She sniffled and pressed her cheek to his chest. “Thank you.”
Not sure how he’d protect her and his own interests, but certain he didn’t want to let her go, he squeezed tighter. Pressing his lips against her hair and inhaling deeply, he searched for a solution.
“What can we do?” he murmured into her hair.
She stiffened again and pulled back, out of his embrace. Shaking his hands off her arms, her face fell. “I don’t want to have anything to do with this. I wasn’t kidding in there. I’ve been feeling normal for the first time in a long time, and bringing Nathan into this campaign would change everything.” With a shuddering breath, her eyes reflected a profound sadness. “It’s not going away, is it?”
He dropped his hands, shoulders slumped. “Come on, Lily. We can’t simply ignore it. I want to protect you, and I don’t want you to get hurt, but I can’t make it go away. There’s no way around it.”
“Then leave me out of it and move on with your life and your campaign. This engagement was never about us; it was about you and what you need. I think having a liberal, anti-military fiancée is worse than not having one at all, don’t you?”
“That’s not fair, and you know it. If you’ll let us do something to change the public’s perception of you, they’ll realize that you’re not anti-military. They’ll see who I see, someone who is patriotic and optimistic despite everything that’s happened. You have to give us a chance, though. It’s unreasonable to refuse to do anything to address the problem and expect it to work itself out.”
Fire flashed in her eyes, the vulnerability replaced with anger. “No, what’s unreasonable is to expect me to go through something so painful for nothing in return. You’re the one who stands to gain from this, Ford, not me. I’m not the one running for office.”
“Let’s do this together, please. It’s not all about me, Lily. I want you to be happy. I want to make you happy.” The pleading in his voice was obvious, but he pressed forward. She wasn’t bending, and he was dangerously close to losing everything. He could lose the election, but worse, he could lose her. “I’m so grateful to you for agreeing to the engagement, but I thought it was something special for you, too. I know you started this as a favor to me, but it’s more than that now. I’m not imagining that.”
“No, you’re not imagining things. It was becoming more. Now I’m not so sure.”
“Come on. Don’t throw what we could have together over some temporary discomfort. Please.” He tried to take her hands, to make a connection, but she refused.
“Discomfort? Try devastation, humiliation, and heartbreak. Can you even hear yourself when you speak?”
“I’m not trying to minimize it, just trying to get you to see the big picture. All I meant was that we can do this together, like the team we’ll be when we’re married. It may be uncomfortable, but with the team’s help, we can strategize. You’ll be able to confront the situation with support behind you. You won’t be alone in this.”
“You don’t get it, and I don’t know any other way to tell you. I’m done, and there’s no way I’m using my personal life to help you win this election.” The anger that fueled her was replaced with resignation. “I’m not part of your campaign strategy. I’m not even sure I’ll vote for you at this point.”
With a sad smile, she twisted her engagement ring off her finger and pressed it into his palm, got in her car, and closed the door without another word. As she drove off, Ford stood helplessly and watched her disappear into the busy traffic, taking his chances of re-election with her. Losing her was what gutted him, though. How she had managed to turn their arrangement into something he couldn’t live without was astounding. And he’d lost everything before he realized what he had with her.
When he finally turned back toward the office, he saw Charlie standing behind him, close enough to hear everything. Having an audience made the whole thing so much worse, and the last thing he wanted to do was share the moment with that man. “How long have you been out here?”
“Only a few seconds. I was heading to my car and stopped when I saw you two.” Charlie had trouble meeting his eyes.
“Well, that’s great.” His voice dripped with sarcasm, and he didn’t even attempt to be professional. “I’m sure Lily loved having an audience for that, seeing as how much she loves having my campaign team involved in her personal business.”
“Honestly, Ford. I didn’t hear a single word of your conversation. It really was only a few seconds.” He cringed, and added, “I got out here right as she was returning your engagement ring.”
