Against the Wind, Season 2, Episode 1 (Rising Storm) by Rebecca Zanetti Page B

sale in support of your campaign?” She leaned toward him, warming to the idea. “We can get all the older women involved, and you know they vote. If they think they’re part of the entire campaign, they’ll pull out all the stops and force everyone they know to vote for you.”
    Tate drummed his fingers on the table. “That’s brilliant.”
    “I know.” Warmth infused her. Now all she had to do was convince Bryce to let her turn his congregation into a campaign staff. “There’s a meeting of the women’s auxiliary group tomorrow night, and I can pitch the idea then. That you’re about safety for the community, yada yada.”
    “Yada yada?” A smile tickled his lips.
    She waved her hand. “You know what I mean. I think you’ll be a great mayor, and you’ll do good things for the town. So I want to help.” Tate had to win the election. If he lost, it’d be just one more hurdle for him in forgiving Tucker.
    Tate nodded. “All right. I like the positive plan. Thanks, sis.”
    The waitress set down their plates just as a shadow crossed the table.
    Tara looked up, surprise stilling her. “Uncle Chase,” she said. While her mother had called to let her know that he was back in town, she hadn’t expected to see him so soon.
    He nodded. “Tara. Tate.”
    Tate glanced her way, indecision in his eyes. “Um, would you like to join us?”
    Tara smiled. The guy was their uncle, and they weren’t betraying their dad by having lunch with him. “Please join us.”
    Chase looked at both of them and then slowly nodded. “That’s kind of you.”
    Tara moved over in the booth. Her uncle had visited periodically through the years, usually while passing through town to get to a gig somewhere. Her dad held some definite anger for his rambling brother, but the guy had always seemed a little lost to her, and his adventures on the road intrigued her. It had been a surprise when he’d shown up again. “Would you like half of my burger?”
    Chase ran a hand through his graying hair and eyed the burger. “No, thanks. I just came in for a cup of tea.” He nodded when the waitress set it down. “Ordered at the counter.”
    Tea? Since when did her freewheeling, blues playing, rambling uncle drink tea? Last time he was in town, he’d had a beer with breakfast. Tara peered at the bag. Herbal tea? “You should eat something,” she said, cutting her burger in two.
    Chase held his cup, his bony hands dotted with liver spots. “Thanks, honey, but I’m really not hungry.” He took a sip.
    “All right.” Tara dipped the burger in ketchup and took a healthy bite. “How long are you staying in town, Uncle Chase?”
    He set down the cup. “I’m not sure. It’s time to stop moving around, and this is home, so maybe I’ll stay.”
    Tate paused in taking a bite. “Really?”
    Chase nodded. “Yeah, if your dad wants me to stay. I could help around the ranch a little.”
    Tate cut Tara a look.
    She ignored him. “It’s nice to have you home, and I’m sure Dad would appreciate the assistance.” Right. Their father had never spoken poorly about his brother, but he sure hadn’t said anything nice, either. Not for the first time, Tara wondered what the entire story had been. One brother had left to chase unicorns, and the other had planted deep in the soil in Storm.
    Either way, it was time for the brothers to make up. She could only handle so much strife in the family, and it was Tate and Tucker’s turn, apparently. “Maybe you could help Tate, too.”
    Tate frowned.
    She kicked him under the table.
    He pressed his lips together and gave her a glare before smoothing out his expression. “If you’re staying in town, I could use help on my campaign. Maybe you could play at a rally or something.”
    Tara nodded enthusiastically. “That’s a fantastic idea.”
    Chase took another drink of his fragrant tea. “I may put the guitar up, kids. It’s time to do something else, I think.”
    Tara’s mouth dropped open. The few