You Only (Cameron Farms Book 1) (20 page)

Jasmine was watching her suspiciously. “You seem to be feeling much happier than when I talked to you on the phone.” Her eyes widened, “You have that same look on your face that you did the night of the Fall Festival” Jasmine put the pieces together and gave a victorious smile.

Hale could feel the heat travel across her cheeks. “I asked you not to bring that up.” She tried to give Jasmine a scolding glare. Her best friend knew her too well. She failed and then smiled at her friend in answer.

“So, I am right.” She leaned forward while flashing a smile. “Spill.”

“I don’t know how much I can tell you. Let’s just say that I got an apology, so all is good.”

“I think that must have been some apology.” Jasmine laughed and Hale joined in.

The waiter arrived with their drinks.

“I owe it all to you.” Hale raised her glass and made a toasting motion.

“To me? What did I do?” Jasmine took a sip of her drink.

“What you said about men being mad about things that they can’t control, plus the part about being scared. Of course they can’t act scared so they transfer it to anger. It made the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.”

“Well, I’m glad I could help. It’s nice to hear, that I am knowledgeable about something.”

Hale heard that tone again, anger mixed with hurt. “I have never doubted that you are smart. What’s going on Jazz?”

Her friend made a waiving motion with her hand. “Ignore me.”

Never
. “No. I know something’s been bothering you. I’ve hesitated to bring it up. I thought you would eventually, when you were ready to talk to me about it.”

“I’ll sound selfish. You’ll think that I’m silly.” Jasmine dropped her gaze, and played with her napkin.

Hale reached across the table and stilled Jasmine’s hand. “Jazz, you are many things, but selfish is not one of them. I don’t think that you are capable of putting yourself first.” That got no reaction, so she continued. “You have supported me through some awful times. You are the best friend a girl could ever ask for. Let me do the same for you. I think that you are hurting, let me try to help.”

Jasmine let out a long sigh. “I don’t know where to start. It’s kind of jumbled up.”

“Start with one of the threads, and we’ll untangle the others.” Hale’s tone was soft.

“I want to buy Dad’s pharmacy.” Jasmine watched Hale’s reaction.

“What’s the problem?”

“I need investors and my dad to sell it to me.” The words were rushed.

“Let’s break that down, what’s going on with your dad?” Harry had seemed to be in good health the last time she saw him at dinner.

“He says that he wants to retire in a couple of years. Neither of his pharmacists can buy him out. He doesn’t want a chain to come in, he won’t even talk to them. I have an idea that I think will work, but no one has faith in me.”

“Tell me your concept.” She sat back in the booth and sipped her drink.

“Now?” Jasmine leaned back in her seat and her hand played nervously with the scarf wrapped around her neck.

“Don’t look so scared, just give me an idea. If this is important to you, then it is to me, too.” Hale waited patiently.

“Well, you know, there isn’t any kind of spa that is nice close by. Reprieve has some services, but that place isn’t very private. If you want a massage, they put you in a closet and there’s only a curtain of beads blocking the room off from the rest of the area. I want to put a spa in on the second floor of Dad’s building. Therapeutic massage, mud baths, an esthetician, and maybe an acupuncturist. On the ground floor keep the pharmacy but offer homeopathic choices and all natural products, too.”

“As far as the spa goes, what about nails and hair?”

“No, I don’t want to compete with the existing salons. I’ve talked to Jim Massey, he’s studied all types of massage. He works part-time for two different chiropractors, but is getting tired of having to drive all over. I would like to hire him to work for me full-time. He already has the clientele, even the Physical Therapists in the area send their patients to him.”

“Tell me more about the retail side.” Hale’s brain was running questions and numbers.

“Currently the pharmacy side alone does enough in sales to sustain the business, staff, taxes, and stock. I would hope that the pharmacists would stay on, they live in the area. I would need to train or hire some additional staff regarding the expanded natural and homeopathic goods.”

“So, are you’re thinking that the pharmacy business can sustain the spa side, also? I assume that it will take a while for it to generate sales.”

“I think that it will take about two years for the spa to generate enough to pay for its ongoing business. I’m basing that on it being open four days a week. It will be at least five years for the overall business to pay for the renovations that the building will need. I need money to buy my dad out and for the renovations. I want the retail space to look like a French style market.” Jasmine’s eyes were flashing with excitement. “I have the inheritance from my grandmother Roth, but that won’t be enough.”

