The Road to Rose Bend, Naima Simone [jenna bush book club .TXT] 📗

“you poor, ignorant schmuck” expression—a cross between a smile and a smirk. “While I respect your choice, and no offense to Ms. Ruiz, but I must respectfully disagree with your appointment.” Jasper twisted slightly in his chair, looking out across the room as if surveying his kingdom and its citizens. “I realize it’s most likely due to your...limited experience as mayor, but appointment of important positions such as police chief cannot be taken lightly. Yes, Ms. Ruiz is a wonderful policewoman, but is she the strongest candidate? It might be politically correct to place a woman and,” he coughed into his fist, “a minority into this office, but is it best for Rose Bend? I mean, diversity for diversity’s sake doesn’t really benefit anyone, does it?”

“Says the white, straight, wealthy, Christian male,” Eva grumbled.

Rage so hot, so bright it could’ve been its own star, flared inside of Cole. For a moment, it incinerated his voice and consumed his vision, hell, his brain. Inside his head, a deafening drum pounded, and he almost lost his composure.

But as Jasper turned back around and smugly stared into Cole’s eyes, clarity rained a fine mist over his fury, watering down the crimson veil to a faded pink. His fury. That’s what the asshole wanted. More accurately, Jasper wanted Cole to lash out and become the Angry Latino Man so Jasper could go, “Look, I told you he didn’t have the temperament, the character, the control to be mayor.”

While Daryl Barnes, owner of The Ride, the motorcycle apparel shop, or Henry Kingston, council member and bank president, could get away with losing their tempers, Cole couldn’t. Angry men of color were to be feared; they were out of control...animals. They lost their intellect and didn’t belong in positions of power. The fact was, if Cole allowed Jasper to goad him into reacting, he not only hurt his own reputation as the first nonwhite mayor, but would harm the chances of other men and women of color who came behind him. Sometimes Cole feared buckling under the weight of the expectation, of being the vanguard...of failing.

But tonight, he wouldn’t buckle.

“I have to agree with Jasper,” Henry chimed in, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands over his ample stomach. Of course Henry agreed with the former mayor. That was his role on this council. Cosigning whatever check Jasper issued. “No disrespect to Ms. Ruiz—”

“But you are disrespecting Captain Ruiz,” Cole interrupted, stressing the title she had earned. “I hear your concerns, but no offense,” and he gave the two men the same insincere smile they’d offered him, “they’re not valid. Captain Ruiz has been a member of the police department for nineteen years. She’s most likely served or assisted every person in this room and at this table in some capacity over that time. Patrol for seven years. Detective for twelve. Sergeant. Lieutenant. Captain. And in the last two years before Chief Leonard retired, his right hand. There isn’t anyone more qualified for this position.”

He refused to even lower himself to address that “diversity for diversity’s sake” bullshit.

“Not that Cole needs our approval, since appointing a police chief is one of his responsibilities as mayor,” Daryl drawled in his deep, rumbling voice. “But I support Captain Ruiz’s promotion. She’s a fine officer and even better leader. Congrats, Captain. I hate that we’re having this conversation like you’re not here.”

Captain Ruiz nodded, her expression composed, but her dark gaze flicked to Cole, and she offered him a subtle lift of her chin.

“Next for new business, I’d like to discuss the construction of an elder and children’s care center,” Cole continued. “Right now, we don’t have a community center. And with many of our residents being working parents, caretakers of elderly relatives or older citizens who would benefit from programs geared toward their health and welfare, the town needs this kind of facility.”

“What location are you suggesting?” Caroline asked from the other side of Daryl.

“Out on Langford Road. The lot there has been available for a couple of years.”

“Most of the day cares here have limited space, and not much in the way of after-school care. A center would be ideal for those children as well as provide summer programs for children whose parents work,” Eva added.

“I know for a fact my mom and her circle of friends would love a place to meet up, and some short day trips. Sometimes our older generation is forgotten when it comes to care,” Daryl said.

“I hate to be a dissenting voice,” Jasper interjected with a condescending chuckle.

“Do you really?” Daryl cocked a bushy salt-and-pepper eyebrow.

Jasper didn’t acknowledge the other man’s question but continued, “I realize this little project was one of your campaign promises, but the budget for the year doesn’t allow for construction of this magnitude. Not to mention money to staff a center.”

“Oh, Jasper,” Eva muttered. “You must be so tired.”

He frowned. “Tired of what?”

“Of being a pompous ass.”

A few snickers erupted from the people gathered in the room, and Cole slowly counted back from ten, biting the inside of his cheek to contain his own laughter.

Jasper glared at the older woman. “That was uncalled for, Mrs. Wright,” he snapped.

“Then stop begging for it,” she shot back.

“Okay, order,” Cole intervened, although he would’ve really loved to watch Eva tear Jasper apart.

“Sorry, Cole,” Eva said.

She didn’t apologize to Jasper. God, he loved this woman.

“As I was saying,” Jasper ground out. “It’s a nice idea, but not fiscally possible.”

“We have the culture and recreation fund just for projects like this. The proposal I emailed to every member clearly outlines an estimate of—”

“Yes, I read your proposal,” Jasper interrupted. “And as...informative as it was, the culture and recreation fund is specifically set aside for parks, libraries and our annual festivals. To pilfer that account would be reckless.”

Pilfer. The asshole just basically called him a thief.

“Jasper—” Cole growled.

“Um, excuse me.”

At the sound of that voice, Cole glanced away from Jasper and settled his gaze on Sydney, who stood at the