The Third Pride and Joy

"Undoubtedly. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest ideas that I've ever witnessed. And I mean it when I say you can count on me for help, Fin Man."

"I appreciate that, Mr. Rusk," Finn replied as he felt the presence of others coming and going all around him.

Once hitting the hotel lobby nearly thirty minutes ago, Finn found himself swamped with well-wishers. Unfortunately, those flocking to have a word with the dateless young man were on the wrong side of fifty or nearing it. He hoped it petered out before Lana made her way downstairs, or she'd never let him hear the end of it. Nevertheless, the word GILF in Lana's voice kept bouncing around his head. Sadly, the man who just accosted him turned out to be the youngest well-wisher by far.

"Monty. Call me Monty, my boy. Mr. Rusk is what my damn cousins demand to be addressed by," Montgomery Rusk, owner of Monty's Car Jamboree, insisted. "I can practically see plenty of fantastic ways to fundraise while making it cool for the kids. How about an All-You-Can-Read contest? We could pack the kids into a building, lock the doors, and give them twenty-four or forty-eight hours. Or maybe a book scavenger hunt down at my lot? Hey, maybe I can convince the junkyard to host it. Scavenger hunt at the salvage yard, get it?"

"Those sound like cool ideas, Monty," Finn laughed politely, unsure how they would work.

"They better be. I always liked your mom. Such a sweetheart, even if she did give me a few lectures back in the day."

"Shouldn't more people give you lectures?" Kathleen Francy queried, partially teasing.

"Ah, Leena, my ninth-favorite Wynwick. How come you never visit?" Monty questioned.

"That's not a very polite thing to say, Montgomery," another arrival chastised.

"How so, Dr. Hal? Ninth is pretty high on the list when you've got a fuckload of family members. Sorry, Lois," Monty apologized after catching the glare from Hal's wife.

"No, it's alright, Hal. Monty is correct in his own crass way. We Wynwicks do have a mini-empire. And rating ninth is relatively high on any list," Kathleen remarked.

"If you say so, Kathy," Lois Horton responded, stressing Kathleen's usual nickname.

"Now, if you dyed your hair like your cousin, you might jump up a spot or two," Monty suggested, eyes traveling over the curvy gray-haired woman's body.

"I'd watch where you say that, Rusk. Sela might hide your corpse in one of your used cars. And that's why I don't visit you at all," Kathleen said. "I only buy new models."

"Who said I was talking about Sela?" Monty barked out a laugh. "Also, don't trust my cousins. They'd sell you a lemon just as fast as one of their kids' souls for a better wholesale price."

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Montgomery Rusk. A man should never speak of his family in that way. Never have I heard Orrin or Thurman say an ill word about you," Lois scolded.

"You ain't been listening then, Mrs. Lois," Monty said, laughing it off. Kathleen made eye contact with him and nodded in understanding. If anyone knew pretentious, two-faced relatives, it would be her. Kathleen had once been that very type of family member. "Well, I'd best mingle myself over to the bar. Talk to you later, Fin Man."

"I swear, that man is getting more eccentric by the day," Lois said with disdain.

"He's harmless," Finn replied dismissively.

"Yes, he's very harmless," Rachel confirmed the opinion as she swooped in. "Most of his eccentricity is an act. Makes the potential customers wonder."

"And I wonder if that dress will make it through the night, dear. That's an awfully bold choice," Lois commented, sounding unsure if she should be impressed or scandalized.

Already in the process of glancing over at Rachel's arrival, Finn's eyes briefly scanned the dress that Mrs. Horton found bold before snapping his gaze away. As Rachel provided the mother figure in his life, Finn tried hard not to notice her womanly assets. The lace champagne-colored dress she wore tonight didn't make it any easier. Not that the A-Line dress could be called sexy. If anything, the long flowing gown would be called pretty with its glitter and beaded accents. Yet, its plunging V-neckline, coupled with Rachel's pair of DD-cups, brought the sexiness.

"This old thing?" Rachel grinned.

"I think it looks fabulous," Kathleen declared. She knew that Lois could be a bit of a fuddy-duddy when it came to fashion.

