3. Chapter 3

Chapter three

"You know I have things."

S ydney had stayed until almost midnight, leaving Gage with a few more photographs to develop. So she was surprised when she got to the office and saw his truck parked on the street. She went inside and found him asleep on the couch in his office. She watched him for a moment.

He was a really good-looking man, with his wavy brown hair always looking like he'd just come from the barber. And his facial hair was perfectly trimmed. She'd never once seen him looking rumpled or even slightly disheveled. Even asleep, he looked perfect.

She sighed. She hated that she felt so deeply for him. He was only going to keep breaking her heart. He didn't do it intentionally. He had no clue how she felt. He just didn't have time for anyone but himself. Which sounded like he was conceited. But that wasn't it. He was totally absorbed with his own thoughts and the need for perfection. She felt sorry for him because he was never going to be able to say, "that's perfect. I did it."

He stirred, and she noticed his feet sticking out of the end of the blanket. His socks were mismatched with one gray one and one black one. Not a terrible oversight for most people. But for Gage, impossible. He opened his eyes, and she gave him a smile.

"Morning, boss."

He rolled onto his back and stretched. "What time is it?"

"Eight-thirty. You didn't go home last night?"

He sat up. "I lost track of time downstairs and when I realized how late it was, I figured I might as well stay."

"I'll get you some coffee."

He nodded, and she left his office to start the coffee machine. When she didn't see his favorite mug, she remembered he had it downstairs last night. She headed for the stairs. She needed to go get it. While she was in the basement, Gage called down to her.

"What are you doing down there?"

"Getting your mug."

"Oh. Thanks. Bring that stack of photos up. I want to go over them with you."

She went to the counter and picked up the photographs. The first one they developed last night was on the top. She smiled. It was a really great picture. She headed upstairs with the photos and the two mugs they'd used last night.

Gage had retreated to his office again, and after washing his mug and pouring him a fresh cup of coffee, she brought the photos into him. If she hadn't seen him asleep ten minutes ago, she never would've guessed he just woke up. He'd changed his shirt and probably combed his hair, but it didn't really need it. How can he look so perfect and awake? She handed him the coffee and set the pictures on his desk.

He took a sip of coffee, then motioned toward the chair in front of his desk. "Have a seat."

Sydney sat and crossed her legs, then sighed before asking him the question she was dying to get an answer to. "I'm sorry. But I need to ask about your socks."

Gage laughed. "My socks?"

"Yes. They don't match. Which seems really out of character for you."

He leaned back in his seat and drank some more coffee. "It's just one of my things. You know I have things."

"Yes."

"That's one of them. Started back in grade school. Now, I can't leave the house any other way."

She shook her head. "It must be really hard being you."

He set his cup down. "Sometimes, yes. But it seems it's harder on the people around me than it is on me. To me, it's normal."

"I suppose it is. I didn't mean to overstep."

"It was a fair question." He leaned forward, set his mug down, and picked up the photographs. "I developed a couple more of your rolls of film." He looked at her. "Not bad."

"Thank you."

He flipped through the photos and handed some to her. "These are all quite good."

She looked at them. "Good enough to use in the paper?"

He smiled. "I don't know yet. I won't know until we get them all done. We still have two more days of photos to take. But I'd say there's a pretty good chance you might get at least one of those published."

"That's exciting."

"Just keep up the good work. I want you to cover the Farmer's Market this morning. I need to meet Duncan for breakfast."

"Okay."

"I can go to the horse auction. You can skip that if you want. The ice cream social usually starts before the auction is over. So, if you can go to that, we can meet at the battle of the bands tonight."

"Sounds great. Thank you. I know it's not easy for you to give up control."

"You've earned my trust, Sydney. God knows you've put up with me long enough."

She tried not to show how surprised she was by his words. "That means a lot to me. I hope I don't let you down."

He straightened the stack of pictures. "If I thought you'd let me down, I wouldn't give you the responsibility." He got to his feet. "I'll be at the tavern if you need me."

Duncan leaned across the table and spoke in a hushed tone. "I have some information that needs to stay between me and you for the time being." They had just given their orders to Becca.

