You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) (11 page)

“I had had a run-in with the three witches and then Major and Finn had a back and forth. I wanted a moment of quiet and he wouldn’t leave me alone.” She sighed loudly. “I know he isn’t the man for me, but I thought we could have some fun.”

“So, what’s the attraction, besides that he is Mr. Right Now?”

“I like that he calls when promised and shows up on time,” Hale defended weakly.

“Please, he wears more hair product than you do.” Jasmine broke into giggles.

“The attention feels nice. I know that I can’t date a different man every night.”

“Nor every week. Maybe you can change every third week, but that is pushing it around here with our shortage of decent single men.” Jasmine reminded her.

“Well my phone isn’t ringing, so I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”

“Maybe it isn’t ringing because people see how you are with Finn.”

“Oh please, that’s insane.” Hale laughed. Please God, let her not be that obvious.

“I don’t know. You seemed comfortable with him tonight.” Jasmine eyed her suspiciously.

“He was being nice to me. I’m your best friend and he is close to both of you. Do the math, Jazz. He’s going to be nice to me, to keep the peace.” She hoped that Jasmine would buy that explanation.

Jasmine raised an eyebrow. She didn’t look like she was buying it. “Humph, we’ll see.”

“Yeah, you will.” She prayed that Jasmine didn’t pick up on how unsettled Finn’s proximity made her. She could still feel every place on her body that he had touched tonight.

“Oh man, this is the life.” Ashley lay reclining on the loveseat in Hale’s room with a mask on her face and cucumber slices over her eyes. Hale sat on a chair with one foot soaking in the foot tub while the pedicurist worked on her callused heel.

“I wish I could do this every week.” Jasmine was getting her nails painted.

“You do go to the salon every week,” Hale pointed out.

“I mean them coming to my house. Don’t be difficult Birthday Girl,” Jasmine cautioned by shaking one freshly painted finger at her.

“Well it works for you, you always look great.” Ashley was still prone, with her head on two pillows.

“Jasmine has always been beautiful. Growing up, I was totally overlooked when Jasmine was in the room.” Hale pulled her other foot out of the tub. “Beautiful, nice and smart, the total package.”

“Stop it. However, I do appreciate the smart comment. Sometimes I don’t think that anybody notices.”

Hale glanced in Jasmine’s direction.

Jasmine met her best friend’s eyes and did a brief head shake, signaling that she didn’t want to discuss this in front of the others.

“Well, I wish I had that problem.” Ashley couldn’t see the silent communication going on between Hale and Jasmine. “I’m known as the smart girl.”

“Ashley, what are you complaining about? You are pretty and I know that you show off those long legs to their best advantage,” Hale pointed out.

“I guess I’m kinda average.” Ashley agreed.

“Honey, stop that kind of thinking right now,” Jasmine chastised. “You have plenty going for you. You have a bright future.”

Ashley sat up and removed the cucumbers. “I know, just sometimes it gets hard. You know?”

Hale’s tone was gentle. “Yeah, honey, we know.”

The spa people were still upstairs packing up their wares, when the three ladies took their places around the kitchen table.

“Jazz, this food is amazing, perfect for a hot day.” Hale took another bite of her salad with oranges, grilled chicken, and a spicy ginger sauce.

“You’d better load up on the bread, or you’ll be drunk after your second shot.” Jasmine scooted the basket of rolls toward Hale.

“Keep in mind I won’t drink much.” Thankfully she didn’t have to make the “I’m a lightweight” speech to cover for her strict drinking policy. Only two shots or two drinks and she could count on one hand the number of times she had broken it over the years.

“You don’t have to drink, boss. You shouldn’t do anything you don’t want to on your birthday.” Clearly, Ashley wanted Hale to enjoy herself.

“I don’t think that you have to worry, you are nothing like your mama.” Jasmine patted Hale’s hand.

“I hope not.” Hale reached for another roll.

“Your mother was an addict, right?” Ashley had heard the rumors about Lydia Cameron.

“She had many problems. I think she was truly mentally ill. She thought the booze and pills helped her deal with her illness. Back then, everybody made allowances for her, so she got really bad before my dad did anything,” Hale answered matter of factly.

“I was afraid of her when I was a kid.” Jasmine told them quietly.

“On a good day, she would be out of control wanting to play with me, on a bad one, she would either stay in her room or get fed up with me, and the punishments began.” Hale shivered at the memory.

