Page 178 of Sugar & Shadows

“We’ve booked four more weddings for the year,” Caroline shouted.

“And she exposed evil billionaires who were poisoning people,” Frankie Dunne groused. “That’s more than you can say. Didn’t your daddy get you your job?”

I stared at my shoes, biting back a laugh. I loved this place.

“You should go.” Tony grabbed Ethan by the arm. He was a big dude. A former linebacker and the current high school football coach.

Ethan knew better than to resist.

“I will be running for mayor,” he said on the way out. “Once you recall this bozo and make the practical choice for this town’s future.”

The crowd gaped as he left, taking photos of the scene he was making.

I couldn’t help but watch Sabrina, whose lips were twitching.

“Can we please vote now?” Wendy asked.

I had a feeling she would not volunteer to be town moderator next year.

“Yeah, let’s vote.”

She ran through the process and read the rules, reminding us that the yeas would move to the right side of the room and stand to be counted. The nays would move to the left side of the room.

We’d rounded up volunteers ready to count and record each vote in the official town ledger, like we always did when big issues came up.

“May I make some final remarks?” Sabrina asked, standing and smoothing her skirt.

Wendy shrugged.

With the utmost poise, my woman took the microphone and strode to the center of the room.

“Before we all vote,” she said, “I want to say something. Since the moment I set foot in this town this winter, a few things have been clear, Maplewood is a place that shows up. A place filled with people who love their neighbors and their community. A town willing to fight back when the chips are down.

“Many of you have heard a lot about the life I lived while I was away,” she continued. “But what you may not know is that I arrived in Maplewood broken. Burned out, emotionally destroyed, and doubting my abilities.

“I believed that moving back here and living with my mother was the ultimate failure. That I’d hit rock bottom.

“But instead of scorn or judgment, I found community here. Friendship and purpose and so much laughter. I found a place where I belong. A place that embraced all the parts of me.”

She wiped a tear from her cheek.

While she collected herself, the entire room remained silent. We were all hanging on her every word.

“I’ve spent my entire adult life in rooms with powerful and wealthy people. And not a single one would have gone out in a blizzard to rescue me the way you all did.”

My heart clenched. I didn’t know how much more emotion I could handle after the last few days. But I was moved by how authentic her words were. How hopeful she was. I’d spent my entire life in service of Maplewood. But even I couldn’t do what Sabrina was doing. In this moment, she was showing everyone in this room just how worthy of saving our community was.

“While I am partial to the Maplewood Games, even if the measure doesn’t pass, I’m certain this town will survive.”

She turned and looked at me, her dark eyes watery.

“The mayor once told me that community matters the most when things get hard. And no one rolls up their sleeves and works harder than Gabe. He is willing to lose his job and everything he’s worked for to ensure the prosperity and success of this town.” Scanning the crowd, she brought the mic closer to her mouth. “You are idiots if you recall him.”

Several people laughed. Though there were shocked gasps as well.

“Many of you have asked me if I’m staying,” she said, resting a hand on her stomach. “And the answer is yes. My work here isn’t done. I plan to be here to witness the way this town thrives again, and also…” She paused and winked. “Have you seen the mayor?”

With a whew, she fanned herself, and the audience erupted into laughter.