Mildly startled at Nate's sudden gesture of comfort, Isabelle froze and stiffened in his arms. He was afterall a stranger. But his gentleness helped to calm her fear somewhat, and when he offered to step in as mayor she couldn't help a gasp of surprise.<br/><br/>"You would do that? You would really help me get the town in order?" Tears of joy spilled from the corners of her eyes. "Thank you! Oh thank you so much! I've been so overwhelmed." She stepped back to get a better look at the new mayor. "Would you like to come with me to the store? I was just about to close up for the night. We can talk business while we walk."