“You know about the lists?”

“I know about the lists.”

“Speaking of things on my mother’s list, are we set for the committee meeting?”

“Yeah. Tonight at seven. Are you sure you have time to deal with this?”

“Please. If I don’t, my mother will drag herself out of bed and crawl to that meeting. I’ll be there.”

He laughed. “I understand. Do you want me to pick you up?”

“That might not be a bad idea. Since George is still being worked on, I can leave the car for my dad then, just in case.”

“About six forty-five?”

“Perfect. Thanks.”

“No problem. I’m going to grab a seat and get myself something to eat. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay. See you later.”

She watched him walk away, trying not to stare at his butt, which was difficult since he wore those jeans so well.

But their conversation went well. Easy, no awkward moments.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

CARTER GOT THROUGH what had been a hellish day. A difficult transmission fix, an unhappy customer returning a car that still wasn’t running right, and a call from the manager of one of his other shops about an unruly employee they’d been dealing with for a few weeks now. Carter dragged his fingers through his hair, mentally cursing that situation. He was going to have to fire the guy, likely tomorrow. All in all, it had been a shit day. He would have liked to head over to Bash’s bar and forget it with a couple of beers, but tonight was the committee meeting, so beers were off the table, at least for now.

Instead, he went to the gym and knocked out a hard workout, getting his aggression out on the punching bag, then the weight room. After an hour and a drenching sweat, he went home and hopped in the shower, then changed clothes and drove over to Molly’s parents’ house to pick her up. He had gotten out of the car and was about to go to the door when he saw her come outside.

“I was going to come in,” he said.

“Oh, you don’t want to do that. My mom’s in a mood.”

He cocked a brow. “About?”

“Anything. Everything. She’s cranky and I’ve had to deal with her all day. It’s my dad’s turn now. Let’s go.”

Resisting the urge to smile, he went around and opened the car door for her. She slid inside and he went to his side, got in, and started the engine.

“Bad day?” he asked as he put on his seat belt.

“You could say that. How was yours?”

“Sucked.”

Her lips lifted. “We should be a fine pair at the committee meeting tonight.”

“If you think your mother is irritating, wait ’til you meet some of the committee members.”

She gave him a look. “Really?”

He turned the corner and pulled out on the main highway. “I figured I should give you an advance warning.”

“Any people I should know about?”

“I’ll let you form your own opinions, but you’re pretty smart, Molly. I don’t think it’ll take you long to grab a clue as to who’s who.”

City hall was at the heart of downtown Hope. Carter parked in the lot and they made their way inside.

Mavis Turnball was at the door, waiting for them, which didn’t surprise Carter at all.

“Molly Burnett. I haven’t seen you since you were in high school. How’s your mother doing? I’ve been meaning to get by to see her, but things are so busy in the mayor’s office. Oh, you probably don’t remember me at all, do you?”

Molly held out her hand. “Mavis Turnball. And you’re still working as a secretary in the mayor’s office?”

Mavis grinned. “Yes, I am. Mayors may come and go, but they couldn’t survive without me.”

Mavis was tall and slender, and wore her dark hair short. Her heels clicked on the wood floor as she led Molly away. Carter decided to stick close, so he followed.

“Let’s introduce you to the others. Some you might know already. This is Cletus Beaumont. He works for the sewer department. Amanda Flannigan and her father own Flannigan’s Auto Sales. And this is Samantha Reasor. She owns a flower shop. Did you two go to high school together? There’s also Chelsea Gardner, who’s a teacher at Hope High School. A few aren’t here yet. Come on in and get acquainted with everyone.”

Molly’s head was spinning. Fortunately, she’d gone to high school with Samantha Reasor. And of course she knew Chelsea. They went to get coffee.

“Sorry you got stuck with this,” Samantha said.

“I don’t mind, really.”

“How’s your mom doing?” Chelsea asked.

“She’s doing okay. She’s a little cranky about being laid up.”

Samantha, who was even prettier now than she’d been in high school, with her long light blond hair and blue eyes, smiled at her. “Who wouldn’t be? It has to be frustrating for her.”

Chelsea nodded. “I’m sure it is. Poor Georgia. We’re really going to miss having her on the committee. She got things done.”

Samantha laid her hand on Molly’s forearm. “But we’re sure glad you’re here, Molly. And it’s so nice to see you again after all these years.”

“Thanks. It’s nice to be back.”

“And just a heads-up,” Chelsea said, “Mavis is champing at the bit to be in charge now that your mom isn’t here. She’s disagreed with most of Georgia’s suggestions, which were all good ones.”

Samantha nodded. “Plus, your mom kept us on budget. Mavis likes to spend money that doesn’t need to be spent.”

“I’ve got all the files and I’ve looked them over,” Molly said. “It seems things are running according to plan.”

“So far so good. We have Carter and your mom to thank for that,” Chelsea said. “And hopefully you’ll be able to help us out.”

“I’ll do what I can.”

Molly had studied the files the past few days and had sat down with her mom to discuss the project, shocked at what she had managed to accomplish in the past year. It was obvious this was her heart-and-soul project, and Molly wasn’t going to let her down.

“Are you ready for this?” Carter asked as they made their way to the table.