Authors: Holly Copella
Town Darling
Town Darling
Holly Copella
Copyright © 2014 Holly
Copella
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 0986441627
ISBN-13:
978-0-9864416-2-2
To Linda and Dave Werner--
More fondly known as “Mom”
and “Dad”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Copella Books – First Paperback Edition
2015
Cover Artist:
Migaticadesign
SelfPubBookCovers.com/
Migaticadesign
Printed by CreateSpace, An Amazon.com
Company
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
This is a work of fiction. Names,
character, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination
or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or
dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The
publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility
for author or third-party Web sites or their content.
Table of Contents
T
he small, quiet town of
Darwood Falls seemed the perfect little town with which to live and raise a
family. It was a friendly town where neighbors greeted one another as they
passed on the streets. A banner proudly displayed across Main Street read,
‘Darwood Falls 98th Annual Fair’. The town fair was an important part of life
in Darwood Falls. It was when the entire town got together and showed their
unity, and, in some cases, their talents with crafts, baked goods, and
contests. A dark-haired, ravishing young woman, Casey Remington, rode her
large, gray horse through the streets of town at a leisurely walk. It was a
common sight. Casey had been riding her horses into town since she was old
enough to ride. Now a grown woman of twenty-one, Casey still used her horse as
her preferred mode of transportation on her limited trips to town or just about
anywhere. Several people greeted her as she passed and young children ran
along the sidewalks waving at her, hoping to gain a free pony ride on the large
horse. Casey enjoyed encouraging young children to take an interest in
horses. Horses were her passion and her part-time job. She trained horses for
pleasure riding and show. She also gave riding lessons on weekends. She
especially liked engaging young boys into the world of horses, since most
seemed to think it was a ‘girl thing’.
Two young boys rode their
bikes along the sidewalk, keeping pace with her while waving and shouting to
her. She knew what they wanted to see. Casey sent the horse into an amazingly
slow canter, which made the horse look like a rocking horse prancing along the
street. The clopping of the steel shoes striking the pavement made a rhythmic
sound. The boys cheered excitedly. Casey almost certainly established a new,
future riding lesson. Casey was certain it was her ability to engage youngster
in the world of horses that brought business to her riding lessons. Little did
she know it was her girl-next-door beauty that attracted young boys to the
world of riding. Casey was the ultimate tom girl, and the thought that young
boys or men taking an interest in her never actually crossed her mind. Her
world was perfect the way it was, and she didn’t need men complicating it for
her. She rode into a parking space between two pick-up trucks, dismounted, and
tied the horse to a parking meter. She inserted her quarter into the meter and
headed for the nearby antique store. The antique store was iconic and charming
with beautiful displays beyond large, glass windows.
As Casey entered, she
looked at the checkout desk not far from the door. A forty-something year old
woman of considerable wealth, indicated by the fur she wore, stood before the
desk. Abby Ridgeway stood out in Darwood Falls. Her expensive city clothes,
professionally manicured nails, and eye-catching jewelry kept her widely out of
touch with everyone else in town. It was amazing she had as many friends as
she did. Abby talked with Casey’s mother, who stood behind the desk. Casey
paused by some trinkets and eavesdropped on their conversation. There was no
denying Catherine Remington was Casey’s mother. Their features were almost
identical. Catherine’s youthful appearance sometimes allowed her to be
mistaken for Casey’s older sister. Casey actually wished she had a sister some
days. Her older brother, Grey, was a bit of a pain. As she listened to the
conversation between the two women, Casey couldn’t help but feel hostility
toward Abby Ridgeway. Abby was the mayor’s wife, or Mrs. Mayor, as Casey liked
to call her. She was a demanding, clinging, snob of a woman, and despite her
outward friendliness, she was actually a barracuda.
“Melanie volunteered for
the kissing booth this year, and I’m sure she’ll win the talent show again,”
Abby announced cheerfully. “Naturally, Lance will be judging pies and sharing
the dunking booth with Sheriff Wiley.”
