Page 30 of Solid Foundation
“I kept following land deeds and census records and found out that Freddie’s extended family—yourextended family—lived up in the mountains, a few hours away. Your great-grandfather’s name and picture appear in the papers for this little town a few times and get this—he’salwayspictured next to another young man, about the same age as him. Until he isn’t. There are photos of them for several summers in a row, talking about their volunteering in the community, that sort of thing. And then nothing. Andthen, a few years later, your great-grandfather appears in the paper again—this time for an engagementannouncement. Then I did some digging on Nathan. His family lived next door to Freddie’s relatives. It all makes sense.”
Jake took a bite of his ice cream and nodded thoughtfully. “It sounds plausible. What’s your plan?”
“I told my boss Doug about the letters a few weeks ago and he’s a hundred percent on board with tying them into the show somehow. I’ve just got to figure out how to work it into the narrative.”
Jake, a spoonful of ice cream halfway to his mouth, froze. He frowned, deep lines forming between his eyebrows.
“What? Do you think it’s a bad idea?”
He put the spoonful of ice cream in his mouth and hesitated for a moment. “I don’t know. It feels kind of exploitative.”
I was taken aback. I hadn’t thought of it like that. “Really? I was thinking of it as sweet. Historic. You know, a queer love story for the ages, tying into the queer love story that led to the renovation in the first place.”
“I don’t think airing business without permission from both families is a good idea. And that’s a big ask. Besides, they didn’t exactly have a happy ending. Do you really want to get into that on your feel-good show?”
I tapped my lips with my spoon as I thought. He had a good point. I’d been so wrapped up in solving the mystery and sharing their love story that I hadn’t stopped to think about how it would impact people. But now that I thought about it, Jake was right. I didn’t want to out people, not without their permission. Finally, I nodded. “You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that angle. Let’s put the brakes on putting this on the show.” My next step would be to figure out how to tell Doug I didn’t want to use the letters after all.Thatwasn’t going to be an easy conversation.
Jake’s laugh alleviated the knot building in my chest.
“What?” I frowned.
Still laughing, he shook his head. “Put the brakes on? You’ve never sounded more corporate.”
I grinned playfully. “Is that doing something for you?”
He snorted. “Not exactly.”
I gave him a wink. “Guess I’ll try harder next time.” I scooped a spoonful of ice cream up and ate it, letting the cold, creamy sweetness slide down my throat. It was exactly what I’d needed, and I was already disappointed that I was nearly finished with my cup. “So, honey lavender, huh?”
Jake took another bite. “What? I like the flavor. It’s sweet, but not too sweet. Light. Delicate.” When my eyebrows shot up, Jake frowned. “What? A guy like me can’t like delicate flavors?”
“No, not at all. It’s just not what I expected.”
“No? Why not?”
“You know… you present as this super masculine, tough, gruff construction boss. But then you say things like that. You’re always taking me by surprise, that’s all.”
His frown deepened. “You’re saying I’m too manly to like lavender?”
“No!” I sputtered a hasty explanation. “I was just surprised. I like it. That’s all I meant.”
He let me squirm for an uncomfortable moment before his face relaxed into a smile and he laughed quietly, his shoulders shaking. When I realized he’d been fucking with me, I threw a wadded-up napkin in his direction.
“You dick.” I couldn’t help but join in his laughter though.
After a few more minutes, we’d both finished our ice cream.
“Well, I’ve got to get going.” He stood and picked up his trash. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Sure thing. See you tomorrow.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
The next day started out in a whirlwind of activity, barely giving me time to breathe. Deliveries needed to be signed for,there was footage to review, and I had a meeting with Doug scheduled for just before lunch. My stomach was in knots as I tried to figure out how to backtrack on including the letters in the show.
At the designated time, I logged onto the video call platform, adjusting in my chair anxiously.
Doug’s camera switched on and his face appeared on my laptop screen with a smile. “Good morning. How are things down south?”