“Well, you’re the one who decided I should get married in the first place. It’s only fitting that you should be here to see it fall apart, too, I guess.” Ford knew it wasn’t Charlie’s fault, or the team’s fault, that he’d landed in this mess. He could’ve gone a different way, refused to follow their plan, or handled Lily’s situation differently. He could only blame himself. Targeting them was so much more satisfying, though.
“Ford, I know it’s hard right now, but if she’s this resistant already, when things are relatively easy, do you think she’d stick around for the long haul? What do you think she’d do if we found ourselves with a real problem? This one is tough, but we had a simple, straightforward solution, and she refused to even consider helping you. I think you might have dodged a bullet.”
Instead of figuring out how to fix the problem, possibly bring her back into the fold, his advisor was glad to have the obstacle removed. To him, Lily was a piece of the puzzle, nothing more, and if she wasn’t going to fit, then it was best to find out early. With as much heartbreak that had come with allowing others to interfere with his life in the past, how had Ford managed to let it happen again? Disgusted with himself, he knew he’d gotten what he deserved. Again. He’d come so far since he’d allowed his mother to manipulate him into breaking it off with his first love. Apparently all it took was a simple setback and he was right back where he started.
“Screw you, Charlie.” He stormed into the office to get his keys, bumping into Charlie in his haste but not looking back.
Chapter Ten
The following afternoon, Lily opened the door to Michael Welch’s bakery, The Clubhouse, to a burst of loud music and vanilla-scented air. Carly’s own bakery, Caketopia, was decidedly more posh and sophisticated, but today they were working together at Michael’s place. Carly was leaning against the counter, flipping through a catalog with an employee. “I don’t care what people are pinning on Pinterest. We are not keeping these in stock. If you have to tie up a man and drag him to the altar, he’s not someone you should marry. I just don’t think these are clever.” Lily could see cake toppers picturing brides pulling grooms by their collars and had to laugh. Typical Carly.
She looked up from the counter and grinned, nearly toppling over her metal barstool in her haste to get to Lily. The pair met in the middle of the storefront’s glossy black floor and hugged. She’d only been gone a short while, but with everything that had happened, it felt like forever.
“I’m so glad you’re back!” Lily couldn’t stop a few happy tears from falling. She’d missed her best friend, and she couldn’t have returned from her honeymoon soon enough. Going through the business with Ford and his campaign without her friend there to help had been torture. Carly took Lily’s left hand, and her excitement turned to bewilderment when she didn’t find an engagement ring.
“Where’s your ring?” Carly looked up at her, concern replacing the joy they’d felt at their reunion. “What happened?”
“What didn’t happen?” Lily let out a shuddering breath. “Things have fallen apart in spectacular fashion. It’s over.”
“Come with me.” Carly instructed the employee to keep an eye on the front and led Lily through a swinging door. The atmosphere behind the wild storefront, which was outfitted to appear more like a grown-up clubhouse than a bakery, was markedly more generic and professional. They found an empty workroom and pulled up stools to the pris
tine stainless steel table that dominated the room.
“I should’ve grabbed some cupcakes from the case. You want me to run back? Something tells me this is one of those situations that call for sugar.” Carly swung one leg over the stool, ready to run back up to the front.
Lily attempted a laugh, but it sounded more like a hiccup. “No, that’s fine. Some things can’t be fixed with cake and frosting.”
Carly put a hand over heart, swaying dramatically. “If I believed that, I don’t see what the point of living would be.” She patted Lily’s hand. “I’m sorry. What’s going on? Tell me everything.”
“It’s over between me and Ford. Things were going so well, and it unraveled so fast. After we got engaged, everything really came together for us. It was weird but wonderful how much closer we got and how quickly. I mean, for a while, I thought I might actually be in love with him.” Lily sighed and looked around the room, wishing she could share the whole story of their engagement. “Then my dad and I did an interview on Good Morning, Dallas about Soldier On, and things went downhill from there. Everything just fell apart.”