"Okay." He took a sip from his second cup of coffee that morning. He was feeling the effects of very little sleep. His couch was comfortable enough, but he hadn't gone to bed until almost two.

"Mayor Bessler is going to be leaving office."

"At the end of his term?"

"No. In a few months."

Gage raised his eyebrows and set down his cup. "Why?"

"He has a family issue. Something with his daughter in Portland."

"He's leaving town?"

"Yeah."

"Wow." That was surprising news. Even more surprising that no one else knew. "How do you know this?"

"He called me and one other city council member into his office yesterday morning. He wants one of the two of us to run in the special election."

"You were planning on running in November, right? The special election should be an easy win."

"Things have changed. I can't take that on."

Gage leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. "Why not? What's going on?"

"I have some health issues that will get in the way of the job."

Gage cocked his head. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I will be. Just not right away."

"Shit. What is it?"

"I'd rather not get into it."

He sighed and sat forward in his chair. "Who's the other council member?"

"Jack Patterson."

"Oh. That won't work." Jack Patterson was the last person Calaway Crossing needed as their mayor. He was a newcomer per the town's assessment, having moved to the valley eight years ago. Most people in town had a problem with him just being on the town council. And they certainly wouldn't elect another outsider to the office.

"Exactly. We need someone else to run. We need a Calaway back in office."

"Who do you have in mind?"

Duncan took a moment to answer, then smiled. "You."

"What? No way."

"You can do it, son. No one knows or loves this valley more than you."

Gage shook his head. "I don't think that's true. Besides, I'm not popular or charismatic. I'm not a politician. Not to mention I'm too young."

"Which is exactly what we need."

"People don't even like me all that much. They won't vote for me."

"I'm confident you can win them over, Gage. Besides, if I can get Patterson to back off, you'll be running unopposed. And honestly, even if he runs, he won't be much of an opponent."

"Can you still lose if you run unopposed? It'll be a cold day in hell before the people get behind me. Find someone else. Anyone else. Dad, Uncle Rand, Uncle Ian. Anyone but me."

Duncan rested his forearms on the table and leaned forward. "You worked with me for three years before I turned the paper over to you. You've reported on every event, every new ordinance, every town issue. You're also the best historian we have in the valley. I may write about the history of this town, but I often get my information from you or articles you've written."

"That doesn't make me a good candidate."

"You're right. It makes you a perfect candidate."

This was too much to even comprehend. Him as mayor? "What about the paper?"

"Bessler spends half his time sitting at his desk reading a book. You can do both. You just might need to hand over a little more responsibility to that star reporter of yours."

Gage sighed. "I don't know. It's not really what I've ever aspired to."

"Will you think about it and get back to me tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? You're giving me twenty-four hours to make a life-changing decision?"

"Well, I was hoping you'd jump right onboard today. But yeah, I'd like to tell him tomorrow you'll run. I know you're busy with the festival. But think on it. Call me tomorrow before the bachelor auction."

"When is the special election?"

"April ninth."

Gage shook his head. "I don't know. This isn't the way I ever saw my life going."

Duncan smiled. "I did. Only I envisioned you taking over after I served two terms."

"Right. I'd be almost forty then. Much better."

"Your age isn't a problem."

"Are you sure I can't talk to anyone else about this? I'd sure like some feedback."

"I will leave that up to your discretion. But if word gets out before Bessler makes the announcement, he'll be pissed."

"Alright. I'll make sure I stress that to whoever I decide to talk to."

Becca returned with their meals and set them on the table. "Anything else? More coffee?"

Gage shook his head. "No more for me. I've had my two cups."

"You are the only Calaway brother who only drinks two cups of coffee in the morning."

He smiled. "What can I say? I'm a rebel."

"Hmm. That's not really the word I'd use."

Duncan held up his cup. "I'm not a rebel. I'd like another cup, please.'

Becca nodded. "I'll be right back."

He watched her leave. "I hope Remy knows how valuable that girl is."

"He does. And he says Londyn has been a great help."

"That's my ambitious girl. Working three jobs."

"Maybe she wants to be mayor."