Page 71 of Sugar & Shadows

From the back of the mass, Mavis Baker shouted, “That would get the tourists back. Give ’em the man candy.”

Sabrina raised her brows at me, her lips twitching, daring me. This was what we’d done as kids. We’d constantly one-upped each other.

And I was feeling brave.

“Sure,” I said with a calm smile. “You know I’ll do anything to help this town.”

Eyes widening, Sabrina sucked in a breath.

I winked at her. Checkmate.

Her nostrils flared, and a zing of excitement coursed through me. I loved besting her at her own game.

I turned to Harper, who was furiously typing notes. “Send me a calendar invite,” I told her. “I’m happy to participate in any town-sponsored content, and I’m at your disposal.”

Red faced, Harper looked up at Sabrina, who nodded.

Mavis and some of the other ladies cheered. Bitsy Bramble scowled from the back of the room where she was holed up with her husband and several members of the Maple Street Mafia.

“He could twerk against a tree,” a deep voice shouted from the back.

It sounded suspiciously like Logan.

I’d get him later.

Sabrina gave me a wicked grin. “I love it when citizens band together to tackle the hard stuff. But let’s focus on capturing the magic of the first sap run for now.”

From there she moved on to answering another question deftly. She was her usual self, confident, certain, and just charming enough to scare people into compliance. As much as it pained me to admit, I could learn a thing or two from her. She held the room, demanded respect, and controlled the narrative with ease.

That was why people paid her the big bucks to solve their impossible problems. No one would dare say no to her.

While she chatted with various townsfolk, I folded chairs and cleaned up.

Harper packed up the technology equipment and made me promise to upgrade the projector in here, then headed out. By then, most people had left. Though Stella Stone was still lingering at the other end of the meeting room, folding and stacking chairs.

My parents were still here too, of course. When they were in town, they made sure to attend every community meeting. At least since I’d become mayor.

“You’re always staying late,” my mom chided.

“Town hall doesn’t tidy itself,” I said. I needed a few minutes of quiet anyway. To process and figure out the next steps. Tonight had been a success, but we still had a lot of work ahead of us. And this place often put me at ease. I loved this building, its history, and this town.

“You did well tonight. Great job getting Sabrina. She’s a firecracker,” Dad added. “The energy is shifting. The people are feeling more positive again.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“So smart. And so pretty.” My mom sighed dramatically. “It’s a shame you two didn’t hit it off on your blind date.”

I gave her a pointed look. “Don’t think I’ve forgiven you for that. You’re still in trouble.”

She waved me off. “Can’t blame a mom for trying.” She smiled at me and patted my dad’s arm.

She’d been relentless. Since my aunt and uncle died, my parents had unofficially adopted my four cousins, who now had five kids—eight if I counted Celine’s kids. She and her children seemed pretty settled in Josh’s house these days.

Now that my cousins had all started families, my mom had become fixated on my love life. She’d left Sam alone for now. Probably because he was busy with his Army duties in North Carolina. Our baby sister Mabel was in school in Pennsylvania and too young to settle down yet anyway. That left Nate and me. And the brewery kept him busy for the most part. Though that didn’t stop her from sending eligible bachelorettes over there for free tasting flights.

“We’re going over to the Drip Line to grab a bite,” Dad said. “Let me buy you a plate of maple wings. You’re looking pale.”

“Okay,” I said, leaning over to kiss Mom’s cheek. “I’ll walk over when I finish up here.”