Sparks Fly with Mr. Mayor Read Online Free Page B

for mayor. One plus one and here I am.”
    She yanked the towel from his head. “How could you hear that when they only asked me twenty minutes ago?”
    â€œOuch.” He rubbed his wet head. “Watch it or there won’t be anything left to cut.”
    â€œAnswer the question.”
    â€œI don’t know.” Standing, he shrugged dismissively. “Someone must have leaked the news. I hope you’re not falling for their line.”
    â€œWhat? I’m not smart enough to run for mayor? I’m not savvy enough? What?”
    â€œNo.” He began to backpedal. “I didn’t say that.”
    â€œIt’s not a line. I’m honored they asked me to run. And you’re not getting a haircut.” She pointed toward the door. “Please leave.”
    â€œWait. I didn’t mean you couldn’t manage the job.”
    â€œYou can just stop. I won’t be handled .” As she spoke, she made her way back to her hair station. “But, thanks, you just helped me make up my mind. Get ready for a fight, because I will be running for mayor.”
    â€œYeah!” The women broke into applause.
    â€œFine.” Cole swept both hands through his damp hair and headed for the door.
    â€œOh, Mr. Mayor.” She stopped him.
    He half turned, hit her with a questioning glare. “Leave the robe.”

CHAPTER THREE
    â€œI CAN’T BELIEVE I let him irk me into agreeing to run for office.” Seated at the island counter in Samantha’s kitchen, Dani rolled her coffee mug between her palms. “It makes me so mad at myself. I never jump into a situation without giving it careful thought. I wished you’d warned me what Matilda was planning.”
    â€œShe never said anything to me.” Samantha sliced a pound cake and transferred a piece to a plate for Dani. “Gram has her own way of doing things. She probably wanted to surprise you, give you less chance of coming back with preconceived excuses. She’s devious like that.”
    â€œWell, it worked. I had no chance to formulate a response before Cole came in and got me all riled up. I swear, if they weren’t on extreme opposites of this issue, I’d think they tag teamed me.”
    Samantha laughed. “That wouldn’t be past them, but not this time. You’re right, they’re on separate sides.” She clicked her coffee cup against Dani’s.“I would have loved to see him in the lavender turban.”
    The memory tugged a smile out of Dani. “It was an impressive sight.”
    Samantha came around and sat down next to Dani, giving her a friendly shoulder bump. “You know, this might be a good thing. Since Kevin died, you’ve been a tad overcautious. You spend all your time with Faith or at the shop.”
    â€œI’m not that bad,” Dani denied. She scowled. “I wish they wouldn’t refer to Kevin as a hero.”
    Samantha cocked her head at the sudden change in topic.
    â€œAt the shop, Mrs. Day said I’d make a good candidate because I was the widow of a hero.”
    Samantha cringed, which was pretty much Dani’s reaction. “Not our most tactful citizen, Mrs. Day,” her friend sympathized. “But he did step between a bullet and a seventeen-year-old clerk in a holdup gone bad. That pretty much makes him a hero.”
    â€œI’m glad the girl wasn’t hurt, but I’d rather have a live husband than a dead hero.”
    â€œOh, sweetie, I know.”
    Dani accepted the comfort of a one-armed hug as an emotional lump clogged her throat. Kevin had been gone for two years, yet sometimes the grief felt so fresh. She swallowed hard as she fought for composure.
    â€œI’m so glad to be in Paradise Pines and away from the city. I’ll take a squabble about a million-dollardonation of funds over crime, drugs and violence any day.”
    â€œAmen to that.” Samantha stole a bite of Dani’s pound