Campaign Trail (By Design Book 9)

by J. A. Armstrong

  “She is tired,” Laura said. “She’s juggling an important job, a campaign and a family.”

  “I don’t know why she does it.”

  “Why don’t you ask her?”

  “Ask mom why she does it?”

  “Yeah.”

  “She’ll play it down.”

  Laura grinned. “I’m not so sure. Why don’t you give her a call? See if she has some time this week.”

  “I don’t want to stress her out.”

  Laura shrugged. “I think you underestimate her.”

  Jonah was about to answer when his phone rang. “Hey, Shell.”

  “What are you two doing?” Michelle asked her brother.

  “Not watching the news,” Jonah grumbled and shut off the television.

  “Probably a good idea. Stay away from that shit. It’ll rot your brain.”

  “Why are you in such a good mood?”

  “Me?” Michelle feigned innocence.

  “Yeah, you.”

  “I’m not in a good mood.”

  Jonah laughed. “Okay. Why are you in a bad mood?”

  “I’m not in a bad mood either. I am in a pizza mood. Thought you guys might want to join.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “What’s going on?” Laura whispered.

  “Shell wants to have pizza.”

  “With us?” Laura asked. He nodded and Laura grabbed the phone. “When are we having this pizza?” she asked Michelle

  “I thought around two,” Michelle answered.

  “You want to meet somewhere?”

  “Actually, yes,” Michelle said. “I’ll send you the address.”

  “What?” Laura asked.

  “Just be there,” Michelle said.

  “Oooo-kay.”

  “What did she say?” Jonah asked.

  “She’s up to something.”

  “I knew she was in a good mood. Holy shit! Do you think she’s pregnant?”

  Laura shrugged.

  “You don’t think so?”

  “Since when does pizza herald pregnancy?”

  Jonah smirked.

  “What?” Laura asked.

  “You’ve eaten your share this time.”

  Laura rolled her eyes. “I’m going to go give JJ a bath.”

  “She’s pregnant. I’m telling you.”

  “Anything is possible.” Laura laughed. At least, he has something else to obsess over for a few hours.

  ***

  “What do you think this is about?” Jameson asked Candace.

  Candace shrugged. “I’ve no idea.”

  “Seriously?”

  “When it comes to Shell I learned long ago to expect the unexpected.”

  “Pizza? Shell never asks us to meet for pizza.”

  “That’s because Shell usually comes here looking to be fed,” Candace replied.

  Jameson laughed. “True. You’re not worried?”

  “No.”

  “Curious?”

  Candace chuckled. “You’re almost as bad as Cooper.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Cooper has been snooping for Christmas presents.”

  Jameson bit her bottom lip gently.

  Candace offered her a knowing smirk. “You wouldn’t have any idea where he got the idea to do that?”

  “Me? No. I’ll bet Spence taught him.”

  “Mm. And, where do you suppose Spencer learned his detective tactics?”

  Jameson shrugged. “Hey, he’s spent years mastering new places to hide. Maybe he just wants to be on the other end for a change.”

  Candace burst out laughing. “That must be it.”

  “Makes sense to me.”

  “I’m sure it does, honey.” Candace let out an exasperated breath when her cell phone rang. What now? “Dana?”

  Jameson gauged the shift in Candace’s mood as Candace listened to Dana on the phone. Oh, no.

  “No, no,” Candace said. “They certainly can call me to testify. No, I know. Well, they’re opening up a can of worms as bait. They might want to careful. Exactly. They might end up catching a fish they hadn’t expected. I’m not sure. What does Glenn think?” Candace listened attentively to Dana. “I agree. We should get out in front of it. She would be, but she’s due in a couple of weeks. Somehow, I don’t see her traveling. You did? What did she say?”

  Jameson tried to busy herself, but she was keen to discern what Candace’s conversation pertained to.

  “Why am I not surprised?” Candace chuckled. “Is that right? Oh, I’m sure Jameson will be up for that.”

  Jameson’s interest piqued.

