37. Chapter 37

Chapter thirty-seven

"Look who is popular with the ladies."

B y mid-afternoon on Wednesday, Gage was getting nervous about the swearing in ceremony during the town meeting. It wouldn't be a big deal. Mayor Bessler would give a farewell speech. Then Gage would be sworn in and give an acceptance speech. Bessler would be handing him the proverbial key to the city. Or town, as the case may be.

He'd been hiding out in his office, and Sydney had left him alone. But two hours after he should've come out for lunch, she knocked on his door, then opened it.

"You didn't eat."

"My stomach is a mess. I'll eat afterwards."

"Nothing is going to be open afterwards. But I can make you something at my place."

"We'll do that, then."

She went into the room. "Are you sure you don't want a little something?"

"Yeah. How's it going out there?"

"Pretty slow. I've got the paper laid out for tomorrow."

"Thank you. I've been pretty useless today."

"You're entitled once in a while."

When they heard the front door open, they both looked toward the outer office. When they heard. "Where are you guys?" Gage smiled.

"In here, sis."

Clementine appeared at the door with a plate in her hand wrapped in plastic wrap. "I was out by Grandma and Grandpas, so I stopped by to say hi." She held up the plate. "She sent cookies."

"Grandma always knows just what I need."

Clementine brought the plate to Gage's desk. "Macadamia and white chocolate chip."

He took the plate from her. "My favorite." He unwrapped the cookies and picked one up, then took a bite. "God, the woman can cook." He offered the plate to Sydney. "You need to try one of these. But only one. I'm eating the rest."

Sydney took a cookie and tried it. "Wow. Delicious."

When Clementine reached for a cookie, Gage scowled at her. "Hey."

"I brought them to you. That should earn me a cookie."

He sighed. "Fine."

Clementine took a cookie. "Besides, are you really going to eat a dozen cookies?"

"I might."

Clementine stayed for a few more minutes than left to go say hi to Booker. Sydney walked her to the door, then returned to Gage's office. "That was sweet of her."

"And Grandma."

"It's not lunch. But at least you'll have something in your stomach."

"I guess passing out from lack of food wouldn't make a very good impression."

Five o'clock finally came and they could lock up the office. The meeting started at six and Gage was supposed to be there by five-thirty to go over things with Mayor Bessler.

He took off the plaid shirt he'd been wearing and put on a dress shirt, then a sports jacket. He considered wearing a suit. But he wanted to establish right from the start he was going to be a casual mayor. He came out of his office as Sydney was locking the door.

She turned to him. "Don't you look handsome. Do you want to go over your speech?"

"No. I've gone over it too many times already."

"Okay. Do you want to pop in on Paxton and have a shot of courage?"

Gage laughed. "I don't think that would make a good impression, either."

"Is he coming?"

"Yeah. Remy is closing the restaurant early. And Pax is going to close for the meeting, then open again."

"Everyone wants to support you."

"That's what the Calaways do. Whether we want them to or not." He put on his jacket. "Let's take a walk."

Sydney gathered her things, and they went out the door. They headed toward the tavern, which would take them away from the community center where the meeting was being held.

Gage took Sydney's hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm glad you're here."

"Where else would I be?"

He shrugged. "I mean here in my life."

"Oh. I'm glad, too."

They met a few people who wanted to shake Gage's hand, and he gave them his best mayoral smile. After he talked to two women for a moment, Sydney nudged him.

"Look who is popular with the ladies. I think this town is ready for a young, sexy mayor."

He smiled at her. "Are you going to be able to handle that?"

"As long as you come home to me at night, it's not a problem."

He glanced back at the women. "I don't know."

Sydney nudged him again. "Excuse me?"

He laughed. "Just kidding. You're stuck with me."

When they reached the end of town, they turned and headed the other direction. It was time to go to the community center. The walk had helped a lot, and by the time they arrived at the center, Gage felt he was ready to face the next hour or so.

He stopped at the door and blew out a breath. "Okay. This is it."

Sydney gave him a hug. "I'm very proud of you."

"Thanks."

They went inside and Mayor Bessler was at the front of the room talking with Booker and Chase. When he saw Gage, he waved for him to join them.

Sydney smiled at Gage. "Go ahead. I'll be in the front row."

"Great." He gave her a quick kiss, then went to Bessler. "Good evening."

