Episode 4

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Episode 4

Scene 1:

"I guess that would be me," Jamie replied from the open door of the dining room. "Sorry Hallie. Didn't mean to interrupt. But I thought you should know, I'm taking over at Mason Enterprises starting today."

Hallie turned a bright red as Jamie entered the room with his little boy's hand clasped firmly in his own. She offered him a sweet smile but inside, her anger at Dane's firing was still boiling. There was no good reason for Dane to lose out on Mason Enterprises...except that he could care less about it. Well, she cared, but had Gwen offered her anything at all? Had anyone asked how she felt about being left out in the cold when it came to her family's business? No, no one had thought to ask at all.

"Jamie!" She said feigning happiness at seeing him again. "I didn't know you were coming home!" Jamie arched an eyebrow at her as he shook Dane's hand.

"I guess not. How are you Dane? Holding up okay?" He asked turning away from her. Typical, Hallie thought. Since they were children, Jamie had always ignored her, preferring her brother to her. After a while, she had simply given up, preferring to get a different kind of attention. Truth be told, she actually resented him a little. He had everything and time after time, he walked away from it.

"Doing just fine, don't listen to what people say. I'm glad you're taking over. I get to do what I want to do now," Dane replied grinning.

"Good to hear, good to hear," Jamie murmured. "Dane, I don't think you've met my son, Chris." He pushed Chris forward a little and rumpled his hair. "Chris these are my cousins Dane and Hallie." Chris shook Dane's hand politely.

"It's nice to meet you, Chris. I guess we're cousins too," Dane greeted him amiably.

"Do you have any kids?" Chris replied earnestly. Dane let out a chuckle but Jamie frowned lightly, shrugging his shoulders.

"Chris, what did I tell you in the car? Neither Dane nor Hallie are married and they don't have kids. Don't worry though, I hear Hallie is engaged so that may change soon." Hallie nodded, with an innocent smile on her face.

"Yes, I am! His name is Luke Conlan. He's an executive at ME," she told him enthusiastically.

"Conlan, you mean like the Diner?" Jamie asked.

"Yes, his family owns it," Hallie replied as the dining room doors opened. Chris squeezed between Dane and Jamie and raced towards the door, shouting as he went.

"Grandma!"

Gwen scooped Chris up and smothered him with kisses. "Chris! How is my darling boy?" She asked setting him down but still holding his hand. "And there is your father. Jamie, I would have sent a car for you!" Gwen held out her other hand to him and he went to her, leaving Dane and Hallie to watch the family reunion from the far side of the room.

"Now, Mother that would have been a waste of time. I can drive, you know," he said kissing her cheek.
"Oh Jamie, I know you can drive!" She said rolling her eyes. "Have you eaten breakfast? Or would you like to get settled into your rooms? Chris, I have a special room all fixed up for you and Jesse! Would you like to see it?" Chris nodded happily. "Well, come on then! Jamie, I've put you in the Blue Room." Gwen led Chris and Jamie out of the room and towards the main staircase, leaving Dane and Hallie alone once again. Dane shrugged and sat back down at the table.

"The prodigal Son has returned," he muttered. Hallie's jaw set firmly as the realization that Jamie was in control of everything now. He might be the Prodigal son, she thought, but he is not going to get the fatted calf.

Scene 2:

The Observer offices were in an old brick building just off Crown Road. It was an oldish building having seen better days quite some time ago. It was considered an historical landmark in the Glen, but Phoebe Cameron, new to the town and the Observer, thought it something of an eyesore. It was big and bulky and in desperate need of a renovation. She did take the liberty of redecorating her office though and found it more than comfortable.

The walls were still brick, but she had brought in an overstuffed couch and glass coffee table for furniture and placed plants and a very nice book case in the corner. It was very homey and made her extremely comfortable. That was something she hadn't been in ages...not since The Sentinel in Colorado anyway. Even then, she hadn't been totally secure. She wasn't sure she would ever be secure again as long as Ryan Cameron was still out in the world.

Her ex hadn't bothered her since she landed in Virginia after the devastating loss of her friend, Marcus, in a plane crash had forced her to leave the safety of the small mountain town of Kensington. In fact, he hadn't bothered her mother either, which was rare. Ryan Cameron wasn't the nicest of men in the world and she knew that one from experience.

She'd been in the office for exactly ten minutes when a knock startled her out of her morning routine of coffee and assignments. She set aside her notepad and called, "Come in," at the door. Rick stuck his head in and gave her a smile.

"Hey, mind if I interrupt you for a moment?" He asked taking a seat opposite her on the couch.

"No, not at all, Rick. What can I do for you this morning?" She asked crisply. She felt slightly ill at ease with Rick Upton. He had a way of looking at her like he knew everything there ever was about her and she most certainly did not like that! But he was attractive though and had a dry sense of humor that she enjoyed for the most part. If she wasn't careful, she might end up falling for this boss too. Good grief, Phoebe thought, ducking her eyes for a moment, didn't she ever think about anything else?

"Oh I just wanted you to know I hired Jillie Conlan yesterday. She's an interesting young woman," he said crossing his arms across her chest.

"Yes, I thought so." Phoebe reached for Jillie's file. She'd left a few examples of her work with Phoebe.

"I'm actually rather relieved she's decided to stay in the Glen for a while because she could work anywhere."

"You're right. Well, there's no need to beat around the bush, here Phoebe. I don't want her going anywhere. I've got plans for this paper and I see Jillie in them."

Phoebe frowned. "Really? What exactly do you see her doing, Rick?" She asked cautiously.

"I don't think this paper is prestigious enough," he answered leaning back. "We need some awards and her work is good enough to win a few. The way I see it, we win a few awards, make some people sit up and take notice and The Observer reputation is good again. The best part is, we are sitting at the top and get all the credit."

"And what does Jillie Conlan get?" She asked warily.

"She gets recognition and the chance to move on to Time magazine. So make her happy. Give her the best assignments," Rick said standing up. "Oh, and Phoebe, love what you've done with the office."

She watched him go, feeling something akin to dread fill her. Rick was up to something, playing a game with this. The last thing she needed was to be mixed up in his petty plans whatever they might be. But, there she was, ascribing dastardly reasons to a man she hardly knew. That was bound to do nothing but cause her trouble so she put aside the thoughts and went back to the assignment sheet. She penciled Jillie's name in next to Frank Graham, the senior reporter on staff and the lead man for any breaking stories for the day. Even with misgivings for motives, Phoebe knew that Jillie would only learn the ropes with the best and Graham was the best. She just hoped that Jillie could keep up.