“Do you have any idea what the dollar sum is that you are looking for, from investors?”

“Around ten.” Jasmine’s shoulders slumped.

“We’re talking millions, right?”

“Yeah, it makes my stomach churn just saying that out loud.” Jasmine’s perfect white teeth bit her bottom lip as she dropped her eyes.

“I think that might be a little low, don’t be too conservative.” She advised and started doing some mental math, “I’m in.” Hale smiled, joining in her friend’s excitement.

“What do you mean?” Jasmine was fidgeting from nerves.

“Not for the whole tab, but I can invest some.” She paused at her friend’s huge intake of air.

“I wasn’t asking for your money.” Jasmine started bouncing with excitement and maybe a little panic.

“I didn’t think that you were. I like the idea. I like the idea of investing in the town and in a woman-owned business. Until the probate period is over, I’m trying to keep my money available in case the farm needs something, but after, well, let’s just say I can help and it won’t be a hardship.” It would be ill bred to speak of her wealth, even with her best friend. Cameron Farms and the inheritances from her dad and her mother’s parents had left Hale with more money than she knew what to do with.

“You really like the idea?”

“Yes. Plus, if you’d like, I can help with some possible investors. I know a couple of people that you might want to talk to.”

“You’d do this for me? I mean, I don’t have any experience with this.” Jasmine was back-pedaling.

“Who has been filling your head up with that shit? You’re a great businesswoman. You just planned, organized and marketed two events that have turned profits. You know this area and the clientele. Jazz, you have a wealth of contacts. All of that sure sounds like business experience to me.”

“Oh my God, Hale, thank you so much,” she squealed, relief stamped on her face.

“I leave for Tampa on Sunday night, I can try to talk with a guy I know down there. If you want?”

“I can e-mail you everything that I have. That would be amazing.” Jasmine bounced in her seat.

“Have you approached your dad about this?” Plans were wonderful, but if Harry refused to sell, then it was a waste of time.

“I’ve brought it up a few times, but he and Mama aren’t taking me seriously.”

“Maybe you need to gather some more information and set up a formal meeting, like at Izzy’s office.”

Jasmine’s face fell. “That’s another problem, Izzy doesn’t want me to do it.”

Treading carefully, Hale asked, “What are his objections?”

“He thinks that I don’t realize how much work it will be. He also doesn’t understand why I’m not happy with what I do now. I tried to tell him that the kids can to things for themselves, they don’t need me as much, and he still puts in a lot of hours at the firm, so it isn’t like we can be together. I want more, you know? I see you running the farm and working on the audit. People respect you because you are running a business, not planning an event. I want that respect.”

“I think people know how much work you put into things and you do turn them into successes,” Hale reassured her friend. She knew exactly how Jasmine felt. Years ago she’d heard the man she loved tell her that her dreams weren’t important. Hearing that you’ve been relegated to a role because of your looks or status leaves a wound. She knew that wanting more wasn’t wrong; she hated that Jasmine had been made to feel that way too.

“Izzy thinks this is just a crazy idea that I’ll give up on. Like it’s a passing fancy.”

“Starting a business is hard work. Many fail within the first three years.”

Jasmine shot her an anguished look.

She made sure she used a gentle tone. “I’m not saying that you can’t work hard or that it will fail. I’m just stating a known fact. So, you are going to need the best plan to make sure that your business isn’t a casualty.” If this was what her friend wanted, then she was going to do everything to help her.

“He said, ‘if I was feeling restless, we should think about having another baby’.” Her eyes filled with tears.

Oh Izzy, that was a stupid thing to say
. “I have to think that a baby and starting a business are not even close to the same thing.” Hale slid an extra napkin toward Jasmine.

“He makes me so mad. I’ve stood by while he works crazy hours and I’ve never complained. I make sure the kids are where they need to be and prepared. I manage the house and pay the bills, so that when Izzy is home, he can unwind.”

“He probably doesn’t even realize everything that you do. I mean, he’s a man, and in my experience, they are oblivious to those kinds of things. I bet his mom did all those things for Moe, so he just expects it.” She had seen many of the secretaries taking care of the men at the accounting firm. They would do tasks for the men that Hale wouldn’t even consider asking her assistant to do, like shopping for personal gifts or selecting clothes for them to wear.

