by Ines Saint
Her eyes widened. A newscaster’s voice was speaking over a video of Cassie dressed up as Dolly Parton, having a jolly old time on stage. She shook her head and tried harder to focus on the perfectly coiffed anchor. “Viewers have been expressing their anger and disbelief that Senator and Sandy McGillicuddy’s daughter, Cassidy, was partying hard last night while . . .”
Blood swished in Cassie’s ears and she had to sit down. “Who . . . why . . .” she babbled.
“Hey, chin up, look around. You have the best crisis management team anywhere,” Jessica said, trying hard to sound upbeat.
“But who sent this to the press? Why?” Cassie asked again, looking up, unfocused.
“We don’t know,” Emily replied, looking as angry and betrayed as Cassie felt.
Holly kneeled beside her. “You’re surrounded by friends right now. And Jessica’s right. We’re also the best crisis management team ever because we care about you.”
Not knowing what to do, feel, or say, Cassie picked up the spoon Ruby had given her and took a bite of the lemon meringue pie. The tartness burst upon her first, followed by the soothing sweetness, and ending with the pillowy comfort of the meringue. Feeling a bit sturdier, Cassie looked over at Jessica again. “Have any clients called?”
Jessica looked everywhere but at her. “Just spit it out, Jess. I need to know,” Cassie said, clutching her stomach as discreetly as possible.
Jessica’s worry-filled gaze met hers. “The couple who made the offer on Sam’s house yesterday still wants the house . . . but they want a different agent.”
Cassie felt bile and anger rise. She’d worked so hard to build a separate life and identity for herself. “Why? Because my dad cheated on my mom with my babysitter ten years ago? How is that my fault?”
“N-no.” Jessica frowned. “It’s because they were at Huffy’s, and when they found out today that you were Dolly, well, they felt you were being insensitive.” She sighed. “And there’s more. A client in Columbus called to sever ties with us because she made the connection between you and your father and she has always heavily opposed your father’s politics.”
Cassie’s stomach dropped. How could she have been so stupid? How could she have believed she could separate herself from two national figures—who happened to be her parents? Sam knelt beside her and took her hand, cold and limp, in his. She didn’t look at him, but she clutched his large, warm hand, letting all the pent-up rage she didn’t know how to deal with out in her grip.
“Someone lock the door and swing our sign to closed,” Ruby ordered.
Sherry then sat down in front of her, speaking gently. “I think the first thing you need to do is put some sort of statement out there, something you feel comfortable with, but something truthful. People respond to the truth.”
“She’s right.” Emily began to pace. “People respond to heartfelt, honest statements, but we have to tailor it to address people’s perceptions.”
Rosa put her hands on Cassie’s shoulders. “Before we address the past, you should find out what your parents are saying first, to make sure your statement matches and shows your respect and support for them. Then you should explain how last night you were putting your own worries and problems aside in order to honor your adult commitments to others.”
Cassie looked at Rosa’s beautiful lined face, feeling more understood than she’d felt in years. “That’s exactly how I felt. Like I had to suck it up and shove it aside so I wouldn’t let others down. Every one of our associates works so hard. They have responsibilities and bills to pay and they shouldn’t suffer over any of this. It’s unfair.”
Rosa patted her shoulder. “We know, dear. We know. Now, Emily and I will go to the back office and compose a statement that doesn’t include the words suck or shove so you can look it over, make changes, and release it as soon as possible.”
Emily handed out assignments that ranged from getting Cassie’s phone charged to diverting the snooping reporter at her office and finding people who had been at Open Town and Huffy’s the day before to do interviews or release statements about how hard Cassie and her team had worked. With that, her very own crisis management team got to work. Maybe she wasn’t as alone as she’d thought.
Only Dan, Johnny, and Sam remained. “I’m so mad!” she finally raged. “How could I have been so naïve?” She turned to Sam. “And don’t you dare turn down that offer because they no longer want me as the listing agent.”
