibility of becoming your mayor." He glanced at Bessler. "And no offense to Mayor Bessler, but it's time we had a Calaway back in office." Everyone clapped again, and Gage raised his hand. "I may not be the obvious choice. But I love this town. I love its rich history. I've spent my life researching and exploring this valley and the Sugar Pine mountains. And I've photographed most every inch of them. That in itself doesn't make me a good candidate for the job. But my family has been here since its founding days. We have fought, bled, and died for this land. Obvious choice or not, I will serve Calaway Crossing with that same love and devotion."

Everyone got to their feet and cheered. Gage nodded, then made his way back to the table. It took several minutes since he shook hands with everyone he passed. It was shocking to him. But it seemed everyone in this room was onboard with him taking on Bessler's job.

He finally made it to the table and sat down. "Huh."

Delaney hugged him. "Do you feel better about all this now?"

He glanced over his shoulder at Jack Patterson, who was a few tables away. "Did Jack clap?"

Lincoln smiled. "Politely, yes."

Gage laughed. "This is all so bizarre."

Sydney nudged him. "You're on your way."

"I guess I am."

Dinner was a fog for Gage. It was good, and he enjoyed it. But his mind was elsewhere. It was all real now. No backing out. Everyone was talking around him, but he wasn't paying much attention.

"Son?"

Gage came out of his fog. "Yes, sir?"

"What's next?"

Gage looked at Clementine. "You'll need to ask my campaign manager."

She smiled. "Two months until the election. We need to make every day count. I think you should work at the bar on the weekends. And go with Grandma to the senior center. The ladies there will love you."

"Sounds like loads of fun."

Delaney patted his hand. "You can come to the Ladie's Auxiliary luncheon on March first."

Gage glanced at Sydney. "Can I bring my social liaison for moral support?"

"Of course, dear."

Sydney nudged him. "I've got your back, boss."

When everyone finished eating, Gage did some mingling at the encouragement of Sydney. She went with him and they spent about thirty minutes talking to people. As the room started to clear, Gage and Sydney returned to their table.

Delaney and Lincoln were preparing to leave, and Gage hugged Delaney. She smiled.

"Are you headed home?"

"I think I'll help clean up, then go say hi to Pax."

Lincoln put a hand on his shoulder. "Keep your hi down to a couple of drinks."

"Yes, sir."

Everyone left the table after saying goodnight, leaving just Gage and Sydney. She looked at the table. "I'll stay and help, too."

"You don't need to. You're not really dressed for bussing tables."

"It'll be fine."

"It's very nice, by the way."

"Thank you."

"Okay. I'm sure Becca and Londyn would appreciate the help." He loosened his tie and removed it, then took off his suit jacket and hung it on the back of a chair. He rolled up his sleeves, then started picking up plates.

Becca and Londyn came from the kitchen with two rolling dish trays. Becca smiled when she saw Gage and Sydney.

"Oh, my gosh. Are you staying to help?"

Gage nodded. "Bring those trays over here."

With the four of them working, they cleared the tables in about fifteen minutes. They then removed the tablecloths and put the tables back where they belong so the room would be ready for breakfast service in the morning.

When that was done, Gage and Sydney went to the bar and sat on two stools. Paxton walked over to them.

"Well, if it isn't the man of the hour."

"This man of the hour could use a shot of…tequila tonight."

"Coming right up. Sydney, what can I get you?"

"I think I'm okay. I had champagne with dinner."

Gage had his shot, followed by a beer. He and Sydney talked about the next few weeks, and Paxton joined in when he could. He agreed Gage should work the bar on the weekends to give him a chance to mingle with his constituents.

After an hour, Gage was ready to go home. He said goodnight to Paxton, then walked Sydney to her car. When they got to it, she smiled at him.

"This was a good night."

"Maybe. I'm sure glad it's over, though."

She looked intently at him for a moment, then leaned in and kissed him. He was so surprised by the move, he stepped away from her.

"Um…"

Sydney put a hand to her mouth. "Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry. I don't know why I did that."

"It's um…okay."

"No, it's not." She covered her face. "I'm so embarrassed." She fumbled with the door handle, and Gage opened the door for her.

"Sydney, forget it. It's fine, really. You got caught up in the excitement of the night."

She blew out a breath, then nodded and got into the car.

He looked at her for a moment. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Right. Tomorrow."

He closed her door, then backed away from the car. She gave him a small wave, started the motor, then pulled onto the street. Gage watched her drive away.

"What the hell?" He'd always suspected she felt a little more than friendship for him. But he never expected her to act on it. Especially after the conversation they recently had about him not having the time or inclination to get involved with anyone.

Gage thought about the kiss for a moment. He liked it. He liked it a lot. But that didn't change anything. There was too much going on in his life right now.

He sighed. "This is going to make things awkward."