Bragging about her daughter
and husband was a daily if not hourly occurrence. With the way she raved
continuously about her family and her wonderful life, she wanted the entire
town to know she was the woman who had it all. The thought actually made Casey
ill. Her daughter, Melanie, was as stuck up as Mrs. Mayor, and her husband was
a true politician. He was a snake charmer wrapped in delusions of grandeur and
smothered with a ‘holier than thou’ attitude.
“I’m in charge of the
bachelor auction. That’s always fun,” Abby continued. “And, of course,
Melanie’s handsome boyfriend, Deputy Tucker, is one of our more popular
bachelors again this year. My Melanie has excellent taste in men, don’t you
think?”
It was almost as if her
boasting would continue on forever. Casey wondered how long she had been
raving about her daughter, husband, and wonderful life prior to her arrival at
the store. Catherine smiled and nodded, almost as if she was actually
interested in everything Mrs. Mayor had to say. Casey couldn’t believe her
mother’s level of tolerance for the woman. She wished her mother would tell her
off just once. She wasn’t sure when her mother decided she needed to start
acting like a lady, but Casey found it annoying. She knew her mother had
claws, but she rarely used them anymore.
“I didn’t see your family
on the fair sign-up sheet,” Abby continued on with her endless conversation.
Abby seemed to indicate
that they should be actively taking part in the fair. Catherine tensed and
appeared uncomfortable by the comment. Her claws still didn’t unsheathe.
“Things have been a little
crazy around here--” Catherine began and was immediately interrupted.
“It’s true, isn’t it?” Abby
gasped while staring at her with a look of surprise. “Brandon’s running for
mayor.”
Catherine appeared
surprised by her candor. She fumbled for something to say. “He hasn’t
mentioned anything to me,” she announced then continued with her earlier
thought before the interruption. “Grey’s been working a lot of hours at the
tavern, but I can guarantee Casey will be entering a few events at the horse
show. Naturally, Brandon and I will be donating a few antiques for the
raffle. We’ll definitely do our part for the fair and the community.”
Casey realized her mother
was beginning to ramble, which would create suspicion. It was time to bail her
out. Casey casually approached the desk and touched Abby’s fur shawl while
staring at it with great interest.
“What sort of animal did
they kill to make this?” Casey asked and blinked several times almost
innocently.
Abby glanced at Casey and
fidgeted. “I’m, uh, not sure.”
Casey suddenly gasped with
surprise. “Is that--
baby seal
?”
Abby again glanced at
Casey, fidgeted, and attempted a polite smile at Catherine. It was probably
the longest Abby had been silent since she entered the shop. “I should go. I
have a ton of things to do,” she announced while seeming tense. “Tell my
husband I went to City Hall. I’ll talk to you later.”
Abby quickly hurried from
the shop. Casey was proud of herself. She’d chased Mrs. Mayor out in under a
minute. It had to be a town record. Despite Casey’s pleased smile, her mother
gave her a disapproving glare.
“That wasn’t very nice,
Casey,” her mother scolded.
“Neither is she,” Casey
bluntly informed her. “All she does is brag about how amazing her life is, how
wonderful her daughter is, and how great her husband is.” She rolled her eyes
with disgust. “I can’t wait to see what she brags about after Dad becomes
mayor.”
Catherine fidgeted. “Your
father’s intention to run for mayor needs to remain a secret a little while
longer, so let’s just be civilized, okay?” Catherine sighed softly while
staring at the shop door. She looked back at Casey and frowned. “I hate to
agree with Abby, but you and Grey should volunteer at the fair this year,” she
remarked. “We need to show our support.”
“Cleaning up corruption in
this town should be enough.”
“Be polite,” she said in a
hushed tone. “Lance is in the office with your father.”
“Oh, I forgot. We’re
supposed to keep his corruption a secret from him,” Casey teased and flashed a
grin.
Catherine attempted to hide
her smile so Casey wouldn’t be encouraged. “You are a terrible young lady.
Didn’t they teach you anything in college?”
“Yes, I learned college
boys are immature,” Casey announced firmly with conviction. “I prefer Dad’s
old Army buddies.”
Her mother’s expression
dropped into a scowl. “Stay away from your father’s old Army buddies.”
