by Terri Osburn
The moment their lips touched, the crowd erupted in applause, but Haleigh couldn’t hear them over the echo of Cooper’s words in her ears and the beat of his heart beneath her hand. If she lived another hundred years, nothing would ever top this moment. This was the real thing. The best thing that would ever happen to her.
Chapter 30
Contrary to his mother’s prediction, the car rally did not top the festival of the fall before for most money raised in the Ruby project, but the total came close and more than half the slots for the next month’s rally were booked and paid for by the end of the day. To declare the event a success would be an understatement, but the real win for Cooper had been Haleigh. He still couldn’t believe she’d put her heart on the line in front of such a huge gathering, never mind the entire KARD listening area.
And, of course, her mother. Meredith Mitchner had stared pinch-faced as her daughter clung to Cooper’s arm, beaming with love and pride, immune to the older woman’s blatant disapproval. The conversation that followed had been one of the oddest of Cooper’s life.
“I love him, Mother,” Haleigh had stated. “I don’t want to lose you over this, but I won’t bow and scrape to win your approval anymore. And I won’t give Cooper up for anything, so it’s up to you what happens between us.”
Staring daggers through his skull, Mrs. Mitchner had said, “Do you expect her to give up being a doctor to stay home and churn out children?”
Stunned by the question, Cooper had answered, “I don’t expect Haleigh Rae to give up anything. If she wants to stay home someday when we have kids, that’s up to her, but I’d never demand it.”
His future mother-in-law had given a curt nod of approval. “Good. I don’t understand why such a public scene was necessary, but if you’re happy, Haleigh Rae, then that’s all that matters.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my mother?” Haleigh had asked.
“For heaven’s sake. You act like I’m a monster,” she’d said, rolling her eyes. “Now I suggest you go home and take a shower. You look like you slept in those clothes and your hair is a mess.”
Haleigh had laughed as her mother walked away. “She’s never going to like me, but that went better than expected.”
“I like you,” Cooper had said, pulling her tight against his side. “I like you very much.”
Turning into his arms, she’d said, “And that makes me the luckiest girl in the world.”
Two days later, Cooper felt like the lucky one as he witnessed yet another side to the woman he loved. Standing outside the entrance to JW Property Management, Jessi paced the sidewalk, on the verge of an impending meltdown.
“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Haleigh calmly assured her. “You wanted to know who your father is and now you know. No reason you can’t leave it at that.”
“I came here to meet my father,” Jessi corrected. “I had no idea he’d turn out to be the freaking mayor.”
There was no reason to believe this meeting would go well. That Jebediah would welcome her with open arms as the long-lost daughter he’d abandoned before she’d even been born. Yet, Jessi had insisted on seeing him face-to-face. To see his expression when she announced their connection.
Haleigh took both Jessi’s hands in her own. “Breathe, Jessi. Nothing that happens inside this office is going to change who you are. You’re a brilliant and creative young woman and the mother of a beautiful little girl. If Jebediah turns you away, he’ll be losing out on knowing someone very special. You already have a family that you helped create,” she added, smiling Cooper’s way. “We’re right here no matter what. You aren’t in this alone, okay?”
Cooper could not have loved her more in that moment. To Jessi’s questioning gaze, he said, “She’s right. You’re one of us regardless of what happens today.”
The anxious teenager blew out her breath as she nodded. “I can do this,” she said, staring at the office door. “If he wants to stay nothing more than a sperm donor, so be it. At least I’ll know I tried.”
Together, they entered the building and gave their names to the receptionist at the tiny front desk. Oddly enough, Haleigh had recruited her mother to set up the meeting, and Cooper had no idea what the woman had given as a reason. He only knew that Jebediah Winkle had no idea what was about to hit him.
Haleigh held tight to Jessi’s hand as they entered Jebediah’s office, a space diametrically opposed to the one he occupied at city hall. While the civil office had been stark and sterile, Jebediah’s degrees and a few awards hanging on the wall serving as the only decoration, this office was almost warm by comparison.