Sam looked at Cassie’s bright, angry eyes, not knowing what to say. There was no way he’d accept the offer, and no way he’d start an argument with Cassie now.
Luckily, Johnny came to his rescue. He put his hands on Cassie’s shoulders and said, “I don’t know how to deal with adults as much as I do with kids, and so I was remembering how you were when we were kids and it got me thinking about how lucky you were to have had thick eyebrows. Now you can shape them any way you want to. You look good, Cass. Hot.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
Cassie narrowed her eyes at him. “What the hell are you talking about, Johnny?”
“When you were twelve, Samantha Burns made fun of your eyebrows in front of Garret Pearson, remember?”
Cassie remembered. He’d been her first real infatuation. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“You told her you were lucky because you could shape them any way you wanted to and then you did. She tried to hurt you, but you turned it into a positive, and you’ll turn this into a positive, too.”
Cassie turned it around in her head, remembering other times when life had handed her lemons and she’d made lemon meringue. “Thank you,” she said with a half smile.
Johnny sighed. “I should start charging all of you.”
Dan rolled his eyes. “Right. Now let’s go scare away that reporter and do some digging. I want to know who leaked the video.”
Dan and Johnny left, the café still had the CLOSED sign on the door, and Sam and Cassie were left alone. She rounded on him. “Take the offer, Sam. I mean it. Lisa or Craig can list it as theirs.”
Sam took a deep breath. “I already told the buyers that if they want to dictate who I use as a Realtor, they can find another house.”
“No! You need to think about your business. About Jake.”
“I am thinking about Jake. No matter what he decides to be when he grows up, he can’t let pricks push him around. I have to set the example.”
Cassie watched him with alarm. Risking his business over a listing agent was madness, but his whole body was stiff with determination. “There’s no talking you out of it, is there?”
“Not a chance.”
Cassie racked her brain, trying to think of a compromise. “Why don’t you talk to them, face-to-face, and explain how you’ve known me since I was six, and how the whole thing yesterday was about me not wanting to let you down. Despite their current feelings, I liked them. Maybe if you’ll explain, they’ll understand. I’d explain myself, but it’ll seem self-serving, even though it truly would not be.” She took his hand. “Don’t give up on people, Sam. If I’d let you explain what happened years ago, we might’ve at least saved our friendship.”
“I’m sorry, Cassie, but they’ve already proven what kind of people they are. Telling their Realtor that I won’t allow them to choose my listing agent is the one thing I can do before I head off to meet with my crews. In case you didn’t notice, I wasn’t assigned anything by the powers that be.”
Cassie smiled at that. “They’re a fearsome bunch. The snoops won’t know what hit them.”
“The jerk who leaked the video won’t know what hit him, either,” Sam said, looking fierce.
Cassie sighed. “How do we find them out, though? And does it really matter?”
“It matters. If it’s someone from town, I want to tell them what I think of them.” He tried to lighten the mood by saying, “I’m your small-town hero, remember?”
“You really read my blog?” she asked, sounding surprised.
“Of course. I told you so the very first day.”
“I know . . . but people often just say things.”
Sam met her doubtful look with a firm one. “And sometimes people really do mean what they say.”
She blinked and focused on his nose, not wanting him to see the doubt in her eyes
Sam stood up. “I’ve got to get going if I’m going to get anything I’m talking about done.”
Cassie tilted her head, trying to access a memory that had been bothering her. “You know, there was a woman there last night, with long blond hair, who said something to me. She looked familiar, but I can’t place her. I’ve been thinking maybe she was a reporter.”
Sam froze. Cassie was talking about Heather. The perfect opening at the worst possible time.
He thought carefully about his next words. He wasn’t out to protect himself. That much he was certain about. “Cass, when this is all over, we need to sit down and really talk.”
