A bowl sat on the table, along with two boxes of cereal and a bottle of milk. No hot meal for them. Sanford was seated, wearing a navy blue suit and red tie, reading the paper.
She sat down. “Have you eaten?”
“Yes.”
“You must have another meeting today.” She didn’t think he’d wear a suit just to go door-to-door. Jeans and cowboy boots would have been the norm.
“I do. Bob Sayles arranged for me to meet with a few members of his company.”
“Is he trying to buy your vote?”
He stilled. “Angel, if you believe that, perhaps you shouldn’t be my campaign manager.”
Had he not winked, she might have cried. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it came out.”
“Sure you did. It’s understandable. Sayles is a powerful man. If he gets me the votes, that’s great. If I’m elected, I’ll decide what is best for Pleasure. I won’t take direction from him.”
Now she really felt bad she’d said anything. She poured the cereal from the box and doused the contents in milk. She wouldn’t ask for coffee. Most likely either Ms. Bailey or Evelyn Archer would have a pot ready.
“Does someone other than you and Clint have a key to the office?”
“No. Why?”
“If the volunteers have to wait in their cars for you or Clint to show up, they might get cold.”
He put the paper down. “You have a point. Should I make two extra keys and give one to you and one of the volunteers?”
“That would be great. Clint had to lock up yesterday.”
“I’ll get it done today.”
She finished her cereal quickly, not wanting to keep anyone waiting. She stood and placed her dish in the sink. When she turned around, Sanford dangled a key in his hand and handed it to her.
“What’s this?” He said he didn’t have a spare key to the office.
“I’d like you to have a key to this place in case you need to pick up something or want some peace and quiet.”
She took the offering but wanted to make sure there was no misunderstanding. “I’m not moving in.”
He smiled and ran a knuckle down her cheek. “I know, and I’m not asking.”
Her mouth opened.
Sanford tapped her nose. “Not that I don’t want you, but you’re not ready.”
How true.
After she grabbed her coat and purse, she followed Sanford to the campaign office, and her mind reeled. No man had ever cared enough to actually consider her feelings so deeply. He was right that she wasn’t ready to move in, but how did he know? All she was sure of was that the step after understanding was love.
Chapter Twelve
Sanford opened the door for Vicki and the volunteers, and promised the group he’d make a spare key and leave it with one of them. Not surprising, the three bickered over who should get the key.
“I’m the first one to arrive,” Mrs. Bailey said. “I should hold onto the key.”
Sanford smiled and placed a comforting hand on Vicki’s arm. He leaned close to her ear. “Gotta go. Good luck.” He stood, winked, and hurried out.
Evelyn shook her head. “But I bring the snacks.”
Vicki had no idea what the food had to do with needing to get in early. She held up her palm in surrender. “I’ll let you three duke it out. I need to make a quick trip to Knight’s Delights.” Vicki would discuss who would be in charge of the spare key when Sanford had it made.
Earl Samples cleared his throat. “I was a sergeant in the Army. As a military man I’ve proven I am responsible.”
Evelyn’s lips pursed. “I brought coffee.”
Get out now while you can. “I really need to speak with Bella about her husbands hosting a campaign party.”
Ms. Bailey’s eyes lit up. “I’ve heard she lives on quite a spread. I hope we’re invited.” She giggled.
Vicki didn’t want to make any promises. “I don’t have any details. I won’t be long.” She hadn’t taken off her coat yet, so she scurried out the door. Phew.
Sanford drove by and honked. She waved back. He was quite an amazing man—dedicated, focused, determined. And at the moment, all hers.
Knight’s Delights was only a block away, and though it was a short walk, the wind managed to buffet her face, forcing Vicki to keep her head down and hurry. It probably would have been smart to call ahead to see if Bella was even working, but she’d been lusting after a nice caramel coffee since she got up.
As she charged in, she looked around and smiled. Bella was behind the counter and thankfully no one was in line. Perfect. Vicki strode up to her.
“Hey, Vicki. What can I get you?”
“A caramel coffee and a scone.” The cereal hadn’t really done it for her this morning.
As Bella fixed the coffee, Vicki tried to figure out how to ask if her friend wouldn’t mind hosting a party at her house. “I need to ask you a favor. Feel free to say no.”
Bella looked back over her shoulder. “Shoot.”
“Sanford is looking for a place to host his campaign coming out party this Friday.”
“This place is too small, but what about our house? I know my husbands are big supporters.”
Vicki laughed. “Do they even know what he stands for?” When she’d asked her friend before about whether she could count on her vote, Bella had said she wanted to hear the candidates’ platforms.
She chuckled. “As long as it’s not what the mayor stands for, we’re good.”
Vicki was pleased. Pleasure had more than doubled in size in recent years. She personally loved having a Walmart and a decent-sized mall, as well as so many cool shops like this one. Others saw the expansion as a threat.
“You sure?”
