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“Welcome! Ooh, Rusty, I love that blue sundress. It’s the perfect foil for your gorgeous hair.”
Rusty smiled. “Thank you. Mom and Dad used to blame my hair color on the postman and then laugh hysterically, because no one in our family had red hair. I had to get older to get the joke.”
“That hair is a country all its own,” Cameron said. “It’s what I saw first across a crowded hotel lobby, and then I saw her, and I was done.”
“What a storybook meeting,” Shirley said.
B.J. walked into the kitchen on that last comment.
“Sorry I kept everyone waiting,” he said, then shook hands with Cameron and gave Rusty an appreciative glance, thinking to himself how pretty she was.
Shirley waved a hand toward the table. “Please be seated.” Then she nodded at Aaron to sit at the head of the table and saw the pleased expression on his face. As soon as everyone was in their place, Shirley gave the blessing, then as the passing of food began around the table, she shifted her attention to Cameron and Rusty.
“You two are the first guests in our new home, and we are so grateful for your company.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Cameron said.
Chatter filled the room as they filled their plates, and the boys poked fun at the size of B.J.’s helpings.
“Still growing into those long legs,” Cameron said.
Shirley laughed, and as she did, realized how long it had been since she’d felt this kind of delight.
As the meal progressed, conversation turned to jobs and work. Cameron heard about Sean’s IT business in their home, and B.J. making deliveries for Aunt Annie’s bakery. He already knew through the family grapevine that Wiley had gone to work at the music venue for country music star, Reagan Bullard.
“So, Wiley. What do you think of Reagan Bullard? Have you met him yet?”
“Yes, I met him my first day on the job. He seems nice enough. I also heard he bought the campgrounds outside of Jubilee and is turning it into a whole new venue. Waterslides. A big swimming pool, pony rides, and a concession stand to go with the little cabins and the campgrounds and fireworks every Saturday night.”
Cameron glanced at Rusty. That place held a not so nice history for them, but they’d been aware of the changes after the previous owner’s arrest.
“I heard a bit about that myself,” Cameron said. “A new owner will work wonders for the place.” Then he glanced at B.J. “So how do you like working at the bakery?”
B.J. grinned. “I like it. Aunt Annie is awesome, and the free cookies I get are just fine too.”
They laughed, even Aaron, who had been silent during the job discussion. But Rusty had noticed his reticence and was curious about the silence.
“So, Aaron, what kind of job are you looking for?” she asked, as Shirley began serving slices of apple pie for their dessert.
He met her gaze, but it took everything within him to not duck his head in shame.
“Before Clyde Wallace’s crime spree, I was a police officer for the City of Conway. After Clyde’s trial and sentencing, they let me go. I always wanted to be in law enforcement. I had seven years on the force before Clyde’s killing spree. After all the bad press and publicity, I guess being the son of a killer tainted the badge and screwed up public relations.”
Rusty didn’t blink. “Well, that sucks, but we have a lot in common. I was an undercover agent for the FBI for almost ten years. It’s what brought me to Jubilee, and why Cameron and I reunited after meeting years earlier.”
Aaron blinked. “No joke? A Fed?”
“I liked it, but undercover work is dangerous, and I had too many close calls. I happily gave it up just to have a family again.”
Cameron had been silent through the conversation, but in a lull, he had to ask. “Have you applied for a job here with the Jubilee PD?”
Aaron shook his head.
“Why not?” Cameron asked.
“We came here to get away from being Clyde Wallace’s sons. I don’t want to resurrect that again with a simple background check.”
Cameron frowned. “Your last name is Pope. That name goes a long way around here. Sonny Warren is the police chief. I grew up with him. He’s a good man and a fair man. If you want that career, then fight for it.”
