Trinity Falls. Regina Hart

good idea, Ramona. But I would like to continue our friendship.”

      Ramona’s leaving him six years ago had closed the door on their romantic relationship forever. But he wanted them to remain friends. In a town this size, it would be awkward to bear hostilities.

      Ramona stood, sliding her hand up his torso to settle on his shoulder. “I remember how much you enjoyed it when we ate in. Are you sure you won’t change your mind?”

      The look in her eyes told him the double entendre was deliberate. “Positive.”

      Memories of the younger Ramona warned him it would be safer for them to go out than to have a private dinner in her home. She was less likely to make a scene in public if their evening didn’t go her way.

      Ramona pressed her curves against him. She pulled his head toward hers to kiss him good-bye. The kiss was deep and hot, slow and sexy. She slid her tongue between his lips and stroked the roof of his mouth. When she stepped back, Ean let her go.

      Her voice was breathless. “Just a little something to help you change your mind about that dinner.”

      “I’m sorry, Ramona. Friendship is all I feel for you anymore.” Ean turned to leave.

      “What is Ramona thinking, trying to bring the big city to Trinity Falls? I just don’t know.” Ethel Knight sat at a table near the bakery’s counter Tuesday afternoon. “Trinity Falls is not New York, for heaven’s sake.”

      Darius’s mother pinched off a piece of her apple pie and nibbled it. She reminded Megan of a squirrel.

      Don’t react. Megan forced herself to remain in her seat at the counter and choke down her grilled chicken salad. She and Ramona had their conflicts, but criticism against her cousin still burned.

      “If she wants to shop in New York, she should go to New York.” Simon Knight spoke around a mouthful of Boston cream pie.

      From his seat beside her, Darius offered Megan an apologetic look before responding to his parents. “It’s easy to find fault with the government, but you should also give her credit for the positive work she’s accomplished.”

      “Men.” Ethel sniffed. “Of course you rush to Ramona’s defense ’cause she’s a beautiful woman. I just don’t know.”

      “Mother, I’d say the same thing if she looked like the bottom of my shoe.” Darius spun the full lazy Susan pastry tray. “Call it ‘journalistic integrity.’ Ramona has done a lot of good for Trinity Falls.”

      Megan reached over and pressed his forearm in gratitude for his defense of her cousin. Darius’s movements were relaxed, almost negligent. But Megan felt the tension in his muscles and knew his parents’ public displays of bickering and complaints made Darius uncomfortable.

      Doreen refilled Megan’s glass of ice water. “Darius is right. We may not always agree with Ramona, but we can’t deny she’s done a lot of good for Trinity Falls.”

      “I remember when you used to give pastries away for free, Doreen.” Ethel’s voice was sly.

      “Those days are long gone.” Doreen’s flat tone shut the gate on memory lane. She exchanged the pitcher of water for a pot of coffee and refilled Darius’s mug.

      “Name one positive thing that Ramona has done for Trinity Falls while she’s been in office.” Simon issued the challenge with a raised chocolate-tipped index finger.

      Darius didn’t need to stop to consider his answer. “She fixed the intersection at the north corner of the town center. Do you remember that it had become a danger to drivers and pedestrians because of its disrepair?”

      Simon grunted. “That one was easy. Ramona didn’t have to come up with that. It was something that needed to get done.”

      Tune them out. Megan’s hand shook as she stabbed lettuce and chicken against her plate and carried the forkful of salad to her mouth. She tried to chew and hum to herself at the same time.

      “If it was so easy, why didn’t the previous mayor do it?” Doreen topped off Simon’s coffee. “She also installed the streetlamps in the park.”

      “But that was your idea, Doreen.” Ethel’s response was a crow of triumph.

      “It doesn’t matter whose idea it was.” Doreen returned to the counter. “The fact is, she got it done.”

      Megan had heard enough. “Darius is right. It’s easy to sit and criticize, but if you don’t like the job the council is doing, let them know.”

      “A man would have done a better job.” Simon shoveled more pie into his mouth.

      Megan’s back stiffened. “Then why didn’t a man run?”

      Simon ignored her question. “Women are too emotional.”

      Megan’s face heated with temper. She ignored Darius’s growing tension beside her. “Why didn’t you run, Mr. Knight?”

      Simon spoke over her. “Ramona’s more interested in bringing higher-end department stores to Trinity Falls. Men don’t want to shop.”

      “Dad.” Darius spun on his seat to face his father. “Our last two mayors have run unchallenged.”

      Simon drank his coffee. “I haven’t voted for any of them.”

      Darius swung his seat toward the counter, turning his back to his father. “You know that old saying, Dad. ‘If you don’t vote, you can’t criticize.’”

      Megan shoved away what remained of her salad. “If you have such strong views on what’s wrong with Trinity Falls and how to fix it, Mr. Knight, you should run for office yourself.”

      Simon snorted. “Only a fool would run for office. I’m nobody’s fool.”

      Megan wasn’t sure about that. How could Darius have come from this couple? Her friend must have been adopted.

      “My cousin has worked hard for more than three years to keep this town running—the schools, the emergency services, the health clinics and everything else. What have you done?” Megan stood. “If you don’t like the job she’s doing, either run against her or vote her out.”

      Doreen shook her head. “Be careful what you wish for.”

      Her friend was right. Megan’s gaze slid to Simon Knight. She didn’t agree with Ramona’s latest plans for Trinity Falls, but things could be worse.

      CHAPTER 6

      Tuesday evening, Megan glanced at her red Timex wristwatch again. Only eight minutes had passed since her last time check during this interminable town council meeting. Megan shifted in her third-row seat, which probably was older than she was. She crossed her legs, folded her arms and swallowed an impatient sigh.

      The metal folding chairs were arranged in the town hall’s largest conference room to accommodate residents. In fact, the council’s business served as a backdrop for what was more of a community social.

      Ramona adjusted the microphone on the desk in front of her. “Before the council entertains presentations and new matters from the public, I would like to take a moment to update everyone on the status of the park lamps.” Her pause added drama to a matter-of-fact statement. “Three months ago, the lamps were installed along the walking path in Freedom Park. The lamps are operating properly and have added a sense of increased security to residents.”

      A tepid round of applause limped around the room. Megan wanted to sink into her chair. Why did Ramona always have to draw attention to herself ? She’d contracted to have the lamps installed in the park. But everyone in town knew the lamps had been Doreen Fever’s idea.

      CeCe Roben, the town council president, cleared her throat. Her auburn hair was a sleek bob framing her alabaster face. “Thank you, Mayor. I’ve noticed a big difference with the new lamps and feel much