“It was, child. Joe confided long ago that you told him to look out for Finn,” Moe added.
“He wanted to run him out of town at first, but I convinced Dad that the town needed Finn. I knew he would do well here.” Hale’s voice shook. “I hoped that they could help each other.”
Jasmine took her hand. “That was sweet of you, to look out for him, for both of them.”
After a beat or two, Izzy added, “Finn knew that from the start. Joe told him about your directive right after you left town.”
Hale turned to Izzy. “I didn’t know that Daddy did that so soon.”
“At the time it really confused Finn. Just another part to the Great Mystery of Hale Cameron.” Izzy shrugged and glanced at her. “Even after all of these years, the gossip about you leaving town without any warning still circulates. What made you run? It makes you so mysterious.”
She couldn’t decode Izzy’s statement about her mystique. She spoke warily, feeling like she needed to defend her actions. “I hope that isn’t how you think of me. As someone who isn’t rational, that you can’t depend on.”
Jasmine was quick to defend. “Izzy was just trying to be funny. Later on, in a few weeks maybe, we can start to talk about what your role is going to be in town, or if you want one.” Jasmine fired Izzy an unhappy frown. “He’s kidding about the gossip.”
Hale turned her attention to Moe. “Will you stay close at the beginning of this part? I’m not very good with names and I’m feeling a little dazed already.”
“Of course, Hale. I’ll be there or one of them will be with you.” He pointed an aged finger at Izzy and Jasmine. “I don’t think we’ll allow Poppy that task.” One side of Moe’s lips tilted upward. “She might inundate you with details in her haste to introduce you to your neighbors.”
“Thanks. I think I’m supposed to stand by the front door and greet the guests as they arrive.” Not a task she looked forward to.
“You do it as long as you can, and everybody will understand if you need to take a break.” Jasmine assured.
“You’ll need food and a drink, first thing. I’ll see to that.” Izzy promised.
“Thanks. I am a little thirsty.” Hale gazed again out the window as the long black sedan turned left onto the driveway.
****
Finn stood outside on the large porch with his friend and Press Secretary, Matt Weiss. They had escaped the busy foyer and formal living room to enjoy a glass of Joe’s fine single malt. Finn was still trying to calm his emotions. His actions earlier spoke to his inner turmoil. He hadn’t planned to speak to Hale during the service, but his feet had a mind of their own, and he’d been drawn to her and her obvious pain.
He attempted to ignore Major Reynolds as he approached Hale. She stood alone on the sidewalk in front of the porch, probably enjoying the temporary respite from the influx of guests. Finn could just make out what Major was saying.
“Jasmine told me that he brought a date to the funeral. Who does that?” Matt stated as they both watched the trio.
“Well the date doesn’t look like she’s having a good time, so I would venture to say it’s a miss.” Finn didn’t hide his dislike of the local businessman. It seemed like the man was always in some kind of competition with Finn. It didn’t matter if they were on the golf course or in a City Council Meeting, the man opposed Finn on a regular basis.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you. You must know that you’re quite the legend around these parts.” Finn watched the too well-groomed man as his deep southern accent boomed across the porch. Everything about him seemed so fake.
Hale gave the couple a shocked look then tried to convert it into a smile, but it didn’t quite cover her confused expression at the stranger’s greeting.
“Nice intro, Jackass.” It looked like Matt was going to add commentary to the spectacle.
Major overlooked Hale’s nonresponse and continued. “I’d like to talk to you about your plans.”
“My plans?” Hale tilted her head, clearly puzzled and possibly a little panicked. “You must forgive me, I don’t recall your name.” She took a step away from the couple, distancing herself.
“Because you didn’t impress me and now you are freakin’ me out.” Matt continued with his narration.