“Positive. It’ll be fun as long as I don’t have to do anything.” She patted her stomach. “Though to be honest, between Raven, Hawk, and Clete, I don’t do much more than watch the baby.”
How nice. “How’s Celeste doing?”
“I never knew how much an eighteen-month old could get into.”
She smiled. What she wouldn’t give to learn. “You’re lucky you have good help.”
“Don’t I know it. Why don’t you ask Chelsea to cater the party, and I’ll do the rest.”
The last thing she wanted was for Bella to do extra work. “You don’t need to do anything. I’ll take care of all the details.”
Bella poured Vicki’s coffee. “For here or to go?”
“To go. I need to get back. I love my volunteers, but they can be testy.” Vicki handed Bella her credit card.
“I totally get that.”
“So you’re okay with people invading your house on Friday?”
“I look forward to it.”
Vicki nodded to her belly. “I owe you a few babysitting weekends.”
She smiled. “It’s a deal.”
With coffee in hand, she trudged back to the office, a million things on her mind. Would Sanford and Mr. Sayles do all the inviting or should she take a stab at the guest list? Sayles wasn’t from here, and Sanford hadn’t been in Pleasure long enough to know who to contact. Next, she needed to find out how many were coming so she’d know how much food and drinks to order. The guests would be locals and know where Clete Knight lived, so she wouldn’t have to print maps.
She reached the office with the coffee still in the cup. Only Earl was talking on the phone. The ladies were quiet.
No sooner had she booted up her computer than she received an e-mail from Clay Stegman, the man who took Sanford’s photos. The message read:
Hey, Vicki. Thought I’d send you the five photos I liked best. Sanford said to let you decide. He’s already paid me, so we’re good. Appreciate the business.
She couldn’t wait to see the photos. She opened the JPEGs and was blown away by the pictures. In the first one, Sanford looked liked someone’s next door neighbor—approachable, honest, and friendly. The next one was a full body shot of him in his suit. He could run for president of the
United States and most of the women would vote for him just to be able to see his face every day. She studied the rest of the shots. Each one told a different story. If she asked the volunteers which they liked best, she’d get three different opinions.
Vicki picked two photos. She’d get flyers with a close-up of his face in the upper left hand corner and his platform filling the rest of the paper. For the posters, she thought the one where Sanford was wearing his jeans and cowboy hat, sitting on top of an Arabian would give the impression of a man who belonged in Pleasure, Montana.
Since time was of the essence, she had to go right now to the office supply store where they would print the pictures. Because it was on Lanyard and Sixth, driving would be quickest, not to mention easier on her hairdo.
Vicki went back to Ms. Bailey’s cubicle. “I have to get some posters printed of Sanford.”
She planted a hand on his chest. “I can’t wait to see them. He’s such a handsome boy.”
“He is at that. Make sure these ragamuffins stay in line.”
“You bet.” She grinned as if Vicki had given her the biggest present.
Once in her car, she drove the eight blocks to the store and dropped off the flash drive with the photos. She wasn’t quite sure how many to print, but Sanford might want to pass them out to each person he spoke with, so she ordered three hundred to be safe. As for the posters, she ordered ten. They’d put several in the campaign window and the rest could go on the walls. It would really liven up the place.
The clerk said they’d be done by tomorrow. Since she was nearby, she decided to stop at her clinic to make sure Kim was doing okay.
Vicki parked in front and walked in. Kim was with Claire Humphries who’d fallen off a horse six months ago and had had back issues ever since. Both women looked up.
“Hey!” Claire seemed happy to see her.
“Is Kim treating you okay?” She glanced between the women.
“She’s tough but good.”
“Glad to hear it.” She glanced over at Kim. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d see if you need anything.”
“I’m good. You’ve trained your patients well. They don’t whine.”
Vicki planted her hands on her hips and gave the ladies her fiercest look. “They better not.” The women laughed.
Vicki didn’t know whether she was happy or sad that she appeared to be quite dispensable. It didn’t matter, as Kim would be going back to school in January. “You know I’m a phone call away.”
“I know.”
She turned to Claire. “Keep up the good work.”
“My back is getting better all the time.”
“Glad to hear it.” Vicki smiled and headed out the door. By the time she parked behind the office, walked around the block, and entered through the front, she was cold. She needed to ask Sanford if he had a key to the back door, too.
When she stepped into her office, Sanford was at his desk. “Hey! You’re back.” Her day just got better.
“I finished the meeting early. Pull up a chair. I need help knowing who to give my spiel to.”
She took off her coat and hung it on the hook by the door. “I wouldn’t discount a few of the coal miners. They might like to switch jobs and work at the hydroelectric plant. The pay could be better and the air quality sure will be an improvement.”
He smiled. “I like it.”
“Oh, and I secured the Knight residence for the party on Friday. Do you have a list of who you want to invite?”
He stared at her. “You are amazing.”
Heat flushed her face. “What?”
“I’m gone a few hours and you have everything under control.”
“That’s what you hired me for.” She held up a finger. “Did you get spare keys made?”
