10. Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Justin

I made a mistake giving Ana her ring the way I did. I've been trying to make it up to her, but she still seems a bit mad. It doesn't help that I'm so happy about the engagement that I've been telling everyone I meet about it.

This marriage is supposed to help my campaign, but let's face it, it was more a way to claim Ana as mine. I don't intend to let her go after we're married. She already seems to have some feelings for me, and she loves my family.

Today, we have a minor debate with the mayor at the library. It's too cold out to do it in the Woodland Falls park the way we always do it. That will come in a few months when the campaign is on its last legs.

We're busy setting everything up when Mrs. Carter, one of the old biddies in town, approaches me.

"So I hear you are engaged. What's the rush, sonny?"

"Mrs. Carter. How are you? Can I count on your vote?"

"Ana Maria is a good girl. Did you get her pregnant?"

A cold chill goes through me. She could be pregnant right now, as in my desperation to claim her, I didn't put on a condom. Am I going to become a father again? That brings out feelings of fear, as I lost Ellie during her labor with Daisy. I couldn't bear to lose Ana. We're just starting our journey together.

I frantically look around the room until I spot Ana talking to Lindsay Martin, the owner of the Woodland Falls Gazette. She'll be running the debate and hopefully do a nice piece on my campaign for her paper. Fingers crossed, that is.

My heartbeat calms after I see Ana is well, but busy. I want to take her into my arms and let some of that confidence she's showing seep into my own body. What did I get myself into? I take a deep breath to center myself. Woodland Falls needs a better mayor than the one it's got. I can do this.

Things begin to get busy as the start of the debate draws close. Ana seems to be looking for me so I go to her and grab her hand, more for myself than for her. Her features show me that she's worried about something.

"Everyone thinks the rushed engagement is due to me being pregnant."

"Could you be pregnant?"

"It's too early to tell."

"Would you welcome a baby? I know you said you wanted one."

"You're just saying that because we forgot about the condoms on New Year’s."

I give her a bright smile and gather her into my arms. It's a loving hug that lasts longer than it should, as we're in mixed company, but I don't care.

"You're going to do great. Mayor Douchebag just arrived on the premises."

We start ushering people to their seats, and I wait in front for the mayor. He comes in walking like he's the king of the world with a fake swagger that couldn't convince anyone he's good for the town. Not anymore.

He approaches and stands behind the podium that's been set for him. He doesn't acknowledge me in the least and keeps trying to say hello to the audience who is mostly ignoring him. Lindsay starts the proceedings by introducing us and our qualifications.

I don't know where she found the mayor's qualifications, but he seems to have some, as he was a big-time lawyer in the City before coming back to Woodland Falls. My own accolades are about running a business and doing volunteer work around the town.

We start talking about our platforms. They seem to be similar and centered on the well-being of the town, but several things that Mitchell says seem to remind people why they should keep on backing him. I'm not sure, but they almost seem like threats.

Before I know it, we're saying our last words to the community—until, that is, Mitchell acknowledges me for the first time.

"So you're newly engaged, are you Hoffer?"

"Yes, to the town’s own head librarian, Ana Maria Gonzalez."

"It's kind of rushed, isn't it?"

"Maybe we should get back to the debate."

"Get her pregnant, did you?"

"My personal life is none of your business, Mitchell, so stay out of it."

I'm starting to get angry, but I can't resort to violence like my brother Ben did at Christmas when he broke Mitchell's nose. Lindsay notices things have gotten out of control when the room starts whispering, so she puts a stop to it.

We finish off, and I go look for Ana. She seems okay, but I'm not a master at reading her moods yet.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, don't worry."

"It's my job to worry about you, gorgeous."

Someone approaches us, and I'm surprised to find Mayor Mitchell standing in front of us.

"I'm going to prove that this engagement is all a sham. That you're using it to manipulate the citizens of Woodland Falls into voting for you."

"You know a thing or two about manipulation, don't you, Mitchell? Don't think my brother hasn't told me what you did to his girl."

"You know nothing about me."

He rushes off and leaves us wondering if he's serious about his threat. I excuse myself to Ana and walk over to my brothers, who are standing and talking to some of the community members. I just look at my brother Ben and squeeze his shoulder gently. That's his cue to gather everyone for a Hoffer meeting.

Less than thirty minutes later, my three brothers and I are gathered in my office at work.

"What's going on, Justin? At the end there, I saw Douchebag talking to you, and he looked like the cat that caught the canary." Michael says.

"He says he's going to find proof that my engagement to Ana is fake."

"I told you to just ask the girl on a date." Michael replies.

"Is your engagement fake, Justin?" Ben wonders out loud. "I mean, you and Ana seemed to be very close on New Year’s when we saw you at Mom's."

"It is, and it isn't. I made her a proposition, asking her to be my wife and campaign manager. That it would look better for a family man to run for mayor instead of a bachelor. She agreed—with some terms of her own."

"Justin…" Ben says in a disapproving tone.

"I think I'm in love with her. Communication between us is patchy. I screwed up with the engagement ring, not proposing and just giving it to her. I'm not good at dating. Luckily, I want to marry her as soon as possible."

"I don't even know what to say to that," Michael adds.

"Is there a way that the mayor can find out about this?" Danny asks.

"I don't think so."

"Maybe we should have someone look into the mayor's comings and goings. To get some leverage of our own." Ben offers.

"Like a private investigator?" I ask.

"Something like that," Ben says.

"Any more words of advice you guys can give me?"

"Well, you've skipped dating the girl…" Michael says.

"We've gone on several dates!"

"And you've skipped the proposal…" Ben adds.

"Should I get Mom to make the arrangements for the wedding?"

"I think Ana might want a say in that. Geez, you really have a problem with communication in this relationship. You need to fix that before you do anything else, brother." Danny says.

We ended up talking business for a while, and when they left, I sort of shrunk back into myself. Things are moving fast with Ana and the campaign, and I don't really know where she and I stand in all of this. I've been staying with her several nights a week since I gave her the ring.

She's been coming over to my house as well, but she doesn't stay overnight. We don't want to confuse Daisy, who is absolutely thrilled that Ana is going to be a part of our family.

I decide to move forward with the wedding plans.

I take out my phone and dial Ana's number. She picks up on the third ring.

"Hey, are you okay? You left so fast after the debate."

"I wanted to talk to my brothers about the mayor's threat." I hesitate. Communication, right? "Hey, have you told anyone about our arrangement?"

"Um, I'm sorry I told Mandy about it. She's my best friend, and I needed someone to help me figure things out."

"Okay, just let her know it's a secret."

"She knows, but I'll tell her anyway. You're worried."

"I am, but there's not much we can do. Can I come over tonight?"

"I would love to see you." She says, her voice turning sexy, which makes me smile.

"Don't cook anything. I'll bring takeout."

I put down the phone, but my thoughts remain on Ana. Being with her is so easy. Our conversations just flow, and we agree on most topics. The easy ones, anyway. What did I do to be able to have a woman like that in my life?

With those thoughts in my brain, I spend the rest of the afternoon working in my office, looking forward to being with Ana tonight. I'm hoping we can set a date for our wedding.