“He won’t listen, he just doesn’t see.” Jasmine let out a loud sigh.

“Jazz, if you move forward with this, are Izzy’s objections a deal breaker? You don’t have to answer me, but you need to think about it.” Hale was concerned for her friend.

“It would be a deal breaker, for me.” Jasmine’s tone was sure, but tears spilled down her cheeks.

That was a surprise. Since they were kids, Jasmine had wanted to be married and have a family. She wanted the role of wife and mother. “Professionally, this is where I tell you to think about your next moves very carefully. As your best friend, who loves you both very much, I would say that you know Izzy better than anyone. You live your marriage, you know what you can handle and what you can’t. Just think about everything very carefully.”

“I need this, Hale. I can’t put it into words, but I know I want this.” Jasmine looked a little frightened.

She hoped that Jasmine and Izzy would face these big changes or more importantly the yearning to make them, together. “OK, then you have my help.”

“Thank you, that means so much to me.” Jasmine seemed to relax.

“I’m starving, let’s order. I’m thinking that I want a big, juicy burger.” Hale caught the waiter’s attention.

“I’m hungry too, and don’t you think for a minute, that we are done discussing your afternoon and what put that very satisfied look on your face.”

“Baby steps, Jazz, baby steps.”

November

Hale turned into The Anderson Steakhouse parking lot and started looking for a space not in one of the darkened corners. It was six forty and already dark outside. She pulled into an open spot and turned off the engine; she was early for their reservation. To outsiders, this might appear to be a dinner with her friends. In reality this was the first time she and Finn had gone out together as a couple in public. Her insistence on taking things slowly had frustrated him, but for once, her schedule cooperated. Her trip to Tampa had taken two weeks and then Finn had attended a Mayors Conference in Cedar Rapids the next week.

They had done the calling, texting, and FaceTime talks, but they had spent very little time physically together. She was trying to keep things moving slowly, not because she didn’t want to be with him, but because she wanted it so much. This was her second chance with the man she could never forget. She couldn’t screw anything up this time.

In her life, the relationships that she had wanted never worked out. She blotted her lips with a tissue and put her keys away in her clutch. She leaned back in her seat to rest, closing her eyes for a moment. God, she was tired. She’d had trouble sleeping in the hotel in Florida, and that problem was still hanging on now that she was home. She’d caught up on the farm business and decisions to be finalized for the holidays and the New Year’s Eve party. She needed a few good nights’ sleep and then she would be on top of her game.

She tried to relax for a few minutes; she could feel the threat of a headache coming on, probably because she was hungry and jittery. She’d had a late breakfast and skipped lunch, feeling too nervous about tonight to eat.

There was a knock on her driver’s side window, she jumped and let out a little yelp. She immediately saw Jasmine’s face filled with concern looking through the window. “Hey, are you OK?”

Hale opened her door and grabbed her clutch as she stepped to the ground and hugged the blonde. “Christ, you scared me. I was just resting.”

Jasmine returned her hug and started to examine her face in the light of the parking lot lamps. “Still not sleeping?”

“It’ll get better.” Hale tried to give a reassuring smile.

“If you say so. Come on, the guys are on their way.” They were to meet Izzy and Finn inside the restaurant.

They checked their coats and straightened their clothes. Jasmine was dressed in a navy blue V-neck dress that had small jet beads along the neckline, and she had awesome shoes with matching beading along the pointed toes. “Oh my God, I love those shoes.” Hale wished that they wore the same size.

Jasmine looked down at her foot and pointed one like a ballet dancer. “They hurt like a bitch, but I had to have them.”

“Just wait until you open your store, no more running around in high heels, Miss Fashionista,” Hale warned.

“If it happens, I will gladly give up my heels,” Jasmine stated seriously.

“No doubts allowed. You have a video conference scheduled in a couple of weeks. That’s a good start.” Hale could see that Jasmine was conflicted with feelings of excitement and doubt.

Hale followed Jasmine to the hostess stand and they were shown to a table for four. The interior of Andersons’ was dark wood and deep maroon leather, with low lighting. In Whitleysburg, this was the place to go for business meetings or a romantic meal, and great steaks.

