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He said very little to the person who called, but she could tell by his professional tone it was business.
He ended the call and stood. “I’ve got to go. There’s an accident on 209.”
“Duty calls. I’ll tell Gavin you said good-bye.”
And then he was gone. Katie waited for her boyfriend to rejoin her—but somehow she felt as though the night had already ended.
11
Downtown Riverbend was busy this Friday evening. Hikers wandered in and out of the Iron Skillet and the Trailhead Bar. Later they’d bed down somewhere that didn’t include a sleeping bag and would wake up to a warm shower. Cooper loved that the town was a respite for weary travelers.
He strolled down the sidewalk, drawing in the summery scents of freshly mowed grass and the marigolds the garden club had planted in the terra-cotta pots along Main Street. He greeted neighbors and tourists alike as he passed by.
When he reached his campaign office he pulled up short at the dozen or so signs on the plate-glass window. The red-and-blue signs featured white print that read Robinson for Sheriff. He was taken aback every time he saw them. It still didn’t seem possible he could be running for sheriff of Madison County—at the age of thirty no less.
Yeah, the Robinson family had deep community roots and agood name. But Cooper also had his birth dad’s reputation to contend with. Over the years Cooper had tried to live it down, set himself apart. He’d made the grades in school, never caused trouble. He’d become a public servant, for crying out loud. A person usually had reasons for becoming a deputy—Kate had really hit the nail on the head with her assessment. That burning drive to win the sheriff’s seat made more sense than ever now. There was more to lose here than an office.
He spied his sister behind the plate glass and entered the building, the stuffy air an assault to his senses. His sister’s hair was still up from work, and her small earrings glittered under the fluorescent lights.
“The buttons are here,” Avery said by way of greeting, holding one up for his perusal.
He wasn’t sure it was necessary—the buttons, the pens, the bumper stickers. This was small-town stuff. But Avery didn’t do anything small. And Sean Curtis wasn’t exactly lying down and playing dead. Last week he’d provided cupcakes for the Rotary meeting.
“They look great,” Cooper said.
“We can take them to the Bluegrass Festival in Marshall tomorrow. Also, you’ll be happy to know we got two more volunteers.”
“That’s wonderful.” The volunteers met on the first Monday of the month to make phone calls and spread literature on his behalf. They were doing a great job. He showed up with donuts and provided decent coffee to keep them fueled and made sure they knew how much he appreciated them.
“And guess what? Last night David Logan contributed five hundred toward your campaign.”
“Hey, that’s terrific news.” He gave Avery a sideways hug. “You’re a good sister—I don’t care what Gavin says.”
“Just remember that next time my Jeep battery goes dead.”
“It’d help if you remembered to turn off the lights.”
Campaigns cost money—Cooper hadn’t realized how much. Mailings, yard signs, buttons, and bumper stickers; it all added up. He was thankful and humbled that the people of Riverbend believed in him. Now if he could only get the rest of the county on board.
“Help me unbox all these postcards. The volunteers will start canvassing the county next Monday.”
“Sure.”
“Dad would’ve been here, but he’s helping a friend move. And your mom had a meeting with the garden club.”
Cooper grabbed one of the box cutters and got started. “They do plenty. I’m thankful for all the help.” He wasn’t sure how Avery was doing it—running his campaignandher new clinic. But then she didn’t have a social life to speak of.
“I’m surprised you don’t have a date tonight,” Avery said. “You didn’t forget it’s a Friday night...”
“I don’t have a date every weekend, you know.”
“Practically.”
“Well, you could take a lesson.” He couldn’t even remember the last time Avery had brought a guy around. “Rodriquez asks about you all the time. When are you going to put him out of his misery and go out with him?”
“I’m too busy to date. I’m trying to get my brother elected sheriff.” Avery sliced through the box tape and took out the packets. “What do you think of Gavin’s new girl?”
“Everyone’s asking me about her. You, Gavin, Mom.”
