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At Kate’s surprised expression, he continued. “My mother told me years ago. Seems she’s got a nervous habit and pulls her own hair, so she thought it would be easier—and less painful—to just buzz-cut it and wear wigs.”
Kate giggled. “That’s her story and she’s sticking to it, huh? I think she was rude to the wrong person and someone just snatched her bald.”
“That’s my girl.” Right there in the middle of the crowd, he pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. Her tension seemed to ease as he took her arm and continued to lead her through the crowd.
Finally they came face-to-face with the new mayor and his wife. Kate’s eyes widened in shock. “Mr. Otis?”
The elderly mayor, who, Jack remembered, used to teach drama at the high school, squinted and looked at her more closely. “Why, Kate Jones, how you’ve grown up!”
The mayor then proceeded to sweep Jack’s date in his arms and give her a tight hug. “You’ve gone off to the big city and done quite well for yourself, haven’t you?”
“Yes, I have. I had no idea you were mayor. I figured you’d retired from teaching and were off fishing somewhere.”
“Fishing for trouble at city hall,” he said with a wink.
While Kate and Mr. Otis chatted, Armand returned, carefully balancing three drinks. Jack took his beer, and Kate’s wine, holding one glass in each hand.
“By the way,” Armand said, speaking in a near whisper, “I meant to give you something before we left the house.”
“What?”
Instead of answering, Armand removed what looked like a small black box from his jacket pocket. “You don’t have the hands, I’ll drop it in your pocket.” He did so, then said, “Just something fun to ease Kate’s tension.”
Since Jack’s hands were still full with the drinks, he couldn’t reach in to see what Armand had put there. “You going to explain this?”
Armand shook his head then grinned. “Remember, roll the dial slowly and never take your eyes off her.”
Then he strolled away, leaving Jack very curious.
Kate had never actually conceived of enjoying this evening, but as she chatted happily with her favorite high school teacher—now interim mayor of Pleasantville—she realized that she might. When she spied Diane walking around with a tall, red-haired guy who tugged at the collar of his suit as if it was itching him, she felt more certain of it.
“Well, I suppose I have to mingle,” Mr. Otis finally said as someone tried to lead him away for a photo op. “It’s so nice to have you back here, Kate. I hope you’ll visit more often.”
“Wow,” she said to Jack when they were once again alone in the crowd of elegantly dressed people. “I never imagined Mr. Otis would be the new mayor.”
Diane and her husband joined them. “He’s been on the city council for a few years,” she explained. “So’s Will.” She introduced her husband. Kate instantly liked the man, who looked as though he’d rather be anywhere but here, dressed in anything but his plain brown suit.
Jack, on the other hand, looked delicious in his dark blue one. Elegant, expertly tailored, it showed off his hard, lean form to perfection. With his thick, blond hair, vivid green eyes and sexy grin, he had the attention of every woman in the place.
He fit in with this crowd easily. But he was just as at ease with Will and Diane, who obviously lived far from Lilac Hill.
Throughout the next hour Diane introduced them to several other newer members of the town’s business community, all of whom went out of their way to tell Kate how happy they were about her opening a new store in the downtown area. Kate began to feel torn. Yes, she’d decided to open the store as revenge. But if that were the case, she’d be punishing these nicer people she was meeting, too.
Or maybe not. Ever since last night at Eileen’s house, she’d had to wonder if maybe her store wasn’t exactly what this town needed. New, fresh, daring—like a lot of these younger people circulating amid the old highbrow set.
The highbrow set increased by one when Mrs. McIntyre walked into the room. Kate, standing close to the door, had turned to throw away her cup, and nearly ran into her.
