Read Online Sparks Fly with Mr. Mayor by Teresa Carpenter - Free Book Online

bring women home to Gram.
    He made no apologies because he liked to keep it casual. So what if he occasionally longed for what his brothers had found with their wives. Or if he experienced a twinge of loneliness every now and again. He preferred to keep it simple until the right woman came along.
    Which was no reason for the memory of Dani in her sleeveless blue blouse and white miniskirt sitting at his grandmother’s table to pop into his mind.
    â€œSo Cole,” Wilcox said, pulling Cole’s attention back to the conversation. “What are we going to do to combat this no-cooking, no-cleaning campaign of theirs?”
    â€œNothing.” Annoyed with the topic, Cole tapped the end of his pen against his blotter.
    â€œWe have to do something,” Palmer protested.
    â€œThey just want to be heard, to have their opinions validated,” Cole stated.
    â€œRight,” Julie agreed. “It’s a personal issue for many of them. If we make it a public issue, it gives weight to their argument.” She waved a hand, indicating Palmer. “And if the men aren’t even noticing, then their plan is failing anyway.”
    â€œThey want a museum and botanical garden,” Wilcox argued. “If we ignore their efforts, they may gain momentum, especially if their strategy begins to work.”
    â€œWe could invite them to participate in a public debate. Give them the sense of being heard,” Julie mused. “Ours is the stronger position. Letting them speak would show them up as the weaker choice.”
    â€œWho’s going to pay for this debate?” Cole’s accounting manager asked. “Public meetings are expensive.”
    â€œWe can add it to an already scheduled city event. That’ll bring the expenses down and guarantee an audience.”
    â€œI still say you’re making too big an issue of this. We need to stay focused on our own agenda.” The last thing Cole wanted was a public showdown with Dani.
    â€œA debate is inevitable.” Doc Wilcox threw in his approval of the public meeting. “It may as well be now when it’s to our advantage. But let’s keep it small, control the venue.”
    â€œWe need to get our plans out there.” Cole tried a new argument. “Let the people of Paradise Pines see the beautiful facility we have drafted. That’s what’s going to win us this election.”
    â€œYou’re right, and the debate will be the perfect place to hand out flyers. Great, we’re decided.” Palmer rubbed his hands together. “Julie, you start looking for an event we can piggyback on. I’ll makeup the flyers. Cole, you issue an official invitation to the Wilder woman. She ought to be thrilled to participate.”
    With a sigh of resignation, Cole settled back in his chair. Thrilled? He didn’t think so.
    Â 
    â€œCan we get a really big pumpkin, Mommy? One this big?” Faith held her little arms above her head.
    Dani tickled her daughter’s ribs as she pulled a pink sweater into place over the upraised arms. She laughed along with Faith, loving the sound of her giggles.
    â€œI don’t know. That’s an awfully big pumpkin. Mommy’s got to be able to carry it to the car.”
    â€œYou can do it, Mommy. You’re strong.”
    If only that were true. But it thrilled her that Faith thought so. “We’ll see.”
    â€œWeelll…”
    Dani waited, knowing the drawn-out word meant her precocious daughter’s active mind was at work.
    â€œIf you can’t carry the big pumpkin, maybe you can get the man with the nice butt to help you.”
    â€œFaith Marie,” Dani exclaimed, shocked. “You do not say butt .”
    â€œI didn’t say it Mommy, you did. The last time we went to the nursery. You said the man in the hat had a really nice—”
    â€œStop,” Dani demanded. “You don’t get to say it again.” Her little girl loved