You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) - Melanie Jayne Page 0,40

wouldn’t say that we’re in competition,” Finn said.

“That’s because you best him on the golf course and with being mayor.” Izzy explained.

“I don’t like it. I don’t like people wanting to be around me for those kinds of reasons.” Hale felt the tentacles of sadness dig in.

“You are the richest woman in town. You’re still a mystery so I’m sure that people are curious.” Finn said.

“That’s why I have tried to be selective in my associations. I listened to you and Jasmine about who was nice and who wasn’t.” She looked at Izzy.

“I can’t believe that Jazz told you to date Major.” Finn shook his head.

“I’m not dating him.” Hale laughed defensively.

Both men stared at her.

“I’m not serious about him, and after tonight, I’m really unhappy with him. The shit he said…it was like he lived in the fifties. ‘Ladies do this and ladies should do that.’ I mean times have changed, haven’t they?”

“They change more slowly in a small town, but yes, times have changed even here in Whitleysburg,” Izzy replied.

There was a knock on the closed door and Jasmine stuck her head in. “I knew when I couldn’t find you all, that you’d be sequestered in here.” She entered the room and dropped onto the arm of Izzy’s chair.

He pulled her closer and kissed her cheek.

“Where’s lover boy?” Jasmine looked at Hale.

“He needed to go home,” Hale answered and grimaced.

“Bored already?” Jasmine teased.

“When Hale Storm is around, things are never boring.” Finn joined in.

“Oh no, what happened?” Jasmine looked concerned.

“The three witches were a little difficult, but she handled them,” Finn answered.

Jasmine raised her eyebrows in a silent question.

“I think Jean Ann has a thing for Major, and they all like Finn.” Hale glanced his way. “Let’s just say that group wasn’t particularly friendly to me.”

“Almost every woman here likes Finn. It’s his boyish good looks, and charm.” Jasmine winked at the man being discussed.

“Don’t forget my sharp intellect.” Finn shrugged his shoulders in an “aw shucks” kind of way.

“And his humility,” Izzy teased, shaking his head at his friend.

“Don’t forget his eyes, when he turns his gaze on you…” Hale grinned at Finn. For a moment, they were the only ones in the room. Her heartbeat accelerated as something passed between them. She could feel the need spread through her body.

“Major got a little territorial and Hale wasn’t in the mood, so I sent him home.” Izzy made the statement like it was no big deal.

“So, I take it that you are going to spend the night with us?” Jasmine didn’t even blink at that. She waited for Hale to answer. There had to be some kind of secret marriage-partner language. It was like Jasmine knew not to push and was sure that Izzy would fill her in later.

“Yup, I’m good right here. Just toss a blanket over me and I’ll be fine.” Hale sprawled, laying her legs on the other arm of the loveseat.

“No can do, Missy. You need to go back out and face your guests.” Jasmine stood.

“Don’t wanna.” Hale smiled as she whined and stayed prone on the sofa.

“Come on. Don’t make me have Finn carry you outside,” Jasmine threatened, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I’m only doing this because I don’t want to hurt Finn’s back.” Hale sat up and smoothed her top.

Finn stood and walked to the love seat and reached for her hand to help her up. “Come on, it won’t be so bad.”

“Well the bar isn’t set that high,” Hale mused. She told herself that it didn’t mean anything that he held her hand the entire walk to the backyard.

Three hours later, Hale was settled into the guest room, wearing one of Izzy’s T-shirts and her panties. Jasmine sat on the other side of the bed, waiting.

Hale tapped the “end call” button. “Miguel is going to go over and let Miller out. He said it wasn’t a problem.” She laid her phone on the nightstand and repositioned her body against the bed’s headboard.

Jasmine was wearing a silk robe that made her look like a movie star. She had stopped by to make sure that Hale had everything she needed.

“I got a text from Ashley. They admitted her mom under a seventy-two hour hold. I guess she started saying that she was going to kill herself while she was in custody.” Hale knew that Ashley was trying to be strong, but dealing with an out of control parent was exhausting.

“She called earlier and left a voice mail, apologizing for missing the