Tall bookshelves flanked the window behind the desk, each thick with books and family photographs. Haleigh recognized some dating back to their days in school. Becky in her cheerleading uniform and another of her and her parents on graduation day. Plants lined a table along the right side wall while two overstuffed chairs offered comfortable seats for visitors.
On the corner of the desk rested an ornate picture frame encompassing the image of three smiling faces along with two fluffy dogs. The picture ignited a flicker of hope in Haleigh’s chest. This cold and often contrary man loved his family. Maybe he could extend that love to Jessi.
“Come in,” Jebediah said, rising from his chair. At the sight of Cooper, he visibly tensed. “I didn’t know you would be here, Ridgeway.”
“I’m just here for support,” Cooper answered, lingering near the door.
With a perplexed expression, the mayor passed over the bright-haired teen and asked, “Haleigh Rae, where’s your mother?”
“She won’t be joining us today,” Haleigh answered, then gestured toward the chairs. “Should we sit?”
“Y . . . Yes,” he stuttered, clearly off balance. “I’m curious what this is about.” Dark eyes darted back to Jessi several times. The young woman had yet to speak.
They hadn’t rehearsed how this would go, so, following her instincts, Haleigh took the lead. “Mayor Winkle, this is Jessi Rogers. She arrived in Ardent Springs a month ago on a mission. That mission has led us here today.”
“To me?” he asked.
“You’re my father,” Jessi blurted, putting an end to Haleigh’s diplomatic approach.
Winkle paled. “I’m your what?”
“You were in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1995, weren’t you?” the child asked, a strong mixture of hope and accusation in her tone.
Jebediah seemed to be searching for an answer when Cooper said, “Don’t lie to her, Winkle. We know you made regular visits up that way as a youth minister.”
Sinking into his chair, the older man said, “Yes, I was there in 1995.”
“And you met my mother, Gloria Rogers. Though her name would have been Gloria Watkins back then.”
Aging before their eyes, Jebediah said, “You’re Gloria’s girl?”
“Gloria’s and yours,” Cooper corrected. “Take off the makeup and change the hair and she looks exactly like Becky did in high school.”
The mayor’s reaction took them all by surprise. “I can see it,” he said, eyes locked on Jessi’s face. “I had no idea.”
“You didn’t know that the young woman you took advantage of was pregnant when you left town?” Cooper asked.
Haleigh understood that Cooper’s innate sense of justice and responsibility drove his anger on Jessi’s behalf. His stalwart belief in doing the right thing made him the man he was, and she wouldn’t change him for the world. However, in this instance, a less aggressive approach might yield more positive results.
“Jessi’s mother gave her the impression that you knew about the baby,” Haleigh clarified.
Narrowing his eyes at Cooper, Jebediah said, “I realize that some people in this town don’t think very highly of me, but I assure you, I would never abandon a child that was mine. Not knowingly.”
“But you were married, right?” Jessi asked. “Mama said you had a family already when you met her.”
> Shame filled his eyes, but he held his newfound daughter’s gaze. “I did. And I have no excuse for my behavior. It was a moment of weakness on my part. One I guess I’m about to pay for.”
Jessi bounded out of her chair. “I didn’t come here for money.”
“Sit down, child. That’s not what I meant.” Jebediah shifted his attention back to the menacing presence at the back of the room. “How much time do I have before this hits the paper?”
“That isn’t up to me,” Cooper said. “Ask your daughter.”
“Wait. What?” Haleigh said, turning in her chair. “Who said anything about putting this in the paper?” Making this news public had never been discussed. This had been about Jessi finding her father, not ruining a man’s life.
“I’m a public figure,” the mayor stated. “This is proof of infidelity on my part. Bigger politicians have been brought down by less.”
Cooper stepped forward to lean on the back of Haleigh’s chair. “Jessi, what do you want to come out of this?”
