“I came here to meet my father,” Jessi corrected. “I had no idea he’d turn out to be the freaking mayor.”
There was no reason to believe this meeting would go well. That Jebediah would welcome her with open arms as the long-lost daughter he’d abandoned before she’d even been born. Yet, Jessi had insisted on seeing him face-to-face. To see his expression when she announced their connection.
Haleigh took both Jessi’s hands in her own. “Breathe, Jessi. Nothing that happens inside this office is going to change who you are. You’re a brilliant and creative young woman and the mother of a beautiful little girl. If Jebediah turns you away, he’ll be losing out on knowing someone very special. You already have a family that you helped create,” she added, smiling Cooper’s way. “We’re right here no matter what. You aren’t in this alone, okay?”
Cooper could not have loved her more in that moment. To Jessi’s questioning gaze, he said, “She’s right. You’re one of us regardless of what happens today.”
The anxious teenager blew out her breath as she nodded. “I can do this,” she said, staring at the office door. “If he wants to stay nothing more than a sperm donor, so be it. At least I’ll know I tried.”
Together, they entered the building and gave their names to the receptionist at the tiny front desk. Oddly enough, Haleigh had recruited her mother to set up the meeting, and Cooper had no idea what the woman had given as a reason. He only knew that Jebediah Winkle had no idea what was about to hit him.
Haleigh held tight to Jessi’s hand as they entered Jebediah’s office, a space diametrically opposed to the one he occupied at city hall. While the civil office had been stark and sterile, Jebediah’s degrees and a few awards hanging on the wall serving as the only decoration, this office was almost warm by comparison.
Tall bookshelves flanked the window behind the desk, each thick with books and family photographs. Haleigh recognized some dating back to their days in school. Becky in her cheerleading uniform and another of her and her parents on graduation day. Plants lined a table along the right side wall while two overstuffed chairs offered comfortable seats for visitors.
On the corner of the desk rested an ornate picture frame encompassing the image of three smiling faces along with two fluffy dogs. The picture ignited a flicker of hope in Haleigh’s chest. This cold and often contrary man loved his family. Maybe he could extend that love to Jessi.
“Come in,” Jebediah said, rising from his chair. At the sight of Cooper, he visibly tensed. “I didn’t know you would be here, Ridgeway.”
“I’m just here for support,” Cooper answered, lingering near the door.
With a perplexed expression, the mayor passed over the bright-haired teen and asked, “Haleigh Rae, where’s your mother?”
“She won’t be joining us today,” Haleigh answered, then gestured toward the chairs. “Should we sit?”
“Y . . . Yes,” he stuttered, clearly off balance. “I’m curious what this is about.” Dark eyes darted back to Jessi several times. The young woman had yet to speak.
They hadn’t rehearsed how this would go, so, following her instincts, Haleigh took the lead. “Mayor Winkle, this is Jessi Rogers. She arrived in Ardent Springs a month ago on a mission. That mission has led us here today.”
“To me?” he asked.
“You’re my father,” Jessi blurted, putting an end to Haleigh’s diplomatic approach.
Winkle paled. “I’m your what?”
“You were in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1995, weren’t you?” the child asked, a strong mixture of hope and accusation in her tone.
Jebediah seemed to be searching for an answer when Cooper said, “Don’t lie to her, Winkle. We know you made regular visits up that way as a youth minister.”
Sinking into his chair, the older man said, “Yes, I was there in 1995.”
“And you met my mother, Gloria Rogers. Though her name would have been Gloria Watkins back then.”
Aging before their eyes, Jebediah said, “You’re Gloria’s girl?”
“Gloria’s and yours,” Cooper corrected. “Take off the makeup and change the hair and she looks exactly like Becky did in high school.”
The mayor’s reaction took them all by surprise. “I can see it,” he said, eyes locked on Jessi’s face. “I had no idea.”
“You didn’t know that the young woman you took advantage of was pregnant when you left town?” Cooper asked.
Haleigh understood that Cooper’s innate sense of justice and responsibility drove his anger on Jessi’s behalf. His stalwart belief in doing the right thing made him the man he was, and she wouldn’t change him for the world. However, in this instance, a less aggressive approach might yield more positive results.