Just as the server arrived to check in, the guys appeared. Hale stood so that Izzy could kiss her cheek and then Finn was there, pulling her into his arms. Their kiss was too short.

As she pulled away, he whispered in her ear. “Every damn time, I forget how beautiful you are.” He pulled out her chair and helped her get seated.

Hale could feel that she was blushing; he had a way of knocking her sideways, getting under her defenses. “Thank you.” She spoke softly as she bowed her head and repositioned her napkin across her lap. “I missed you,” she told him.

“Glad to hear it.” She could hear the warmth in his voice.

The server returned and asked for their drink preferences.

Izzy discussed wine choices and finally made a decision. Hale wasn’t really paying attention, she was watching Finn out of the corner of her eye. He looked good.

“So, you’re finally back, did you get everything taken care of in Tampa?” Izzy’s voice broke through her thoughts.

“I had no idea it was going to take that long. I wish that somebody had clued me in that things were in such a clusterfuck, before I got on the plane. I was expecting maybe two or three days in the office to review, and when I got there, we basically had to start over.” Hale had been beyond frustrated with her former boss and the team leader.

“Can you say what the problem was?” Izzy continued.

“Since I left, they’ve lost another team leader, so the guy that was my replacement, who I hand-picked, is now in charge of another team. The woman that took over this project was hired about two months ago, so she didn’t have any background on the case and is still learning the job.”

“So, you had to go in and save the day,” Finn declared as he placed his hand on hers.

“If you mean that I was so frustrated by day two that I took over, then yeah, I saved the day.” Hale laughed as she squeezed his hand.

“And now you’re totally done with Cantor Hart?” Jasmine asked.

“Yes. If the two sides had not come to an agreement, I would’ve needed to go back in January for trial prep. Since an agreement was reached, I can now say that I am officially done.” Hale let out a sigh.

The server appeared with the bottle of wine and Izzy went through the uncorking and tasting process. After all four had their glasses in their hands, Izzy proposed a toast. “To our Hale, back home with the ones who love her.”

They all clinked glasses.

She tried not to look at Finn, so she stared across as Jasmine who was giving her a huge grin. She fought back a giggle. This was easy, natural; it felt right to be here with Finn. She relaxed and slowly turned her head and caught Finn’s eye and he winked.

The evening was a success, the food was fantastic and the conversation flowed effortlessly between the friends. “If I eat another bite, I will explode.” Jasmine told the server in answer to his question about dessert.

“Well, I want to see the menu.” Izzy had the metabolism of a teenage boy and the appetite to match.

Finn leaned closer to Hale. “Is everything OK, you’re quiet tonight?”

“My head is hurting. I’m hoping the ibuprofen will kick in soon.” She confided.

Finn and Izzy had just ordered desserts and coffee when Hale felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Well, isn’t this cozy, four of our town’s leading citizens out together.” Major stood beside their table.

He was studying Hale, and she met his look, challenging him to continue. She had repeatedly told him that she did not want to see him anymore. He was still sending small gifts and calling. She had gone so far as to instruct Ashley to return the gifts and to handle his calls.

After a noticeable pause, Izzy pushed his chair back to stand. “Major, are you here for dinner?” He shook his hand.

“I just finished with a new client and happened to see you all sitting over here.” Major nodded at Finn.

“We’ll have a good night.” Finn’s tone was cool and definitely dismissive.

Major’s eyes roamed over Hale. “I see that you’ve returned from your little Florida trip.” He squeezed her shoulder again. “It doesn’t look like you got very much color while you were down there.”

Hale turned in her chair, so that he had to stop touching her shoulder. “It wasn’t a pleasure trip.”

“You haven’t returned any of my calls,” Major continued.

“She’s been busy,” Finn’s tone was possessive and she could feel his controlled anger.

A server arrived with their coffees. Major turned to the waiter. “I think I’ll join them. A cup of decaf, please.”

The server looked to Izzy. He gave a slight nod and said, “Of course, we’ll have to find you a chair.”

So Hale scooted closer to Finn and she felt his hand on her thigh. She spoke for his ears only. “My cross to bear.”

The corners of his lips rose. “Apparently.”

Major took his seat and continued chatting with the group.

Hale’s head started to pound, and Major would not shut up and leave.