Looking as if she’d been handed a weight too heavy for her to carry, she said, “I don’t want to bring down anyone. I just wanted to meet my father.”
“And you’ve met him,” Cooper continued. “Do you want to have a relationship with him? If you spend time together, people will wonder how you know each other. This is a small town and secrets aren’t easy to keep.”
Turning to the man behind the desk, Jessi said, “Do you want to get to know me and Emma?”
Hesitant, Jebediah said, “Emma?”
“She’s my little girl. I only had her a month ago.”
Face lighting up like an airport runway, he said, “I have a granddaughter?”
Jessi nodded.
“Yes. I would definitely like to meet her.”
Whoever Jebediah Winkle pretended to be outside this office, Haleigh knew in that moment that, in the end, he was a man with a heart. A heart much bigger than anyone would have guessed.
“I don’t see any reason to get the newspapers involved,” Jessi said to Cooper. “We’ll figure something out.” Looking back to her father, she said, “But what about your wife? What will she say?”
“Let me worry about that.” Jebediah stood and rounded the desk. “I’ll need a couple days to straighten things out, but if you’ll let me know where I can find you, I’ll be in touch.” With the beginnings of a smile, he added, “I’d very much like to meet my granddaughter.”
After jotting Abby’s phone number on a sheet of notepaper, Jessi said, “Can I hug you before I leave?”
Tears sprang to Haleigh’s eyes as father and daughter touched for the first time. As she dabbed at her cheeks, Cooper whispered, “I did not see that coming,” drawing a laugh of relief and total agreement.
When the three of them were back in Cooper’s truck, Jessi said, “Holy cheese balls. I have a dad.”
And for the second time in a matter of days, Haleigh marveled at the unexpected turns life could take. No matter what happened next, she would never again doubt the power of love.
If she didn’t have a heart attack before they reached the front door, Haleigh might actually survive the night.
“Aren’t you going to ring the bell?” Cooper asked as she reached for the doorknob.
“That would be mistake number one,” she answered. “Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way.”
This would be their first family dinner as a couple. She’d offered Cooper several chances to back out, but the poor sap had refused, insisting on stepping into the fray beside her. Such a valiant knight. Stubborn and naive, but valiant.
As they stepped into the foyer, familiar childhood smells assailed her. Lasagna. As in, the one dish her mother actually cooked with her own two hands.
“Mom?” she yelled toward the stairs. “We’re here.”
“There’s no need to yell,” Meredith said from the kitchen doorway. “I’m standing right here.”
Haleigh blinked at the sight before her. “You’re wearing an apron.”
“I didn’t want to get sauce on my good blouse.” As if this wasn’t the most uncharacteristic thing the older woman could have said, she casually turned to Cooper and asked, “Would you like a beer before dinner? I asked the young man at the grocery store for a recommendation and he insisted on an IPA, whatever that stands for. I believe it’s called Cutaway, though that seems like an odd name for a beer.”
Looking as dumbfounded as Haleigh felt, Cooper glanced from mother to daughter and said, “Soda is fine.”
“Tell me I didn’t buy this beer for nothing,” Meredith said, brows riding high.
Haleigh had tried to warn him of the minefield that was dinner with Mama Mitchner.
“He’ll have the beer,” Haleigh answered for him, giving Cooper a don’t argue look.
“Good.” Their hostess turned on her heel and strolled back into the kitchen. “Haleigh Rae, I made you a pot of coffee.”
Caught off guard by the almost genial welcome, at least by her mother’s standards, Haleigh lingered in the foyer.
“Shouldn’t we follow her?” Cooper whispered.
“She made me coffee,” Haleigh mumbled. “She never does that.”
“What are you two waiting for?” her mother asked from the stove. “We aren’t eating in the front hall.”
“Coming, ma’am,” Cooper said, shoving Haleigh in front of him. So much for the valiant knight leading the way.
