Small-Town Bachelor by Jill Kemerer

Author:Jill Kemerer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-08-27T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“City council will be electing a committee to organize the restoration celebration next Memorial Day.” Mayor Brantley folded his hands, resting them on his massive oak desk Monday afternoon. “Claire, your dad already volunteered to be on it. He’s contacting local media outlets.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.” She smiled, glancing at Reed in the chair next to her. He’d dressed up for the meeting. The man could stop traffic in that button-down.

“We have a team working on the application for federal aid.” The mayor frowned and adjusted a stack of papers. “It’s doubtful we’ll qualify. Believe it or not, our damage won’t be considered severe enough. In the meantime, we’re petitioning the state of Michigan to help defray the cleanup costs.”

“Not severe enough?” Claire straightened her back, her good mood dissolving. “Have they seen our town? Half of it’s leveled.”

“I know. From what I’ve been told, though, the cleanup would need to cost close to twenty million dollars. I’m thankful our costs will be a fraction of that. And we have options. Donations and fund-raising make a big difference in disasters like this. Thank you both for your efforts.”

Reed pulled his crutches from the floor and stood. “Thank you.”

“If there’s anything more we can do to help, let me know.” Claire followed the mayor to the door, where he shook both their hands.

“Will do, Claire.”

She and Reed walked in silence down the hallway to the door. “When the mayor mentioned the possibility of federal money, it was like a beam of hope. To find out we won’t qualify is really tough to take.”

“I know.” Reed opened the glass door. Drizzle fell, leaving tiny beads of moisture on them. “I’m supposed to meet your dad at the restaurant. Mind dropping me off?”

“Sure.” She started her car. “I’m heading to Aunt Sally’s. I need to drown my sorrows in whatever she baked today.”

Before she shifted into reverse, Reed covered her hand with his. “Hey, it’s going to be okay. Everything is on track. The town will get rebuilt with or without government assistance.”

She tried to smile. “Thanks. I needed to hear that.”

“And don’t worry about driving me around tomorrow. John emailed another report earlier. I need to review it.”

Her spirits sank lower. “Okay.”

Claire dropped Reed off and drove to Aunt Sally’s, letting herself in through the side door. “Yoo-hoo, it’s Claire.” She poked through the living room and kitchen, but no one was home. She texted Aunt Sally and instantly got a reply. Sit tight. At grocery store. Be back in a minute.

Claire took the lid off the Tupperware on the counter. Chocolate cupcakes. Just what she needed. She peeled the wrapper off one.

“The wedding is off.” Libby, red eyed and wearing a pale pink sundress with a cropped denim jacket and cowboy boots, slammed the side door, then dropped onto the bar stool next to Claire. “I am done with him. It’s over.”

Claire’s heart thumped at Libby’s clipped words. What would make Libby cancel the wedding now? It didn’t make sense.

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