“Now’s as good a time as ever,” Boone said as he got out of his truck.
* * *
THE BACKYARD at the governor’s mansion was as magnificent as any single acre Boone had ever seen. Tents had been set up to accommodate the ten-foot-long bar and folks who wanted to eat in the shade. A band played on a temporary wooden platform. A small dais draped in red, white and blue and the Georgia state flag waited for the governor to say his few words, which no one thought would be few at all. The weather was perfect.
Susannah looked like a burst of Georgia sun in her lemony yellow dress with orange dots. She sat on a wicker chair, her injured leg propped on an ottoman. A stylish wide-brimmed hat had replaced the straw disaster at least for today. Boone couldn’t stop smiling at her. She looked like the lady her father had always wanted her to be, but now Albee knew that beneath the orange and yellow and flawless white hat, there was a woman with grit and determination and pride.
And Boone loved her with his whole heart.
He walked up to her and snapped open a folding chair so he could sit close to her. “How many of these Georgia boys have tried to hit on you today?”
“Only a few, but I’m waiting for the only one that matters to give me his best shot.”
He took her hand from her lap and kissed her knuckles. “You are the prettiest girl here, Miss Rhodes. And I’d say that even if you weren’t the governor’s daughter. And even if I weren’t hitting on you. It’s just the simple truth.”
She leaned close to him and spoke in a husky voice. “Boone, you’d better kiss me right now in front of everybody before I haul out of this chair and tackle you to ground. Just imagine how you’ll feel when all of Mount Union knows a pitiful girl with a broken ankle brought you down.”
He slipped his finger under her chin and lifted her face to fit exactly with his. “Can’t let that happen. I have a rep to protect.”
And he kissed her long and hard, probably taking more liberties than were appropriate in the warm November sun of a sweet Georgia afternoon with at least three hundred people milling about her father’s house. And one very powerful governor riding over every inch of his decorated acre in his tricked-out golf cart.
“What’s going through your mind, Boone?” she asked him when he’d pulled away.
He grinned at her. “I just kissed you. Is that a trick question?”
She smiled. “Not exactly. I’m wondering what’s going to happen with us. I’ve come to a rather remarkable conclusion lately.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
“I think you’ve kind of become my boyfriend.”
He laughed out loud. “I thought you mature women only had significant others, not boyfriends.”
“I know. That’s what makes this so remarkable. But since that first night when you came to dinner and turned your nose up at my vegetables, I’ve felt like that girl back in high school again, hoping that the most popular boy would notice me.”
He took her hand in both of his. “He’s noticed you, baby, up and down and inside out. And if you’ll just be patient, I hope that by later this afternoon, you’ll understand just how important you’ve become to that guy.”
He heard a whistle, the kind made with two fingers in the lips and a whole lot of air behind it. He’d heard that whistle since he was just a toddler. He looked over and saw Jared hailing him from the back of the house.
“It’s showtime,” he said, standing up and placing a kiss on Susannah’s forehead.
“What’s going on? What’s Jared doing here?”
“I asked him to come. And I told him to bring Francine and the girls, so get ready to be mobbed. As for what’s going on, I hope it’s you and me for a long time.”
* * *
EXCEPT FOR THE time she was spurned in the gym equipment room, Susannah had never found a lack of confidence to be a problem. Until she met Boone. Now she was uncertain of herself, unsure of her future and so in love she couldn’t think straight.
What would she do if all her work at Braddock Farm was torn up and covered over with concrete? Would that mean that Boone didn’t love her as much as she now had to admit she loved him? Would her needs and desires mean so little to him that he could side with his brother without thinking what his decision would do to her? After all, family loyalty was to be commended, wasn’t it? And brothers had to stick together. And technically she and Boone were nothing to each other except good friends—very good friends.
As she watched Boone walk toward the house, she reminded herself that she had come to Georgia with certain expectations. She hoped to make amends with her father. She wanted to introduce the ideas that had occupied her educational training and since then almost her whole life to the East Coast and her home state. She wanted Omar to be proud of her and know that his training had been thorough. At least she felt partially successful in all three categories.
The one thing she hadn’t expected was to fall in love with the most handsome, most desirable, most noble down-home guy she’d ever met. And this guy hadn’t said one word about loving her or wanting her to stay. He’d hinted, yes. Enough to make her hope, but if Boone didn’t stand up for her with regard to her life’s work, could she give up everything for him if he asked her to stay? What if things didn’t work out between them and she resented her decision later? She hesitated. To have Boone, for as long as she could be with him, seemed worth every risk.
Omar approached and offered her a plate piled high with newly harvested vegetables and Georgia peaches. She took the plate but then set it on the ground. She couldn’t eat a bite. Her focus was on the Braddock brothers, who’d met on the lawn, shook hands and begun talking immediately.
