Best of My Love (Fool's Gold, #20)(23)

“I’m a good citizen,” Shelby murmured more to herself than Aidan. “I follow the rules. I pay my taxes.”

“Let it go,” he told her. “You’ll never guess what she wants and trying will only make it worse. Every scenario will be more frightening than the one before.”

“Kept you up last night?”

“A little.”

They reached the mayor’s office. Bailey Scott, Mayor Marsha’s assistant, smiled at them.

“Hey, Shelby. You’re right on time.” Bailey, a beautiful, curvy redhead, stood and walked around her desk toward Aidan. “I’m not sure we’ve met.”

“Aidan Mitchell.”

“Bailey Scott.”

They shook hands.

“You’re married to Kenny Scott,” Aidan said. “He was such a great player. It was a shame when he retired.”

Bailey grinned. “I’ll let him know you were a fan. Most days he’s happy to be out of it, but every now and then he thinks about those glory days. He’ll be pleased to know he’s not the only one.” Bailey looked at them both. “Mayor Marsha is waiting to see you. Let’s go on in.”

Shelby had thought there would be more time to gather her thoughts, but before she could catch her breath, they were going through the large double doors that led to the mayor’s office.

Mayor Marsha Tilson was California’s longest serving mayor. From what Shelby knew, the mayor was in her sixties, had been born and raised in Fool’s Gold and ran the town like a well-oiled machine. She was both loved and respected. To date, Shelby hadn’t met anyone who didn’t like her.

The mayor rose and greeted them. She wore a dark red suit with a white blouse and pearls. Her hair was twisted up in one of those old lady buns from the 1960s and while she wore pumps, they were of the sensible variety.

“Thank you both for coming,” Mayor Marsha said. “I know you’re busy entrepreneurs, so I’ll keep this meeting as short as possible.”

She motioned to the seating area opposite her desk. There was a pair of sofas and three chairs arranged around a large coffee table.

Shelby instinctively sat next to Aidan. As if he would offer protection. A silly thought, considering the mayor was unlikely to do anything scary. But still...

Mayor Marsha studied them for a few seconds. “I think what you two are doing is wonderful,” she began. “Your six-month plan to be friends.”

Shelby stared at her. “How did you know about that?”

The mayor smiled. “I hear things. Change is always difficult, but if you don’t try, you’ll never get where you want to go. I think you’re both going to be very successful.”

“Um, thank you,” Shelby murmured, still stunned someone had talked about her and Aidan to the mayor. Why? What they were doing was important to them, but hardly interesting to anyone else. Weren’t people busy with their own lives?

“I can’t help but think other people would benefit from your example,” the mayor continued. “While falling in love is wonderful, there is more to life than that. Other relationships that are important. Friendship, for example. Not enough men and women are friends.”

Shelby glanced at Aidan, who looked as confused as she felt. Where was this conversation going?

As if reading her mind, the mayor said, “I want to try an experiment and I’d like you two to help me with it. We should have a get-together for the single people in town. A place where men and women can meet without any pressure to be romantically involved. An opportunity for them to get to know each other and be friends. Just friends.”

Shelby opened her mouth, then closed it.

“You want us to plan a party?” Aidan asked, sounding as confused as she felt.

“Nothing so formal,” the mayor assured him. “I was thinking of one or two events. The more casual, the better. That way everyone can relax and get to know each other.” She smiled. “Bailey has a list of names and email addresses. Just get in contact with the people on the list and tell them where the first event is. Word will spread.”

“I thought everyone in town was pretty friendly,” Shelby said. “They have been to me.”

“They are. It’s part of the Fool’s Gold charm. But our single people need a little help and you’re the ones to offer it.”

Saying no wasn’t an option. Shelby knew that. Not only was she new to the town and eager to make a good impression on the mayor, Shelby owed her. When Kipling had been confined to a hospital bed in New Zealand, his body so shattered everyone feared he would never walk again, Shelby had been equally held hostage by her mother’s imminent death and her father’s brutal fists. Mayor Marsha had been the one go to Kipling and offer him the job in Fool’s Gold. She’d been the one to send Angel and Ford to save Shelby.

“Of course I’ll do it,” Shelby told her. “I’ll send out the emails this week.”

“I’ll help,” Aidan added.

Shelby glanced at him in surprise. He winked at her.

“Excellent.” Mayor Marsha came to her feet. “Then I’ll leave you to it.”

The meeting obviously over, Shelby and Aidan left. When they were back on the sidewalk, she turned to him. “Why did you agree? You could have left it to me.”