  Candace laughed. “There is a bright side to everything. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll talk to Jameson and then give her a call. You too.”

  Jameson waited for Candace to address her.

  Candace smiled.

  “Well?” Jameson asked.

  “It seems Congressman Drury and a handful of others are making a plan to call me to testify in front of the House Intelligence Committee.”

  “Why are you smiling then? And, what is it I will be up for?”

  “Dana and Glenn think it might be a good idea to give a speech on foreign policy.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Dana called Cassidy to see if she would be willing to work with me on it.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Candace chuckled. “Since Cassidy isn’t traveling these days, she suggested perhaps a speech at Yale might be a good idea. Jane’s youngest teaches there.”

  “And?”

  “And, Cassidy suggested to Dana that perhaps you and I could drive down and spend a couple of days there. She was going to give Jane a call.”

  Jameson nodded.

  “I thought that would be something you’d enjoy?” Candace looked at Jameson quizzically.

  “Seeing Alex and Cassidy? Yes. The fact that this jerk Drury is making waves? No.”

  “It’s part of the game.”

  “Cheating?”

  “I’m not sure I would…”

  “I would call lying to gain ground cheating,” Jameson said.

  “I don’t have anything to hide.”

  “Exactly my point.”

  Candace sat down on the end of the bed, took a deep breath and looked at Jameson. “Most people will not regard foreign policy as my strong suit,” she said.

  “So, I’ve heard you say.”

  “They won’t. Despite serving on the Intelligence Committee as the ranking minority member, the public sees me largely as a social issues candidate.”

  “And?”

  “This plan the hard right has could easily backfire on them.”

  “You think this is a good thing?”

  Candace shrugged. “Cassidy is probably the best speech writer I’ve ever had. She understands my voice. She also knows this issue like the back of her hand—so does Jane.”

  “There is a lot you haven’t told me,” Jameson surmised.

  “I’ve told you…”

  “No, I understand the whole classified thing. Most of it, I don’t need or want to know. When it might hurt you, then I…”

  “It might,” Candace conceded. “It’s my job to turn adverse situations into opportunities.”

  “When do we leave?”

  Candace smiled gratefully. “I have to call Cassidy.”

  “Are you sure you want us to go with you?”

  “Positive; unless you don’t want to.”

  Jameson smiled. “Just let me know how much I need to pack.”

  ***

  Jameson looked at Candace when the car rolled to a stop in front of a large white house.

  “Don’t ask me,” Candace said. “I told you; I’ve no idea what she’s up to.”

  Jameson opened her door and stepped out. Officer Evans opened Candace’s. Cooper slid out after Candace and caught sight of Michelle walking onto the porch.

  “Shell!” He took off in a sprint for his sister.

  “What is going on?�
� Candace muttered.

  “Only one way to find out.” Jameson took hold of Candace’s hand just as Jonah and Laura pulled in the driveway.

  “I wish Pearl could’ve been here,” Jameson whispered.

  Candace laughed. “Why? Think we need protection?”

  “Never know.”

  Michelle stood on the front porch smiling. “I guess you’re the only one who’s excited about pizza,” she said to Cooper.

  Cooper laughed.

  “Why don’t you go inside and find Mel?”

  “I don’t know where to go,” he reminded her.

  “You’ll find her. She’s with Marianne and Spencer in the kitchen. Go on.”

  Cooper looked at Michelle again for reassurance.

  Michelle smiled and opened the front door again. “Mel! Incoming!”

  Cooper giggled and stepped inside. He looked at his feet.

  “You can leave on your shoes, Coop. Go find Mel and Marianne.”

  Jonah sidled up to Jameson. “Do you know what this is about?”

  Jameson shrugged.

  “I’ll bet she’s pregnant.”

  Jameson smiled. “Guess we’ll see.”

  Candace scooped a wobbling JJ from his feet and carried him toward the house. “How are you feeling?” she asked Laura.

  “Good. A little tired, but good.”

  “Only a couple more weeks,” Candace said.