“Why? They adore me.” She
grinned while reflecting dreamily. “Remember how I’d sit on their laps, and
they’d tell me about their adventures?”
Her mother maintained her
frown. “Yes, and it was cute when you were little. The last few years--not so
cute,” Catherine scolded lowly. “I think you and I need to have ‘the talk’.”
Casey rolled her eyes.
“Mom, please, I’ve been friends with Dina since forever. She’s told me more
than I ever wanted to know about sex. I’m repulsed as it is. I certainly
don’t need to hear more about it from you.”
Her mother rolled her eyes
and shook her head. She subconsciously looked at the many antique clocks on
the wall. Not one had the same time. “Would you rescue your father? It’s
lunchtime.”
Casey nodded and headed for
the back office. Her father’s office was tastefully decorated with an antique
desk and several old lamps. Her father, Brandon Remington, was a ruggedly
handsome man in his late forties. He sat behind the hand-carved desk with a
false smile plastered on his face. A stocky man also in his late forties,
Mayor Lance Ridgeway, sat before the desk and talked endlessly. Casey stopped
in the doorway to listen a moment. The mayor was a talker, but he never really
said much.
“We’re pulling out all the
stops for the fair this year,” Mayor Lance said. “The talent show is going to
be spectacular, and I’m not just saying that because my Melanie is in it.
Everyone in town loves the talent show.”
“I think it’s the legs and
cleavage they love,” Brandon replied dryly with a matter-of-fact grin.
“Who doesn’t?” Lance said
with a chuckle.
Casey rolled her eyes at
the comment. She hated to think her father thought about such things. Men
with their lustful ideas were a big reason why she didn’t date. Most men got
on her nerves. As she looked at Mayor Lance, it wasn’t hard to see why. She
knocked on the open door. Brandon saw her, smiled, and motioned her in.
Casey looked at Lance as
she entered. “Mrs. Mayor is waiting for you at City Hall.”
Lance appeared surprised
and quickly stood. “Oh, then I’d better get going.” He gave a polite nod to
Brandon then Casey and left the office.
Casey watched him leave and
appeared pleased with herself. She was getting good at clearing rooms.
Brandon studied Casey and
smirked almost knowingly. “Did she really say that?”
Casey shrugged while
grinning. “Close enough.”
Brandon chuckled softly and
shook his head. “I don’t know whether I should be disappointed with you or
proud.”
“It’s too close to call,”
she teased. Her look turned serious. “Mom thinks Grey and I should
participate more in this year’s fair.”
“And that’s a good idea.”
She rolled her eyes at the
thought. “Couldn’t I just buy extra tickets to dunk the mayor a few more
times?”
Her father had a devious
grin on his face as he seriously considered it, brushed it aside, and then
smiled uncomfortably. “As much as I appreciate the sentiment, you may want to
go the extra mile this year.”
Casey was suddenly
horrified. “If you’re suggesting the kissing booth--”
Brandon appeared alarmed
and leaned forward in his chair. “Over my dead body! Leave smooching with
guys to Dina.” He sank back in his chair and relaxed. “Why don’t you and Grey
get a couple of friends together and give pony rides to the kids?”
“Pony rides?” she gasped.
“They’re horses, Dad. Very
big
horses.”
“I know you’ll think of
something.” He suddenly grinned. “You know what would really be amazing?”
“Drowning the mayor in the
dunking booth?”
Brandon’s smile faded into
a scowl. “No,” he retorted. His smile once again returned. “I’d love to see
you and Grey in the talent show.”
“What?” she exclaimed.
“No!”
“Remember all those skits
you’d put on for the guys when they came to visit?” he asked while grinning.
“You and your brother were a hit.”
“Dad, we were six and ten,”
she remarked. “Of course the guys were going to love us.”
He shrugged. “It was a
thought.”
It was time to change the
subject. Entering the talent show just wasn’t happening. “Mom says it’s
lunchtime.”
“Then we should probably
head for the diner,” he announced. “Word on the street is they’re serving
strawberry pie today.”
“No wonder she’s in a
hurry,” Casey muttered.