Sparks Fly with Mr. Mayor by Teresa Carpenter Page A

herself and had the accessories all planned out. However, much still needed to be done in preparation for the celebration brunch. With the ceremony at ten in the morning, she wanted everything ready the night before so she could concentrate on getting herself and Faith to the church on time.
    Before her client arrived, Dani had just finished a phone call with the caterer, who wanted to view the space today for prep and presentation purposes. And the cleaning service would be out tomorrow. Whichleft Saturday for delivery of the rental furniture and any decorating she intended to do.
    With the nursery so busy and being tied up in meetings for the upcoming Harvest Fair and Dance, Cole had given her the keys to help organize and supervise the comings and goings. Between running her shop and campaigning with special interest groups, coordinating the party made her life a real juggling act.
    Samantha’s appreciation and excitement made the effort worth it. She’d been so thrilled Cole and Dani were hosting the brunch she’d practically been in tears.
    Shutting off the water, she wrapped the woman’s hair in a lavender towel and led the way back to her station.
    â€œAll right, I’ve had it.” A pretty blonde in a purple velour sweat suit barged through the front door of the shop. “Dani, we have to do something. I’m sick of my husband’s cooking and he hasn’t even noticed the house going to dust.”
    â€œI know.” A brunette swiveled in her stylist’s seat to chime in. “I can barely stand my place and all my husband does is rave about how happy he is I’ve stopped vacuuming during his games.”
    â€œWell, we’ve had some success with our presentations at the Senior Center, the Knitting Guild and the Golf and Reel Club.” Dani tried to offset the obvious frustration. “Plus we have school meetings set at theelementary and middle schools. I don’t think we need to continue—”
    â€œOh, yes, we do. If you’re going to say we can stop the home campaign, forget it,” a third voice broke in with her opinion. “This is personal for me, I want my husband to acknowledge my right to vote as I please.”
    â€œAnd we’re not getting any public support either. Their offer of a debate was a mediocre attempt to allay our right to a public forum.”
    At that point everyone began to speak at once, talking about their personal experiences and complaining about lack of appreciation from their significant others.
    Dani focused on the woman in her chair, giving her concentration to the cut. She knew the fight at home was important to these women, but she couldn’t connect with them on that level and she wondered if they weren’t taking things too far.
    A few minutes later, Mrs. Day, Lydia and Gram came through the door. Good. Dani appreciated the help. Strategies began flying, but it soon became clear what the next step needed to be.
    â€œNo sex,” Gram stated baldly. “You want a man’s attention, sex is the answer.”
    A resounding silence fell over the room. Even the snip of scissors ceased as Gram voiced what had been on everyone’s mind but nobody had wanted to be the first to say.
    â€œThat would get my husband’s attention.”
    â€œMine, too.”
    â€œYou don’t think that’s too extreme?” Mrs. Day fussed. “It seems to me these lessons in listening are costing us women more than the men.”
    All eyes turned to the gray-haired woman. She shrugged, an unrepentant twinkle in her eyes. “A woman has needs.”
    Heads bobbed in agreement.
    Dani carefully set her curling iron aside and moved into the middle of the room.
    â€œI don’t currently have a man in my life.” She obstinately pushed aside the picture of Cole that flashed before her mind’s eye. “So I can’t make the decision. Plus, we’ll have to get the agreement of the others in