Page 102 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

“I need you to look at this photo. Is this the guy who paid you to come back to town?”

His father blinked as if trying to focus on the picture.

“Is that him, Dad?” Gavin asked. “The man who paid you to come back to town?”

“Look closely. It’s important.”

Their father blinked his swollen eyes. “Don’t remember. Hundred bucks. Same as that bet. Didn’t get my money.” His eyelids fluttered shut.

Cooper bit back an expletive. “He was probably too drunk to remember anything. But it was Sean. I know it was.”

Gavin’s scowl deepened. “That dirty dog. How low can you sink to win an election?”

“If he’s low enough to pay off a drunk, he’s low enough to bribe a pregnant woman to lie about the baby’s father.”

“And low enough to post a damaging picture to his opponent’s social media page. He’s been behind all of this.”

Cooper grinded his teeth. His muscles quivered. They would probably never know who took and posted that picture—the profile had been gone the next day. But Sean was somehow responsible for it and all the rest—he was sure of it. He marched back into the office and swiped his keys off his desk.

“Where are you going?”

“To confront him.”

“That won’t get you anywhere.”

“Well, it’ll sure make me feel better.”

“When he denies everything?”

“No, when I put my fist in his face.”

Gavin blocked the doorway. “That isn’t going to win you an election.”

“I’m not letting him get away with this. Now, move out of my way.” He shoved his brother.

Gavin shoved back. “I’m not suggesting you do. But you gotta slow down and make a plan or you’ll end up as Dad’s cellmate.”

Cooper got up in Gavin’s face. “He did a lot more than just hurt my reputation!”

“You think I don’t know that? Huh? I’m collateral damage here, Coop, but we can’t go off half-cocked. Come on now, we have to think this through.”

Cooper’s breaths came hard and his shoulders heaved. He was eye to eye with Gavin. Sean Curtis was guilty as sin, but he hadn’t broken any laws. And short of finding Megan, what evidence did he have? Even if his dad remembered later, no one would take theword of a drunk man—Cooper’s own father—over Sean. It was infuriating.

But the look in his brother’s eyes calmed him. It saidWe’re in this together.I’ve got your back.And Cooper needed to know that more now than ever before.

40

Evening had settled over Riverbend Gap, bringing a sense of calm over the festivities. But Katie’s nerves still jangled as she stood near the back of the crowd gathered around the stage in the town square. In a few minutes Cooper would take the stage for the closing ceremony. Public speaking wasn’t his favorite thing, even though he always presented himself well.

After running into him earlier, she’d hidden at home for the rest of the afternoon. Seeing him had been a punch in the heart. But she couldn’t resist seeing him again, if only from a distance.

She crossed her arms against the cool fall breeze as Lisa took the stage. She looked every inch the organized planner with her smart dress and clipboard. Jeff and Avery, also dressed up for the event, met her on stage. They would stand behind Cooper tonight—literally.

Katie peered over the crowd, seeking Gavin’s familiar face. It was go-time and he was nowhere to be seen. His absence would beconspicuous and would reflect badly on Cooper. Guilt compressed her chest.

From the side stage Cooper mounted the platform, and all Katie’s thoughts turned to mush. Instead of his usual uniform, he wore a crisp gray suit. He was so handsome, that formfitting coat setting off his broad shoulders and trim waist.

Cooper took his place at the back of the stage while his mom approached the podium and got the closing ceremonies underway. She thanked a host of people, including Katie, and brought a few key volunteers onto the stage—Beth Wallace among them. After they exited the stage Lisa introduced her son to a smattering of polite applause.