Natural Born Trouble by Sherryl Woods

asked.
    â€œUh-huh,” Josh said, nodding, his eyes alight at the memory. “A real whopper.”
    â€œAnd naturally someone was standing right beside the pool who didn’t take kindly to getting splashed from head to toe,” Duke guessed. “Who was it?”
    â€œSome old guy,” Zack said. “In a suit. Who’d wear a suit to a pool, anyway?”
    â€œThe mayor,” Dani guessed, not even trying to smother a laugh. “He likes to stop by to see how things are going.”
    Duke stared at her. “The mayor? Terrific. My boys have been here less than six months, and they’ve already tried to drown the mayor.”
    Dani reached over and patted his hand. “Don’t worry. A lot of people in town have considered doing far worse.”
    â€œThen why do they keep electing him?”
    â€œNo one else is willing to run.”
    â€œWhy? Because everyone knows that it’s Harlan Adams who really runs things?” Duke suggested.
    Dani grinned. “Something like that. Grandpa Harlan does make his opinions known and people do tend to listen to him.”
    â€œSomething tells me I ought to send the man a sympathy card,” Duke said.
    â€œNo need to do that. He’s heading over here right now,” she told him, nodding toward the tall, silver-haired man striding purposefully their way. Even from a distance the water spots on his suit were evident.
    â€œOhmigosh,” Zachary murmured, sliding down until he was all but under the table.
    Duke latched onto his arm and forced him to his feet as he rose himself to greet the older man. Dani’s expression suggested she was finding the whole thing just a little too amusing.
    â€œDanielle,” the mayor said politely. “Good to see you.”
    â€œGood to see you, too, Frank. Have you met Duke Jenkins and his sons? Duke is a vice president at Dad’s oil company.”
    If he hadn’t been assessing the man so closely, Duke might have missed the subtle shift in his demeanor when he realized that Duke was tied very tightly to the Adams clan. His tone was suddenly deferential and whatever he’d intended to say about the incident at the town pool was swallowed. Duke refused to let his son off so easily.
    â€œI gather you met the boys earlier today,” he said. “Zachary, don’t you have something you’d like to tell the mayor?”
    Zachary looked as if he would rather eat worms, but he dutifully said, “I’m sorry for splashing you, sir. It was an accident.”
    â€œYes, well, a little water never hurt anyone now, did it?” the man said. “Apology accepted.”
    â€œDad, can me and Joshua go play the video games?” Zack asked, clearly anxious to get away before he caused any more mishaps.
    â€œYes,” Duke said, just as eager to have them safely out of the way. He handed them the change he had in his pocket. When they’d gone, he added his own apology for their rambunctious behavior. “And please, let me pay to have your suit cleaned.”
    â€œNot necessary,” the mayor said. “I just wanted to bring the matter to your attention in case you hadn’t heard about it, but I see that wasn’t necessary. Good day, Mr. Jenkins. Danielle, give my regards to your father and grandfather.”
    â€œOf course,” she said, barely containing a chuckle as he walked away.
    â€œWhat’s so amusing?”
    â€œHe is. He really didn’t have any business wearing a suit and standing beside a pool filled with kids. I swear I think he does it just to get his suit cleaned for free. Guilty parents are easy marks.”
    Duke stared at her. “This has happened before?”
    â€œOnce every week or two as far back as I can remember. I do believe Justin and Harlan Patrick were guilty of their share of infractions. Dad and Cody finally forbade them from swimming in the town pool. Naturally, that made it all the more fun to