“Well, you’re Cameron’s only child, so I’m assuming that all of this will be yours.” Major lifted his right hand and waved it in the air as he looked at their surroundings. “I want to speak to you as soon as possible about your plans for the property. I’m the top seller for commercial real estate and development in this area. I think that you’ll want to hear my pitch.” He pulled a card from his pocket and presented it to Hale with flair.
Matt continued. “Real smooth, asshole. Her father’s not even cold and you’re trying to make money off what was his.”
“Shh, I want to hear her answer.” He shot Matt a fierce look as he held up his hand in the universal motion to stop. He was very interested in Hale’s future plans for what would now be her land. His body tensed as he strained to catch her response.
Hale slowly took the card. “Honestly, it’s much too early to discuss business.”
Major smiled. “Of course, but time marches on and you must think about your future.”
Hale scanned the area, clearly looking for someone to interrupt the conversation. “Why don’t you call and make an appointment with my assistant, Mr. uh…” She glanced at the business card. “Mr. Reynolds.”
“And splat.” Matt chuckled. “That was a brush off, telling him to call her assistant.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Seriously? I’m so right. She shut him down.” Matt elbowed Finn in the side.
“No I mean, she did shut him down, but Reynolds will like that she has an assistant. He’ll be impressed, thinking it’s an added layer of sophistication and success.” Finn watched the man, calculating what he would do next.
They watched as Hale tentatively shook Major’s outstretched hand and nodded at the woman accompanying him. She turned to return to the house, slightly shaking her head.
Matt tipped his glass to capture the last drops of the smooth, amber whiskey. “I don’t see why she’s a big deal. I mean she’s going to be rich but I’d heard that she was hot. She’s kind of big, and her face is OK, but nothing special.”
Finn turned to his employee and friend. “Don’t you think it’s a little crass to talk that way about her, while enjoying her daddy’s finest liquor and her hospitality at his wake?”
“What? Don’t tell me you think she’s hot?” Matt added a nervous laugh to his question. “I mean, I’ve heard about her ever since I moved here, and now that I’ve seen her, frankly I’m disappointed.”
“What I think about Hale Cameron isn’t up for discussion, but what I am saying is don’t be disrespectful when you talk about her.”
Matt gave Finn a measuring look. “Oh no, not after your history with her. Do not fall for her. Don’t even think about her.”
“Please, I wasn’t going there.” He was lying, just a little bit. Hale looked good. Her curves were more abundant, but he liked them. A traitorous part of him wanted to spread the top of her dress open and palm her large breasts. “What I mean is, we need to know what her plans are for the future. Joe underwrote and donated a good amount of money to this town and I need to know if she plans to continue that tradition. I also want to be one of the first to know if she plans on selling and moving. She employs taxpayers and she owns a great deal of property. Is she going to stay or go?”
“Well that’s a relief. Business only. For a minute there, I thought you might be into her. You know, like before.”
“She’s a beautiful woman, and there will be men lining up to get ‘into’ her, as you so tactfully put it.” Anger fired his blood.
“I don’t know about that. I mean look at Jasmine. Now that is a beautiful woman.”
“She is, and if you said that in front of Izzy with that look in your eye, he would punch
you. Hale is beautiful in a different way. She’s sexy and there’s something going on under the surface.” Finn stared at the area where she’d been standing.
“Well, Mayor, you would know,” Matt teased.
“No, I wouldn’t. I don’t think I ever knew Hale at all.” Finn finished his drink and looked around. “Time to go.”
Chapter Three
June
The weeks had flown by since her dad’s funeral. Every night Hale made a list of what needed to be done for the next day and it was usually several pages long. Taking over the reins of Cameron Farms was intensive work. Like her father, she was a hands-on owner and met daily with either one or both of her managers. Maria’s sons had both studied Farm Management in college and returned to Cameron Farms upon graduation. Enrico oversaw the grain production arm of the business and his younger brother, Miguel, was in charge of livestock and property management.
Ashley’s hours had increased to assist with the post-funeral mail and the probate administrative work, plus she became the gatekeeper to Hale. She answered the incoming calls to the house and kept Hale’s appointment schedule.