She told Carly about how the picture of her at Nathan’s funeral popping up everywhere and how Ford’s team wanted her to use her story to shore up the campaign. The more she explained, the more she realized she’d made the right decision. She couldn’t marry a man who didn’t accept her past, who wouldn’t stand up for her. If he was going to put his campaign ahead of her now, what would he do further down the line?
Carly rubbed her shoulder in sympathy. “Aw, honey, I’m so sorry. I hate that you’re going through this, and I support you no matter what happens. But this whole thing fell apart in one afternoon? Is there any chance you didn’t give Ford the chance to do the right thing? I doubt he let you go without even trying to fix things.”
Lily stiffened. She’d been so caught up in her righteous indignation that she never stopped to consider that Ford wasn’t necessarily a bad guy. Still, the situation was bleak. “He had the chance to make things right, or at least promise to. I mean, he wasn’t even angry on my behalf.”
“So, he didn’t react how you hoped. Think it through, though. Was he on board with his campaign team, or was he protective of you?”
“It happened so fast; everything spiraled out of control. He seemed to understand why I was upset, but he tried to figure out a way to keep me happy but still get what he needed for the campaign. When I realized that the whole thing was about him and what he wanted, regardless of how I’d be affected, I knew it was over.”
Maybe she should’ve given him the benefit of the doubt, or at least a chance to think before reacting. His initial reaction had to be the one that counted, though. His instinct should be to protect her, to side with her no matter what, and his first concern was to follow his team’s edict and safeguard his precious campaign. Her gut told her that his first reaction was the best way to see his true nature. Comparing him to Nathan was unhealthy, and she knew it, but it was inevitable. Maybe she’d been spoiled by her first marriage, but she needed to be her husband’s first priority, needed to know that he’d be willing to do anything to defend her. Nathan had taught her what it was like to be treasured. The trouble with Ford’s campaign made her feel like an asset that wasn’t performing well.
“It’s over, whether I should’ve given it more time or not. I can’t very well call him and ask for the ring back. I might have been hasty, but it’s better to get out now that I know where I stand.”
“I just hate that you finally took a chance and this happened.” Carly stood and pushed her stool under the table before heading for the door. “It won’t solve anything, but we definitely need those cupcakes.”
• • •
Ford pulled out his mother’s chair for her and waited as she sat. The busy restaurant’s lunch crowd filled the space with chatter, the clinking of silverware against plates, and a backdrop to share his latest failure. He took his seat across from her and accepted a menu from the hostess.
“This is an unexpected pleasure.” Mother scanned her menu and eyed him over the top, her eyes searching for the reason they were meeting for lunch.
“I wanted to see you before I head back to D.C.” He tried for a light, casual tone, but his stomach turned at the thought of what he was about to tell her.
“Well then, darling, count me doubly flattered. I know you have a quick turnaround before you’ll be back home for Election Day, but I would’ve thought you’d be splitting your time between your campaign and Lily.”
They’d discussed a canceled engagement of his before, but last time it was a victory for her. She’d had such a hand in ending his relationship that he could rest on his anger and ignore his responsibility. It was years after the fact before he could even admit to himself that he’d been culpable at all. This time, he’d failed on his own, even going so far as to forbid her to interfere, so everything rested squarely on his shoulders. Lily hadn’t returned his calls, and he’d been forced to accept that he’d be returning to D.C. without making things right with her. Best to let Mother know before he left town, to get it over with. Charlie and his father were incredibly close; it was only a matter of time before Charlie mentioned it.
They ordered lunch, and he briefly wondered if he should join Mother and have a midday Chardonnay as well, or maybe something stronger. She handed her menu to the waiter and fixed Ford with an expectant look. Not one to be fooled with flattery, she knew there was more to the visit than a simple meal before he left town.
No use prolonging the inevitable. “Lily and I have called off the engagement.”
One sentence summed up the entire situation but didn’t tell even half the story. To her credit, Mother didn’t even let the tiniest hint of a smile tug at her lips before composing her expression into one of compassion. “Oh, dear, I’m so sorry. What happened?”