"Are you ready for this?"

"I believe I am, yes."

"Good. Everything is set. I'll talk first, and then introduce you."

"Got it."

Booker shook hands with him. "Piece of cake, right?"

"Right."

The people started arriving. And by six o'clock, the room was full. Gage had spotted most of his family coming in and acknowledged them with either a wave or a nod of his head. He'd be a lot less nervous if they weren't there.

At six-ten, Mayor Bessler went to the podium. His farewell speech was too long, but since it would be his last speech, everyone remained attentive. He ended it by introducing Gage as his successor.

"You all know Gage Calaway and the whole Calaway family. They, along with the Ambroses, built this town. So, I know you will all welcome him as your new mayor."

The crowd clapped and cheered as Bessler turned the podium over to Gage. He waited for them to quiet down before he began speaking.

"First, I'd like to thank Mayor Bessler for doing a fine job as mayor for the last seven and a half years." The crowd clapped again. "And I'd like to thank you for voting me in." More clapping. "I'm going to make this kind of short because you all know me. I'm related to half of you." This drew laughter from the crowd. "I just want you to know I'm going to be hands on and approachable. If you have a problem, come see me. If I can't fix it, I'll find someone who can. I won't be taking over Mayor Bessler's office at city hall. If you need me, I'll be where I've been for the last several years. At the Calaway Report. Sydney Lancaster will be taking on more responsibilities at the paper, so I'll have more time for my new duties as mayor. But the paper is my home. And I can't see working out of another office. Drop in anytime to say hi, or to bring a grievance. I'll hear you out." He took a moment, then smiled. "I guess that's about it. Thank you again for trusting me with our town." The crowd clapped and got to their feet. Gage waved at them, then left the podium.

Booker came up to the mic. "There are cookies, coffee, and lemonade supplied by the Ladies' Auxiliary. Help yourself, and I'm sure Mayor Calaway and Mayor Bessler will stick around a while if you want to talk to them."

Gage spent the next hour talking to people and by the time they started to disperse, it was nearly eight. Paxton came up to him.

"You look like you could use a drink."

"I could. But I haven't eaten all day. Sydney is going to make some dinner. Not sure if I'll want to go out again after that."

"No worries. I could send a bottle of champagne to her house."

Gage nodded. "That I could go for."

"I'll take care of it." He shook Gage's hand. "Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"I need to go open the bar back up."

"I imagine a lot of this crowd will migrate over there."

"That's what I'm planning on."

"I'll come see you tomorrow."

Paxton left, and Sydney came up to Gage. "Mr. Mayor. Are you ready to get out of here?"

Gage glanced around the room. "I think I can sneak out of here."

She took his arm. "Let's go out the back."

They were stopped twice on the way to the back door, but they finally made it outside. Gage blew out a breath. "I'm so glad that's over."

Sydney looked around to make sure they were alone, then put her arms around his neck. "You did great."

"Did I?"

"Yes. Now I'm going to officially give you your first kiss as mayor." She pulled him in close and kissed him. "Doesn't feel any different."

"Hmm. Not more powerful?"

She laughed. "No. Just a perfectly wonderful Gage kiss."

They walked around the building, then down the street to their vehicles, which were still parked in front of the newspaper office. Gage looked at the two cars.

"Kind of dumb for us to take both cars two blocks to your house. Then just drive them back in the morning."

She smiled at him. "Am I having the mayor for the night, then?"

"Do you want the mayor for the night?"

"Oh, definitely."

"Let's take the Mustang. I don't want to leave it on the street all night."

"Sure."

"You can bring your car if you want."

"It's fine on the street. No one is going to mess with a seven-year-old Toyota."

They drove to Sydney's house and went inside. As she was making dinner, there was a knock on the door. Gage went to answer it and found Booker with a bottle of champagne in his hands.

"Compliments of the Ambrose Tavern."

Gage smiled. "Thanks, man."

"You're welcome." He glanced toward the Blazer. "Clementine sends her love. She's feeling extra pregnant tonight and didn't want to get out of the vehicle."

"She's getting close, I guess."

Booker held up a hand. "Don't say that. I'm not quite ready. Two more months is fine with me."

Gage laughed. "I hear you, man. Have a good night."

"You too."

Gage held up the bottle. "I'm guessing we will."