% I initially published this chapter with an old draft, still getting the hang of this fan fiction website (insert facepalm emoji here). This one is the correct one now, and fingers crossed it won't happen again. Thanks for your patience and I hope you enjoy %

Chapter 7

Jessie was surprised when she walked back into The Queen of Hearts to see so many people there, talking with each other like they were all the best of friends. Then she noticed the "Come meet the mayor" sigh by the door and was even more confused. Seeing a man in a tie and vest walking towards a booth, she rushed over to talk to him.

"Excuse me, sir, but can I ask what is going on?"

"Of course," the man said. "Every Wednesday at four o'clock, the people of Hope Valley have a chance to talk to the mayor, which is me. Lee Coulter," he said, extending his hand to her, "But you just call me Lee. I haven't seen you around before, are you new here or are here to take the waters at our famous Hope Springs?"

"Ah, no. Actually, I'm here on business." she answered, shaking his hand and then remembering she hadn't introduced herself. Quickly she added, "I'm Jessica, but please, call me Jessie." and smiled. "And yes, I have every intention of seeing your famous springs as well, but back to my original question, it's 2 o'clock, not 4 o'clock."

"One thing you learn being a mayor, a father, and a husband, is flexibility is almost always the answer." Lee told her with a laugh. "Thankfully, the people of Hope Valley are pretty flexible as well."

Jessie nodded, still a little confused, but she liked this Lee.

"My wife and I own the local newspaper. The Valley Voice," Lee added, and then chuckled, seeing the look on Jessie's face. "I know it seems strange a mayor and a newspaper man, but really my wife, Rosemary, does very well with that on her own. I also own the sawmill."

"Goodness," Jessie exclaimed, "I've been around the country and see my fair share of small towns, but Lee, I've never been in a place like this."

"It's unique, but it's also an amazing town. Well, I better get to my booth in case people need the mayor. It was so nice to meet you, Jessie, let me know if there is anything I can help you with." Lee turned and started heading towards his official Wednesday afternoon booth, when he heard Jessie speak.

"Actually," she began but was interrupted by a loud feminine voice saying, "Lee, there you are." and linking her arm through his. Jessie smiled, thinking that must be his wife, the one who ran the local newspaper. Once again, she sent a short prayer to heaven, thankful for this fortunate turn of events.

"Hello, Sweetheart. I'd like you to meet Jessie." Lee began, followed by "Jessie, this is my wife."

"Rosemary Coulter, Editor-in-Chief of the valley voice, our local newspaper." Rosemary said with a wink and a flourish.

Something about this woman's mannerisms and the way she spoke tugged at a memory from long ago. Shaking it off, she said, "It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Coulter. Your husband here has been most helpful in answering my silly questions, and please call me Jessie"

"And what brings you to town, Jessie?" Rosemary asked.

"Well, you, actually." she answered.

"Me? What business would you have with me?" Rosemary asked confused.

Knowing it was now or never, Jessie introduced herself. "I am Jessica Harrison, from the Capitol City Gazette, and my editor sent me here to interview Governor Bouchard." Quick and to the point, Jessie thought.

"You know, the Governor is not talking to the press at the moment, well except the Valley Voice of course" said Rosemary, looking at her husband with a knowing smile since it had been hit-and-miss if he'd agree to talk to her.

"I don't blame him for that. There are a lot of stories out there about him, and the not so flattering ones seem to be the loudest, and I confess my paper is one of the loudest."

Rosemary nodded her head in agreement, as she'd been keeping up with all the major papers. She desperately wanted to get a story with the full truth out to the public, but knowing that it was Lucas's hometown paper, she knew it would be considered biased towards him.

"So why did you come all the way here? Surely you can understand his position?" Rosemary asked. Beginning to feel defensive of Lucas.

Looking both Lee and Rosemary in the eye, she said, "My editor wants what he calls the real scoop, but what he is after are more of the details on the scandal with Ms. Aucoin. He would like to expose Lucas as someone who should not be Governor of our territory."

"Again, Ms. Harrison," Rosemary asked, her eyes turning cold and her voice getting firm, "Why would you come here for that?"

.

"Because I think that Governor Bouchard is an honest and decent person, and I think he deserves a chance to tell his side of the story. Look, I know this sounds crazy, but it's true. You see," she hesitated, knowing she was close to the point of no return. Taking a deep breath, and straightening her shoulders, she continued, "Mrs. Coulter, Mr. Coulter, I am very good at my job. I have a large audience and frequently get my stories picked up in other papers across the country and beyond. I pride myself on being neutral and telling the truth. These last few years, my editor has become a little too friendly towards me. Offering me front page space in exchange for favors." Jessie's voice began to waiver, so she looked down to try to control her emotions. "I didn't see it at first, but it has become so uncomfortable that I have plans to turn in my resignation. When he asked me to do this story, and told me about the benefits that would come with it, I decided to beat him at his own game. My final story will be the truth about Governor Bouchard, although that isn't what George, my editor, thinks he's getting."

Rosemary stood up saying, "Well, that actually makes me have more questions, but I tentatively believe you. Please come with me to my office, where we can talk some more."

"Please have a seat, Ms. Harrison." Rosemary said, pointing to the chair in front of her desk, while sitting in her seat.'

"Ms. Harrison, we, are very protective of our own here in Hope Valley, and I will not let you do anything to further hurt Lucas I mean the Governor's reputation, however I will admit I've been trying to figure out away to do exactly what you are trying to do but…" Rosemary trailed off

"It won't be taken seriously because of your connection to the Governor." Jessie finished for her. "I don't know how I can convince you I mean to do exactly as I said, but I won't stop trying. I've been praying for a way to get out of the situation with my editor, and the answers I have gotten have brought me here. I don't know what will happen, but I have faith that it's the right thing to do. Not only that, but I also want to tell you it is, and always has been, my intention to include you on everything, even approving the final copy. I know what it's like to have someone invade your space, and that is the last thing I want to do, especially to you."

"Well, that's not the response I expected, I do appreciate your honesty and would like to say how sorry I am about what you've been dealing with as far as your editor goes."

"Thank you, Mrs. Coulter," Jessie began but was interrupted the woman sitting in front of her putting up her hand and saying with a smile.

"Please, call me Rosemary, Jessie"

"Rosemary," Jessie said with a smile.

"Tell you what," Rosemary said, "Let's meet here, tomorrow at 9am and decide what we are going to do. I should tell you that I'm going to invite Bill Avery to come by tomorrow, he and I have been working together for a while, and I'd like him to know what's going on. He froze me out a few days ago, and after the stink I made to him about that, I refuse to eat any humble pie for my actions."