The month’s temperature had been mild for an Indiana summer, however today had turned out to be a scorcher. Hale had scheduled technicians to update the wiring so that there would be uninterrupted Wi-Fi throughout the farm and to upgrade some of the house’s interior wiring. The four men had arrived at eight and by two, they were running behind. She had spent the morning at their beck and call, answering questions or giving approval.
She had stripped down to a sports bra, with a white tank top over it and yoga pants that had been cut off at the knee. She had already been in the basement and crawled around the house’s foundation. Now she stood in the doorway to her office, sweaty and filthy, watching the men drill holes through the hardwood floor for the additional wireless transmitters.
“We’re almost done in here, Ms. Cameron,” Bill of Galavin Electric said as he wiped his forehead with his bandana.
“Great, do you think you can do the managers’ offices in the barn next?” She had tried to keep the men on a tight schedule. Upgrading the Wi-Fi service was integral to her plan to run the farm’s management system via tablets. She and her managers would be able input and review data instantly. She planned for the employees to use smaller wrist systems to communicate and update. When the Rosales brothers had approached her with the idea to do more online, she had agreed instantly and expanded on the concept. She hoped that agreeing to the first item they suggested would pave the way for a smooth transition in leadership. Her father’s style had been to work with stock or in the fields most days side by side with the men. She planned to sit back and observe her managers, allow them to handle the day to day operation. However, that didn’t mean that she didn’t help with the morning feedings or check her fields. She was a watchful owner, but more than willing to lend a hand.
She glanced to her right and spotted Ashley walking toward her, talking on her Bluetooth. She pointed a finger at Hale to signal she needed her attention.
Hale walked to Ashley, mouthing, “What?”
“Yes, sir. I need just a moment to check Ms. Cameron’s schedule. Thank you for holding.” Ashley was using her most professional tone, but her eyebrows were raised and she smiled.
“What’s going on?” Hale’s heart started to pound. Ashley usually handled scheduling without her approval.
“The mayor is calling and he wants to stop by for a minute of your time.” Ashley watched her intently.
Hale looked down at her dirty shirt and asked, “When?” Not today, not today.
“He’s leaving some golf event and said he could be here in twenty minutes.” Ashley scanned her clipboard. “I can make up an excuse if you want.”
“No, you can’t make up an excuse.” He would see right through it. She’d known that Finn or one of his staff would be requesting a meeting soon. Christ, today was a disaster, so of course he would choose it. “Tell him fine, but to drive slowly. I need to get the office in order and change.”
Hale could hear Ashley relaying the information as she rushed around her office. She loved this room. Growing up, she had spent hours playing on the floor in front of her dad’s desk and when she was older, she’d read or did homework sitting on the leather couch that rested against one wall, while her dad did paperwork or read a farming journal.
When she moved into the room, she had painted the walls a soft blue and shifted the desk to the wall after removing the sofa. She liked the unobstructed view of the land. The two chairs that sat in front of her desk were dark blue tweed with thick cushions. On the walls, she had framed photos of the Benton children and of Miller. On her desk was a much-loved photo of her father on horseback.
She shooed the workmen out of the room and started putting the furniture back into place, trying not to worry about being alone with Finn. Please let this be about business. I’ll gladly bake ten dozen cookies or donate money to a worthy cause. I don’t want to discuss anything on a personal level, especially anything about our past. I’m not ready for that. She could feel her heart beating as she paused to take a few quick breaths.
“Fuck.” The word was pulled from her throat. I’ve got to get control of myself. He can’t see how rattled I am. “Calm, cool and professional,” she chanted as she moved the chair back into its position.
****
Finn knocked on the side entrance door to Hale’s home. The assistant had told him that this was the entrance that Ms. Cameron preferred to use. The door was opened by a college-age blonde wearing cutoffs and an Indiana University T-shirt.