“About last night?” Cassie looked up and smiled so prettily, he nearly forgot his worries. “It was so beautiful, Sam. I felt safe and understood. Like you said. But I’m not expecting us to define it. We have too much going on. You just got divorced, you have a son, your business needs attention, and I’m living in a fishbowl again. Right now, all I can think of is I don’t want to drown. In you, in my parents, in anything.”
“I don’t want you to, either. I just want to talk.” And tell her everything, including how he loved her all over again. For the quirky way her mind worked, for her gumption, and for that vulnerable place in her soul that spoke to his.
She said she’d felt safe and understood. Sam played with her fingers a moment. He’d felt her love and he’d felt understood, but if he were to be honest, he hadn’t felt safe. Not knowing what else to do or say, Sam gently brushed his lips against hers. He’d meant it to be a comforting gesture, but the moment his lips met her warm, moist mouth, he breathed her in, and craved more. The soft touch became slow, drawn-out strokes. He slipped a hand around her neck to angle her head and deepen the kiss, and someone coughed.
They sprang apart, and Sam half-turned to see Emily standing behind them, eyebrow raised, looking completely unembarrassed.
“I’ll, uh, tell you how it goes,” he said, before turning to leave.
Cassie sat frozen in place, her hands gripping the edge of the stool she was sitting on, unable to look at Emily. “Sorry about that,” she finally squeaked, not looking up.
“Don’t apologize to me. I mean, I already knew there was something there, you were able to get Sam to wear sideburns after all, but I didn’t know you two were—you know. But don’t worry, I’m immune. I work with Holly, and Dan stops by from time to time. They’re still in that honeymoon phase.”
Cassie looked up. “No. I mean, I know all of you are good friends with Heather and that their divorce is recent. Sam and I aren’t—any-thing. I mean, I don’t know what we are, other than conflicted, connected, and confused, and I don’t know why that just happened, it wasn’t planned, but whatever I am, I’m not insensitive and I’d die before hurting his ex or Jake.”
Emily gave her a playful nudge. “Don’t worry. I’m not judging you. I get it.”
“Really?”
Emily nodded. “Really. And you don’t have to worry about Heather. She’s dating and doing her thing and doing well. She wants Sam to do the same. You’re right that Jake might need some time, and it’s very good of you to think of them both.” Emily put her hand around her shoulder and gave her a quick, tight squeeze. “It’s why I consider you a friend, too, even though I haven’t known you long. Your heart is in the right place.” She removed her arm and handed her a piece of paper. “And that, and your parents’ joint statement, is what we based your statement on. Read it over, make changes, and we’ll get it all typed up and ready to go. It’s not perfect, because perfect never sounds real.”
Cassie took the paper in both hands and read.
Ten years ago, my family privately and quietly weathered a very personal, very painful storm. I stood by my parents and offered them my all because I had my all to give. As you all know, that storm became public knowledge early yesterday morning. I love my mom and dad, and anything that causes them pain distresses me. I will again and always stand by them and support them as best I can, but I ask that you respect that my personal relationship with my parents is not a public matter. I have done my best to stay out of the public eye and build a life of my own. As a small business owner, I have others counting on me, too, and so I no longer have my all to give to only my parents.
Yesterday, I did my utmost best to comfort them and then put on my best face to honor an important commitment I had made with my employees and clients, but my intentions were misconstrued. I only ask that moving forward you understand that I am not a public figure and that you respect the privacy of my staff and clients.
Cassie nodded slowly. “It’s the truth,” she said.
Sam phoned the couple’s Realtor as soon as he was out the door and asked to set up a meeting with the couple. They agreed to meet during their lunch hour at their Realtor’s office. Sam headed to the apartment to change into a crisp white shirt, khakis, and a sports jacket. He slicked his overgrown hair back and looked in the mirror. It was his businessman look. His contractor look consisted of worn, muddy boots, old jeans, and flannel shirt over a T-shirt, but it didn’t seem to impress banks or buyers.
