Forever in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 4) Read online

  Eliza Shaw, executive director of the Cherries and owner of the Good Hope General Store, dropped her hands as if Fin’s shoulders had turned red-hot.

  “I heard you were still in town.” The polite smile that graced Eliza’s red lips didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  Wearing Louboutins and dressed in a Max Mara jacquard shift dress of contrasting geometric patterns, Eliza would be at home on Rodeo Drive or Fifth Avenue. In her early thirties with dark hair cut in a sleek bob and cool gray eyes, she was even more stunning than she’d been in high school.

  Knowing Ami and this woman had recently renewed their friendship had Fin responding more cordially than she might have in the past. While she still didn’t like how Eliza had treated her sister after that long-ago accident, if Ami could forgive and forget, she’d try. “I didn’t mean to jump in front of you. The boy came out of nowhere. Thanks for the steadying hand.”

  Eliza dismissed the thanks with a careless flick of her wrist. Then her eyes narrowed. “Since you’ve been back, you’ve been seeing a lot of Jeremy. I heard you had breakfast with him today.”

  For a second Fin almost explained she had a boyfriend—a serious one—but while Ami may have forgiven Eliza, Fin still hadn’t.

  Let her wonder, Fin thought. Let her worry I’m going to take her precious Jeremy away from her. Not that Eliza and Jeremy were a couple. But they were something. Fin wasn’t sure exactly what was between them, wasn’t sure she wanted to know. “It’s been nice to . . . reconnect.”

  She added her best feline smile.

  Eliza stiffened. She didn’t appear to notice—or care—that people were having to step around them. “You didn’t leave with the others.”

  “I’m enjoying my time in Good Hope too much.” Fin gave a low chuckle. “Reconnecting with an old lover can be oh so enjoyable.”

  Then, because she’d exhausted everything she had to say to Eliza, Fin stepped back into the flow of foot traffic and sauntered off.

  Chapter Two

  “I had no intention of coming tonight.” Marigold Rallis, her golden mane a curly cloud around her shoulders, stepped from Fin’s rented BMW Roadster.

  “I’m glad you changed your mind.” When Jeremy had invited her to attend a barbecue he was hosting for Good Hope’s business owners, Fin’s initial response had been to politely decline. Then she realized this was an opportunity to get a feel for what the movers and shakers of Good Hope thought of the town board vote.

  It wouldn’t change anything, but having more information might make Xander feel better about the outcome. She knew he hoped for a revote, although in her opinion that seemed highly unlikely. At least not without a groundswell of support for the project.

  “The fact that you readily agreed to come with me tells me you didn’t have anything better to do.” Fin kept her tone even, knowing she and her youngest sister could get into a sparring match with little effort.

  As Marigold was the youngest, Fin thought it was because her baby sister had been spoiled. Ami said it was because she and Marigold were so much alike.

  “Well, there is that.” Marigold expelled a dramatic sigh. “Cade is on duty tonight, so my choices were extremely limited.”

  Fin had known that Marigold, the owner of an up-and-coming hair salon, had been invited. “Since you were obviously at loose ends, why hadn’t you planned to attend?”

  Marigold lifted a shoulder, let it drop. “I guess I didn’t feel like going alone.”

  The crushed gravel of the lot, which sat down the hill from Jeremy’s impressive home, crunched beneath their feet. His house, a massive structure with leaded glass above each window and a turret topped in copper, stood three stories tall. The porch that wrapped halfway around the front added balance and beauty.

  Fin had always loved not only the Victorian house painted in shades of salmon, green, and yellow, but the land surrounding the home. Though known as Rakes Farm, it was really more of an orchard, with five hundred acres of tart cherries and thirty acres of apples and pears. It was likely even more acres had been added in the years since she and Jeremy had dated.

  In addition to fruit trees, the estate held a converted barn and an elegant Victorian home, both popular venues for parties and wedding receptions. Although the peak of the lavender season was several weeks past, the heady aroma from the nearby fields wafted in the air.

  Marigold tugged at the bodice of her strapless short dress festooned with flowers and topped with a sleeveless denim jacket. She looked big-city chic from the tips of her gladiator sandals to the small turquoise bag holding beauty essentials.