She knew Boone must have had a reason for inviting Jared to the barbecue. He must have a plan. And here Susannah sat with her foot propped on a stupid stool when all she wanted was to get out of this chair and work off unwanted nervous energy.
She couldn’t move now even if she’d been able to. Her father breezed by in his golf cart, told her he was about to make his speech and drove up to the platform installed for his thank you talk. He stopped at the antique fire bell mounted to a wooden pole outside the back door, a relic from a time predating telephones, when neighbors relied on other means of communication to signal emergencies.
Albee pulled the old cast iron chain and the large bell oscillated back and forth, emitting a strong pure sound. The folks at the barbecue gathered around the platform. A few hollered one-line jokes about politicians, and Albee laughed. This was his world. He loved these people.
“You’re about to ruin our dinner, Albee,” one man yelled.
“Looks like the party’s over,” another said.
It was all in fun, and Susannah was part of it. The town she’d left all those years ago now seemed like home, and she almost felt as if she’d never been away.
Her father mounted the makeshift stage, and the grounds grew quiet. He thanked everyone who had contributed to his win from his assorted campaign managers around the state to the volunteers, young and old, who’d manned the phones, brought out the voters and mailed pamphlets.
“There is one person I’d have up on this stage with me if her ankle weren’t wrapped in about five pounds of plaster,” he said when he was finished. Many of the guests turned to look at Susannah.
“I’m mighty proud of that girl,” Albee said. “My daughter, Susannah Rhodes. Most of y’all got to know her over the past two months, and I hope you’ve come to recognize what a fine young Georgia lady she is. She’s got the best parts of her public-minded daddy and her madcap mother, the latter being a circumstance I’ve had to come to terms with several times in my life.” He combed his hand through his hair. “Most of you know how I got these gray streaks.” The crowd laughed.
“But I’m happy to say that Susie is her own person now, and there’s n
o one like her. Thank you most of all, darlin’, for showing up when you did. Now if I could just get you to stay. I have a hunch I can find a job for you in the governor’s office.”
Chuckles ran through the crowd as Susannah pretended to be horrified at the thought. Most of the people of Mount Union knew about Susannah’s efforts to educate farmers in new techniques. The story of the kidnapping had been front-page news along with details of Susannah’s mission. And most knew that she would be unhappy and unfulfilled working for her father.
“But sadly, I don’t think I’m the one to suggest to Susie that she stay here in Georgia.” He glanced at Boone, who waited by the stage. Susannah felt her cheeks grow warm. “Maybe someone will influence her in ways I never could.”
Boone looked down at the grass, and she wondered if he were embarrassed by her father’s boldness. Perhaps he had no intention, and never had, to ask her to stay. Maybe she’d never given him enough encouragement. Maybe she’d given too much and scared him off just like she had in high school, when her boldness had gotten her into many scrapes. If she’d been born anyone but a Rhodes, would this story have a different ending?
“You folks can go on with your partying in just a minute. But before you do, one of Mount Union PD’s finest young men would like to make an announcement.” He gestured Boone onto the stage. “You all know Boone Braddock.”
The crowd applauded and whistled. Looking anything but confident, Boone mounted the stage and took the mic from the governor. Even though Susannah was not in the front of the crowd, she could see his face very clearly, down to the fine lines around his eyes. She sensed that he’d made his decision. What else would have prompted this normally modest cop to take the stage in front of everyone he knew? She had no idea what he was going to say, but the tremors in her stomach warned her that his words would affect the rest of her life. If he decided against her, she had to accept it. After all, she’d turned his life upside down. And the bond of brotherhood was just too strong.
He tapped on the mic. “Can you hear me?”
“Sure, we can hear you,” one man called out. “What have you got to say, Boone?”
Jared and Francine moved close to the stage. Anne and Ellen raced around the crowd to be with Susannah. They sat in the grass, one on each side of her chair. She rested a hand on each one’s shoulder.
“Everyone remembers my brother, Jared,” Boone began. “And many of you know that my grandfather left his farm and buildings to Jared and me when he died. Since Gramps passed, Jared and I have been talking about what we’ll do with that property.”
Susannah felt a knot begin to form in her stomach. Boone was going to announce to the entire town what he and Jared had decided about that land before telling her? He was going to announce that what she thought was important no longer mattered? But he’d become so dear to her heart that she knew she could forgive him even that.
Boone coughed, a near bark that sounded loud and nervous. “Well, then, Jared has come up with a good idea, one that we think will benefit the town.”
Don’t you dare cry, Susannah, she said to herself. You still have your work, your friends. Her throat felt as if it were closing and she drew a long, trembling breath.