When he got back downstairs, Johnny and their mother were sitting on the sofa, talking quietly. Johnny looked upset. “You’re being unreasonable, Ma,” he was saying. How many times had he heard those exact words coming from their own father and his own mouth? It never seemed to matter.
Marianne stood up when she saw Sam, her jaw set, her posture rigid. It was the look she got when she wanted control. “I’d like to talk to you, Sam,” she said before letting loose. “It’s gotten back to me that your business is in trouble.”
Sam closed his eyes and breathed out a sigh. How the hell had it gotten back to her? Only Johnny, Dan, and Cassie now knew, and none of them would say a thing.
“Do you know how humiliating it was to find out from a perfect stranger instead of hearing it from you?”
“What perfect stranger?” Sam asked.
“A bank employee was running his mouth off, having fun repeating rumors at other people’s expense,” she said bitterly. Sam and Johnny exchanged a look. How often had Marianne done the same thing? “Why didn’t you tell me? Do you know how humiliating it was to find out through someone else?”
“It’s Sam’s business. He doesn’t owe us explanations.” Johnny shot up. “The bank, however, owes Sam a huge one. And an apology. What the hell was that guy thinking? Who was he?” he demanded.
“The rumor mill is always churning, Jonathon. We’re the ones who have to watch where we’re stepping so we don’t fall and get pinned under its wheels.”
“And walk around paranoid? No. The fault lies with the employee for shooting his mouth off. Not Sam.”
“Then sue the bank. They deserve it. But the man wouldn’t have anything to talk about if the business weren’t in trouble. And Sam does owe us an explanation, this business is your father’s legacy.” She turned to Sam. “How did this happen?”
Sam felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. This was his father’s legacy. He’d played Monopoly with it. He took a deep, steadying breath, manned up, and faced his mom and Johnny. He’d need to talk to Dan, too. “I took a carefully thought-out, calculated risk, but I made a big mistake by downplaying the role outside forces could play. I fell behind on loans, but the bank is working with me, because it understands the dynamics, knows it’ll profit, and wants to hold on to future business with me. I still strongly believe the venture will pay off, though, not just for the business, but for Johnny and Dan, and for the entire town.”
Marianne’s lips thinned. Her anger was always palpable to those who knew her, but never outwardly visible, unless you knew the stre
ss-triggering signs. Sam braced himself. Johnny sat down, slumped back, and looked at the ceiling.
“I know you, and I believe you thought it through. I don’t think you would play fast and loose with your dad’s hard work or Johnny’s education. But for the life of me, I don’t understand why you feel the need to share profits with Dan. I know you think I have it in for him, and God knows I’m tired of defending myself, but wouldn’t you pay your loans off sooner if you didn’t have to hire him and then share profits with him? Unlike Johnny, he already has an education. An education he paid for when you generously bought him out.”
Sam stared at his mom. There was bitterness in her tone and malice in her eyes. She rarely went this far. The humiliation and stress over his circumstances had brought it out, he knew. But there was no reasoning with her when it came to Dan. He would never understand it. He’d stopped trying to.
Johnny straightened again and looked at their mom, hardened and ready to try. It was a battle he’d lose. Sam lifted his hand to stop whatever words his brother was about to say.
How could he love her and see all the good things she’d done, while knowing all the hurt she’d caused, too? How could he feel grateful for some things and yet so angry and resentful about so many others?
Sam turned on his mom and tried to keep his voice low and even. No, she wouldn’t listen, but if he didn’t say something, he’d feel like a traitor. “Dan and Johnny received the same amount from me when I bought them out, so what makes you think it was enough to pay for Dan’s law degree when it wasn’t enough to pay for Johnny’s education? I’m not helping my brothers, they’re helping me. Dan came back to help me. I don’t have enough crews or contractors to work on these properties. You say God knows you’ve tried, but He and I and everyone else who matters know you haven’t.” And with that, Sam shook his head, turned, and left to deal with the next difficulty on his ever-growing list.
