Read You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) Online
Authors: Melanie Jayne
You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1)
Cameron Farms Series Book 1
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. Except for use in review, the reproduction or use of this work in any part is forbidden without the express written permission of the author.
You Only by Melanie Jayne 2015
Publisher’s Note
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Any mistakes are the author’s own.
Table of Contents
Dedication
For Joe Antonucci of Grand Rapids, Michigan. We lost Joe “The Dancing Dentist” in July 2015 to cancer. I am now without one of my closest friends and supporter.
May your scotch be smooth, your beer ice cold and your west coast swing partner full of promise.
I miss you every damn day but we will dance again.
Hale Cameron looked around the small apartment slowly, trying to memorize every nook and cranny. It was Finn’s apartment, but after their engagement, she’d been there almost every night. She’d moved more of her things into the space that Finn had willingly shared. Then, as the preparations for the Glass trial took more and more of Finn’s time, she’d stayed over less and less.
“Honey, the clock’s ticking. What’s left to do?” her dad asked quietly.
“Everything’s packed and loaded. I think we’re done here,” Hale replied as she circled the living room, touching a book on one of the shelves, straightening the antique hourglass that she had given Finn during their first Christmas together.
“I thought there would be more of your stuff here.” Hale focused on Jasmine Wayne Benton, her best friend since infancy. Jasmine looked like she wanted to make a run for the door.
“You can go. Thanks for all of your help. I know this puts you in a tough position.” Jasmine’s fiancé was Finn’s best friend. She’d have to explain to him, and therefore Finn, why Hale was leaving. How could she explain what she didn’t understand?
Jasmine took a deep breath as she approached Hale. “I just want you to be happy. You could stay, maybe you and Finn could work things out. I don’t want you to leave.”
Hale hugged her friend. “I have to go, Jazz. I need to get away from this town. I need to figure out who I am and I can’t do it here.”
“I would help you.”
“I know you would, but I need to do this on my own.”
“I wish you would wait and talk to Finn. What time is he supposed to get back?”
“The interview with Channel 8 News is being taped at three and after that he has to meet with a reporter from the Indianapolis Star. He’ll be tied up for hours. He might not even miss me until tomorrow.”
“He should never have taken on the job of representing Doug Glass.”
“That was just a part of our many problems. The Glass case will make his career. He’s a media star for winning the case. You know how important that is to him.”
Jasmine pulled Hale’s left hand into hers and gently rubbed the now unadorned ring finger. “He loves you. This is going to kill him.”
“I tried and tried to tell him that I was unhappy. He was either too busy to talk, or told me that I should be happy that he treated me like a princess.” Bitterness crept into her tone. “I don’t want to be that kind of woman.”
“You mean like me?” Jasmine turned defensive.
“No, not like you. You’re doing what you want, right? You love Izzy. You’re going to graduate and teach kids. Have the career you chose. Someday you’ll have some kids of your own, run the PTA, and be a great mom. Finn’s plan for me is to enjoy our engagement, be pretty, smile, and attend dinners, and then after we marry, stay at home and join charity committees. I would be his accessory. That’s not me. I want to be a partner, and I want my voice to be heard. I need to find out who I am so I can have a voice.”
“Can’t the two of you work this out?”
“Finn wants to give that life to his wife. I don’t want it. These past months have been miserable. I can’t live like this.”
Jasmine started to speak but Hale cut her off. “I’m going to miss you, but I have to go somewhere that my family’s name means nothing. Somewhere I’m not judged by my mama’s actions or my daddy’s money. I’ve done nothing to earn my place, everything I have comes from family money. I need to figure out who I am and I can’t do that here. Plus, there’s a part of me that’s broken and the only person that can fix me is me.”
Hale kissed Jasmine’s cheek and gave her one last hug. She watched her best friend walk to the door and leave. She turned to her father.
Joseph Cameron had been very quiet during the girls’ good-bye. “You want a few minutes alone?”
Hale’s heart swelled with love for her dad. He understood her. She nodded.
“I’ll be down in the truck.” He patted her shoulder as he passed.
Hale waited for the door’s lock to catch. She was alone with Finn’s things. She walked to the bedroom doorway and stared at the bed. There had been many good times with Finn. He was a good man, handsome, ambitious and hard working. In the beginning, she’d tried not to fall in love with the young attorney. She was enjoying the summer of her twentieth year, the only child of prominent families. She worked part-time for a local accountant, but she spent her summer hanging out with Jasmine or on the farm.
Finn had pursued her and soon they’d become a couple. An import from California by way of Northwestern Law, he was smart and driven. Handsome, with dark blond hair with golden highlights, and a well-muscled body that was just this side of husky. He was a man’s man. He ran every morning and helped with hay baling on the weekend.
