Cynthia Thomason - This Hero for Hire

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DINNER CONVERSATION CENTERED around Mount Union, what had stayed the same and what had changed. Susannah decided that little was different from her high school days. A few new people had moved in, and some of the young ones had graduated and moved on. All the talk about her hometown renewed her fondness for where she’d grown up. And she liked that Cyrus Braddock’s grandson believed that this cozy town was the best one on Earth. She’d once thought so, before she became the Rhodes’s black sheep and was sent away to school.

The lushness of Braddock land wasn’t the only reason she’d come back to Mount Union, though she knew the methods she’d studied would succeed here. Deep down she hoped she would feel like she belonged again. She had wandered for so long that a profound yearning to call someplace home had turned her thoughts to Georgia. And her father’s campaign had provided the incentive she needed to return and reconnect. And maybe make amends with him. She had been a difficult child, especially after her mother left.

“Be sure and tell Maria that the roast was delicious, Susie,” Albee said when he’d placed his napkin over his plate. “And your vegetables were good, too.”

For some reason, the praise made her look at Boone. Would he compliment her cooking skills? And if so, why did it matter?

“Yeah, those glazed carrots were really tasty, Susannah,” he said.

She took the last bite of her pasta and spinach salad and stood. “Thank you, gentlemen. I’ll clear the plates and bring in dessert.”

“No dessert just yet, darlin’,” Albee said. He got up and refilled her wineglass. When he walked around the table, Boone covered his glass with his hand. Albee returned to his seat. “There’s a small matter I’ve been meaning to discuss with you two kids.”

Here it comes, an end to what had been a surprisingly pleasant evening, despite Boone not remembering anything about the kiss. She figured that mortifying incident had long since faded from his memory. Just as well.

Susannah had suspected an ulterior motive in her father’s invitation to Boone. So far, she hadn’t been able to figure out what it was. She set the plates on the buffet and took her seat again. It was time to find out. “What’s going on, Daddy?”

Albee cleared his throat. “You know I’m glad you came home to help with my reelection campaign, don’t you, Susie?”

“That’s what you’ve been saying.” She looked at Boone, who seemed to find something fascinating in the linen threads of the tablecloth. “But that was before I released Sam Jonas’s chickens.”

Albee waved his hand as if he were swatting a fly. “I’ve already decided that incident is in the past, Susannah. Tomorrow is another day. And speaking of tomorrow, I’m leaving in the afternoon for a three-week tour of the Atlanta suburbs. Planning to hold town hall meetings and do interviews on the local TV stations.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” she said. “All exposure should be helpful this close to the election.”

“I’m leaving my campaign headquarters in Mount Union in your capable hands, darlin’. You know what to do to canvass this area.”

She nodded. “I remember what you told me from your first campaign. We can talk more in the morning before you leave, but I’ve spoken with your outgoing campaign manager, and he filled me in on what has to be done.”

“Harry’s a good man. Call on him if you have any questions. I won’t be back here for the entire three weeks,” Rhodes pointed out.

“Yes, I know.” Susannah slowly twirled her wineglass. “We’ve discussed all this, Dad. I’ll do the best job I can for you.” She turned to stare at Boone when she heard him cough. “I’m thinking that Boone and I are wondering the same thing. What does all this have to do with him?”

“I’ve hired this young man, Susie,” Rhodes announced.

“Boone is joining your security team?” For some reason she found it strange that this cop would leave his beloved Mount Union. Even if the money were good.

She looked at Boone, expecting him to answer. He shook his head. “Not exactly.”

“Then what did you hire him for?”

“Now, Susie,” Rhodes began, “don’t get excited when I tell you...”

Suddenly she knew. Fisting her hands on top of the table, she glared at her father. “You didn’t! Tell me you didn’t hire Boone to watch over me while you’re away.”

Albee affected a wounded expression. “You didn’t give me any choice, honey. I tried to get you to agree to a couple of fellas from my regular security team, but you wouldn’t hear of it.”

“Of course not! I don’t need a security detail. The whole idea is ridiculous. And besides that, what makes you think I’m any more receptive to having a Mount Union cop watching my every move?”

“He’s a local boy. You two know each other...”

Susannah stood. “That was years ago, and we barely spoke to each other!” She felt her face flush. There was that kiss. “Anyway, I wouldn’t feel any differently if he were my brother! I’m not going to be totally alone in this house. We have a housekeeper and a gardener...”

The governor grunted. “One’s older than the other. And they don’t live on the property.”

Susannah’s breath came in short, strong gasps.

“Besides,” her father continued. “I’ve compromised with you. Boone is just one guy, not a detail.”

“I don’t need to be protected by one guy or a hundred.” She released a deep breath as an even more disturbing thought occurred to her. “You don’t trust me, do you, Daddy? You think I’m going to screw up somehow and hurt your election chances.”

“Now that’s just nonsense,” Albee said. “This is the first time you’ve come home for any length of time in years, and I’m concerned about you. Things have changed since you were a girl. I have enemies...”

“Well, I don’t! At least none other than Sam Jonas.”

She took two steps until she was standing over Boone. He turned his head to stare up at her with those intense green eyes. “Did you know about this?” she asked.

“Not before this morning,” he said.

“Well, you can forget about it. I hereby absolve you of any responsibility for my protection or well-being.”

Her father fixed her with his most determined glare. “I’m afraid you can’t do that, Susannah. I’ve hired Boone. He comes well recommended...”

“I’m sure he does, Daddy. I’ve seen him handle escaping chickens, and I can tell he’s a qualified professional.” She immediately regretted the snarky comment.

“Wow, thanks for that,” Boone said. “I guess I know how to handle chickens. Just maybe not local royalty, is that it?”

“Sorry, but you don’t have to take this so personally,” she said. “This is no reflection on you. But I can take care of myself.”

He just nodded his head several times. Was he agreeing with her or biding his time until the governor gave in? Susannah almost felt sorry for him. He’d probably been roped in by the governor’s powers of persuasion and didn’t know how to say no. She didn’t know this cop well, but she’d already determined that he wasn’t the type to be happy playing nursemaid, even if he probably was raking in a good paycheck.

A few moments of awkward silence followed until the governor finally said, “I’m sorry you’re upset, Susannah, but this is how it’s going to be. Either you let me leave this house tomorrow with a feeling of confidence about your safety or you can gas up that truck of yours and head back to Oregon, where you’re not in the middle of a nasty election. Much as I’d like to have you on my team, and I do, I won’t risk your well-being to make it happen.”