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Annie felt as if someone had taken a great weight off her chest. Keeping this secret hadn’t been easy. “Yes,” she said with a nod. “I am.”
“Why in the world didn’t you say something when you got here? Alice was a hometown gal. She was a dear friend of mine and of plenty of other folks in this town.”
Annie turned toward Declan. His eyes radiated encouragement. “You can do this. Live courageously. Remember why you came to Love in the first place.”
Live courageously. It had been her motto from the very beginning. She needed to live it.
“Spit it out, Annie. Some of us aren’t getting any younger, in case you hadn’t noticed,” Jasper barked.
“Speak up!” someone shouted from the crowd.
Declan stepped forward and stood in front of Annie. “Give her a break. Let her say what she has to say without being badgered or screamed at.”
Boone sent Declan an approving nod. Declan pulled Annie forward by the wrist and stood beside her, bolstering her by his presence.
“Gram died last year. One of the reasons I came here was because I grew up hearing all about her beloved hometown.” She struggled to speak past the lump in her throat. “I wanted to fill that void inside me by connecting with the place that shaped her early years. I also wanted to find my grandfather.”
“Grandfather!” Jasper bellowed. “Who is your grandfather?”
Feeling brave, Annie took a few steps forward so that she was standing directly in front of Jasper and looking up at him on the dais. Their gazes locked. Confusion swirled in his blue eyes. “I think you are, Mayor Prescott.”
* * *
Chaos erupted in the town hall meeting room as soon as Annie dropped her bombshell. Jasper’s mouth gaped. Hazel shot him an incredulous look. Boone frowned. Dwight began coughing uncontrollably.
Boone folded his arms across his chest. “So, Jasper, care to explain?”
Jasper rolled his eyes at his grandson. “I’m sorry, young lady, but I’m not your grandfather. I know this for a fact. You see, I met my wife, Harmony, when I was a small boy. I can firmly attest to the fact that love at first sight does exist. It happened to me when I first saw Harmony. And from the time I was fortunate enough to win her love till the day she died, I never looked at another woman. Not a look. Not a held hand. Not a kiss. Nothing.” He spread his hands wide. “So you see, it’s impossible that you belong to me.”
Tears coursed down Annie’s face. Her shoulders shook with sobs. This had been the very thing she had been so afraid of. Crushed dreams. Disappointment.
“I just wanted to find my roots so I could be connected with someone here in Love,” Annie sobbed.
Jasper walked down from the dais and wrapped Annie up in his arms. He patted her back and said in a soothing voice, “Any man would be happy to claim you for a granddaughter. You’re a wonderful young woman, Annie. This town is proud to call you a resident.”
“Th-thank you, Mayor Prescott,” she said through sniffles. “You’re very kind.
He tipped her chin up to meet his regard. “What’s with this Mayor Prescott business? We’re old friends now. Call me Jasper.”
“I wish you were my grandfather.” She whispered the words so softly that she wasn’t certain he even heard her.
“I may not be your grandfather, but I think I can steer you in the direction of who is,” he said with a broad smile. “And he’s a good, God-fearing man.”
“Wh-what?” Annie cried. “Really? You know who he is?”
“He’s right behind you, Annie. And unless I’m mistaken, I think he’s coming to claim you.”
* * *
Declan whirled around at the same time as Annie. There wasn’t a single sound in the room. Everyone was watching as Zachariah slowly made his way to the front of the room with the use of his cane. He came to a stop right in front of her. A stunned expression was etched on his face. “At my age, surprises are few and far between. I can’t quite believe this is happening,” he said in an awed voice.
“Me, neither,” she said, noticing for the first time that Zachariah had kind eyes. “Were you and Gram in love?”
“Yes, we were, Annie. Very much in love,” he said. He let out a ragged sigh. “But like life often is...it was complicated.”
“Complicated by what?” Annie asked.
“Petty jealousies and judgments and immaturity. Not to mention false pride.” A petite woman with silver-gray hair stepped forward from the audience. Annie let out a gasp as the woman came into view. Her resemblance to Gram was startling. They shared the same blue eyes, the same striking hair color and similar features.