“Did you have a nanny? I know Maria wasn’t here when you were really little.” Ashley was so curious.

“Maria and her family came to town to help with the tomato harvest. Her husband was killed in a car accident. I was eight and Mom was doing one of her stints in detox, so Dad hired Maria to watch over me and handle the house. When my mom came home, things were good enough for a while and then she started using again. Maria tried to protect me from her.” Hale had spent many hours with Ashley and trusted her. It was time for the past to be shared.

“I don’t remember a time when my mom wasn’t a drunk.” Ashley stared at her plate. “I know what you mean about the manic episodes. It’s so scary.”

“She was manic the day she decided to wreck her car.” Hale pushed her plate away. “I didn’t want to go with her, but I couldn’t escape. I knew something was wrong when I got into the car. Then when she started talking and telling me her plan, she was super calm.” It was a shock, hearing her own voice describe that day. She still couldn’t understand how her mother could think it was for the best to kill them both.

“Do you still have the dreams?” Jasmine had finished eating and started to clear the table.

“I thought that I was done with them, but right after Dad died, I did. The whole thing—Lydia telling me what she planned, speeding up, the sound of glass breaking, the impact, and her screams.” Hale shivered, and played with her water glass. She took in a few deep breaths, counted as she held the air in her lungs. This was a coping mechanism learned after she’d left.

“Wow, I had heard that story, but I wasn’t sure if it was true.” Ashley looked torn between wanting to know more and not wanting to upset Hale.

“She left a note that said that she was ‘certain that I was going to turn out damaged like her, so she wanted us to die.’” Hale made sure that she met Ashley’s eyes. Ash needed to know that she could talk about this.

“It’s terrible that she was so sick and couldn’t get the right kind of help. Mental illness was still considered something to be ashamed of.” Jasmine started to run water in the sink.

“Dad found a therapist who could help me. I had a lot of problems dealing with my feelings of relief that she was dead. It was too much for me to comprehend.”

Jasmine spoke as she walked to her seat at the table. “I just know that when your mama was alive, I didn’t like to come to your house unless my mom was with me, and after Lydia’s passing, Maria made things nice. She would always have cookies and tried to teach us Spanish.” Jasmine smiled at the memory.

Ashley had opened the bottle of tequila and was pouring the first drinks. “Time for a toast.”

The ladies held their glasses.

“To surviving. We all have our battles and so far, so good.” Ashley pushed her glass to the center and clinked hers with Hale’s, before moving onto Jasmine’s. Hale followed and then gulped the liquid.

“Whoa!” Hale gasped. “It still burns.”

Ashley hurried to the refrigerator to pull out the bowl of limes, then returned to the island. “Here, suck on this. It should help.”

Hale took a bite of her lime. “Yeah, that’s better.” It had been a while since she had done shots of tequila. Now she remembered why; her throat still tingled.

“Ladies, I think it’s still too humid to sit outside on the porch. Where do you want to go? The formal living room or the den?” Jasmine had planned the night, so she was acting as hostess.

“The den,” Hale answered decisively. “I hate that formal area. I should do something about it.”

“You can’t do anything with it until after New Year’s Eve, remember the annual party.” Jasmine carried the bowl of limes and her glass.

“I’m getting a bottle of water, anybody else want one?” Hale walked to the refrigerator.

“Pussy,” Ashley called over her shoulder.

“Grab one for me, I’ll be a pussy too.” Jasmine’s laugh echoed down the hall.

Ashley sat on the floor by the large, glass-covered coffee table while the other ladies claimed each end of the sofa.

“So, are you going to throw a New Year’s Eve party?” Ashley asked as she played with the label on the tequila bottle.

“Dad told me that he wanted me to carry on the tradition. Maria is going to start working with the caterer and I’m going to go through past invitation lists.” This would be a huge undertaking, but it was important to honor her dad’s wishes and she had always enjoyed the celebration while growing up.

“You know that I’ll do anything to help.” Jasmine poked Hale with her foot.

“I know. After we get through your Fall Festival, we’ll get together to see what is what.” Hale stretched her legs out in front of her, placing them on the table.

Jasmine was staring at the huge floral arrangement on the side table. “That’s some grouping of roses over there. It looks three dozen.” She got up and started to walk to the table.

Hale glanced at Ashley and rolled her eyes.

“Anything you want to tell me about Major? The last I heard, you were done with him.” Jasmine gave Hale an accusing glance over her shoulder.