"I have to say, Rachel, you've worked magic with this literary foundation," Dr. Horton expressed his admiration. "It's a brilliant way to honor Finley's mother."

"Oh, yes, I have to offer congratulations for a splendid job," his wife added.

"Oh, no. This isn't all my doing," Rachel protested, waving her hands.

"Don't listen to her. Without Aunt Rachel, the non-profit never happens," Finn countered, using one hand to push the older redhead's arms down.

"Sure, I had the initial idea, but this has been a collaborative effort. It has!" Rachel insisted after noticing Finn's shaking head. "After I told Finn and his grandparents my proposal, they offered feedback that shaped the plan immensely."

"I barely said anything while Grandma and Gramps merely smiled and nodded."

"They did no such thing, buster," Rachel responded. "And the girls have been involved from the get-go. Bridget, Shayla, Annette, and Miranda helped organize here in Honey Hollow while Tinny, Gabby, Lauren, and Kimberly did whatever they could from out of town. Sela brought in Fiona, who's been vital. Without her expertise in dealing with all the hoops that charities, foundations, and non-profit organizations need to jump through, we'd have never made it this far. And by far, the most important person has been Finn. So don't buy his humble attitude."

"Is that so, Finley?" Lois challenged.

Kathleen held in a laugh as she noticed others eavesdropping on the conversation.

"I've helped a bit, but I've been away at school. So let's not overstate my role."

"Do I need to drag Peyton over here to back me up, mister?" Rachel threatened.

"No, but you forgot that Uncle Sandy helped," Finn reminded.

"Not as much as he would've liked. I've had to reassure him again and again that it's alright. Sander can only do so much from where he lives," Rachel informed the others. "I'm crossing my fingers that Sandy's girls can stay in Honey Hollow for part of the summer. They both are excited and willing to do whatever it takes to honor their aunt."

"You can count on my son as well," Kathleen announced. "Seth might be more worried about girls than anything else these days, but he was in Cassandra's last class ten years ago. He's never forgotten."

"Thanks, Ms. Francy. We'll keep him in mind. I know how hard the accident hit my mom's last class," Finn noted. He held back tears as he remembered the get-well and sympathy cards from that class, along with other former students of his mom's. Many had been sent to him while he recovered in the hospital. "We could use extra hands to lug around the books if tonight goes well. We have phases planned, but it all comes down to funding."

"And you'll hit your goals, if not more. I guarantee it," Kathleen proclaimed.

"Oh, the fundraising is one area where you can't deny I had help," Rachel said, elbowing Finn. Suddenly, she spotted a young woman walking nearby, which made her face perk up further. "Becky! Get over here, honey."

"Happy Holidays, Mrs. Stratton," Rebecca "Becky" Horton greeted. She then did the same to Kathleen and Finn. Eventually, after prodding, she raised her hand to show off the new addition.

"It's gorgeous," Rachel stated breathlessly.

"Did you pick it out?" Kathleen questioned.

"Nope, this was all Brian," Becky replied, holding up the finger with the sparkling ring higher.

"Damn, that man is a keeper. Congratulations!"

Rachel joined Kathleen in congratulations with a squeal. Finn attempted to use the distraction to slide away, but sensing it, Rachel grabbed his wrist. The conversation turned toward wedding plans before backtracking in the direction that Finn wished to avoid. Unfortunately, any hope for avoiding the topic crashed and burned as Kathleen's daughter, Stephanie, bounced over.

"Hey!" Steph greeted before jumping right to the reason she came over. "Becks, Aubrey's been trying to get your attention for like forever. She wants you over by the bar, right now."

"Oh, dear. I hope that girl isn't experiencing boy trouble again," Lois remarked. "It never seems to end."

"Mom!" Becky chided. "Be nice to Aubrey."

With another round of congratulations done, Becky hurried away to see what her best friend needed. Finn eyed Stephanie with apprehension as she stayed behind to answer a few questions from her mom. Relief set in as the Hortons inquired about Rachel's stay at Wasp Lake and the ice incident. However, Steph shattered the peace with a simple question.

"Is Lana around?"

"No, she's upstairs in our suite," Rachel responded.

"Is she grounded?" Stephanie inquired nervously.

