Sally decided to do something she hadn't done in a long while this early morning. She called for a sitter and decided to take an early mormong run. More of a walk. It just felt good to get out and be alone with the fresh air through the canons. She would think about Lightning's offer. Vacationing with him and the kids as a family...

"Come on in." Cleo called cheerfully. The door opened and Cleo sighed greeting "Hello there Sally." Sally shot a glare toward the mayor before walking up to her desk. "Oh.. Nice outfit.. You really do have small breasts don't you?" Cleo more or less made fun of Sally in her tighter tank top with the built in sports bra type and tighter jogging pants. It wasn't a usual outfit for Sally. Sally leaned over the desk and scolding said "How dare you decide to build another motel. While mine is down? You shut mine down to put me out of business, didn't you?"

Cleo shook her head and explained "Poor, dear Sally... What have you ever done to me? I would never put you out of business.. Girl I am just helping the town. Where is everyone gonna stay? You know?.. Because Wheel well burnt down?.." She smiled. Sally's eyes widened as she came to a realization "Wheel well was an accident.." She muttered softly. Cleo shrugged agreeing "Probably." That didn't even make any sense. Sally was furious and hit the desk snapping "What do you want with me?! With Lightning?!.. Because I know that's all this is about!"

Cleo shook her head again and assured "I do not want Lightning. I have Chick now, plenty of money because of that, an entire town as my playground if you will and you can't do a thing. And.. If we're being honest? I never liked you. You and your need for perfection. You always did everything so orderly.. You are really annoying." "That's it." Sally snarled. "What?" Cleo asked. Sally shook her head answering "I'm taking my town back.." Cleo snickered at that and swiveled in the chair "Oh please.. How are you gonna do that? You can't be mayor. That drug charge you had, prevented that. That's why you had to step down." Sally stared. Cleo was right. Sally may have gotten off with that but because of it she couldn't be mayor again. She sighed but said "I'll find a way." Cleo shook her head snarling "You never learn do you?.. Well.. Lightning will just have you to thank when trouble comes.." Sally raised a brow, staring.

"What trouble?" she asked. Cleo smiled and shrugged answering "Call him and find out darlin.." Sally was so furious. She had no other choice but to leave. But something or someone was gonna have to do something about Cleo. Once Sally left, Cleo picked up her desk phone and called Gage. He would know what to do.

Sally stepped outside and immediately called Lightning. "Come on... Answer..." she whined. Voicemail!? Seriously!? So she called again. "Come on.. "

Hello

"Hey, What are you doing?"

Dealing with work... You okay?

"I am for now.. Cleo just... She is building a motel. I think she wants to put me out of business and she is coming after you to!"

Woah, woah.. Hold on.. She's building a motel?

"Yes!? She shut me down and now she's building her own!"

Ridiculous.

"And that's not all Lightning. When I confronted her she said you'd have me to thank when some trouble starts up."

Why you?

"Cause she hates me! She always has! And she made it sound like she had something to do with Wheel Well burning down."

That is ridiculous. Wheel Well was an accident. Sheriff said so himself.

"Don't defend her!?"

I'm not! Believe me.. I hate her to.. You want me to talk to her?..

"Not really.. I want her to leave town."

Hmm.. Don't think she's gonna go anywhere anytime soon Sal.

"I know, I know... I can't take this.. She hates me because I got in the way of you two."

She's just spoiled. Cleo is use to getting what she wants. And you are a stubborn woman.

"Hey?..."

Hey, I find it sexy. I like a hard headed woman.

"Don't you mean women..."

What?

"Nothing.. Hey, about texas.."

You wanna come?

"I just.. I don't know if it's.. What about.. Let me ask you something."

Okay?

"Did you ask Cruz first?"

Well.. No. I didn't ask her to come...

"So you asked me? You asked me and the kids as first choice?"

Well technically, I asked Celia first.

"Celia? The younger woman who works for you?"

Yeah. For work. That way I can focus on finding the racer while she handles all the paperwork and scheduling.

"But if the kids and I go?.. Won't we be a distraction?"

