Fall Into Temptation (Blue Moon Book #2)(38)

Beverly leaned over to Gia. “That’s a warning to Bruce,” she said, nodding toward the bearded man in the sweater vest. “He’s a bit verbose.”

“Any issues not settled in those sixty minutes will be addressed at the next town meeting,” Beckett continued. “So without further ado, let’s begin.” He reached over and slapped the button on a digital clock that began counting down from sixty minutes.

“The council would like to report the results of our public vote on the following awareness topics for November. In addition to National Diabetes Month, Blue Moon will be observing Green Friday, Clean Up After Your Dog Week, and …” he trailed off.

Beckett cleared his throat before continuing. “And November Awareness Month.”

Gia looked around as the audience applauded with enthusiasm. “November Awareness?”

A man in a blue fleece jacket shirt stood up. “I move that we observe November awareness with a month-long $5.99 hot turkey sandwich special at the diner,” he announced.

A woman wearing a fuzzy poncho rose. “Second that.”

“I appreciate your appetite for hot turkey sandwiches, Mitch … and Brenda,” Beckett said, clearing his throat. “But the town council can’t just order a business to provide a special.”

“Okay, fine,” Mitch was unconcerned. “I move that we petition the diner to serve a month-long $5.99 hot turkey sandwich special,” he amended.

“Seconded,” said the poncho lady.

A man in the row behind Gia stood up, his hands were tucked into the pocket of his Blakeley Diner sweatshirt. “Yeah, okay. We’ll do the special. But I’m thinking more like $8.99,” he said, his accent thickly seasoned with Jersey.

A spirited bidding war broke out that ended with Mr. Blakeley agreeing to $7.50 and throwing in a side of sweet corn. “As long as Mrs. Blakeley okays it,” he cautioned the crowd.

Beckett pounded his gavel. “Sold for $7.50 and corn, with Mrs. Blakeley’s approval.”

“If anyone has any questions on how else to appropriately observe November Awareness, please see Fitz from the bookstore since it was his suggestion.” Beckett moved on. “The first item on the agenda is our Halloween carnival. Bobbi, you have the floor.”

Bobbi, the silver dreadlocked proprietress of Peace of Pizza, moved to take the podium. “Okay, Mooners.” Her voice was like a mellow jazz singer and Gia wondered how she ended up in pizza. “We’re finalizing the details for our annual Halloween bash.”

Beverly leaned in again. “We do a Halloween carnival instead of trick or treat,” she whispered. “The kids love it and it’s so much easier on the parents.”

Gia had a feeling Evan and Aurora would enjoy it. Finally, her family was settling into a town where they could know their neighbors and make all those memories that childhood is built upon.

She felt an awareness skim over her. A heat sliding over her skin. Glancing up, her gaze connected with sterling eyes watching her from the stage. Beckett winked at her and she smiled back.

It was a shame he wasn’t hers to explore. She liked Beckett Pierce on principle and in reality. Gia knew from experience how hard it was to find a good, solid man. Not only was he dedicated to his family and his clients, but Beckett put just as much of his time and energy into his town. He had a big heart and a level head, not to mention a spectacular physique and sexy face.

And he would remain firmly out of her reach, Gia reminded herself.

While the council members hustled through agenda items — yes, the carnival would end at nine, no, they would not enforce a Star Wars theme — Joey slid into the empty seat next to Gia.

“What’d I miss,” she whispered, reaching over Gia for Beverly’s popcorn tub.

Beverly gladly shared. “No on the Star Wars proposition,” she said.

“Damn. I guess that means we won’t see the Jabba the Hut costume Big Ben’s been threatening to wear,” Joey sighed, sliding her long, denim-clad legs under the seat in front of her.

Gia offered her some candy, which Joey accepted in her empty hand.

“Do you come to these often?” Gia gestured toward the stage.

Joey shrugged. “When I need entertainment. I wasn’t planning to tonight, but Summer texted and asked me to meet her here.”

“Is she here?” Gia asked.

“Not yet. Said she’d be here right after the meeting.” Joey was quiet for a few moments. “She and Carter were on their way back from the city,” she said, finally.

Summer’s doctor’s appointment, Gia realized. She glanced sideways at Joey, but the only clue to her state of mind was the drumming of her fingers on the screen of her cellphone.

“Any punctuation or smiley faces in her text?” she asked.

Joey swiped the screen and showed Gia the text.


On our way back. Can you meet Carter and me at the town meeting tonight?





“Hmm,” Gia said.

“I know. Jackson’s coming, too. He and Colby were trying to finish up a few things on the farm with Carter and Summer in the city.”

“Are you worried?” Gia asked.

“Let’s go with mildly concerned.”

Gia watched the clock tick down to forty minutes. “Well, you don’t have long to wait before you find out what’s going on,” she said, patting Joey’s leg.