  Fin had opted for russet-colored cropped pants, a tropical-print one-shoulder shirt, and bejeweled T-strapped sandals. Once again, she’d let her hair hang loose.

  “I wasn’t keen on showing up alone, either.” Fin smiled at her sister. “I’m glad we could come together.”

  “We certainly can’t count on Ami for any activity after supper.” Marigold grinned at Fin’s look of surprise. “Hey, I got the bulletin about not calling after eight. Prim and Max aren’t much better. They have the boys in bed by seven thirty.”

  “Two nephews and a niece or nephew on the way.” Fin shook her head. “It’s hard to believe.”

  “Ami and Beck are certainly excited about the baby.”

  Fin slowed her steps as she and Marigold traveled up the paved wide walkway leading up to the house. She wondered what it would be like to feel a baby move inside you. To eagerly anticipate its birth instead of being filled with fear and dread.

  Marigold touched her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  Fin blinked and forced her thoughts back to the present. Seeing the worry in her sister’s eyes, she flashed a smile. “I’m exceptional. Why do you ask?”

  “You went sheet white.” Marigold studied her face. While Prim and Ami were always likely to take her word as gospel, suspicion lurked in Marigold’s eyes.

  “I haven’t eaten much today.” Impulsively, Fin looped her arm through Marigold’s. “I may embarrass you by pigging out tonight.”

  “It’ll take you dancing on a table with a greasy chicken leg in one hand and a big ol’ hunk of cake in the other to embarrass me.” Marigold chuckled. “But I say go for it. Let’s liven up this group.”

  A half hour into the barbecue, Fin decided Marigold was right. The group could use some livening up. She’d already grown bored. Part of the problem may have been that, other than greeting her at the door, Jeremy had been occupied with other guests.

  Marigold struck up a conversation with Charlotte McCray, owner of the Golden Door Salon and Spa. When talk turned to product lines and discounts, Fin excused herself.

  As she crossed the yard, Fin was reminded of all the events she’d attended here. Tonight, Chinese lanterns in a variety of vibrant colors had been strung across the endless manicured patch of green.

  Blue-and-white-striped cloths covered strategically placed rectangular tables. The tables held side dishes ranging from sweet and spicy coleslaw to corn salad with red bell peppers and jalapeños to cowboy beans. Instead of burgers and brats, attendees had their choice of smoked brisket or tangy pulled pork.

  Scattered picnic tables covered in the same striped cloths were there for guests who preferred to eat sitting down. Though galvanized tubs filled with ice, beer, and an assortment of soft drink bottles offered a variety of options, when Fin realized she was thirsty, she headed to the terrace, where a margarita machine whirred happily.

  Fin smiled when she saw that Ruby Rakes manned the machine. Tiny as a sprite, the older woman’s perfectly coiffed, champagne-colored hair curled softly around a too-thin face. Still, the smile she shot Fin was as bright as ever.

  “I saw you talking to Charlotte and wondered when you’d come and give me a hug.” Jeremy’s grandmother stepped from behind the table holding the machine, her arms open wide.

  Ruby was smaller than even Marigold’s diminutive five-foot-three-inch frame. Fin had to bend over to wrap her arms around t
he woman. Though she had to be close to eighty, Ruby had always been so . . . vital. Now she was thin as a willow branch. Fin squeezed gently, afraid of shattering bones.

  When she released her hold, Ruby clasped Fin’s arms and studied her. “Still pretty as a picture.”

  “Always generous with the compliments. Is it any wonder I love you?” The sentiment came easily because it was the truth. From the time she’d first become acquainted with the woman at fifteen, Fin had adored the feisty head of the Rakes family.

  “You’re a sweet talker, Delphinium Bloom.”

  “What are you two girls up to?” Jeremy appeared from the back of the house. Though his tone was light, Fin saw the concern in his eyes when his gaze landed on his grandmother.

  “Ruby is going to make me a margarita.” Fin spoke lightly, confused by the sudden tension in the air.

