You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) - Melanie Jayne Page 0,5

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.

“Hale, I think it will be appropriate for you to thank the attendees and speak briefly about Joseph’s legacy. I have you scheduled following the first song and prayer.” Poppy’s voice broke through her examination of Finn.

Most of the room swiveled in their chairs to look at her. “Oh, um, I’m not sure about that. I’m really not comfortable speaking in front of a crowd.” Her heartbeat accelerated and sweat breakout along her spine. Finn did not turn around; she waited for him to and hated herself for caring.

“Don’t be silly, Hale. You’re a Cameron and that means something around here. It’s only proper for you to speak about your father, and it will be an effective way for everyone to get a good look at you.” Poppy overrode Hale’s objection.

She shouldn’t disagree with Poppy in public, but she couldn’t stop her mouth. “I’m sure that Dad’s funeral is not the right place for the town to get a look at me.” Oh God, that was the last thing she wanted, all of those eyes on her.

“Of course it is, dear. Joseph’s daughter is home and they’d better get used to it.” Poppy’s tone decreed the discussion over and that Hale had lost.

Horrified, Hale sputtered, “But, can’t they see me here, afterward at the luncheon?”

Poppy took off her reading glasses and stared at Hale. “Only a select group will be invited to the luncheon. The rest of the attendees will want to see what you look like, especially after all this time. This is a good way to make your first impression.”

Damn, damn, damn, she wasn’t an oddity. Why did Poppy have to make her feel that way? Jasmine grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze. The worst part of this exchange was that she noticed that Finn didn’t turn around. God damn it, I shouldn’t care and it shouldn’t sting. She took a deep breath to calm down. Fuck me; this is going to be a train wreck. Damn this town and its need for pageantry.

Ashley leaned in and whispered, “Calm down, it will be fine. Moe can write something for you to say and he’ll keep it short.”

Hale nodded her head, thankful that she’d found Ashley, who was turning out to be wonderful at her job and an even better friend.

“You know the gossips will want to see you, and it’ll be for the best if you do it all at once. Throw them a bone and that should hold them.” Ashley’s tone was fierce. She, too, knew what it was like to grow up here with an alcoholic mother. Ashley had moved out at sixteen and now rented a small trailer on the Cameron Farms’ land.

“Thanks, Ash. Can you make a note to get with Moe about coming up with a speech?”

Hale tried to listen to the rest of Poppy’s spiel, but her brain was on overload with how she was going to handle the funeral. When she was alone she would tackle her feelings about Finn’s obvious slight.

Chapter Two

May

Hale sat in her bedroom, listening to Jasmine and Poppy argue on the other side of the door. She ran her hands down her thighs, smoothing the skirt of her black wrap-style dress. She strained to hear what had caused the two to speak in hushed tones. She glanced down at her new black high heels. Hopefully, she’d be able to walk without clomping in them. Maria had tried to convince her to wear pearls, but she was determined to wear the gold chain with small diamonds that her father had given her on her thirtieth birthday. Once again, she checked that the V-neck of the bodice was not flashing too much of her ample breasts. She had used all of her supply of fashion tape to secure the neckline to her bra. As she had grown older, her