Hale had been flattered that he was interested. She and her best friend were going to marry the next generation of powerful men in Whitleysburg. She had been satisfied with that dream for a while, too satisfied.
She wiped the tears that ran down her cheeks. She walked to the breakfast bar that separated the kitchen from the living room and rested her elbows on the counter. She had spent countless hours trying to pinpoint when the relationship had started to sour. It was easy to blame the Glass case. She had asked Finn not to represent Doug Glass. It had hurt when he ignored her wish and signed on as the lead attorney for the defense.
She pictured Finn standing in the kitchen, dressed in his navy suit with the burgundy tie she had given him, explaining his reasons for taking the case. “Honey, everybody deserves the best counsel that they can buy. I can win this case and then nothing can stop me in this town. I’m doing this for us.”
The resentment burned deep in her belly. No, he’d done it for him. He knew that she’d thought of Mary Jo Glass as a second mother. No matter what story Finn had used to convince the jury, Hale knew that Doug Glass caused his wife to fall down those stairs. Drunk or not, he knew what could happen when you got physical on a steep stairway. The couple had argued after Mary Jo had announced her intent to divorce Doug.
The worst part was that Finn did an excellent job defending his client. He won the case, and Doug Glass walked out of the courthouse a free man.
She shook her head, pushing that hurt away. She pulled the letter from the back pocket of her jeans and laid it on the counter next to Finn’s mail. She’d written trying to explain how she hated the person she’d become. She pictured her housekeeper, Maria, telling her that she was behaving just like her mother—not a compliment, the observation was a slap in the face. After much soul-searching, Hale admitted that she’d been acting entitled, abrasive and demanding, well on the way to being a bitch. She hated that person. She had to change.
She ran her finger around the diamond one last time. She sobbed as she placed the engagement ring next to the letter. Jasmine was right; this would hurt Finn and he wouldn’t understand. However, he was handsome and successful, and he would soon find a replacement for Hale. He would get over her. She placed her set of keys next to the ring.
At the door, she turned and looked at the counter. “You’ll be better off without me, Finn.” She made a swipe at her cheeks, squared her shoulders, and walked through the door for the last time.
April
Hale stood in front of her closet, searching for the right shirt. She pushed hanger after hanger aside. “No, no, no. Christ, what am I going to wear?”
“I don’t know, what are you supposed to wear to a funeral planning meeting?” Ashley dropped into the love seat.
Hale shot her assistant a glare. “I have no idea. That’s the issue.” She pulled out a white linen blouse, then lifted her Led Zeppelin T-shirt over her head. She slipped the blouse on, thrusting her arms through the sleeves and started rolling them up. She looked at Ashley then back at her reflection, gauging her reaction. “This is too plain. Maybe I should add a belt or a colorful necklace?”
“Boss, calm down. You’re so nervous, I’ve never seen you like this. It’s just a meeting downstairs.”
“Stop calling me boss. I hate that.” Hale pulled out a red T-shirt and held it up in front of her, looking critically at the full-length mirror. “This is more than a meeting. I need to make the right impression with these people.” She put the T-shirt back into the closet.
One of the first things that she had done once she had settled in after returning home was to hire an assistant. Ashley answered the phones, kept track of her calendar, and took care of the little things that seemed to crop up all of the time. This allowed Hale to take over the running of the family farm and business while focusing on her father’s declining health.
“You mean because
he
is coming.”
Hale felt her cheeks warm. “No. I mean yes. Hell, I don’t know.” She wrapped a belt around her waist, stepped back in front of the antique mirror, and studied her look. She dropped the belt. “No belt, just my black flats. That way I won’t look like I’m trying too hard. What do you think?”
Ashley sat up and checked Hale from top to toe. “I think that if this group is checking out your fashion choice then they are even bigger snobs than their reputations proclaim. I’ve never heard of a group meeting to plan a funeral.”
“I know, who does that? Answer: The upstanding citizens of Hale County. My dad’s service will be a big event around here. He’s done a lot of good and I think he knows just about every family that lives within fifteen miles of the county limits. I guess it’s good that the plans will be in place. The long-standing residents will expect an event befitting a Cameron.”
“Joe has been important to the town, and the tri-county area, so I guess I see the need. The memorial service will be huge. I worry about how you are going to handle it.” Ashley shifted so that she could watch Hale move about, trying on different earrings.
“I know Dad is going to die.” Hale’s voice faltered and she looked down to gather herself. “I know that it’s going to happen soon. The cancer is taking over everything and he is so weak. I’ve had five months to come to grips with this. It’s just that sitting down and discussing the event makes it all so real. It makes me hurt all over, like I’m coming down with the flu.”
