Page 149 of Falling for Mr. October

He looks doubtful, but he nods. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Maybe not as well as you,” I say with a laugh. “But I’m trying.”

Bianca squeezes my hand. “How old are you, Whit?”

“I’m fourteen,” he says, standing taller.

“Whit,” Emily says, her tone carrying plenty of warning for a woman who probably wouldn’t clear five-two.

“I’m almost twelve,” he corrects.

“Maybe you could do a few chores around the farm for us next month,” Bianca says. “We’ve got the Christmas rush coming up, and I’m sure my brothers could use the help.”

“Uh…” Miles gives her a meaningful look. “Child labor laws were invented for a reason.”

She flashes him a dirty look. “Says the kid who tried to convince everyone in class to buy his ‘magic’ apples. Kids can do chores.”

She has a point. Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on this kid. “Yeah, Whit,” I say. “We’d appreciate the help.”

He considers this seriously and then nods. “Okay. But I still don’t want that asshole to win.”

“Neither do I,” I admit. “But if it helps to think of it this way, it’s not him winning. The real winner is whoever actually baked that pie.”

The pie-guard, whom I didn’t think was listening, raises his hand slightly.

“Congratulations,” I say, nodding to him.

Half an hour later, I have to say the same words to Mr. Mayor after O’Connor announces that the judging panel has chosen his pie. The cameramen from Good Day USA are there, capturing it all on camera. But they don’t pack up after the announcement is made. I warned them that they might want to stay on for another announcement.

“Thank you,” Rhett says, beaming as he pumps my hand. “I can’t believe I beat the Shirtless Chef at his own game.”

“I bet you wouldn’t have beat him if it had been a shirtless contest,” Luanne mutters, her words perfectly audible.

Rhett’s smile barely dips. He’s still feasting on his victory.

I let him have it for another moment. After all, I’ve got Bianca in my arms.

Then Bianca looks up at me with warmth in her eyes, and I know this is the moment we’ve been waiting for. Raising her voice, she declares, “Giovanni, didn’t you say you had an announcement you wanted to make?”

“Is this about the sale of the old folks’ home?” Mr. Mayor says. “Because I have no intention to renege. I told you I’d go through with it, and I will.”

I smile at him. “I know you will.”

Because I have it in writing. I also have his agreement to stop contesting Kitty’s will. But that’s not what I’m announcing.

Turning toward the camera, I say, “I’d like to officially announce that I’m running for mayor next fall. My girlfriend has offered to be my campaign manager.”

The look on Mr. Mayor’s face is a feast for the soul.

But why would I look at him when I can look at the Queen of Fall? I pull Bianca close, ignoring the questions ricocheting off me.

“Mayor, huh?” she asks into my ear.

“I took his girl, and now I’m going to take his town too.”

“You’re really going to make yourself take on a terrible job just to get back at him?”

I grin at her. “You’re assuming I’ll get elected.”