by Taylor Lee
“What’s important?” asked Tom as he returned from a conversation with several of the Caballeros.
“That we get the hell out of here and go back to my office so that we can have a real strategy session. Let’s go!”
They all stood. Wyatt made a quick circle of the bar, thanking the staff and telling them to enjoy themselves, which they all made clear they intended to do. Salacious laughter and open solicitations had begun to ricochet through the party. The four of them grinned at each other, knowing what would happen within the next several hours. More than a few of the women exchanged disappointed looks as Wyatt left the party with his three closest advisors.
Back at the office Wyatt poured them each a glass of bourbon, handed out his best cigars, then sunk into his chair with a satisfied grin, allowing himself to savor the success of the day.
Tom’s eyes were shining like stars. “Wyatt, I wasn’t exaggerating out there. You were masterful. You took over that crowd in a way I have never seen. If Grant had supporters in the beginning, they were your people by the end. I don’t believe that even now Grant understands what happened. As if you had written it for him, the first sentence out of his mouth gave you your opening. And, son of a bitch that you are, you took it and ran with it. You never fucking let go.”
Wyatt grinned a satisfied smile. “Yeah, Grant walked right into it, didn’t he?”
“Wyatt, he walked into you! This is no time for modesty. We are here to plan the next couple of weeks. By God, I want to figure out how we can bottle what happened today and take it on the road.”
“You’re right, Tom. But the question is what happens next? How does Grant respond to today? My sense is that we will hear soon that due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts, the next three debates will have to be rescheduled ‘indefinitely’.”
Chief nodded in agreement. “Even if Grant’s ego is so big that he still thinks he can stand toe to toe with you, his staff has to be telling him he’s done.”
Tom nodded. “I think that’s a given. But we can shove it further up his ass by refusing to reschedule and have the debates, even if he doesn’t show. My recommendation is that we keep the same schedule with or without Grant. Damn, then we’ll add meetings in every part of the state.”
Wyatt sipped on his bourbon and nodded. “I agree with you, Tom, but I also have to get back to the ranch. Lei and the children are expecting me and…”
“Wyatt, I understand, but we have to strike while we are hot. I’m telling you, every paper in the state is going to be writing about that “debate” today, and not only because I am planting the stories. We have to build on what you created today. I am bringing in national press people to cover this next week or so. I’m telling you right now that you are the hottest political commodity there is.”
Wyatt stood up and refilled each of their glasses. “Look, Tom, I am as excited as you are. I’m confident when Lei hears how we did today that she will be with us one hundred percent. I understand the intensity of the moment. I want to capture it, as well. But I made a promise to Lei and things are fragile for us right now. I can’t break it. I agree we should keep the debate schedule and add meetings around the state. First, I need to go back to the ranch to make sure that Lei is on board. Then I’m in total agreement. Let’s get the hell out there and win this thing!”
They raised their glasses and looked at each other in wonder, realizing for the first time that they might do exactly that, elect the next governor of the State of Wyoming.
~~~
If their meeting was euphoric, the Forrester campaign meeting was downright wretched. No one tried to put a positive spin on what they all agreed was an unmitigated disaster.
“Look, Grant, the first thing we need to do is to cancel all the remaining debates. I’ll handle the explanation. There is no way we are going to put you out there again like we did today.” Clarence hoped by taking responsibility for the cancellation and for what happened today that they could keep Grant from imploding.
Grant nodded. He looked as shocked as the rest of the team. Clarence was the only one who seemed at all in control. The others were happy to defer to him.
Clarence’s craggy face was rigid, stern. “Okay, fellows, we got hit hard today, but we will come back. My recommendation is that we all have another drink, recognize that this is a low point in the campaign, and then get some rest. Let’s plan to meet at nine o’clock in the morning when we are fresh and ready to do battle again.”
Except for Grant, who was frozen with emotion, everyone around the table nodded in agreement. Grateful to have been given a reprieve, they quickly drained their glasses. The last thing any of them wanted to do was to go over what had happened today. They all knew they had been taken down, and taken down hard, by a master.
~~~
While Grant’s team was in shock, Charlie Morales was livid. He should have known that lily-livered little pussy Grant Forrester couldn’t stand up to Wyatt McManus. Christ, for a supposedly smart man, Grant was dumber than shit. The asshole actually believed you could take down Wyatt in an election. A goddamn election! That’d be like takin’ down a raging bull elephant with a pea-shooter. All the years that Grant and his high fallutin’ buddies had been snookered by Wyatt, and they still didn’t know him. They didn’t know what the man was capable of. Hell, they just thought he was smart, rich, knew how to make money. Christ, all you had to do was look in his eyes. Nobody with a brain in his head could miss the danger lurking behind that infamous grin.
Maybe if they’d picked through the burned up carcass of his leader or buried the tortured castrated men Wyatt had killed, they would understand what it would take to mow down Wyatt. And, damn, add in Lei, and even Charlie had to admit you better know who you’re dealing with. What was that saying? “If you strike at a king, you must kill him.” Hell, yeah, Charlie thought. If you’re gonna take a shot at Wyatt McManus, the last thing you could do is miss.