“I meant, I’m worried about how you are going to handle seeing the people who are working on this.” Ashley stared and spoke slowly, enunciating clearly.
“I’ve talked to most of them since I’ve been back. Moe stayed for dinner the other night and Poppy calls every other day. I know that Jasmine keeps her mother and father-in-law posted.”
“Stop playing dumb, you know I mean the mayor. Every time he visits Joe, you manage to be out of the house. Are you ready to see him today?”
Hale sat on the corner of her bed. Her mastiff, Miller, took the invitation to climb up onto the mattress beside her. She ran her hand up and down his huge side. “I’ve seen Finn a few times through the years. We’ve spoken, it’s been civil.”
“Oh, come on, you’re famous for running off and breaking his heart. Our poor handsome mayor has never married because the evil Hale Cameron left town and never looked back.” Ashley smiled gently as she recited the old story. “Since I started working for you, it’s clear that you avoid him. Is today going to be all right?”
“Of course, no problem. Moe and Poppy won’t allow for any drama during the meeting. Plus, I’m sure that Finn has moved on. He’s coming to have a say in the planning of his portion of the service. Nothing more.”
Ashley stood. “I’ll go see if they’re ready, I think it’s cowardly that you’re sneaking in the back of your own parlor and not standing at the door to greet them.”
“I know your feelings, young lady. Who uses the word parlor anyway? I’m the prodigal daughter, I don’t want to answer questions or make small talk. Plus, I want to check on Dad to see if the pain is any better.” She continued scratching her monster dog. After a moment of silence she continued. “Ashley, let me do this my way. I just don’t have it in me to be out in front today.” Last night had been really rough for her dad, and today she needed the support of her friends.
“Got it. Remember, I’m sitting right beside you if you need anything.” Ashley flashed her boss a smile. “Maybe someday, you’ll tell me the story about you and the mayor. The true story. I’ve heard bits and pieces but after getting to know you, I wonder how much of what I’ve heard is true?”
“You, me and a bottle of top shelf, and I’ll tell the story. Before you get too excited, remember my leaving had so much more to it than breaking off my engagement to Finn.”
Ashley nodded and closed the door behind her.
“Not that my telling will make it any clearer.” Hale checked her reflection and put on black ballet flats. “Miller, you coming with or staying?” The dog raised his massive head and dropped it back onto the bed. “Have a good nap, buddy.” Hale made sure her door was secure and walked toward the back stairway to check on her dad.
****
Finn Webber climbed the five steps to the Cameron mansion’s main entrance. He couldn’t label today’s meeting as a casual, friendly visit. He’d been summoned to meet with a few high-ranking citizens to go over plans for his friend and mentor’s memorial service.
Maria opened the wide, gleaming white door before he could ring the bell. “Mr. Webber, the group is gathering in the front parlor.”
Finn stepped through the open door and asked, “How’s Joe doing today?” Since learning of his mentor’s diagnosis, he’d tried to visit weekly.
The housekeeper was dressed in a white blouse and black skirt, her formal work uniform. “He had a difficult night. Dr. Knox was here early and increased his pain medication.” She frowned and her eyes filled with sadness. She’d been with the Cameron family for many years and was concerned for her boss.
“If he’s feeling up to it, I thought I might stop in to say hello, after the meeting.” Joe, along with Moses Benton, had become advisers and father figures to him. He respected the men’s business acumen and calm sensibility.
As he stood in the foyer, memories of the day that Joe had invited him to visit “to hash over some things,” flashed though his mind. Hale had been gone eight days. Finn had entered Joe’s office with sweaty palms; he’d heard stories about what powerful fathers did to ex-boyfriends. The farmer had shocked him with his honesty and compassion. He had been sitting behind his huge mahogany desk in jeans and dusty boots…
“Now, Son, I know that you might be wondering how things stand between us. I want you to know that I don’t hold any hard feelings against you for my Hale leaving. Don’t get me wrong, I miss her every hour of the day, but that girl made it clear that she didn’t want me to cause you any trouble.”
“She did?” Finn’s voice cracked.
“I wanted to run you out of town. I would have, if it would have made her stay. Hale told me that if I even thought of any type of retaliation against you…well, she would never come back. The woman thinks a lot of you. Said that one day you’d be mayor, maybe even governor. God, I can see her sitting in that same chair crying her eyes out, making me promise to support you. My daughter told me that you were a good man and that this town needed someone like you. She asked me to help you and to tell my friends to do the same. So, Finn, you got no problem with me. I want you to know that.” The older man looked him straight in the eye.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Saying that, I hope you don’t have a problem with me.” Joe leaned back into his chair.
“Ah, no, there’s no problem.”
“Good. Then we are done here.” Joe stood.
