A Little Country Christmas - Carolyn Brown Page 0,69
on the window seat inside Storyland, her bookshop. Peyton could see what looked like a staple gun in one hand as she grabbed a rope of lights from an employee with the other.
All around him, shop owners worked tirelessly in the dwindling daylight. He expected to be hit with a wave of grief, for his fight-or-flight instinct to kick in, or at the very least to fall into a heavy-as-hell sulk. Instead, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders. And when he walked toward Midtown Tavern’s front door, his steps felt a little lighter.
He shook his head and laughed. It looked like Dani Garcia had knocked the grinchiness right out of him.
The place wasn’t too crowded, which made it hard not to notice heads turning when he walked in. He greeted the townsfolk he knew and smiled at those who were likely tourists as he made his way to a stool at the bar.
Casey spotted him as quickly as the rest of the patrons. She tucked her long blue bangs behind one ear and gave Peyton a knowing grin as she approached him.
“Fancy seeing you here, Mr. Mayor, when I’m pretty sure you have a prior engagement this evening,” she said.
He sighed. “And here I thought you weren’t much for gossip.”
She shrugged. “It’s not gossip if I’m talking directly to the source. Plus, I live with Dani. We may operate on conflicting schedules, but that doesn’t mean I’m not in the know when she’s taking a gentleman caller such as yourself home for dinner.” Casey leaned forward over the bar and narrowed her eyes at him. “You are being a gentleman, aren’t you, Mayor Cooper? Doing right by my girl and all that?”
She straightened and arched her brows.
He raised his right back. “Have you ever known me to be anything less?” he asked.
“Ah, but do I really know you, Cooper? Fifteen years is a long time. It can change a man,” she said, her smile faltering.
“Hey,” he said, all playfulness gone from his voice. “I was really disappointed to hear that you and Boone didn’t go the distance. Always thought you two were the couple most likely to—”
“Yeah, well…” She cut him off. “He’s marrying a real estate broker from Chico. Met her when he had to drive out there for some auto part he couldn’t find locally, and the rest is history. She’s moving here and everything, says we’re an untapped market for great real estate development.” She said the last part in an overly bubbly voice that was very un-Casey. “At least, that’s what I hear,” she added. “Now, back to why you’re here instead of knocking on Miranda Diaz’s door with a bottle of wine and your winningest politician grin.”
He realized she was putting the Casey-Boone discussion to rest and followed her lead.
“I’m all good with the grin. But the wine…” He winced.
Casey crossed her arms. “And I look like a liquor store to you?” She glanced around the bar, at the beer taps, the bottles of liquor on the shelf behind her, the small wine refrigerator below. “Okay, fine, I can see how that question might be a little misleading.”
“Look,” he said. “Everything is closed, and this whole me coming to dinner thing just sort of happened today. I’ll pay you double whatever you’d charge if someone were to order it to drink here.”
Casey smiled. “And here I was going to give it to you on the house. You really shouldn’t show your hand so early, Mr. Mayor. So, what will you folks be eating? Wait. Forget I asked. Miranda always has her spicy chicken soup on hand. It’s a staple, and it’s one of the best things you’ll ever taste.” She walked to the bar and opened the wine refrigerator, pulling out a bottle of white. “Sauvignon blanc,” she said. “Pairs great with the soup and is always a good one to kick off the evening.”
She handed the bottle to him, and he let out a breath, his shoulders relaxing.
“Thank you. You’re a lifesaver. What do I owe you?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Go on. Take it. If you want to repay me, you can get me some extra help around here. Can’t seem to find someone who wants to tend bar full-time other than myself, and I don’t even want to tend bar full-time.”
He smiled. “I’ll keep an eye out,” he said, then held up the gifted bottle. “Thanks again for this. Also, did I hear you call Dani’s mom by the