“Busted.” Ashley laughed.

Jasmine plucking the card from the plastic holder. “Oh look, he even added x’s and o’s.”

“All right, I said that I was done with him, but after your party he called.” Hale knew that she was in for it. Jasmine was going to unleash her disapproval.

“Like a hundred times,” Ashley interjected.

“He realized his mistakes and apologized. I had to accept. I mean, I’ve made my share of screw ups.” Hale’s voice trailed off and she knew that she looked guilty.

“Hale Cameron, I swear, Major’s persistence is going to have him moving into this house and your bed if you aren’t careful.” Jasmine shook the card at her.

“I don’t think he’ll be in my bed anytime soon. He doesn’t seem to be interested in me like that.” Hale shrugged her shoulders.

“You’re kidding, still?” Jasmine chuckled as she replaced the card.

“No, things are moving slowly, very slowly.” That wasn’t helping with keeping Finn out of her thoughts and fantasies.

Jasmine motioned for Ashley to resume her pouring duties. “Poor Hale, are your toys getting a workout?”

Hale smiled. “Yeah, but that’s nothing new.”

“I thought I saw some sparks between you and Finn the other night.” Jasmine slammed her shot.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Hale took a large sip from her glass but heat flooded her cheeks.

“Ooh, you and Mayor? You didn’t say anything about that.” Ashley pouted.

“Because there is nothing to say.” Hale scowled at Ashley, she still wasn’t ready to admit that she wanted Finn and she feared he wouldn’t say no.

“I’ll drop it because you want me to, but me thinks you might be lying.” Jasmine daintily put the lime to her lips.

“If those two are talking to one another then it’s on the down low because the calls don’t go through me when I’m here.” Ashley added helpfully. “So, that means he’s calling her at night when he knows that she is alone. Ooooh, pri-va-cy.” Ashley wiggled her eyebrows comically.

“Guys, stop it. I’m trying to get along with Finn. He doesn’t call me very much and when he does, it has to do with the town’s business. You make it sound so illicit.” Hale took another sip of her tequila and blinked rapidly, trying to combat the fire in her throat.

“He hasn’t said too much about you, to us,” Jasmine looked off into the distance as if she was trying to piece together a mystery. “You all seemed to be getting along at your birthday party. I mean, you seemed comfortable around each other.”

“It’s getting easier,” Hale admitted.

“You get jumpy when you know that you are going to see him. If you haven’t noticed, Moe always makes plans to take you to dinner before a Council Meeting. I think he’s worried that you might not show up if you have to go by yourself.” Ashley drank her shot and gasped. “The second one is always smoother.”

“Finn has done a really good job trying to make me feel welcome, and he always acts friendly in public. He’s just trying to help me find my place here.” Hale finished her drink. He was making her crazy. When he didn’t flirt or touch her, it bothered her, but when he did, it made her yearn for things that she shouldn’t.

“So, in public, Finn acts the perfect gentleman, but when the two of you are alone, it’s different. Like last time, he felt you up.” Jasmine enjoyed dropping that little bombshell, she couldn’t resist adding an evil smile.

“What?” Ashley screeched. “Did it happen again? Why doesn’t anyone tell me these things?”

Hale shot Jasmine an exasperated look. “No not another time.”

“Not yet but there’s plenty of time for something to happen,” Jasmine flashed a sweet smile.

“I told you, it wasn’t a big deal.” Hale tried not to raise her voice. This was making her crazy.

“Bullshit. It shook you up. That moment and kiss meant something to you.” The blonde stared her friend down.

“What kind of kiss was it?” Ashley was dying for more info. She bounced up and down in excitement.

Hale threw her hands up and shook her head. “Jeeze, we were arguing. It was an angry kiss, I guess.”

“You two always had sexual chemistry—Finn couldn’t keep his hands off you. I’m not sure that it has gone away.” She gave Hale a measuring look.

“I bet he’s a good kisser.” Ashley kept staring at Hale. “Was there lots of tongue?”

“Finn always knew what he was doing,” Hale admitted, dropping her head. He was an incredible kisser.

“You said he was good in bed.” Jasmine nudged Hale with her foot. “I wonder if after all of these years you would still think so.”

Hale chuckled. “Well, I am more experienced now so, hmmm, I don’t know. I do know that I’m not planning to find out.”
Not a chance. No, no, never.