“She’s not coming back, is she?” Finn hated asking, but he had to, the hope was all he had.
“No, son, she ain’t. I know you love her, but she was unhappy.”
“If you would tell me where she is, or give me her phone number, I could make her understand. I can make her happy,” he pleaded.
“No, I can’t do that.” Joe sat back down in his creaky chair. “This has a lot to do with her mother, and the way Hale was raised. Life with Hale’s mother was difficult. She was my wife and I won’t speak ill of the dead, but she wasn’t a healthy person. She was a bad mother and Hale carries scars. Maybe it was her addictions, but Lydia could be a royal bitch. She felt entitled and most of this town let her get away with that behavior. She was hateful, selfish, and cruel to our daughter.
“When Hale started seeing those traits come out in herself…well, I can understand why she was scared and worried. This is a problem between Hale, the ghosts from the past and this town. She’s right, in Whitleysburg, she would always be Lydia’s daughter and the princess. There would be people happy to do whatever she asked. That kind of power can tarnish a weak woman’s soul and Hale believes that she is weak.”
“But she left you, too.” Finn had wavered between pain, confusion, and anger for days.
“And I hate it. But Hale needs to go somewhere that she ain’t known. Where she can figure out who she is, and what type of person she wants to be.”
“She could have done that with me. I would’ve helped her.” Finn’s frustration seeped through his tone.
“I know you believe that, but she couldn’t do it here with you.”
Finn stared at the man that he had believed would one day be his family.
“But I love her.” He lowered his eyes at the admission,
sounding so forlorn.
“I know. I never doubted that and neither does Hale. But it wasn’t enough. Be sad for a bit, Finn, and then move on. Hale isn’t coming back any time soon, maybe never.”
He had moved on; it had taken time but his heart had healed. To this day, the gossips whispered about their tragic love story, he being the poor heartbroken prince. That reputation had attracted many women willing to help him forget.
****
Damn this town’s unquenchable need for drama and pageantry. Hale and Ashley had quietly joined the other attendees, sitting in the back near the door next to Jasmine. There were four rows of folding chairs set up in the front room and shockingly, most were filled. There had to be thirty people in attendance.
“I think everyone is here, now.” Poppy Wayne made sure that Hale felt her censure for being the last to take a seat. Poppy had grown up with Lydia and Joe. She was the reigning queen of Hale County who took her duties very seriously.
“As you all know, dear Joseph doesn’t have much time here on earth and we need to finalize the plan for his memorial service.”
“Where are you planning to have this event? I’ll need to know the size so I can decide which choir to bring.” A rather large woman sitting in the second row, wearing an unfortunate floral dress, interrupted Poppy.
“Now, Mrs. Evans, I will get to that in a moment.” Poppy glared at the woman. Apparently, poor Mrs. Evans was unaware that this was going to be a Poppy Wayne event and everyone would follow Poppy’s rules.
“I think it is time to hand out the booklet, Poppy.” Moses Benton, Jasmine’s father-in-law, stood and started to pass out a bound booklet. “That way, everyone can see what we are working with.”
Hale touched Jasmine’s arm to get her attention. “A prepared booklet?” she whispered.
Jasmine nodded ruefully. “It has an index and is color coded by pre-event, event, and post event. Mother has been working on this for a week, non-stop. I suggested that Moe find room for her in an office at the firm. I think he said no because he was afraid that she might terrorize the staff.” Jasmine gave Hale an apologetic smile.
Moe had made his way to the back row. “Morning, ladies. Ashley, you take notes for Hale so she can focus on the plans.” He winked at Hale, leaned closer and lowered his voice. “If you have any concerns, I suggest that you call me later and we can discuss.” Moe’s tact was part of the reason his family’s law firm, Benton and Lee, was so successful. Well, that and his son, Israel’s, brilliant mind.
“Thank you, Moe. I see that Poppy is very prepared.” Hale smiled and rolled her eyes.
“That she is, honey. I think this is her way of working through her grief and trying to lighten your load.” Although Poppy had an iron will, she could be generous and loving.
“I’m sure it will be lovely.” Hale adored Moe, they’d become good friends over the years, ever since she had moved away. He had visited her in Tampa once a year for golf and the warm winter weather. His visits meant so much to her, she missed Whitleysburg and her friends. Moe always made the effort to stay in touch with her even when she had tried to distance herself.
The meeting continued, and Hale worked to memorize names and faces. Finn sat in the front row, and did not turn around when an attendee seated behind him spoke. She couldn’t help but notice that his body had filled out over the years. He still had powerful shoulders and his tailor had managed to fit his jacket perfectly. His hair was just a touch too long. She bet plenty of women had run their fingers through it.