He wasn’t perfect but his strength of character impressed her. But that didn’t mean she was willing to take another risk with her career.
“I can’t let rumors spread that I’m romantically involved with someone in public office,” Sydney explained as she crossed her arms tightly against her. “My reputation is already tarnished.”
“Take it from me, having a tarnished reputation isn’t all bad,” Laura said, dismissing the statement with the wave of her hand. “Sure, I’m the first to get blamed, which is annoying, but after a few years I learned how to work it to my advantage.”
“A good reputation isn’t that great, either,” Isabel said. “There are definitely some benefits that I’ve taken for granted, but it can box you in. You don’t have a reputation to worry about, Sydney. No one knows about your past.”
“And because they don’t know me, they will think that diary is the real me.” She’d planned to stay in Seedling for at least a couple of years while she restarted her career. How could she live in a small town where everyone had the wrong idea about her? “I can tell everyone otherwise, but I doubt they’d believe it.”
“Okay, this is what we’re going to do,” Laura announced as she retrieved her cell phone from her skirt pocket. “I’m going to call the diner and see if the notebook turned up.”
“Good idea.” Isabel paused as she gave the situation some thought. “Sydney, you will need to stay away from Matthew.”
“I can’t do that. It’s my job to report on local government.”
“You know you have to keep your distance.” Isabel gave Sydney another pat on her arm. “Email or text with Matthew until this blows over. Trade off assignments with Wendy and let her know why.”
She ignored the disappointment radiating through her chest. She wanted to be around Matthew Stone constantly. And she’d wanted to avoid saying anything to Wendy, but she agreed it had to be done. Sydney hoped her boss would understand. “I dread that conversation. She took a chance on me.”
“Knowing Wendy, I bet she’ll get a laugh out of it,” Isabel said. “Don’t worry, it’s just temporary until we find the notebook.”
“You’re right,” Sydney admitted with a tight smile. All they had to do was find the notebook.
But what if someone has already discovered it?
* * *
MATTHEW CROSSED THE town square and strode to the city hall. He should be tired, having spent yesterday working on his mayoral duties and last night dealing with business for the family orchard, but the anticipation of tonight whipped through him—he would see Sydney.
“Good morning, Matty.” Father Evans wore a bright green tracksuit as he jogged past him. “Are you going to the kids’ baseball game tonight?”
“I can’t wait.” Matthew’s smile was wide as he called after the other man. “I’ll see you there.”
His phone vibrated, indicating he had received a text. His pulse kicked hard when he realized it was from Sydney. Matthew slowed to a halt and frowned as he read the brief message. She was canceling on him.
He exhaled sharply as his shoulders sagged. It may be true that Wendy had to change Sydney’s assignment but his gut said otherwise.
Matthew glanced up just as the teenage Turner brothers gave him the thumbs-up as they strolled past him. What was that about?
He was about to reply to Sydney’s text but decided to wait. His first instinct was to convince her to meet with him tonight. He could use all of his persuasive skills. But something told him it wouldn’t work this time. He’d scared her off.
Matthew closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead as he considered where he’d gone wrong. Sydney Tate was a city girl, used to sophisticated men, and he had proven how rough and primitive he could be. It was just as well. He had his own reasons for staying away.
Matthew was jerked out of his thoughts when someone gave him a friendly slap on the back. “Attaboy, Little Matty,” one of his grandfather’s friends said. “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do.”
Matthew stared at Mr. Martinez. The elderly man wore his usual T-shirt, baggy shorts, black socks and sandals. “Excuse me?”
“I was worried all those uptight voters would try to stomp out your spirit. I’m glad you proved me wrong.”
What was he talking about? “Thank...you?”
“You surprised me.” Martinez gave a cackling laugh that turned into a cough. “Definitely surprised me.”
Matthew scratched his head as he watched the man shuffle away. It was an unusual and random vote of confidence, but he’d take it.
As Matthew walked into the old brick building, he became more aware of the sly winks and wide smiles. He recognized those looks. Everything from the pinched glare of disapproval from Miss Fisher at the information desk to the comical wagging of the security guard’s eyebrows. He used to get those looks all the time when he ran wild, caused trouble and earned his reputation as a ladies’ man.
But he hadn’t done anything lately to deserve it. Matthew frowned. Had someone seen him kissing Sydney yesterday? That was possible. Nothing was secret in Seedling. But it had only been a kiss.
A wild kiss. A hot and passionate kiss that had turned him inside out. A kiss that had made Sydney back off.
The kiss would raise some eyebrows, but it wouldn’t cause this reaction.
Or would it because he was the mayor? He wanted to growl with frustration. With the last mayor leaving amid a Seedling-style sex scandal, Matthew had to be on his best behavior. This was as good as it was going to get.
He saw his administrative assistant leaving the mayor’s office suite. The woman was as formal as he was casual with her tight bun, brown pantsuit and polished shoes. “Tanya, people are acting strange today,” Matthew said as he approached her. “Do you know what that’s about?”
Tanya didn’t even blink. “No. Define strange.”
“A lot of winks and smiles. A few thumbs-up and a slap on the back.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. That’s every day around here.”
Now that he said it out loud, he realized Tanya had a point.
“You have a visitor waiting for you,” his assistant said as she walked past him.
Matthew frowned and glanced at his phone but there was no reminder. “I don’t remember anything about that on the schedule.”
“She’s not on the schedule,” Tanya said over her shoulder. “As if that would stop her.”
Curious, Matthew peeked inside the office suite and froze when he saw Doris Brown waiting for him. She sat primly in her chair, arms crossed and staring him down over the rims of her eyeglasses.
Her look of disappointment set off alarms in his head.
