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“I actually decided right before I came here that I was going to tell you and Dad.”

“How long have you been seeing him?”

“Not long. Since we went to pick up the signs.”

“I’m two for two, Margery,” she says, looking around me to my aunt. “I told you they’d hit it off and be perfect together.”

“You did tell me,” Margery says, and I look between the two of them.

“What do you mean two for two?” I ask my mom, and she smiles slyly.

“Do you really think Anna and Kolter got together on their own?” She laughs like the idea is hilarious.

Oh my god, I should have known that she set them up.

“You really need a hobby.”

“No, I need grandbabies. You could help me out with that.”

“Oh, here we go.” I sigh. “Please do not make things weird for Wyatt and me and start talking about marriage and babies.”

“I won’t.” She shrugs. “I’ll give you guys some time.”

“Great,” I mutter, then watch her look down at her wrist to check the time.

“Shoot, we need to head over to the stage. There is about ten minutes until Mike is scheduled to speak, and he’ll only be onstage for about five minutes before Wyatt goes on.”

Shockingly, with that the conversation is over, and Mom gives me the stuff in her hands, then wanders off with Aunt Margery to the tent. With a shake of my head, I grab my bag and a few more stickers, along with the stack of flyers Mom handed me, then follow my mom and aunt to where the stage is set up. When we arrive, there is a group of middle school choir students singing, so we find a few empty seats and listen to them finish their last song.

“Wyatt’s here,” Mom whispers, and I follow her gaze and watch Wyatt walk through the crowd with Mike, the two of them drawing attention. Mike because he’s been sheriff for a long while, and Wyatt because, well, he looks like he does and his face has been plastered all over town. The hundred signs that Wyatt and I helped print might have been the first batch, but since then Mom has picked up probably a hundred fifty more, and they are everywhere. Down every block, out front of every business, and I have heard Mom more than once on the phone during the day with people asking where they can get their own signs.

I’m happy about it, happy that Wyatt is the talk of the town and that Mom has done such a great job getting his name out there, but I know that until election day, when those results come in, nothing is guaranteed.

Like he senses me looking his way, his eyes come to me, and I watch his face soften in such a way that if my mom didn’t already know about us, she would now.

“I’m going to go make sure they are ready,” Mom whispers before getting up and wandering through the crowd to Wyatt and Mike while I sit with my aunt.

When Mike gets up onstage and takes the mic from the guy who seems to be in charge of introducing everyone, I look Wyatt’s way and find him looking down at my mom, listening intently to what she’s saying with his arms crossed over his broad chest. There isn’t an ounce of nervousness in his expression, but I’m nervous enough for the both of us. Even if there isn’t a huge crowd, this will be some people’s first real impression of him. When he leaves Mom and walks up onstage to join Mike, I realize that I didn’t hear one word Mike said, which is kind of a bummer.

“Thanks, Mike.” He takes the microphone, then pats Mike’s shoulder before he faces the front of the stage. “Good afternoon, everyone. For those of you I haven’t met yet, I’m Wyatt Foster. I’m sure you’ve seen my campaign posters around town over the last few days thanks to Elsie Fenwick.” He motions to my mom, and cheers go up, and a few catcalls are shouted that make my ears burn, but he doesn’t even falter. “Today I’m not here as a candidate running for sheriff—I’m here as someone who has called Gooseberry home and believes in this community.

“One thing I’ve learned since moving to this town is that people look out for each other, they lend a hand when a neighbor is in need and show up for each other not just when things are easy but when things are hard, and that is the kind of community I want to be a part of, the kind of place I’d like to raise a family.” I swear his eyes come to me briefly, and my insides twist.

“Over the years I’ve been here, Mike has taught me that being a sheriff isn’t just about a badge or a title, it’s about trust.

“It’s about knowing the names of the people you serve; it’s about keeping the streets safe while treating every person with respect and dignity. And Mike has also taught me that law enforcement works best when it stands with the community, not apart from it.

“If you vote for me, I promise to earn your trust. I promise that I will lead with integrity, common sense, and courage and that I will always put this town first. Because the role of sheriff isn’t about politics, or power. It’s about the people.” He offers one of the smiles that show off his perfect teeth, which have nipped every inch of my body the last few days, and my toes curl.

“Thank you for allowing me a few minutes of your time, and I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day.” And with that he waves and heads off the stage while everyone who has stopped to listen claps, and there are a lot of people gathered around. Getting to my feet, I clap along with everyone else. I’m actually stunned by his speech. I haven’t once heard him practice, and when I asked what he planned on saying, he told me he’d just wing it.

“I thought he was doing a Q and A,” Aunt Margery says, and I shrug. I thought so, too, but I guess not. I also don’t think he needs to answer any questions after what he just said. I get up from my seat and walk over to join him, my mom, and Mike. I want to hug him but settle for brushing my fingers against his when we are standing next to each other.

“You did so amazing,” I tell him when he drops his eyes to mine, the skin around his eyes smoothing out.

“Thanks, baby,” he says quietly before turning to Mike and introducing us. “Mike, I’m not sure you know Genevieve, Elsie’s daughter.”

“I don’t—nice to meet you.” He reaches forward and takes my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.