“I’m sure you’ve seen some of the news coverage about her that came out after she and her dad went on Good Morning, Dallas. Things got heated when we met with the campaign team to discuss our plans to deal with the fallout. We couldn’t come to an agreement, and she decided to end things.”
“Just like that? I’d think your fiancée would be more supportive of you.” The drinks arrived, and she took a tiny sip of her wine.
“There are complicated issues about her first husband and her politics. The news came out that she herself is a military widow, and there are all these opinions flying around about her feelings about the military. It’s not as simple as being supportive of me.”
“I knew she looked familiar. I remember seeing those pictures of her at the funeral everywhere after that young man died. I couldn’t quite place her, though. Why didn’t you mention any of this?” He’d been asking himself that same question all day.
She accepted her meal from the waiter with a cursory nod and spread her napkin in her lap. After everything that had happened, Ford couldn’t think of one good reason to have handled Lily’s past the way he did. Perhaps he’d wished for a simpler relationship, one where he wasn’t competing with a husband gone before he could disappoint her. One where he wasn’t being compared to someone brave, strong, and grounded in his convictions. Maybe he knew everyone would have an opinion about using the information and didn’t want to address it until forced. Probably a combination of many reasons, none of them good enough to justify his behavior. He chewed his tasteless meal as he thought about what he’d done.
“She’s incredibly private about her first marriage, and I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. I worried that everyone would ask her about her husband, so I tried to give her at least a little time to adjust to having her life being an open book instead of forcing her to face it all at once.” He shrugged. He had no good defense for his actions, but there was nothing he could do to change the past. “I didn’t realize that it would come out so quickly. I should have managed this better.”
“Really, Ford, I don’t know how you get yourself into these situations.” She
took a delicate bite of radish from her salad and chewed thoughtfully. “Perhaps it’s best that you got out before anything worse happened.”
“What do you mean?” She sounded like Charlie, but when she said it, he could only blame himself.
“Honestly, she’s a beautiful young woman, but did you really think she was an appropriate choice for you? Listen, I know you don’t want to hear anything I have to say about your love life, but you need a certain kind of woman by your side if you’re going to be successful. Lily’s not exactly congressman’s wife material, much less governor’s wife.”
“I can’t believe we’re doing this again.” He’d let it happen, and he was thoroughly disgusted with himself.
She feigned innocence. “I did exactly as you asked and kept my mouth shut, as promised. I’m simply glad that you figured out this wouldn’t work before things went any further with that one.”
“That one? Mother, please. We are talking about my fiancée, the woman I love.” Though he’d never admitted it to himself or said it to Lily, buckling under the full force of losing her made him realize that he did, in fact, love her.
At the admission, her face softened. She set her fork on her plate and gave him a sad smile. “Darling, I didn’t realize. I thought you proposed because your team advised it. I’m sorry.” Her hand covered his for a moment, more contact than he was used to from her, and she continued. “I’ve always tried to protect you, but apparently it wasn’t Lily you needed to worry about. Do you remember your Uncle Monroe?”
“Of course. Well, vaguely.” His father’s younger brother died when Ford was probably ten or eleven years old. He had a few memories of him from holidays, vacations, and time spent on the golf course with his dad, but nothing specific.
“When he was a bit younger than you are, he met a beautiful young lady, Michelle. She was absolutely stunning, and he couldn’t resist giving her everything she wanted. They were married very quickly after they met, and we never got to know her very well.” The waiter arrived to check on them, and she waved him away with a smile. “She wasn’t around long enough, as it turned out. Michelle made sure that they never spent much time with us, and he was so in love with her that he didn’t argue about it. They were married maybe a year, if that, when everything started to fall apart. She cheated on your uncle, spent money like it was water, and treated him like dirt. She finally filed for divorce, and it was ugly. She was ruthless: telling him she’d never loved him, hiding her jewelry and expensive gifts, and fighting tooth and nail for every last dollar she could get out of him.”
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