  Jeremy frowned at his grandmother. “We have staff for that duty. I don’t want you taxing yourself.”

  Ruby stiffened. “This may be your home now, but it was mine long before. I told you. I won’t stand around and do nothing.”

  “You can talk with me.” Fin’s voice portrayed none of the distress that had her heart racing. One look at Jeremy’s face told her Ruby’s condition was more serious than she’d imagined. “I’m the odd one out here tonight.”

  Ruby’s expression softened. “You belong here, Delphinium. I knew that from the moment my grandson first brought you over to meet Eddie and me.”

  It was apparent Jeremy hadn’t told Ruby she had a boyfriend. It was equally apparent that his grandmother had misconstrued the reason behind her invitation this evening. It wasn’t that Jeremy was personally interested in her. He was merely being kind.

  When Fin opened her mouth to make that point clear, Jeremy took her hand. His fingers laced with hers, and she forgot what she’d been about to say.

  “I don’t think you or my grandmother will have a chance to say much.” Jeremy gestured with his head. “Gladys is headed this way. She came representing the community theater.”

  “She came,” Ruby reminded her grandson, “because she’s one of my oldest and dearest friends.”

  “They don’t get much older than Gladys.” Jeremy’s quip earned him a warning look from his grandmother. He grinned.

  Purple caftan fluttering, Gladys Bertholf swept onto the terrace. Tall and whippet thin with pale blue eyes and a shock of dark black hair highlighted by a bold swath of silver resembling a skunk stripe, the woman cut an imposing figure.

  For as long as Fin could remember, Gladys had been a larger-than-life presence in Good Hope. A whiz with numbers, she’d served as treasurer of the Cherries for decades until Fin’s sister, Prim, had taken over the task a couple of years earlier.

  Most in Good Hope knew her as a stage actress. Fin had been cast in several productions as a child and had enjoyed playing opposite Gladys. A talented actress with a booming voice that could reach the rafters, at ninety-six, Gladys showed no signs of slowing down.

  “It’s been far too long, my dear.” The older woman’s voice held a throaty richness.

  Before Fin could respond, she found her shoulders grasped firmly in bony fingers bedecked in jewels, then her cheeks air-kissed.

  Over the years, Fin had grown used to the eccentricities displayed by many Hollywood actors. Often all the craziness made it difficult to discern what they were really like. With Gladys, Fin didn’t have to wonder. She knew beneath the woman’s flamboyance was genuine caring and a warm heart.

  Gladys had lit up the stage at the Good Hope Playhouse as far back as Fin could remember. If what Dakota had said was true . . . Fin experienced a pang at the thought of never hearing that booming voice reach the back row again.

  “It’s absolutely marvelous having so many of my favorite people together in one place.” Gladys flung out one hand in a dramatic gesture. “I told my son, Frank, when he dropped me off that I knew this was going to be a fabulous soiree.”

  Fin wasn’t sure a backyard barbecue qualified as a soiree, but the term, spoken with such dramatic license, made her smile. “It’s good to see you, Gladys.”

  The sentiment had barely left Fin’s lips when she found herself enfolded in another hug. The woman’s arms were like bands of steel.

  Fin heard Ruby’s delighted laugh. “That’s exactly how I felt when I saw her. Our girl is finally back home where she belongs.”

  “It’s about time.” Gladys shifted her focus to Jeremy. “Your mother may have thought it should be you and Eliza, but the first time I saw you with this one, I knew you’d end up together.”

  Ruby nodded agreement. “Rakes always marry their first loves.”

  Jeremy didn’t give Fin a chance to respond as he took her hand again and angled her toward the French doors. “If you ladies will excuse me, there’s someone I’d like Fin to meet.”

  The two older women exchanged glances and tittered.

  “If that’s your excuse for snatching a little alone time with your sweetheart, go for it.” Ruby glanced at Gladys, who nodded. “You have our blessing.”

  Gladys patted Fin’s bare shoulder. “It’s good to see the two of you back together.”

  “We’re not back together.”

  “If you say so, dear.” The two women spoke as one, then looked at each other and giggled like a couple of teenagers.