“We’re thinking of turning only the back ten acres into a sort of campground. Jared has some fancy ideas about that. I guess I’ll let him be the boss of this project. Besides making Jared happy, this will give my folks a place to park their motor home when they’re in town.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd. To Susannah the sound was magnified, as if they were all aware of her misery. Of course, that was ridiculous. Very few people knew how important, how life changing her project had been. Even she hadn’t known when she arrived in Mount Union.
“This venture will provide more visitors to the area, which will help local businesses. So if you want to stock your stores with camping gear before next summer, you can think about that.”
He glanced in her direction and she looked down at her lap. No way could she stare into those beautiful green eyes right now, eyes that had always seemed so trusting, so caring. He hadn’t even told her first! She cursed the broken ankle that kept her from getting out of the chair and slowly disappearing into the woods at the back of her father’s lot.
Boone cleared his throat. “Now then, there’s still most of that level land left, and I have an idea for its use, and my brother has agreed to let the Mount Union Braddocks run their own enterprise out there on Glenville Road.”
The girls began to giggle, and Susannah slowly raised her face to see the man on the stage.
“What I’m proposing, with the help of a friend...” He stared directly at her. “...will be good for the community, too. It will be a place school kids can come and learn about our rich Georgia heritage, about planting and harvesting and staying healthy. And even the folks in the motor home park can participate and learn a thing or two about soil conservation and protecting our environment for future generations.
“I can’t give you all the details right now,” Boone said. “I still have to get the okay for this project from the one person who can make this all happen. Then it will be official.” He grinned at Governor Rhodes. “May I borrow that golf cart for a few minutes, sir?”
“You may, son,” Albee said, getting out of the cart.
Boone slid into the driver’s seat and sped across the grass to where Susannah waited. The girls were clapping their hands while Susannah wrung hers. Tears stung her eyes, but now she didn’t care if she cried a bucket of them.
He stopped the cart and got out, and in one swift, graceful movement, he picked her up from the chair and deposited her in the cart. “We’re going for a little ride, Susannah,” he said, swinging the cart around toward the woods. “I know my job is officially over, but I can’t seem to break the habit of wanting to keep my eyes on you every moment of every day.”
Thankfully the November breeze cooled her feverish cheeks. She wanted to speak, to ask questions, but she was afraid her voice would fail her or the words would come out all wrong. Or she would do the unthinkable and say the entirely wrong thing. So she just held on for the ride, her heart thumping with each rumble of the cart over manicured Rhodes lawn.
And then they were in the woods just far enough so no one could see them. Boone cut the electric motor on the cart and turned to face her. “About that announcement,” he said.
She looked into his eyes, so warm, soft, sincere. “Yes?”
“I was a little vague up there, but then I’ve never been good at speaking in front of the public. And before I ended up sticking this big foot into my mouth, I needed to get your take on the whole idea.”
She smiled. He wiped one tear from her cheek with his thumb. “Tell me in plain English, Braddock, what deal have you made with Jared? And are you also making a deal with me?”
He spoke in an exaggerated southern drawl. “By all that’s holy, Miss Rhodes, I certainly hope so.” He took both her hands in his. “As I see it there are still thirty-plus acres of level dirt, and because dirt is what you’ve been after all this time, it’s yours to do with as you want.”
“You’re going to sell the land to me?”
“Oh, no. I’d never sell that land.”
She pulled slightly away from him so she could see into his eyes. “I’ll lease it then?”
“Nope. No more contracts, sweetheart. We’re done with that. Now maybe a license...”
“What do you mean?”
“Community property, honey. What’s mine is yours and that includes Braddock Farm. Now for the big test. Do you want that property bad enough to marry me for it and watch little Braddocks get their hands dirty?”
Had she heard him correctly? The words hummed in her brain, sending messages of hope and joy all the way to her soul. “Did...you just ask me to marry you?”
�
��I did. Could have been a better proposal, I guess, but it’s what I came up with. I hope it works.”
She laughed. “You wonderful, big-hearted fool. You are so wrong.”
His eyes widened. His jaw dropped. “What?”
“You said that dirt was what I’d been after all this time, so you must not have been paying attention. Dirt’s nice, yeah, but I think I’ve been after you since you hauled me, covered in chicken feathers, out of that ditch.”
Withdrawing one of her hands from his, she traced her index finger down the side of his face, around his strong jaw, over his bottom lip. “No, that’s not even true. I’ve been after you since I dragged you into the equipment room of the Mount Union gymnasium.”
He drew her close and kissed her, hungrily, happily, thoroughly. When she next looked into his eyes, he said, “So is that a yes? You’ll marry me?”
“That’s a yes,” she said. “But in addition to the farm and the kids, can I get a dog?”
He laughed as his arms went around her, and she heard him mumble something about having everything he’d ever wanted.
* * * * *
ISBN: 978-1-474-00790-0
THIS HERO FOR HIRE
© 2014 Cynthia Thomason
Published in Great Britain 2014
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
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