“Mayor-Elect,” Trudy corrected, offering her grandson another eye roll. Turning back to her former boss, she added, “Do you think you guys have room for three more?”
Anthony didn’t hesitate, nodding and holding his arm out for them to follow him inside. “Absolutely, c’mon in. The more the merrier.”
“That is how you handle a problem, Joshy,” Trudy said, linking her arm through his and following Anthony.
As soon as they stepped inside, Max greeted everyone and ushered them out to a table. “I’m tempted to flip the sign toOpenat this rate,” he teased, sliding a casserole into the oven.
Anthony raked his hands through his hair, grimacing. “I’m sorry, man. I panicked when I saw them.”
Max shook his head. “It’s fine, really.”
Evan agreed, squeezing a lemon over a tray of brussels sprouts. “We have more than enough.”
Anthony deflated. “Thanks. I just didn’t want to look weak in front of”—he did air quotes—“Mayor Josh.”
Max snorted. “You realize he was only elected because you’re leaving, right? If you wanted to stay a lowly local mayor, it would have been no contest, Representative Snyder.”
Anthony nodded. “I know that, but it doesn’t mean I like that Joshy is going to be sitting in my seat. I used to chase him out of the breakroom for stealing Snickers from the vending machine.”
“You should have mentioned that during his campaign.” Evan laughed at his own joke while he washed his hands. “No one wants a thief running city hall.”
Mallory and Beckett managed to squeak past Evan and make it to CeCe without anyone noticing. The new trio of diners was the perfect distraction as they settled into their own booth.
“Would you please stop fussing, grandma?” Josh asked as Trudy attempted to smooth back his collar. Her gnarled fingers dug into his skin as she righted his wrinkled shirt.
“We don’t want you looking this sloppy with voters present,” Trudy assured him, licking her thumb to swipe off a perceived smudge from his cheek.
Helen snorted. “He’s already won the election, Trudy. Let the boy keep what’s left of his dignity.”
“Thank you?” Josh said, balling up his coat and using it as a buffer to his well-meaning grandmother.
“This is already more fun than a snooty steakhouse in Columbus,” Helen quipped, taking a cocktail from Chloe.
Two booths away, Beckett ushered Mallory into place with CeCe. Once his wife was covered, his gaze swept the dining room for their daughter. “Should I go get Maybelle?”
Mallory shook her head, gesturing toward the far side of the room. Their baby was giggling while Maddie and Josie made silly faces, completely uninterested in her parents or the prospect of her next meal. “Let’s leave her be for now. She’ll get hungry or need a diaper change soon enough.” She hooked her hand around Beckett’s elbow, pulling him close for a peck on the cheek. “Thanks for your help.”
“You don’t need to thank me, but you’re welcome. Now, let’s figure out what’s going on with CeCe.” He pressed his lips to the shell of her ear, whispering words of admiration that only she could hear.
Natalie rose as Mallory opened her bag, moving over a pillow so she could sit next to CeCe. “Was that Trudy and our new mayor I just saw?”
“Yup,” Mallory agreed, pulling out the blood pressure cuff and looping it through CeCe’s arm. To hide what she was doing, she tossed the pillow in front of the mother-to-be. “If you want to go over there and distract them for a moment, I wouldn’t say no.”
Natalie took CeCe’s empty juice glass. “I’m on it. Anyone need a drink on my way back?”
“Bourbon on the rocks would be great.” CeCe beamed from her perch on pillow island. Her hands rested on her belly, the picture of serenity. The only crack in her restful image was her pinched expression.
Mallory checked the readings. “Don’t talk, and try a few deep breaths for me. Beckett can go get you some juice if you’d like.”
Before Natalie disappeared, she leaned in, and offered, “You need a ride out of here, our SUV has 4-wheel drive and my husband is still technically in charge.” She winked, patting CeCe’s knee in support.
“Thanks,” CeCe said through clenched teeth.
Mallory pursed her lips at the reading and made a few notes on her phone. “When did the pain start?”
CeCe’s eyes flicked around a moment in thought. “Technically, last night?”
Her response came out in a question, causing Mallory to scowl. “All right, Mr. Trebek. I don’t need my answers in the form of questions. When did you start having discomfort? And be honest, or I’m getting my brother.”
