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