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Fifty or so volunteers, financial supporters, and fellow deputies surrounded him. More people stopped by long enough to wish him luck. Even Amber Clarke had stopped to offer support—and to apologize for believing the pregnancy rumor. He got the feeling she was willing to pick up where they’d left off, but that ship had sailed. At this point he couldn’t imagine loving anyone but Katelyn.
The crowd cheered loudly—he’d pulled ahead by a point. The presence of his supporters only increased the pressure, and his jaw ached from the plastic smile he’d worn all night. His stomach twisted at the savory smell of the catered food.
He suddenly longed for Kate. For her small hand in his, comforting. Her sweet voice in his ear, encouraging. He wouldn’t have to fake a smile for her. She’d know how nervous he was and tell him it would be okay. That win or lose, he’d be just fine. But according to his mom, she was leaving tomorrow. His hopes of changing her mind had been dashed, and he hated that she was losing so much.
Stop it, Robinson.
He glanced at the clock, forcing Kate from his mind. How long would this go on? Cooper wiped sweaty palms down the front of his suit pants. Reporters from two local television stations waited in the wings. The podium was set up, both speeches prepared and rehearsed. Which one would he be giving tonight?
Avery lowered herself into the chair beside him. She seemed calm and collected in her blue dress, her hair up in a professional knot. “How’s it going, Brother? Hanging in there?”
“Between you and me? This is more nerve-wracking than a carnival Tilt-A-Whirl. Why’d I let you talk me into an election-night party?”
“Because you knew you’d win this thing and want to be surrounded by all your supporters when the final results came in.”
“This thing could go either way, you know.”
“Well, regardless, the people who helped along the way will be here to support you.” She nudged his shoulder with her own. “But you’re going to win.”
Jeff and Mom took a seat across from them. His mother squeezed his hand. “How you holding up, honey?”
“I’m fine. One way or another, this will be over soon.”
“After that article in the paper,” Jeff said, “I don’t see how anyone could vote for Sean Curtis.”
“Some people won’t blame him for what his father did.” Gavin appeared, his gaze drifting around the room. “Who did the decorations? It looks like an American flag factory exploded in here.”
Avery frowned at him. “It’s patriotic. And back to the topic at hand, I agree with Dad. The article was a game changer whether Sean knew or not.”
But Gavin was right too. Though Avery had done her best to spread the word today via social media and local TV interviews.
“It might be a case of too little, too late,” Cooper said.
“Stop being a Debbie Downer,” Avery said.
“You might have a case for his dismissal if it turns out he knew what his father was up to,” Jeff said.
“It’s not easy getting a sheriff fired once he’s elected,” Cooper said. “Anyway, I’m not going to be that guy. I’ll abide by the will of the—”
“Shhh!” Avery said. “It’s coming up.”
A hush fell over the crowd. A moment later the numbers for the sheriff’s race appeared on the screen: Robinson: 51 percent; Curtis 49 percent, with 100 percent of precincts reporting.
A cheer rose from the group.
Cooper blinked as the wordsFinal Resultssplayed across the screen.
Avery grabbed his arm. “You did it! You won!”
And then everyone was there, shaking his hand and congratulating him. A load of heavy bricks fell from his shoulders. He’d be in the position to protect this little town he loved so much.
The next hour flew by in a rush of interviews. In between he shook hands and thanked each person for their support.
Cooper was running on adrenaline. Even though it was a work night, everyone hung around the office, waiting for Curtis’s concession. Only then could Cooper give his acceptance speech. But Sean hadn’t even called to concede yet. After his father had dragged Cooper’s name through the mud, he wasn’t looking forward to that awkward call.
Avery wove her way through the crowd and extricated himfrom a group of reporters. “I just got word from a friend at Sean’s headquarters. He’s bitter and isn’t planning to call you.”
“What does that mean? Is he going to demand a recount or something?”