"Why would she be grounded?"

"Ah, yes, I planned to talk to you about the fight," Lois said, finding her opening.

"Fight?" Rachel repeated, turning to look at Finn quizzically. "Did something happen earlier?"

"No one informed you about the engagement party?" Lois asked Rachel, but directed her gaze at Finn.

"Oh, gawd. What did Lana do now?" Rachel questioned, already feeling her night turning into more of the same chaos.

"Your eldest daughter started a fight during Becky and Brian's special night," Lois stated indignantly.

"Now, let's not make this sound like a barroom brouhaha, dear," Dr. Horton interjected. "We never saw the actual commotion, nor did most of our older guests."

"And the younger ones got a kick out of it," Stephanie pointedly said gleefully.

"You stay out of this," Kathleen ordered her daughter. "I already had one migraine after listening to your uncle berate me for how I raised you."

"I'll admit that my anger subsided after a glass or two of wine," Mrs. Horton said as Dr. Horton held up three, then four fingers behind his wife's back. "However, you should have a word with Lana. She's no longer a teenager."

Rachel's attention ping-ponged between Lois, Hal, and Kathleen. Grabbing Finn's wrist again, she held tightly while also eyeing Stephanie out of the corner of her eye. She knew from experience that Stephie looked ready to burst with a vital detail/piece of gossip.

"I will certainly do that, Lois. You have my sincerest apology for Lana's antics. She knows better than to ruin such a special event."

"She didn't ruin anything," Dr. Horton insisted.

"It was embarrassing to have one of our guests act that way in front of the Weeks family," Lois added, acknowledging how much appearances mattered to her.

"I think Brian's family found it hilarious," her husband replied, continuing to downplay the fight.

"And it's hard to call Lana only Becky's guest. We were all equally guests of both," Finn rationalized, earning a vigorous nod from Becky's father.

"I guess that's true to a certain extent," Lois admitted.

Seeking to avoid the conversation any longer, Dr. Horton searched for and found a reason to step away with his wife. "Look, dear, the Culbertsons have arrived."

"He always has to talk medicine," Lois remarked as her husband tugged her toward the ancient doctor.

Rachel waited several long moments before asking her question. "What did you want to tell me, Steph?"

"Don't--"

"I pulled down Estelle's dress. Wasn't it awesome, Finn?"

"No, it was not awesome. You didn't just pull her dress down; you broke the straps," Kathleen responded first. Then, she explained why to Rachel. "Only my brother would call me at midnight to unleash a tirade and then again at dawn to continue."

"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry, Kathy. If Kermit was upset, it was Lana's fault. And I promise that I'll deal with my rude daughter."

"Oh, it wasn't Lana's fault. Tell her, Finn," Stephanie instructed, yet didn't wait. "Estelle started it by sitting on his lap."

"Estelle did what?!" Rachel gasped in horror. "Finley, what were you thinking? That girl is nothing but a scheming shrew."

"It wasn't like that M--Aunt Rachel. She just plopped down. I didn't want to be rude and dump her on the floor."

"No, Lana did that later," Stephanie giggled.

"Alright, that's enough from you. Go find your brother and keep him out of trouble," Kathleen ordered.

"I'm not babysitting Seth. It's New Year's fucking Eve, Mom!"

"Then, find him and tell him I want another word. I'll be over talking to Ms. Mulberry. I don't need both my kids acting like horny monsters tonight," Kathleen groaned. "You're so lucky that Lacey turned out properly."

"I'm still crossing my fingers," Rachel replied before promising to talk again later. Then, she slipped her arm under Finn's. "Let's go socialize. And you can tell me why Estelle Wynwick, of all people, is suddenly interested in you. I thought she learned her lesson with those class election shenanigans."

They began to circulate around the ballroom but made little distance. It seemed every few steps, Rachel veered off to talk to one person or another. The conversations usually went down the same as with the Hortons. People praised Rachel for creating the literary foundation by passing on the compliments to Finn.

Rachel couldn't help but bring up how beautiful Becky's ring looked several times. Finn sensed where those comments were headed based on how Rachel inquired about the daughters and granddaughters of the people they chitchatted with. Fortunately for Finn, they hadn't gone near any girls or young women around his age yet.

