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“Click’s past?” India asked, her patience vanishing. Why she let her father get to her was a mystery she’d yet to solve. She wasn’t normally adversarial. But she and her father couldn’t seem to avoid ending every conversation with an argument. In this case it was justified. Her father was too quick to label and criticize. Now he wanted to judge the sons on the sins of their fathers. Click. And Brody. “Click Hale never did anything to anyone—except marry Tandy. And I’m pretty sure that was one hundred percent voluntary on both their parts. His parents’ drama shouldn’t be his burden to bear.”
All eyes were on her.
“You turn everything I say into an argument.”
She stared at him. She did?
“When did you get so fond of Click Hale?” her father asked.
“The day he became family,” she countered. “You’re the one who says blood is thicker than water.”
“Let’s try to have a peaceable breakfast,” her mother pleaded. “Cal, would you pass the toast, please?”
Cal nodded, passing the towering plate of toast to the other end of the table.
“Besides, Woodrow, I wouldn’t worry too much about Brody Wallace, dear. Mayor Draper’s done a fine job.” Her mother took a piece of toast. “I’m sure he’s not going anywhere.”
“No, in point of fact, Draper has not.” Her father stared at the newspaper. “The last few years he’s gotten downright lazy, and Fort Kyle’s suffered for it.”
India glanced at her father then, hearing the slight strain to his normally booming voice. He’d never hinted that their financial security was in jeopardy.
“Maybe a change is good?” Scarlett asked.
Her father scowled. “Maybe. If the change wasn’t named Wallace.”
India sighed, loudly, and rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you run, then?”
Her mother made an odd choking noise that had Scarlett patting her on the back.
Her father shook his head. “I’ve no interest in politics. I’m a little too rough around the edges, as you have all pointed out on more than one occasion.”
They all smiled then.
“Should we give him a chance, Papa? Mom says it’s important to give everyone a chance.” Cal shoved a huge bite of pancake into his mouth then.
Her father grunted. “Look how well that turned out when she married—”
“I think that’s a lovely idea,” Scarlett interrupted.
India chose to ignore her father’s reminder that she’d married a man he’d never approved of and moved on. “Does he have a solid platform?”
“He’s got little kids,” Scarlett said. “He’ll be thinking about their future.”
Her father grunted again. “Where’s his wife? A man who can’t commit can’t be trusted.”
“Well, dear?” her mother asked. “What is Mr. Wallace’s campaign platform?”
Her father glared at all of them before opening his paper. “Bringing tourism dollars back to the area, cleaning up and updating the schools and renovating the seniors’ community center with increased programming.” He snorted.
India exchanged a look with her sister and mother.
“Sounds smart,” her mother said. “Something for the young, something for the old and something the whole town needs.”
“He always was smart,” Scarlett said. “And nice.”
“He is,” Cal agreed.
“When did you meet Brody Wallace?” her father asked.