He had just finished complimenting Jasmine on something when he grabbed Hale’s hand that was resting on her lap. “Darling, I had wanted to mention this earlier, but since I haven’t been able to speak with you, I guess I will have to do this now, in front of your friends.”

What the fuck? “What?” Even she could hear the exasperation in her voice.

“Well, I hope that you haven’t made any plans for Thanksgiving, because I’ve made arrangements for us to go to Aspen for the week.” He gave a very self-satisfied smile, in Finn’s direction.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Hale warned as she felt her hold on her frustrations weakening.

“I know it is rather forward of me, however we have been seeing each other for some time.” He again flashed that smile as if he knew that he was pulling a fast one.

Hale felt Finn stiffen, she hurried to speak. “Major, we aren’t seeing each other. I made that very clear. Plus, I already have plans for Thanksgiving.”

“With us, her Thanksgiving plans are with us.” Jasmine explained while giving Major a measuring look, trying to figure out what his game was.

“She can easily get out of those plans,” he told them. “I’m sure you’ll understand.” Again, he used that smug smile.

Hale wanted to slap it from his face. “I don’t want to change my plans, I want to be with my friends, those are my plans.”

“Well, I guess we can cut the trip short.” Major’s smile had become tight

“I don’t want to go on a trip with you. I don’t know where you got that idea. I don’t want this, any of this.” It felt like an ice pick was turning in her brain, white dots floated in front of her eyes.

Finn’s voice held a distinct edge. “Hale is not going on a trip with you. Stop calling her, stop sending her gifts, and for God’s sake, stop planning trips.”

“I’m sure that you think that you can speak for Hale but…” Major didn’t get to finish.

“I’m telling you to stop, or we are going to have a problem. No more, do you get me?” Finn stood and glared in Major’s direction.

Major turned to her. “Hale? Do you approve of Finn speaking this way to me on your behalf?”

Christ, now she was burning up and her stomach churned. She needed to go to the bathroom, now. She stood up and stepped away from the table. “Major, do what Finn says. Just stop.” She hurried to the ladies’ room.

Hale didn’t know how much time had passed, when she heard the door open to the restroom. “Hale, honey, are you OK?” Jasmine sounded concerned.

“Yeah, give me a sec.” She was still on her knees in front of the toilet. She had been resting her forehead against the cool tile on the wall in the large handicapped stall. She slowly rose to her feet, grasping the handrail, she was still a little dizzy. Once the room stopped spinning, she unlocked the stall door. “Hey.”

“Sweetheart, you don’t look very good.” Jasmine put her cool hand on her forehead.

Hale closed her eyes, the bright lights hurt and the dots were making their appearance, again. “Yeah, I have a migraine. I got sick and I’m still a little shaky.” She glanced down to make sure that nothing had spattered on her sweater.

Jasmine checked her out. “You’re so pale, but don’t worry, your clothes are fine.”

“I need to rinse my mouth out.” Hale held onto the edge of the sink.

Jasmine had a handful of paper towels ready for her when she finished. “Better?”

“No.” Hale frowned at her reflection.

Jasmine took her arm and started walking to the door. “I thought you were done with the migraines. How long has it been since you’ve had one?” Jasmine moved slowly.

“A couple of years. This one came on really fast.” Hale was trying not to stagger.

“We got rid of Major, Finn’s going to take you home, or you can come to our place.” They entered the small hallway where Izzy and Finn were waiting.

Finn moved quickly to her side. “Migraine?”

“A bad one, she got sick and she’s dizzy,” Jasmine answered.

Izzy moved forward with her coat and helped her into it. “We need to get you home.” He ran his hand down her back to comfort her.

Finn made sure her coat was buttoned like she was a toddler. “Can you walk or do you want me to carry you?”

“Like you could.” She snorted. “I can walk. I just need to take it slow.” She was mortified that Finn might attempt to lift her. “I hurt but I can still function as long as it doesn’t get any worse.”

“Honey, I think that you are worse off than you realize. Are your keys in your purse?” Finn had a firm hold on her arm.

“Yeah.” She looked around for her purse, remembering that she had left it on her chair. She spotted it under Finn’s arm.

“I know where she parked, I’ll get her SUV and pull up at the door.” Jasmine took her clutch from Finn and hurried ahead of the group.