Sort of. A good distraction. I'd love to have a family thing with you all. And I'd love to hang out with you.

"That's kind of sweet I guess..."

Don't make me beg..

"I won't."

So you'll come?

"Uh.. Well where would we stay?"

I can get you guys a place. I'd be staying in the school dorm a few nights but.. I'd stay with the kids a few nights to. If that is alright with you ofcourse.

"Yeah um.. You know it sounds kinda nice. I think the kids would enjoy it and honestly I could use a break from the mayor."

Really?

"You sound surprised.."

Because I am! I mean I'm excited, I'm happy. Just a little shocked you actually wanna go with me.

"Mmhmm?.. Don't worry about me and the kids finding a motel. I'll find some place online. Small town, right?"

Yep. Small town Texas. Where you met my family so long ago.

"Alright. Maybe you should tell your mom. She might wanna go and see your brothers. I'll tell the kids tonight."

Yea, I think I'll call her and tell her. I'll make sure to set time for you guys. I promise. I have to work some but you and the kids are number one priority.

"Hmm. Okay. I'll talk to you again later Lightning. Just... watch out for Cleo and her tricks."

I think I can handle her. No worries there Sally. I'll talk to you later...

Cal was at his desk and on the computer at the moment. His assistant outside knocked and peeked in saying "I brought more mail." Cal nodded replying "Bring it in." The woman did and he thanked her. She left shutting the door. He was busy. Piston cup coming up and all the fiss at the school because of that. He glanced at the letters and back to the computer screen but. He stared back.

Was that another glittering envelope? Cal stared. Unsure if he really wanted to open it and find out. He reached but hesitated. But.. He needed to know who. He grabbed it up and opened it. Releasing the smell of vanilla and bourbon. He unfolded the letter and gave a quick once over.

Dear Love,

I don't really know how to say this or where to begin, but let me start off by saying that I know nothing could ever blossom between us.We have not known each other for a long time, But I do know this; I have feelings for you. Whether they be of pure admiration or of actual love, I know not. What I do know for certain is that you are kind, beautiful and one of the most fantastic people I have ever known. You are precious to me and I couldn't bear to see you hurt. I'd just about lose my mind. That's why i wasn't sure if I should say something..

But I need to get this off my chest. You are so surreal that every moment I spend with you makes me wonder if I'm dreaming. Maybe I'm in some fantasy land living out my wildest dreams. Maybe I'm daydreaming of things I long for, but that could never be. Maybe, just maybe, I'm not dreaming at all and this is all real. I don't know what it what anymore, when I'm around you I just lose my train of thought.

Now, I know that you do not feel the same. I mean how could someone like you fall for someone like me? It's not unheard of, sure, but I know better than to go on thinking that way. Maybe this is all just in my head.

I know you and I haven't had much time to really connect and get to know each other, and I know that if we got together it wouldn't be for long. I accept that, even embrace it. Hell, just spending time with you is something I look forward to. Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure. You are wonderful, and talented and kind. I know you make your wife very happy.. So here's to you. You and I who can obviously never be.

Your Secret Admirer

Cal sighed. Thinking. This couldn't be Cruz.. Could it? If it was he needed to end this crush now. Cal walked over to his assistant and asked "Hey, do you know where Cruz is right now?" The woman looked to her boss answering "I can look where she checked in last." "That would be great." he replied. So the woman typed away on her laptop and within a few minutes answered "She's with a group of freshmen on simulators at the moment." "Thanks." Cal said kindly and then walked off. He needed to pull Cruz aside and really talk to her. Get to the bottom of this letter...

"Alright! That's it! You got it James." Cruz cheered. Cal stepped in and watched from the side for a moment. When he saw Cruz had a minute he called "Cruz! Come here a sec!" Cruz glanced over. But Cal was her biss and walked over asking "What's up?" Cal stared a moment. No way it was Cruz. Cruz was.. With Lightning. Men like Lightning, not him. "Come. We need to talk." he said kind of sternly and began walking. Cruz wasn't sure what this was about yet, but followed.