  “You behave.” Jeremy’s indulgent smile took any sting from the words.

  Fin waited until they stepped into the empty kitchen to speak. “They think we’re . . . together.”

  Jeremy pointed to her, then back to himself. “We are together.”

  Fin huffed out a breath. “You know what I mean. Your grandmother and Gladys think we’re a couple.”

  “They also think Elvis is still alive,” Jeremy teased, then his expression sobered. “I get what you’re saying, but Grandma Ruby’s condition is . . . delicate. I see no reason to push the fact that you’ll soon be returning to LA.”

  “What about Gladys?”

  “I believe she’s simply playing along.” The look in his eyes grew distant before he turned to open the refrigerator. “The crazy thing is I get the feeling Gladys wants you to stay even more than my grandmother.”

  Fin rested her back against the counter, took the bottle of water he offered. “Why?”

  “Dakota isn’t the only one who thinks you’d be a worthy successor.” Jeremy smiled sheepishly. “I overheard Gladys telling my grandmother once she’d always hoped you’d take her place on the stage.”

  At her look of disbelief, he simply lifted his hands, one still holding the water bottle. “You’ve got the trifecta. Not only can you act, but you dance and sing, too.”

  “Well, I’m not staying. They need to understand that, and they need to know you and I aren’t together.”

  “Let them have their dreams, Finley. Just for a little while.” His light tone didn’t match the somberness in his gaze. “Sometimes dreams are all a person has. Sometimes that has to be enough.”

  After the barbecue Friday night—which ended up being more fun than Fin had anticipated—she spent Saturday with family: the morning at the bakery with Ami and her second-in-command, Hadley; the afternoon at the community pool with her sister Prim, brother-in-law Max, and their twin boys, Connor and Callum; the evening with everyone gathered at the family home, her dad cooking steaks on the massive grill.

  Xander laughed when she called that evening and told him how she’d spent the day.

  “All I can say is I’m glad I was far, far away.”

  Even as the amused tone and cavalier dismissal set her teeth on edge, Fin told herself it was hard to convey just how enjoyable the day had been in a few succinct sentences. That had been all the time she’d used, sensing Xander had much to tell her. This was a business trip, after all.

  She listened and murmured appropriate responses as he told her about the repeat site visits. According to him, both city administrators were ready to sign on the dotted line, but X
ander had put them off.

  Fin tried to summon some sympathy. She’d read the script, seen pictures of the other towns, and personally thought either alternative would work just fine.

  Still, she reminded herself, she wasn’t a director. Xander had a vision for this project, and Good Hope fit perfectly. She could understand not wanting to settle for second best, but in this instance he didn’t have a choice. “You’re not happy with either of the alternate sites.”

  “No, I’m not happy.” He clipped the words. “I want Good Hope.”

  “I don’t know if this will make you feel better or worse, but I went to a party at Jeremy’s house last night.” Fin chose her words carefully. “While a lot of the merchants there agreed with the vote, there appeared to be just as many who wished Jeremy had voted to approve.”

  There was a long pause. “That is interesting.”

  “The problem is, unless Jeremy brings the issue back to the board, how those merchants feel is a moot point.”

  “Did you bring up that possibility to the mayor?”

  “I didn’t,” Fin admitted. “A party didn’t seem the right time, and I didn’t feel it was my place to stir things up again. The town board voted. Jeremy broke the tie. The decision has been made.”

  “You and the mayor are good friends.” Xander paused. “And I believe one of the women on the board who voted against my proposition is dating your father.”

  “Jeremy and I were friends, but that was years ago.” Fin kept her tone matter-of-fact. “As for Lynn Chapin, I can’t tell you why she voted against it. She left on a short business trip right after the vote, and I haven’t had a chance to speak with her since she’s been back.”

  “I’d like you to try.”

  “I’ve done what I can.” Fin heard an edge creep into her voice and took a calming breath. “Changing a person’s mind takes time and can’t be forced.”

  “You’re right. It does take time.” The understanding in Xander’s voice had Fin relaxing her hold on the phone. Despite his severe disappointment, he understood her position.