Minutes later, the three were seated in the dining room. Per the plan, Haleigh breached the subject of the shelter as soon as the meal began. Her mother rattled off several suggestions for how to proceed with the project, requiring little more than the occasional nod of agreement from her guests. When the conversation lulled, Cooper gave Haleigh a hard look, motioning for her to launch the next topic. But before she could do so, Meredith revealed yet another surprise.
“I’m selling the house.”
Haleigh dropped her fork. “You’re what?”
“This is my good tablecloth, Haleigh Rae. Please be more careful.”
Ignoring the admonition, Haleigh held her breath, certain she’d heard her mother wrong. “Did you say you’re selling the house?”
“Yes. I talked to Ryland and he suggested I downsize. This house is really too much for just me. And it’s a bear to keep clean.”
Pointing out that she’d made these same arguments countless times would serve no purpose, but Haleigh nearly exploded with the need to scream into the wind. Meredith continued, oblivious to the frustration churning through her daughter.
“I talked to Ronnie Ottwell and he’s showing me two options tomorrow. Fortunately, this house is nearly paid off, so I should make enough in the sale to put a large down payment on a smaller place and still have money in the bank to live on until I start earning a salary from the shelter.”
Haleigh’s brain struggled to process the unspoken implication in her mother’s revelation. It sounded as if her mother intended to support herself going forward, but one could never make an assumption with Meredith. Haleigh needed clarification.
“When you say money to live on, do you mean you intend to support yourself? Fully? Without outside help?”
“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” her mother replied, as if Haleigh’s question were insulting. As if she hadn’t spent years insisting quite the opposite. “Now, who wants dessert? I made Grandma Mitchner’s pecan pie today. Cooper, I’m counting on you to eat at least half of it.”
Without awaiting an answer from either guest, her mother disappeared into the kitchen.
Haleigh stared at her water glass, certain she would wake any minute from whatever crazy dream she was having.
“I think she’s really sorry,” Cooper said.
“That’s generous,” Haleigh replied. “I think she’s insane.”
“Whatever she is, your problem is solved. And without the ugly scene you’ve been dreading.”
This was true, but she knew her mother too well
. The house wouldn’t sell tomorrow. Meredith would require funds until it did. The truth of the matter sunk in.
“She’s taking money from Ryland.”
“She’s what?” Cooper asked. “Didn’t you hear what your mother said? She can take care of herself.”
“No.” Haleigh shook her head. “She’s replacing my money with Ryland’s. I’m sure of it.”
“Then that’s Ryland’s problem.” Rubbing his stomach, he said, “I’m not sure I can eat half a pie after two helpings of lasagna.”
How could Cooper think about pie at a time like this? “Would you focus? What are we going to do?”
“Haleigh Rae, your brother is a grown man. If he wants to give your mother money, that’s up to him. And you don’t even know for sure if he is.” Checking the doorway, he lowered his voice. “As far as I can tell, your mom is making amends. She cooked this meal. She hasn’t insulted your outfit. And she’s giving you your life back. This is a good thing.”
Cooper had a point. A gracious apology wasn’t Meredith’s style, but neither was baking pies. Yet in she walked accompanied by the smell of fresh pecan pie. Being single and in the military meant Ryland didn’t have many expenses and could likely afford to send money home. Who was Haleigh to interfere? Her baby brother wasn’t a baby anymore.
Determined to let her misgivings go, Haleigh enjoyed the rest of the meal, watching her mother guilt Cooper into one more piece of pie, and then marveling in wonder as the man she loved drew relaxed laughter from a woman who rarely smiled.
As they drove home, Haleigh held two large containers of leftovers on her lap and clung to Cooper’s hand. “You pulled off a miracle tonight,” she said. “I hope you realize that.”
“I didn’t do anything,” he answered, as she knew he would.
Instead of arguing the point, she laid her head on his shoulder and smiled. “I love you, Cooper. More than I can ever say.”