Someone knocked on the door to Xeke’s bedroom.

  He pushed himself out of bed and glanced at his watch. Ten in the morning. He’d slept for twelve hours. “Just a minute,” he called out.

  The knocking came again, this time down the hall.

  “Jesus, Mom, I’m awake!” Ruddy yelled from the next room.

  Xeke made his bed before getting into the clothes he’d left folded on the dresser. When he stepped out into the hall, George and Corey were waiting.

  George pushed a cup of coffee into Xeke’s hands. “Morning, Xeke,” he said.

  A crash came from Ruddy’s room.

  “Woah. Is he okay in there?” George said.

  “More or less.” Xeke took a sip from the coffee mug. Damn, that’s good coffee. “Ruddy’s not a morning person. Just give him a minute.”

  Xeke was almost finished with his coffee when Ruddy emerged from his room, still pushing one of his arms through his wrinkled shirt. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

  “Mayor Wiley sent me to give you a tour,” George said. “Maybe get breakfast if you’re hungry.”

  “But what about … that thing we were supposed to do?” Ruddy said.

  Xeke shook his head. Not in front of George. We’ll look for her later.

  George looked back and forth between them. “OK, so … we ready?”

  “Lead on,” Corey said.

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  It was a beautiful, cold day with clear blue skies. Every sidewalk in town was shoveled clean with neat edges.

  Xeke blinked against the bright sun reflecting off the snowy landscape. “You guys have been busy,” he said.

  “We have a system,” George said.

  Xeke collided into Ruddy’s back.

  “Ow, Ruddy! You can’t stop in the middle of the walkway like that ...”

  Ruddy didn’t answer him. He was too busy staring at a young woman coming down the sidewalk toward them.

  Nice, Xeke said.

  Oh god, Ruddy said. Just look at the way she moves. The way … all of her moves.

  Oh, I see it, Xeke said. But you might want to be a little less obvious. I doubt she’s into drooling.

  Ruddy’s mouth snapped shut. She looks like Saffron from Firefly! he said. How is she not cold in that dress?

  The strawberry-blonde woman smiled as she approached. She held a full grocery bag in one hand.

  “Hi, George,” she said. “Are these our new visitors?”

  “Guys, this is Clara,” George said. “She’s Mayor Wiley’s girlfriend. Clara, this is Ruddy, Xeke and Corey.”

  “Hi,” Clara said.

  Xeke took her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Clara.”

  Clara squeezed his hand and looked into his eyes. For a moment, Xeke believed he was the only man on earth. How does she do that?

  Ruddy muttered something unintelligible and snapped Xeke back to reality.

  “Good to meet you, Randy, Corey,” Clara said. She didn’t take her eyes off Xeke.

  “It’s Ruddy, uh, ma’am,” Ruddy muttered.

  She turned and smiled at him. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I must have cotton in my ears.”

  “It’s okay. It happens all the time.”

  She glanced from Xeke to Corey. “It was good to meet you all. It’s freezing out here and I have to get these groceries home. Bye!” She brushed up against Xeke as she moved past them.

  “Bye,” Ruddy called after her.

  Even Corey stared as she walked away.

  “Wow,” Ruddy said. “She was so … nice.”

  George laughed and clapped Ruddy on the shoulder. “Oh, yeah. She’s great, man. Her and Adrian make an awesome couple.”

  God, why do I always make such a fool out of myself? Ruddy said. Do you think she likes me?

  Uh … stop right there, Xeke said. She’s the mayor’s girlfriend. She’s off limits.

  Ruddy’s face turned red. What? All I said is she’s nice! Besides, you’re the one flirting with her.

  Maybe a little. But I know where the line is. We don’t want any drama with the mayor. Besides—no offense, brother, but that woman would eat you alive.