Page 23 of Something’s Brewing

He gestured vaguely in her direction—one of those sweeping, all-encompassing motions.

Madison’s brow lifted. “Did you just gesture at me like I’m a problem to be solved?”

Garrett blinked.

She made a small, sweeping motion of her own. “Feels very How to Train Your Dragon. You know, when Stoick gestures to Hiccup”—she lowered her voice, doing her best impression of Gerard Butler—“ ‘This is why I’m taking you to dragon training.’ ”

His lips twitched.

She shook her head, keeping her expression neutral even as something warm sparked in her chest. “I’d be honored to.”

Right then Ruth returned, balancing a tray with two plates of perfectly cut carrot cake topped with thick cream cheese frosting and two cups of coffee.

“I thought you might want something sweet to celebrate your little agreement,” she said, practically glowing.

Madison smiled up at her. “Ruth, you’re a visionary.”

“I do my best,” she said, already bustling out of the room. “Oh, and Madison—we’d love to have you at the meeting. We meet Thursday at Turner Books, in the back room.”

As the door clicked shut behind her, Garrett stared at the cake. “You’ve played right into her hands.”

Madison picked up her fork. “Oh, I know. And I’m enjoying it.”

Garrett looked at her, eyes sharp, skeptical, and a little impressed.

Now, she needed to win!

CHAPTER TEN

The bell over the door of Turner Books gave a cheerful jingle as Madison stepped inside, brushing a hand down her navy blouse and trying not to look like she’d prepped for this meeting the way she used to prep for intelligence briefings.

A circle of women had already gathered in the back. The space held a long wooden table and mismatched chairs. A small table off to the side held a platter of lemon bars, squares of carrot cake, and a pitcher of iced tea.

“Madison!” Paige waved. “Welcome! Come sit by me.”

“What would you like to drink? We have an assortment of waters and teas,” Rosie offered.

“A bottle of water would be great. Thank you.”

Chloe gave her a cheerful nod from across the table, where she was flipping through a binder. “We heard you’re Garrett’s pinch hitter today.”

Madison laughed, sliding into the open seat beside Paige feeling a little less like the outsider she’d expected to be. “Only until he realizes I’m doing a better job.” The energy in the room reminded her—strangely—of a mission debrief, only this one came with cake.

Also seated around the table were Alexis Welby, local celebrity and home renovation queen (Madison had met Alexis at the Blue Ox a few nights ago and had gone home and binge-watched her DIY show); Elsie and Emma, retired twins in their seventies who purportedly ran this committee with more authority than most senate subcommittees; and Ruth, who had brought an entire tray of bars “just in case we run long.”

Madison accepted a bottled water and a lemon bar, determined to observe before jumping in.

Elsie tapped her pen against her legal pad. “All right, ladies—and Garrett’s proxy.” There were a few chuckles.

“What, no gavel today, sis?” Emma smirked.

“I couldn’t seem to find it.” Elsie glared at her twin.

Madison liked these two, maybe because she was a twin herself. She could tell they were fun.

“Let’s start with the Fourth of July festival,” Elsie said. “Initial thoughts?”

“I’d say we crushed it,” Rosie declared, reaching for a lemon bar. “I haven’t seen that many people on Main Street since prom night in ’92 when three schools all got rescheduled to the same weekend.”