Once his fury settled into a seething gut wrenching rage, he turned back to his plans. He reminded himself that retribution took planning, smart thinking, and a cool head. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that Grant was serving his purpose, just the way he thought he would. Hell, it would be even better if Wyatt got close to winning the election and then they got him. Charlie’s plants were in place, his stool pigeons well positioned. He was getting first hand information on everything Wyatt, Lei, and the rest of them were doing. Some of the information they passed on to Grant. The more personal information - the family stuff - they kept to themselves. It was the poison dart they would use to once and for all lance the boil that was Wyatt.
~~~
The next morning Alex and Elena went riding with Daniel while Nicolas Deshi went to pick berries with Theresa. Lei stayed behind, waiting for Wyatt. Lei saw him riding up with Chief and Alono and three of the Caballeros. Even before Wyatt dismounted, she saw the gleam of victory in his eyes. He leapt off Master and picked her up and swung her up high in the air, the way he did the children. She shrieked and hugged him tight as he smothered her with kisses.
Wyatt whispered, “Honey, we killed ‘em.”
Chief and Alono dismounted. Both came over and hugged Lei.
“Lei, I know you know this, even without being there. Wyatt was remarkable. I will never forget the meeting. I am confident that we will look back on it as the turning point in the campaign. As Tom said, he was masterful!”
Wyatt grinned, still holding her tight.
“Yeah, honey, I kicked his ass. I think even Grant regrets he circulated those pictures. Come to think of it, I’m not sure he has regained enough feeling in his balls to regret anything.”
They all went into the cottage and headed for his office. Lei asked one eager question after another, more and more delighted with each glorious detail.
After several minutes describing the unadulterated victory, Chief saw the way that Wyatt was looking at Lei and reminded Alono they needed to check on one of the mares. Pushing Alono o
ut the door ahead of him, he smiled and discreetly closed the door, looking back in time to see Wyatt pick up Lei and carry her over to the sofa. But as the door closed, Wyatt settled for the floor instead, pulling off her pants on the way down.
“Oh, God, baby, I missed you. Jesus, do you know what you feel like, honey? What you smell like? You’re already wet.”
He spread her legs and buried his face in her crotch. He groaned with desire as her fingers frantically unbuttoned his pants. Pushing them down to his knees, she gripped his hard cock in her hands. He rose up on his hands and knees and straddled her as she guided his cock into her wet pussy. They groaned in excitement as he thrust into her. Dragging her hips up tight against him he drove in deeper and harder. They both cried out their voices and their bodies connected as one. Hard waves of passion searing them both.
“Jesus Christ, Lei. God, how do you do this to me?” Wyatt was lying beside her, his body trembling as the aftershocks of their orgasms continued to roll over them. Her body was damp with sweat. He buried his face between her breasts licking and fondling them unable to let her go.
“Christ, honey, it’s only been one day and I feel like I haven’t had you for weeks. All I could think of last night after we got back from the debate was how much I wanted you. And Lei, I wanted you there with me – at the debate, on the stage. Hell, I know you would have been proud of me. But, I wanted everyone in that audience to see the woman I love. This beautiful, beautiful woman who loves me.”
He leaned down and began to kiss her gently, tenderly all over her body, in the most secret places until she was moaning with desire. He slipped up inside of her and they moved together as they sometimes did. Slowly, slowly, building one layer of passion after another they held each other back until many minutes later he whispered, “Now, Lei.” They let go and rose together in an excruciatingly powerful climax that left them both shattered and sobbing with joy.
~~~
Shortly before Noon, they joined the children, who had been playing out in the barn under the watchful eye of Chief and Alono. The children were thrilled to see Wyatt. After many kisses and hugs they agreed that they would go to their stream for a picnic lunch. While Wyatt and the children got the horses ready, Lei went back to the cottage and helped Theresa pack their lunches.
They rode to the stream and the five of them played in the water for several hours. When even the children agreed they were hungry, Lei unpacked the lunches that Theresa had made for them and they ate under their big shade tree. Before they finished eating, Deshi fell asleep in Lei’s lap.
While Alex and Elena headed back to the water, Wyatt leaned against the tree, smoking a cigarette. Lei saw the fatigue etched on his face and said with a smile, “I have an idea. Why don’t you come over here and lie down beside Deshi before you fall asleep and light yourself on fire with that cigarette.”
Wyatt laughed. “God, honey, you’re right. I am tired.”
He carefully lay down beside Deshi, so as not to wake him. Lei rested his head in her lap gently stroking his eyes, his cheeks, his lips. Within minutes he was sound asleep. Lei held them both close to her, marveling at this man and child she loved with all her heart.
~~~
“I’m sorry, Wyatt, and you too, Lei. Tom sent Clay to get you, Wyatt. You’re going to need to go to Cheyenne tonight—actually we need to leave now. Apparently, five newspaper men came from around the state and are at the hotel now. Even Tom was surprised. They came for what they think is the big debate in the morning, which we all know is gonna be a Grant no-show. It’ll make for even better articles!”
“Damnit, Chief. Lei and I were counting on having tonight together. Why can’t I go in the morning like we planned? Hell, we can get up early.”