“Hello, I’m Ashley, Ms. Cameron’s Assistant. If you would follow me?” She led him to the formal parlor to the right of the foyer. “I’ll tell Ms. Cameron that you are here.” She tossed her ponytail as she left the room, all business, even though she was dressed casually.
Finn sat on the loveseat and tried to focus on what he wanted to discuss with Hale, or was it Ms. Cameron? It would be interesting to see how she would handle this meeting. He anticipated that she would be every bit the successful career woman that her father bragged about.
Hale had graduated from the University of Florida, gone on to receive a M.B.A., and worked for a well-respected accounting firm in Tampa. She’d managed a team specializing in forensic accounting. Her success warred with his memory of the girl he knew. That Hale had seemed to have little interest in a career and had run around town going to parties and shopping. When she had mentioned going back to school, he’d thought she was joking. He had been very wrong about her. That still irked him. He had built his career on being able to figure out people quickly and correctly. This version of the woman he had once loved was something totally different.
He checked his watch again, fifteen minutes had passed, and no one had checked on him or taken him to Hale. He tapped his foot, annoyed at being forgotten. If she thought that making him wait would show how little she thought of him, he would show her he wouldn’t tolerate her games. He headed down the hallway—if he didn’t find Hale then hopefully, he would find Maria and get a drink.
The door to Joe’s office stood open, he looked into the room and stopped. It had changed. The walls were freshly painted and the furniture was different. To the right of the huge desk was a nicely rounded ass in the air. He swallowed. Hale was on all fours doing something against the wall, oblivious he was near.
Finn cleared his throat.
She spun around on her knees. “Oh God, Finn, you scared me.” She stood and started toward him. “I’m so sorry I made you wait, that was rude of me.” She smiled apologetically, and thrust her hand toward him. She glanced down as he paused, not taking it. It was covered in wood shavings; she quickly wiped it on her shirt. “Oh jeez, this is a huge mess. I’m getting some wiring work done and I had just moved everything back when I noticed the phone didn’t work, so I had to make sure it was plugged in. When I was down there I needed to tuck the wires in and well, I haven’t had t
ime to clean up.” Her voice trailed off as she looked down at her shirt.
This side of Hale he could handle. Finn recovered smoothly. “You’re fine. When they finally did some updates to the wiring at City Hall, my admin sent me home. I drove the guys crazy. Hell, I drove her crazy.”
She stepped back and led him to one of the chairs in front of the desk. “Ashley said something about a golf event, I bet you are thirsty, let me get you a drink.” She rushed around the desk and pushed a button on the phone.
“What would you like?”
“It’s probably too early for a beer, how about ice water?”
“You can have whatever you want. I won’t judge.” She dropped her eyes and played with her hair, curling a lock around her finger. It was still dark and shoulder length. Today she had a red bandana tied around her head to keep it out of her face.
“Water is fine.”
She nodded. “Maria, could I get an ice water and a Diet Coke in my office?”
“Sure, coming right up.” A disembodied voice came through the speaker.
Finn settled back into the comfortable chair. She was fidgeting, he liked that he made her uneasy. The glimpses he’d seen over the years had shown a cold woman. Remote, only speaking when spoken to and always on the periphery. He liked that those walls weren’t up today. She was anxious in his company, even though she was on her home turf with a huge desk between them.
She leaned forward and put her forearms on the desk with her hands clasped tightly. “I wanted to tell you in person how much I appreciate all that you did for my dad’s service. Your words were lovely and they meant a lot to me.”
“I read your thank-you note. Joe meant a great deal to me. I will miss him. He was a good friend and an honest adviser.”
“Well, I wanted you to know.” She unclasped her hands and started playing with the blotter on her desk.
“Here are the beverages, Ms. Cameron.” The blonde entered, moving quickly.
“Uh, thank you, Ashley.” Hale made a face at the girl and slowly shook her head.
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