  Laura looked down at her belly. “For me.”

  “Ah, you think Shell has some news,” Candace surmised.

  “News—yes. What it is, I wouldn’t begin to guess. Whose house is this anyway?” she asked.

  Michelle heard Laura’s question. “This would be Mel’s and my house as of about 10 a.m. yesterday. So, you’ll have to forgive the lack of formal seating.”

  Candace lifted her brow. Michelle and Melanie had bought a small house a little over a year earlier. She was genuinely surprised that the couple would want to upgrade so soon.

  Michelle grinned at her mother. “Well,” she said as she looked at the rest of the family. “I may not have much besides lawn chairs and paper plates; I do have heat. And, I know the curiosity is killing you. Either that or you all really love pizza.” Michelle chuckled. “Come in.”

  “Nana!” Spencer ran straight for Candace when she walked through the door.

  “Mommy! Momma! Shell’s got a new house!” Cooper exclaimed.

  “We heard,” Jameson chimed.

  “It’s big,” Spencer observed.

  Melanie laughed as she entered the room. “It’s not that big. It’s just bigger than the one we sold.”

  “You sold your house?” Jonah asked. “How did you sell your house and none of us knew you were even trying to sell it?”

  “That was a mouthful,” Michelle laughed. “Why don’t you take off your coat and we’ll explain.”

  “Seriously,” Jonah said. “I don’t get it. How did…”

  Marianne and Scott stepped into the room.

  “I bought it,” Scott said.

  “What?” Jonah asked.

  “I bought Shell’s house,” he said.

  Jonah looked at Candace and Jameson dumbstruck.

  Michelle and Marianne both burst out laughing.

  “Good God,” Michelle said. “Pull up a camp chair and we’ll explain.”

  “Is there wine?” Candace asked.

  Michelle’s eyes sparkled. “For you—yes.”

  “Oh, my God!” Jonah’s eyes flew open. “Scott bought the house… Marianne are you pregnant?”

  Marianne rolled her eyes. “Uh—no.”

  “Huh,” Jonah muttered.

  “Why are you so determined to get one of your sisters pregnant?” Laura asked.

  Jameson coughed.

  “That’s not what I meant!” Laura said. “Jonah is convinced someone is pregnant, someone besides me.”

  Michelle looked at Candace and smiled. Candace immediately anticipated the coming news.

  “Well, Jonah is on the right track—for once,” Michelle said.

  Jonah gloated.

  “We didn’t want to say anything at all until we were sure,” Michelle said.

  Melanie took Michelle’s hand. “We’re expecting.”

  Michelle held up her hand before anyone could speak. “Before you say anything. You should know it looks like we’ll have our hands full.”

  Candace smirked. “Twins?” she guessed.

  Michelle shrugged.

  “I thought you weren’t trying until this month?” Laura was confused.

  “Call it a woman’s prerogative,” Michelle quipped.

  “Congratulations,” Jameson said.

  “Thanks,” Michelle replied.

  Candace moved to embrace Michelle. “I’m so happy for you both.”

  “Me too,” Shell said.

  “When can we expect the new additions?” Candace asked.

  Melanie answered. “June.”

  Candace’s surprise was evident. Michelle shrugged. “We took an easier road,” she said. “No one was more surprised than us that it happened so quickly.”

  “Why the bigger house?” Jonah wondered.

  “There’s an in-law apartment in the back. Mel’s grandmother is going to move in there. She can’t be totally independent. At least, neither of us feel comfortable with that. She’s not ready for a nursing home. So…”

  “And you?” Jonah looked at Scott. “Are you two…”

  Scott chuckled nervously. “We don’t have any announcements.” He looked directly at Jameson. “I’d like to be closer to Marianne and the kids. It made sense.”

  “What about the clinic?” Jonah asked.

  Candace noted Jameson’s smile. You knew all about this.

  “Well, we have the funding for a new clinic. Seemed like Albany was the ideal place. So…”

  “That’s great,” Laura interjected.

