“What, one snot-nosed kid trying to get out of trouble by spewing lies?” Trace bit out.
“I’m allowed to have a personal life!” Jo called at the same time. They looked at each other and smiled.
Miranda’s mouth set in a firm line. “How inappropriate.”
“To have a love life?” Jo asked. “Tell me where in the town by-laws that little gem is.”
The crowd went silent. The council looked … she wasn’t sure. Some of them looked almost sick, others uncertain or confused. And then she realized she’d all but admitted to an entire town—give or take a few hundred—she was having sex.
Which would lead to speculation about who she was having said sex with … those who hadn’t already figured it out, anyway.
Which would lead to rumors, gossip, maybe more damaging lies. So why not cut to the chase?
She glanced at Trace. It was his business, too. His permission came in the form of a slight nod, and a wink.
Deep breath. “I can’t believe I’m about to do this,” she muttered.
“What’s the alternative?” Stu asked.
“Good point. Okay, so I have a love life. I’m not sleeping with a married man, not screwing in the bar, not doing anything illegal. I really don’t see how the rest of this is anyone’s—”
“Who’s the lucky guy?”
Jo shot Mr. Meldon a threatening look. He merely smiled and shrugged. “I’m an old, curious man. Sue me.”
God help her, she smiled back. What the hell else could she do? She’d wanted small town life, and here it was. After a moment’s hesitation, she knew what she needed to do.
“I’m not spending time with multiple men. I’ve been spending time with Trace Muldoon. Just him.”
More silence, but for the hum of the AC. No gasps of shock, no looks of horror, no applause. What, was this really old news to everyone?
“I’m new here. That has been made abundantly clear.” She resisted sticking her tongue out at Miranda’s back … barely. “But I want roots. I plan to plant them here. And if I have to fight every step of the way, battle for every inch, I’ll do it. I’ve made up my mind, and that’s not something that can be easily changed.”
Judy Plumber looked at her fellow high-horsers and once again they huddled together.
“Time to pray,” Stu warned her.
“I’ve never been much on prayer.” But she could sure start now. As she started to formulate her opening to God, the council finished their mini-huddle and straightened.
“It appears to us,” Judy said in a tight voice, “there is no further action needed at this time.”
The room erupted into applause. Jo grabbed the back of the chair in front of her to keep her legs from buckling with relief.
“Is it over?”
Stu put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Yeah, it’s over. I’m heading back to the bar. Not sure why, but I have a feeling we’re about to get the bum rush for a late lunch.”
“Yeah.” She grinned. “I think you might be right.”
The next ten minutes were a blur of congratulations, staggering backslaps and handshakes. She smiled so much her cheeks hurt, but she couldn’t help it.
From the corner of her eye, she caught Miranda Effingham slip out the side door. Let her sulk. Maybe she’d think twice about picking on the new guy from now on.
A spike of awareness lifted the hairs on the back of her neck. And she knew he was behind her.
“Hey.”
Her body shivered in response to Trace’s voice. She turned, and stared up into his eyes, and smiled.
She was smiling. That had to be a good thing.
“Hey, yourself, cowboy.” She looked past his arm to the trickle of people who had yet to exit the building. “Interesting meeting.”
“Yeah, well. I heard these things were a real riot. Couldn’t pass up a chance to see for myself. Community outreach, and all that.” She said nothing, and he started to feel like an idiot. Rather than reach for her and pull her into his arms for a hug, he stuffed his hands in his pockets. “So, you must be relieved.”
“I’m a lot of things.” She ran a hand over her eyes, as if wiping away the stress of the day. “Relieved is a biggie.”
“And?”
“Grateful, for another.” She reached for him, and the skin of his forearm sizzled where she touched. “Thank you. I know it was you who brought all these people out here.”
“I just told them when and where. They made up their minds to come on their own. You might be the new guy, Jo, but you’re far from unwanted.” He hoped she understood that he meant that in more ways than one.