“I did.”
“Is there a key to the back door?”
“This key fits both of them.”
“Perfect.” Not that she was planning on sneaking in from the back alley, but it would be nice not to have to walk around the block. “The list?” He stared at her and didn’t move. “Would you prefer if I just invite fifty or so of Pleasure’s finest and most influential supporters?”
He stood and came around his desk, drew her into an embrace and kissed her. For a few seconds she let the world dissolve and allowed herself to forget all of her problems. She ran her fingers up his back and loved the play of his muscles and was thrilled when he didn’t command her not to touch him.
He moaned and came up for air. Sanford looked toward the outer office, as did she. Thank goodness none of the volunteers were visible, but who was to say no one would walk by on the street and look in. The office was in direct sight of the storefront.
Heat raced up her face. “Maybe we need to be more careful.”
“Careful is for sissies.”
She grinned. “I don’t need to have my picture on the front page of the newspaper kissing you.”
He lifted his chin. “Come on now. The headlines are publicity. They put me in a good light. Vote for Sanford Mansfield. He’s a man with good taste.”
She didn’t add that he tasted good, too. “I think you’d break the hearts of too many voters. You need to go after the female vote.”
“Humph. Maybe you’re right.”
She loved that he listened to her. “What do you need me to do next besides contacting those guests for the party?”
“We need to set up a schedule for my door-to-door campaign, and can you set up a debate with Megan maybe a week before the election? I think we should have one discussion between us.”
“I think it’s a great idea. I know one of the news reporters over at KTTV.”
He grinned. “Why am I not surprised?”
“I met her when she brought in her mom for physical therapy.”
He cocked a brow. “Has everyone in Pleasure been injured at one time or another?”
It probably seemed like that to him. “No.”
“Good, then let’s work on my plan.”
For the next two hours, they outlined what she needed to do, who Sanford had to speak with, and what he thought the three volunteers could accomplish. She made two phones calls when he went back to his computer to do some research.
Her stomach grumbled. It was almost two and she’d only eaten the bowl of cereal and a scone.
He glanced to the computer, probably checking the time. “Want to go next door for lunch?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Ms. Bailey brought her own lunch as had Earl. Evelyn had left at noon and returned thirty minutes later. Since they weren’t being paid to be there, they could come and go as they pleased.
She and Sanford donned their coats. He told Ms. Bailey where he’d be, and then escorted Vicki next door.
The place was rather empty even for this hour. Most of the lunch crowd must have already left. Luke came over to take their order.
“How’s the campaign going?”
“Hard to tell,” Sanford said. “Clete Knight is hosting a party for me on Friday. Do you think you or Preston could get away?”
“Might be able to. I heard Chelsea’s catering it.”
Sanford glanced at her. “When did you arrange that?”
She laughed. “You were in the office when I called her.”
“I must have zoned out.”
They ordered and Luke hustled off. “Before I dropped off the photos for the campaign posters, I stopped by the office and saw Kim.”
“How’s that going?”
“Good. She’s slipped in without a hitch. In fact, she seems to be at home here.”
He leaned forward. “Does that bother you?”
Could he hear something in her voice? “That I’m so easily replaceable? Maybe, but I’m glad I don’t have worry about the care of my patients. They’re in good hands.”
“I’m glad. For the record, you are not replaceable. You are one of a kind.”
“Thanks.”
They spen
t the rest of the lunch going over some budget items. She did have one idea she wanted to pass by him. “At some point we might consider hiring a firm to poll the voters to see where we stand.”
“You don’t think Megan will do that? Maybe we could use her data.”
“I doubt she’d share. The report would be for our eyes only.”
He finished off his coffee. “You know who to hire?” He held up his hand. “Dumb question.”
She chuckled. “Actually, I don’t, but Clay’s wife, Robin, might.”
“Cool.”
After they finished, he paid and they went back to the office. For the next few hours, they both concentrated on doing what they needed to do. Earl knocked on the door. “I’m going if that’s okay.”
Sanford smiled. “Sure. Thanks for your help.”
“Talked to over forty people today. It’s looking good, sir.”
She waited for them to salute each other, but Earl nodded and walked out. The slight limp in his gait concerned her. With a little strength training, he might improve.
Before long both of the women said their good-byes and left. Sanford returned to his desk and was hard at work in seconds. She decided to stay a little longer as she loved being near him. Besides, if she left, he’d probably insist on driving her home, which would disrupt his flow. She had to admit, having Doug hang around her house did kind of bother her, but that’s what locks were for. Right?
Out of the blue, Sanford pushed back his chair and strode out of the office. She followed him with her gaze. He locked the front door then came back to the office and closed the blinds, something he hadn’t done before.
“Why are you doing that?”
“Getting privacy.”
“Why?” He never seemed concerned before.
He finished closing the blinds, but tilted them a little. “I see you need to learn that when I do something, it’s in your best interest.”
Two Doms for Vicki [Pleasure, Montana 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 11