  “If everyone has had enough news, there’s pizza in the kitchen—and wine—for those of us allowed to drink it,” Michelle offered.

  Candace waited for the room to clear. She pulled Jameson back and whispered in her ear. “You knew.”

  Jameson smiled. “Yeah.”

  “You didn’t tell me?”

  Jameson shrugged. “Mel sort of let it slip when she brought me out to look at the house. She felt horrible about it, but I think she needed to talk. I promised I would let Shell tell you herself. For the record, I didn’t know they were going to do this today.”

  Candace leaned in and kissed Jameson’ lips.

  “What was that for? Not that I’m complaining.”

  “I think you know.”

  “Are you two coming or what?” Shell poked her head into the living room.

  Jameson caught the expression in Michelle’s eyes. “I’ll make sure they save you a piece,” she told Candace.

  “Make sure they save me some wine,” Candace quipped. She turned and looked at a sheepish Michelle.

  “Are you mad?” Michelle asked.

  “Mad?”

  “You figured out JD knew.”

  Candace nodded. “I’m not mad. I’m thrilled for you.”

  “I wanted to tell everyone together. Just… Mel was nervous, I think—when JD came out here. We didn’t know yet about it being twins. We just knew the test was…”

  “Shell,” Candace giggled. “It’s okay. I’ll confess, I am surprised. June?”

  Michelle sighed. “We decided to go the simplest route—for now, anyway. If we decide to have more kids maybe we will try something else. It’s the right time for us. And, we were lucky.”

  Candace smiled.

  “I know that Mel told JD. No one else knows. Mel’s brother offered to be our donor when he visited in September,” she explained. “When he did, it just seemed to all fit. We decided waiting was pointless.”

  “That’s wonderful, sweetie.”

  “You’re really not mad? I mean, you’re not mad at JD; right? Mel made her promise not to…”r />
  Candace pulled Michelle into a hug. “I love you, Shell.”

  Michelle sniffled. “I love you too. Tell you a secret?”

  Candace pulled back and smiled.

  “I’m scared shitless,” Michelle said flatly.

  “About having twins or about raising them?”

  “Both. And, I have to do the first without wine.”

  Candace laughed. She put her arm around Michelle’s shoulders and began to lead her toward the sound of voices. “Trust me, sweetheart; you will have years to make up for that lost time—trust me.”

  ***

  Jameson walked into the bedroom and hovered in the doorway. Candace was lying in bed reading. Her glasses were perched on the end of her nose as she studied the paper in her hand. Jameson let out a soft sigh. Candace looked peaceful—happy. Jameson wondered when the last time she’d seen that expression on her wife’s face had been. Michelle’s news had lightened Candace’s spirits. And, Jameson was sure that the plans Candace had made for them to visit Cassidy and Alex had given the governor something to look forward to.

  “See something interesting?” Candace flirted without looking at her wife.

  Jameson made her way to the bed. She straddled Candace’s waist, removed Candace’s glasses and placed them on the bedside table.

  “What are you up to?” Candace’s eyes twinkled.

  Jameson took the paper that Candace held in her hand and put it on the table with her glasses. She tucked a strand of hair behind Candace’s ear, leaned in and kissed Candace soundly. “Any more questions?” she asked.

  Candace moaned in contentment. “No.”

  “Good.”

  Jameson lowered her lips to Candace’s again tentatively. Hearing the sigh that escaped the back of Candace’s throat, Jameson deepened their connection. She felt Candace’s hands reach around her back; Candace’s fingertips pressing into her flesh and pulling her closer.

  Jameson pulled back slightly to look at Candace.

  “What is it?” Candace asked. She stroked Jameson’s cheek.

  Jameson’s reply came in the form of a passionate kiss. She held herself above Candace, delighting in the way Candace’s fingers moved up her shirt. Her lips strayed to Candace’s neck, seductively nipping and tasting the softness she found there. She let her lips hover next to Candace’s ear and whispered. “I don’t want you to think about anything,” Jameson said. “I don’t want you to feel anything but me touching you.”