It seemed as if most of his mom and Rachel's friends hadn't arrived yet. So he barely knew the people they interacted with. There were the McCalls, Raggs, Clines, Ritts, Witt grandparents, and eventually the Nobles. Finn knew Randolph Noble through Poppy and Stephanie, although only slightly. However, it appeared as if Randolph had detailed knowledge of the new foundation.

"Paige is a chatterbox about it," Charm revealed. She seemed annoyed by her stepdaughter's nonstop talk.

"She jumped at the chance to serve as Fiona's little helper," Randolph revealed proudly.

"That girl is always Fiona's little helper," Charm grumbled.

"Paige loved Cassandra as a teacher. You know that my daughter can be a handful. No, no, she can be a little assertive," Randolph admitted as Rachel faked a denial. Then he laughed at his own joke. "But Cassandra handled Paige like a charm."

Charm rolled her eyes and tugged her husband away.

"Have you talked to Apple lately?"

"What?"

"That cute ranger. Her name was Apple, wasn't it?" Rachel questioned, knowing damn well that it was the correct name.

"We just met the other day. When would I have had the time to talk to her?"

"Didn't you get her phone number? Oh, Finny." Rachel shook her head in disappointment. "Don't worry, I'll have Harvey get it from Chief Colburn."

"What? No, don't have Uncle Harvey do that," Finn nearly pleaded. He could already see the smirk on his dad's good friend's face.

"Oh, would you rather that I had Clive get it?" Rachel queried, arching an eyebrow.

"Oh, gawd! That would be way worse. Mo-Rachel, please don't embarrass me," Finn begged.

Rachel didn't fail to catch that Finn nearly called her mom for the second time tonight. That seemed to happen whenever she meddled in his life. Although she never wanted anyone to think that she sought to replace Cassie, it warmed her heart that Finn viewed her as another mother. And considering how close she and Cassie became as teachers at the same grade school, she felt that her old friend would approve.

"Did you know that she came around the other night before you came back from helping Larry? Ranger Young wanted to check on Whitney, and Ranger Vanoy appeared quite concerned to hear about your father's state of mind. She seemed very worried about you."

"She did? No, you're imagining things again," Finn said, trying to downplay his hopes.

"Peyton picked up on it, too. Perhaps you can run into Apple again after we return to the cabin," Rachel speculated hopefully. "Didn't seeing that ring put any thoughts into your head?"

"Apparently not the ones it put into yours," Finn chuckled while shaking his head. "I'm in no rush to get married."

"That's not what I meant. I just think it's time for you to find a nice girlfriend. You could use a woman at your side," Rachel pressed.

"I seem to have one on each side already," Finn grumbled.

"Peyton and Lana don't count," Rachel responded with a heavy sigh. "What about Becky's friends? It sounds like Aubrey could use a nice guy in her life. Or how about Sage?"

"Isn't playing matchmaker for Sean enough? And don't even think about dragging Lacey into this. I know she has a list!" Finn insisted.

"She's not the only one with a list," Rachel muttered without Finn hearing. "Oh, let's head that way."

Finn almost rolled his eyes, but stopped as Rachel led him in the direction of a busty redhead. He probably should've expected Rachel to stop and talk to Margaret McSweeney because of their jobs, but now he suspected an ulterior motive.

"Finn, do you remember Margaret? She's a new teacher at my--"

"Hey, Maggie. Congrats on the position. Is Rachel hovering over you enough?" Finn rattled off after cutting off his apparent matchmaker.

"Now, don't be rude, buster. I thought you might want to meet the newest teacher at your mother's old school," Rachel scolded.

"Meet? I've known Maggie for years. Excuse me, miss, were you a cheerleader?" Finn asked in an overly chipper voice.

"Why yes, I was a cheerleader. How did you know?" the younger redhead replied, holding back her laughter.

"Don't encourage him. I'm your boss," Rachel warned, referring to her new position as principal.

"How could I forget Margaret?" Finn stated, not asked. But the young teacher's face perked up at the comment. "She's only two years older than me. So I heard nonstop talk about her and the other varsity cheerleaders from a jealous junior varsity girl named Lana. And between you and Lacey dragging me to every game or performance, I'll remember their faces and routines until the day I die."