“I know, Wyatt, and Tom knows that this is not what you wanted. But he has some big dinner planned for tonight. Said to tell you that you will not have another opportunity to sit with representatives from every town in the state that’s got a paper worth reading. Thinks you can get them primed for tomorrow. Not only that, but he thinks he is gonna have paper men coming from San Francisco and Washington, if not tomorrow, then for the Jackson debate – which of course we know Grant won’t show for either.”
Lei moved up next to him and encircled his waist with her arm, holding him close. “Wyatt, it’s okay, honey. You know you need to go.”
“Damn, this is the part I hate. Lei, you know I get crazy without you. We have to get you there with us, you and the children. I don’t want you to come until we see how people react to the family poster, but we have to get this figured out. Hell, the schedule Tom has in place now has me gone for at least two weeks. That will not work. Christ, I’m aching for you after one day, how the hell does he expect me to go for two weeks?”
Wyatt was disappointed and angry. Goddamn, he had planned on talking to Lei tonight about getting married – and soon. He wondered if the reason she had quickly agreed to the change in plans was because he had told her in Cheyenne that’s the conversation they were going to have. Damn.
They went to their bedroom and Lei helped him pack. She knew he was upset and wasn’t surprised when he stopped what he was doing and said, “Lei, we need to talk.”
She stepped back, avoiding his gaze. “Wyatt, not now. You have to leave in five minutes. The children will be running in here any minute to say good-by.”
Wyatt stood across from her, his expression hard, demanding. “Lei, you know damn well what I want to talk about. We agreed in Cheyenne that we were going to have this conversation. And goddamn it, I’m not leaving until we do.”
“Wyatt, don’t do this now. It’s bad enough that you have to go. Please, honey, let’s not do this now.”
Wyatt’s voice was soft but the edge of steel underlying it was palpable. “Lei, it’s a simple question. All it requires is that you say yes.”
She turned away from him, folding her arms across her chest. He reached out and pulled her next to him, turning her to face him. He tilted her head and held her face so that she couldn’t look away. His eyes were dark, intense. His jaw was rigid.
“Lei, I love you. I want to marry you. You know that. Please, honey, just say yes.”
She had tears in her eyes and tried to pull away, but he held her tight and wouldn’t let her look away.
“Wyatt, I love you more than anything in the world. You know that. But I’m not ready. I’m scared, Wyatt…”
They heard the children coming down the hallway. “Daddy, Mommy, where are you? Dad…”
“Lei, it would be easy for you to just say yes. I could leave here knowing that we are going to be married soon. Will you do that, Lei?”
“I can’t, Wyatt. Not yet.”
“Goddamn it, Lei.”
Just then the children rushed in. Soon they were jumping on the bed, trying to jump up on Wyatt. With a great effort and a hard look at Lei, he choked back his anger—at least enough to smile at the children.
Handing each of them a case, he said, “Alex, you carry this and Elena, do you think you can carry this?”
They both nodded, excited to help him.
Wyatt reached down and picked up Nicolas Deshi, who giggled excitedly. Wyatt put him up on his shoulders and headed out the door after Alex and Elena.
With a quick nod to Lei, he said, “Bye, honey. See you when I can.”
“Wyatt, please.”
He shook his head and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Chapter 20
Grant had recovered enough to meet with his team. No one tried to sugar coat what had happened. It had been a disaster and they all knew it, even Grant.
“I know what you’re thinking. Damnit, we are not going to let that son of a bitch spook us. I don’t care what the fuck kinda clothes he puts on there’s still a red-skinned buck under ‘em.
“Look, we know he had that crowd planted. Hell, look how he knew everyone’s name. We probably didn’t have a single supporter there. No wonder they were all clapping for
the bastard. You know damn well he told that Cline – okay fine, Clem, what do I care what the fucker’s name is—you know that Wyatt gave Clem that question to ask about fuckin’ water rights. What the hell does that have to do with anything? Like a governor is supposed to care about water rights? Hell, the only reason I’d care about them would be to tax them when I’m governor and skim some for us. Christ—water rights in Natrona County. Yeah, like I should know that!
“I’ll tell you one thing. I’m not going to give him a platform like that again. It sure would be good to know how much he paid every one of those freaks to show up. Christ, we need to know how much it costs to pack a room!”
The rest of his team was quiet. They had let him rant for the last half hour. None of them wanted to take him on.
Finally, Clarence looked at John, who nodded, silently agreeing to take up the challenge.
“Grant, we are as pissed as you are. Yeah, he probably did have the whole thing rigged. You and I know one thing from fighting him in the past. We can’t underestimate him.”
Grant slammed his fist on the table. “I’m not! But I don’t want to overestimate him either. Like all of you seem to want to do!”
“No, we don’t, Grant,” John broke in before Grant could get going again. “But look, the guy did grow up around here. He’s lived here his whole life. He’s known all over the state. Hell, he probably did know all of those people. They sure as hell seemed to know him. But it doesn’t matter. We have to figure how to go forward. Right now, you’re expected at a debate tomorrow morning in Laramie. We’re all agreed you aren’t going to be there. We better have a damn good reason because you know they’re gonna use it against us!”