“That’s ridiculous,” Mama D scoffed.
“I agree—now. But in thinking that way, I did this town a disservice—and many of you, personally.” He let his gaze encompass the group. Miley, chomping her gum. Owen, eagerly nodding as if he’d support whatever Cade had to say. Farmer Branson, bushy eyebrows hiding most of his stoic expression.
“Magnolia Days took a hit when the circus ended early.” Cade grimaced. “And as many of you have probably heard, there won’t be any filming here any time soon.”
A few disappointed groans sounded through the café. He felt like moaning along with them.
Rosalyn hadn’t come.
“About that.” Delia stepped toward him, held up a clipboard. “We’ve got ideas for fundraising.”
Cade leaned forward on his stool. “You do?”
“Of course. We care about this town too, Cade Landry.” She fisted one hand on her hip. “You’re not alone in this restoration project even though you tried to be. If you’ll let us, we can put Magnolia Bay back together…well, together.” She frowned. “I should’ve practiced that. It sounded more poetic in my head.”
“We canallput it back together,” Madame Paulette suggested.
“Or, you could say, ‘together, we can all put it back.’” Elisa twirled a lock of hair around her finger. “No, that’s still not right.”
“Together is better?” Sadie offered.
Miley popped a bubble. “I have a bedtime, people.”
“Miley’s right.” Delia handed Cade the clipboard. “Several of us met earlier today and wrote out our ideas. Maybe we can’t have a circus every weekend, but there’s plenty we can do if we band…together.” She sighed. “Drat.”
“I hear you, Mama D.” Cade braced the clipboard in his lap and scanned the sheets, filled with ideas that took up the front and back of two pages. Everything from bake sales and car washes to a community-wide rummage sale and silent auction and a state-wide fishing tournament was listed. Yet another page appeared to be a list of names pledging to donate items and time toward the various projects.
Surprise flickered. These ideas weregood. Cade should have listened to them sooner.
And the best part was—he wouldn’t have to pull them off alone.
“You know what? I accept.” Cade held up the clipboard with as real a grin as he could muster. “Let’s gettogether”—the crowd groaned on cue—“and start scheduling some of these.”
Cheers erupted.
“So who’s gonna run for mayor now?” Sadie’s voice rang above the noise.
“That’s a great question.” Dad stepped forward, holding his hands up to command the room. It immediately quieted. “I’d love to hear some nominees to get the ball rolling.”
“What about Mama D?” Elisa suggested.
Delia reeled back. “I’m way too old for politics, but thanks for the vote of confidence, honey. What about Sadie?”
“Me?” Sadie’s eyes widened and she gripped the back of the chair in front of her. “I’m better with books than people. I think it should be Pastor Dubois.”
“Oh, that’s so kind of you, Sadie.” Pastor smiled as he dipped into a slight bow. “But there’s no way my schedule at the church would allow that. My first priority is shepherding all you wayward sheep.” Everyone chuckled. He nodded toward his son. “What about Owen?”
Owen gulped, his face washing pale against his red T-shirt. “Um, thanks, Dad. But you’ve seen how I get in front of a crowd.”
“Aw, come on.” Elisa, standing under the banner next to Noah, patted Owen’s arm. “You did a great job as ringmaster.”
“That’s because he got to hide behind eyeliner and those coattails.” Linc scowled at the room at large. “And don’t any of you eventhinkabout saying my name.”
The diner fell into a thick silence.
Then…“What about Miley?” Owen joked.
Miley coughed hard on her gum, slapping her chest. “You guys are trying to kill me.”