"You were at a lot of our performances," Margaret recalled.

"I was at ALL of them. Way too many practices, too."

"We kind of wondered if you had a crush on a few of us. Besides Lana, of course," Maggie teased.

"See? That's how rumors start, Aunt Rachel," Finn pointed out.

"I hoped that you would take after your mom by becoming the unofficial cheer manager. Topaz was all for it. But complain that I ruined your teenage years by making you watch attractive girls bounce up and down," Rachel remarked.

"I guess Finn was sort of like our cheer mascot," Margaret suggested. "And I heard from Molly that her year came to expect a guy like Finn hanging around. Only nobody replaced him."

"That's because I warned Sean off," Finn mumbled. That earned him a quizzical look from Rachel before she asked about Molly McSweeney, Margaret's nineteen-year-old sister.

"How is Molly? She's home for winter break from Breakwater University, right?" Rachel knew all this information. It's Finn that she wanted to learn about it.

"Yes, she is, and she even joined my old sorority. I warned her not to, but apparently, she loves the catty drama," Maggie revealed with an incredulous face. "I'm sure that she'll tell you all about it tonight. Gawd, she wouldn't shut up about it over Christmas. Telling me all about sorority life, as if I didn't just go through it."

"That sounds like Molly," Finn remarked.

"Is your sister seeing anyone?" Rachel inquired, eye flickering at Finn.

"Who isn't Molly seeing? Sadly, she's going through THAT phase right now," Maggie revealed.

"Oh, dear. That can be...Hmm, have you seen Ashlynn yet?" Rachel asked, choosing to drop the slut phase conversation.

"She's here and in a foul mood. That Brendan, whom she had high hopes for, turned out to be a disappointment. He showed up dressed for a night of clubbing and not a formal event. Ashlynn dumped him and is ready to find a replacement."

"Is she now?" Rachel responded, eyes flickering yet again in Finn's direction. "I knew that Brendan was no good. But what can I say? Sometimes a girl needs to learn the truth herself. I just hope that she doesn't do anything rash."

Taking a deep breath, Finn wondered if he might be able to escape soon. He'd need to if Rachel found her school secretary, Ashlynn Nish, any time soon. A slinky brunette, Ashlynn's name had popped up in conversations over the last few years as "a nice girl who needs a nice man." A native of Moose Point, the twenty-four-year-old had already found a place to cry her heart out at the Strattons. Fortunately, Ashlynn seemed to always be in the middle of a doomed relationship whenever Finn was back from college. Also, Lacey appeared ready to pull her hair out over Ashlynn's string of failed romances. Finn could see two plus two equaling him on the horizon.

"Hello, Rachel. Hello, Finley," a strawberry blonde greeted, swooping over in a similar style to Rachel.

"Hi, Topaz. Happy Holidays!" Rachel greeted her friend.

"Hi, Mrs. Brass," Finn added with a smile.

As Honey Hollow High's English Composition teacher and head cheer coach, Topaz was one woman very familiar to Finn. And since she served as the advisor to The Buzzy Bee when he worked at the school newspaper, Finn knew her better than any other high school teacher. Mrs. Brass also seemed to have a soft spot for him. She'd been the first person to console him in the newspaper office that summer when he and Lana broke up.

Maggie greeted her old cheer coach with a tight hug. Finn would've escaped when the three women started gushing over each other's dresses, but Rachel did her wrist grab again. Then, Finn blushed as Mrs. Brass praised how handsome he looked for his big night. And this time, it was Topaz, not Rachel, that prodded Margaret to agree.

"Where's Ray?" Rachel inquired about Topaz's husband.

"He's at the cabin near Moose Point," Topaz informed. Then, seeing Rachel's frown, she added, "It's complicated. We'll have coffee soon, and I'll fill you in."

"Of course, that sounds like an excellent idea," Rachel replied. Knowing that Topaz's marriage hit a rut years ago, she could only assume the worst. "Tuesday's here, right?"

"Tuesday, missing the biggest night of the year? Are you kidding, Rachel?" Maggie replied about her old cheermate.

