Gulf Coast Wedding by Maggie Miller

Chapter Sixteen

Travis wished Blackbird Beach had exit polls. He was itching to know how things were really going.

He also wished the election and the photoshoot had been on different days. He felt bound to stay at his spot outside the church, waving to cars, and chatting with anyone who came by, which turned out to be a surprising number of people. Denise was talking up a storm with them, too, but a big part of him felt like he should be with Georgia at the inn.

What if she needed something particular to his skill set? He sighed. He supposed Coffee could manage it. The man was very handy. But then, Coffee probably had his hands full taking care of the food.

Travis knew she wouldn’t feel like he was letting her down by not being there. More than anyone else, she understood the importance of this election and his need to be here, but the sense that he wasn’t where he should be remained.

He loved her and wanted to be at her side. Supporting her. Helping her. Being there for whatever she needed. That’s where his heart was. With her. Bottom line.

So when her car pulled into the lot at a little past twelve, a surge of relief swept through him. Just getting to see her made him feel better. He waved to her as she got out of her parked car and walked toward him and Denise. “Hi, honey.”

“Hi, Travis. Hi, Denise.” Georgia made a curious face. “I didn’t expect to see you until I got inside. How come you’re out here?”

“Long story,” Denise answered.

“Tell me,” Georgia said. “I’ve got some time.”

Denise shrugged. “I guess it’s not really that long. Lavinia showed up, saw me out here bringing coffee to Travis, then complained to the commissioner of elections that I was working for her opposition. In fact, she complained so much, the commissioner strongly suggested that I go home.”

“Lavinia continues to get her way.” Georgia stared at them, her displeasure clear on her face. “That woman is a menace. Thankfully, that ends today. But that doesn’t explain how you ended up out here?”

Travis laughed. “We decided the best way to get back at Lavinia was for Den to help me campaign even harder.”

Georgia smiled. “I like that. Well done. How’s it going?”

“Hard to say,” he answered. “Lots of people honking and waving, but the vote they actually cast when they get inside is anyone’s guess.”

“I suppose. I’m sort of surprised Lavinia isn’t on the opposite corner doing the same thing.” Georgia looked across the driveway to the empty spot. “Does she really think she doesn’t need to do that? Or do you think she knows she’s already lost?”

Denise snorted. “I hope she knows she’s lost. This whole town is sick of her.”

“I don’t know,” Georgia answered. “They haven’t voted her out yet. And they’ve had years to do it.

“Right,” Denise said, glancing toward the church. “But that’s because no one’s been brave enough to run against her.”

Georgia smiled. “Good point. I’m going to get in there and vote, then I’d be happy to get you guys some lunch from Ludlow’s.”

“Actually, if Travis doesn’t mind, I think I’ll go home.” Denise glanced at him. “Not that this hasn’t been fun, but I’ve got some housework to catch up on and some errands to run. I’ve got to take the school patch off of Clayton’s jacket for the wedding, but mostly I need to drop Levi’s suit off at the cleaners. Mrs. Nobles said they’d have it back to me by Wednesday morning.”

“I don’t mind one bit,” Travis said. “We made our point. And I appreciate the help and the company. You didn’t say anything to anyone about the wedding date, did you?”

Denise smiled. “Not the real one, no. But I may have let the decoy date slip in front of Lavinia. In fact, I think that might be what got her riled up enough to complain about me.” She gave them both a wave. “See you later. Best of luck, Travis. But I already know you’re going to win.”

“Thanks, I hope you’re right.”

Georgia was giving him an odd look as she joined him behind the table. “Decoy date? I feel like I missed something.”

Travis smacked the heel of his hand against his forehead. “I completely forgot to tell you. There’s just been too much going on. It was Sam’s idea, really.”

“What was?”

“To come up with a fake wedding date and spread it around so that Lavinia thinks it’s the real one and stays away from the inn on Wednesday night. Basically invite them to come at the wrong day and time.”

“Oh, that is genius,” Georgia said. “So what’s the fake date?”

“Saturday morning. At the inn.”

“I love it. That Sam. So smart. Or as Susanna Goldman-Ingler would put it, she’s one clever cookie.”

He chuckled. “Who’s that?”

“She’s the woman in charge of the photoshoot and article for Tourist magazine.”

He suddenly felt like the worst boyfriend in the world. “I am so sorry. I completely forgot to ask you how things were going with all of that.”

“No need to apologize. You have a pretty full plate of your own already.”

He took her hand, happy to have that small contact with her. It gave him a little thrill to see the promise ring he’d given her sparkling on her finger. “No excuse. Tell me everything. Well, maybe go vote first, then get me some lunch, then tell me everything. Please.”

She laughed. “Look at you, acting like you already got the job.” She winked. “That sounds like a plan. What do you want from Ludlow’s?”

“Something easy to eat like a sandwich, I guess. Ham and cheese or turkey and cheese. I’m not picky. But I am hungry.”

She grinned. “Okay, I’ll be as quick as I can.”

She started to turn toward the church, but he still had a hold of her hand. He pulled her closer and gave her a quick kiss.

“What was that for?”

He shrugged. “Because I can.”

She was still smiling. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

He laughed. “I won’t.”

He watched her walk away for a moment, admiring the view and thinking, once again, how good his life was.

Then he turned toward the traffic, which was starting to pick up, and went back to waving.

Lots of people waved back along with those who honked, too. That made him feel good, but he wasn’t going to count his chickens until they’d all hatched, and the votes had been finalized.

Maybe he’d win, and maybe he wouldn’t. They’d know in few more long hours. He hoped that if he didn’t win, at least the margin would be close.

Then Lavinia would see just how unpopular she was.

That would be something good to come out of losing, wouldn’t it?