AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This stuff was right up his alley. If he became fire chief, he’d try to increase outreach to the younger population of Lake Bittersweet. Getting them involved in junior firefighter drills or painting projects at the firehouse could help keep kids out of trouble. Like a lot of small towns around here, there wasn’t much going on and teenagers tended to get bored. And that was when bad things happened.
After his volunteer shift was through, he started his real shift patrolling the fair. He wandered through the crowded streets, sent a drunk tourist back to his hotel, broke up a fight between Dickie Brown and Sven Cavendish, who’d been feuding for the last sixty-seven years. He inhaled the scent of cotton candy, sunscreen, and the ever-present pine trees. Ah, summer. God, he loved Lake Bittersweet in the summer.
As night closed in, he decided to see how things were going down at the Blue Drake. Most people were headed that way anyway, drawn by the thump of the bass line reverberating down the street and off the brick-faced buildings. As he reached the back terrace, which looked out over the pier, he saw that the place was packed. He could barely see the band at the end of the pier through all the bobbing heads and raised Solo cups.
This party was hopping. Good for Kendra.
The night was soft as velvet. The violet remnants of the sunset lingered above the forest that surrounded the lake. The music floating over the water plucked a chord of joy deep within him. He wanted to dance, sing, swing someone around. He wanted that sparkle and fizz he felt only with Kendra.
The end of the Blue Drake pier had been transformed into a stage with a white canopy tent overhead in case of rain. He spotted Kendra near the far end of the pier, adjusting the position of a speaker, busy as always.
Glancing around, he saw mostly younger people. Would any of the aldermen get to see Kendra’s hard work? Since their average age was seventy-nine, they might be done for the day.
He had to do something to help her out. If she got the town manager job, maybe she’d stay in Lake Bittersweet. It would take something big like that, something interesting and challenging, to inspire her to stick around.
And damn, he wanted her to stay.
On a mission now, he headed back to the main street, which had been closed off for pedestrians. Find an alderman, any alderman. He’d drag one out of their house if necessary.
Fortunately, he was spared from trespassing and kidnapping when he ran into Betty Bannister. He knew Betty from the swing dance lessons she used to take with her husband. The Bannisters were third generation Lake Bittersweeters and very influential in town politics. If he could get Betty on Kendra’s side, she’d be a shoo-in.
Always the eccentric dresser, she wore a brocade vest over a billowing floor-length cotton muumuu. Her general vibe was “Bannisters can wear whatever we want.”
He flashed her a grin along with a little bow. “Evening, Betty. What a great SweetSummer Fest. I had so many kids come through the ladder truck I could have opened a preschool.”
“Well hello, Jason.” She looked a little flustered under the full force of his smile. “It was one of our best fests yet, if you ask me. And try saying that fast three times in a row.”
Betty had always had a quirky sense of humor. She reminded him a little of his infamous Irish grandmother, though he’d never tell her that.
He presented his elbow to her. “Are you headed my way? I’m going to check out the Blue Drake concert. Looks like just about everyone in town’s headed down there.”
“Well, with an offer like that, how could I say no?” She tucked her hand into his elbow and they strolled down the sidewalk. The volunteer cleanup crew fanned down the street, picking up trash. “Mind you, I have nothing to do with the fire chief decision. I’m not on that committee.”
He laughed at her wry warning. She had no idea that he’d forgotten all about his own job goals, and was totally focused on helping Kendra achieve hers. “Yes, I do know that. I’m not trying to win your vote. Although I’d be a damn good fire chief.”
“I’m sure you would. A very handsome one, too.”
“You’re a flirt and a menace, Betty Bannister.” A group of kids darted past them, racing toward the Blue Drake, waving balloon animals they’d picked up at the fair. He steadied her against the flow of young people.
“Thank you, “ she said. “Now why don’t you tell me what you’re up to, young Jason?”
“Up to?”
Glancing down at her, he caught her knowing gaze. He should have known he couldn’t fool Betty.
“I guess I’m busted. I do have an agenda. I wanted you to see what a great job Kendra Carter did putting the concert together. She’s going for the town manager job, you know.”
“Oh, I know.” Her tone didn’t sound promising. “She’s a real go-getter, isn’t she?”
“Yes. She’s also smart and hardworking and dedicated. She’d be great for that job.”
“I’m not so sure.” Betty picked her way past an abandoned balloon animal. Was it a goat? A hippo? Hard to tell. “How do we know she wouldn’t use the job as a stepping stone to something bigger? Kendra has always been ambitious.”
“Well…” Jason was at a loss for words. “Isn’t that how jobs work? Do you want her to commit to the position for the rest of her life?”
“No, no, of course not. But look at you. You’ve lived here all your life and never shown any inclination to go anywhere else. You’re committed to this town. Kendra, on the other hand, has been away more than she’s been here.”
“That’s a good thing. She’s learned things out there in the big wide world.”