"Cruz, the letters gotta stop." he snapped. Cruz was confused. "I mean I'm flattered. Really. But I'm not like Lightning. I am married and I love my wife. I don't want complications.." "Complications?" she asked. Cal nodded "Aren't you still with Lightning anyway?" Cruz shrugged admitting "I really don't know.. He doesn't love me. But.. What is this about? Letters? What letters?" she asked. "The letters you sent me." Cal explained. Cruz snickered with this snort out of her nose "I never sent you any letters. I actually don't think I've written a letter sense college!?" she laughed. Cal's brows raised as he asked "Wait really? Actually that is kind of a relief! I figured with you and your history it was you!" he brushed off feeling a heavy weight being lifted.

Cruz's brows lowered though as she asked "Wait? My history? What do you mean by that?" Cal shrugged and answered seeing it seemed harmless "Well you know? You sleeping with your.. um.. With.. Racers...And.. Married.. people..." As he finished that he slowed. Realizing it actually sounder pretty crude. Cruz's jaw dropped! "Are you kidding me!? That is disgusting! I don't sleep with racers! I don't sleep with married men! Sure I slept with Lightning! I loved Lightning though! It wasn't just this.. An.. Affair!? It was real to me! And I'm really offended that you think that I'd just go and try to get in your pants and between you and Megan!"

Cal stared all wide eyed as he replied "I'm.. Sorry? But in my defense.. You are dating the very same man you had the affair with.." Cruz glared snarling back "Yeah, okay!? That gives you no right to assume something like that! And Lightning and I are DATING! He is not with anyone else anymore! It's not the same as before at all! And I can promise you, it wasn't me who sent you any letters!" Cal sighed and nodded "Good.. Good, I'm glad to hear that.." he muttered. And he was! He didn't want to have to do anything crazy like fire Cruz or something!

"How is Megan?.." Cruz then asked. "She's okay." Cal answered "A little mad and confused but.. She's out with friends today anyway.. Getting some space to clear any doubting thoughts.." he frowned a little. Cruz felt bad for Cal a little. She assured that Megan was his sole mate. That she and Cal were just perfect and that they'd mKe it through this silly and petty drama as always. Cal nodded in agreement. "How's Lightnin?.." Cal softly and kinda cautiously asked. Cruz was surprised but answered with a snicker "Well he's stressed out for sure. Between some silly drama and someone painted a giant." she paused.. Then leaned into Cal's ear and whispered exactly what. His eyes widened. "No way!?" he shouted! Cruz nidded "Right on the front door." Cal shook his head then thinking he had to asked "Gee he?.. He doesn't think I done it? Or had anything to do with something like that? Does he?"

Cruz shook her head assuring "Nah. Lightning knows better than that. No, I think he's suspicious of Mayor Cleo De Frank." "Really?" Cal asked. Cruz nodded. "Hmm Well.. I sure hope not. She's been pretty nice to us here at the school. Anyways..." Cal muttered. "Thanks.. And sorry for the mix up." Cruz sighed replying "It's not okay but.. Glad you came to me." "Well back to work there Cruz. I'll see you later. Oh!" he almoat forgot! "I want you to train with Jackson. Sense you two will be racing your first race together this weekend as partners. Please?" Cruz's jaw dropped!

"You want me to train ONE on ONE with Jackson Storm!?" she shouted in disbelief. Everyone stared. Cal chuckled asking "Is?.. That a problem?.." Cruz thought a moment. Really thought before answering that "Urm.. Guess not.." "Good. See you later." Cal replied before heading back to his office. So relieved it wasn't Cruz. But.. Than who was trying to set her up?...

Lightning read over that email again. The one Sally sent Chester. He sighed and finally replied or answered.

Sally,

You want to know the real me and you deserve to. So the real me is a fool, an idiot. I'm a bad person. I can never make a decision and I always hurt the ones I love. my wife was the one thing I did right..

This is all fake

Lightning stopped and stared. Should he just go ahead and tell her the truth!? He sighed as he thought but he wound up deleting the message and not even replying to her email. He didn't know how to tell her the truth..