"And she's one hundred percent correct. Tuesday's still getting ready upstairs. That girl went all out with her dress," Topaz commented.

"And you didn't?" Rachel laughed as both buxom gingers admitted they had.

Once Maggie excused herself, Rachel launched the newest attack front. "I hope she comes down soon. Finn has a wonderful idea for our first event. He thinks Tuesday's help is crucial for making it a success."

I did? Oh, hell no! Rachel backed me right into a corner, didn't she? Mrs. Brass isn't going to let this new event idea drop.

"You thought that, Finn? Well, then Tuesday will be there to help gladly," Topaz declared. "What is this event about?"

"Oh, you know, Finny. He can be shy about his ideas until he's sure they won't embarrass him," Rachel interjected.

"That I know. I rarely got him to show me the stories he created, but I did manage to break him when it came to newspaper articles. He had **** there. And I still expect to read your novel before it's published, Mr. Singer, or else," Topaz warned, wagging her finger. "Oh, I'm being called over. But I'll send Tuesday your way when she comes down."

Finn barely waited for Mrs. Brass to leave before he hissed his complaint.

"Seriously, Mom?!"

"I'm just trying to give you a little nudge, hun."

"By lying to Mrs. Brass. And what event is Tuesday supposedly crucial for?" Finn questioned, throwing his hands up.

"Oh, I'm sure that you can think of something before she finds you. You do have such a great imagination," Rachel complimented with a pat to his cheek.

"As if tonight isn't already stressful enough."

"That's what Tuesday or another girl is for. It's what girlfriends do," Rachel stated, sounding a lot like Lana.

"Don't think I haven't noticed a pattern with these girls either."

"Pattern? I don't see any pattern," Rachel replied, once again slipping her arm under his.

"Apple, Maggie, and Tuesday. All redheads, with the last two being well-endowed," Finn noted. "Is your plan to find a girl who looks similar enough to Lana to distract me?

"It's not like that at all. Besides, I thought you liked busty babes," Rachel snickered, rubbing her breast along his arm.

"Who's next? Maggie's sister, Molly? Hey, Ramsey and Sean are likely never going to happen now. So should I go after Lacey's BFF? What about Dr. Mayfield? Or should I dip my toe in the cougar pool with one of your old classmates?" Finn listed as he grew a little heated.

"There's no need to be overdramatic. I already have two daughters like that," Rachel responded. "I'm not only suggesting redheads. I'm merely--"

"Suggesting? You just set up a trap for me with Tuesday!"

"I don't see anything wrong with that. Tuesday has all the qualities that you appear to like in a woman. Beauty, intelligence, an interest in literature, an ex-cheerleader, and a fun-loving attitude."

"Did you ever stop and think that maybe I'm not Tuesday's type?" Finn challenged.

"How could you think that?"

"Maybe because she left Brian and Becky's engagement party with Sinclair Pierce," Finn recounted. "And it didn't look like he was just giving her a ride home."

"Dalton's arrogant and prideful nephew? Finny, Sinclair has nothing on you. Dalton doesn't even like him that much," Rachel said. "You are second place to no one. Got that? My boy is never going to be the one who loses the girl. And you never should. Unless that girl is a fool like Lana."

"Lana's not a fool. She's just--"

"Going to feel like one when you marry another girl. But she made her bed," Rachel declared with fire in her eyes. Then, just as swiftly, they faded. "Now, I don't want to hear you doubting yourself. This is a night for you to shine in multiple ways."

"Can we please skip the do-you-remember-Finn stuff? We've already run through what you think my type is."

"As I was about to say earlier, before you rudely interrupted me: We merely went through the ginger section. Should we head for the blondes or the brunettes next?" Rachel asked, smirking.

"Maybe I should go check on Barney. Did you know he hit his head during Lana's fight?" Finn attempted his escape.

"Oh, the poor thing. And no, that's not going to work. We can check on Barney after the next hair color," Rachel shot down his fleeting hope. "Oh, have you met the new advisor for The Buzzy Bee and the Literature teacher at the school? I suspect you'll get to know her well, as she's highly interested in helping."