“Whatever you want.” Carl removed his reading glasses and set them down. “You hired me to win. Your best bet for doing so after this is simple.” He pointed to one of the many newspapers stacked on the conference table. “Come out and tell the public you knew nothing about Jennifer’s past. It’s not a lie. When Lily arrives, we can arrange for you to do a press conference. Then find a woman the voters will deem suitable.”
Brett didn’t care if Carl was right or not. “Not an option,” he said.
“It’s your campaign and reputation. How do you want to proceed?” Carl asked.
Jen wished she’d left the room when Carl asked her to. She’d expected him and Brett’s dad to suggest he cut all ties with her. After all, she’d had the same idea. If she thought it might be the best way to save Brett’s campaign, a man like Carl Filmore who ate and slept politics, would too. Still, hearing Carl tell Brett to find someone the voters would deem more suitable stung.
“Perhaps Jen should hold the press conference,” Mr. Sherbrooke suggested. “She can share the same details she gave us with the media, and they can question her about Dominic Russo and the incident in South Carolina.”
Mr. Sherbrooke wanted her to stand in front of reporters and television cameras and make a coherent speech. Her palms were getting sweaty just thinking about doing it.
“In the meantime, we’ll contact the police station in South Carolina and try to find the restaurant owner. Someone down there should be able to corroborate the spray painting incident,” Mr. Sherbrooke said, sharing the rest of his plan. “While it’s not necessary, it won’t hurt either to have someone who can back up Jen’s statement.”
She didn’t love Mr. Sherbrooke’s plan either, but it topped Carl’s.
“Jen’s not the one running for office,” Brett said.
“Brett, you and I know it doesn’t matter,” Mr. Sherbrooke said, before looking toward her. “The decision, of course, is yours.”
Brett turned in his seat. “You don’t have to, Jen.”
“Yes, I do.” He was willing to risk his political future for her. The least she could do was face a group of reporters. “I’ve never done anything like this. I’ll need some help preparing.”
Mr. Sherbrooke’s smile let her know he not only approved of her decision but also appreciated it. “Don’t worry about anything, Jen. We’ll make sure you’re ready.”
***
Standing on her suite’s balcony, Jen watched another group of reporters enter the Sherbrooke Regency Hotel. There had been a steady stream of news teams and reporters for the past hour. She shouldn’t be out there watching because it was only increasing her anxiety level, which was already through the roof. Unfortunately, she couldn’t seem to stop herself this afternoon. When she wasn’t out here watching people enter the downtown Boston hotel, she was inside, pacing the elegant suite she’d been stuck in since leaving Carl’s office late last night.
Carl, Jonathan Sherbrooke, and Lily, Brett’s press secretary, had all agreed it would be best if she stayed where the media couldn’t easily find her until after the press conference. Since it would take place at the Sherbrooke Regency, Brett decided they’d stay in a suite there at least until after the press conference. If the media did discover where she was, hotel security could keep the reporters away from her. Jen hadn’t argued, not even when Carl suggested she not return home for an appropriate outfit. Instead he’d told her to give Dee her clothing and shoe size. The assistant had arrived at their suite with several outfits, underwear, and matching shoes an hour ago.
“I’m calling down for tea. Can I order you anything?” Judith Sherbrooke stepped out on the balcony.
She’d knocked on the suite door not long after Jen and Brett arrived yesterday, despite the time. She’d spent some time going over the best ways to handle the reporters today before leaving. Jen didn’t know if Brett’s parents had stayed at the hotel, but bright and early this morning, they’d knocked on the door and the four of them had breakfast together. Although Brett and his dad left not long after they finished eating, Judith had remained with her.
“Tea sounds great.” If she was holding a teacup, she couldn’t pick her nails again. They’d been a mess after breakfast, so Judith called the spa downstairs. Its manager had immediately sent up someone to give Jen a new manicure. If she ruined her nails again, there wouldn’t be time to get them fixed before the press conference.
Jen expected Brett’s mom to go back inside. Instead she remained outside and gazed down at the news vans parked down below. “Try to relax. You’re going to do fine today. You’re well prepared, and we’ll all be close by.” She placed her hand over Jen’s on the railing. “Come inside. I’m still waiting to hear about how you and my son met.”
She knew sharing the details wouldn’t distract her from what awaited her downstairs, but it would help pass the time.
The suite door opened right after she told Judith about finding the picture of Brett with his two cousins on the internet. Brett and his dad walked in together. She hadn’t heard from Brett since he left for Carl’s office. If he was smiling now, their meeting must have gone well.
Even though his parents were present, Brett kissed her. “Carl’s people located Debra McCormick, the restaurant owner, and her husband. He’s retired from the police department, but she still owns Rustica.” He sat in the chair next to her. “They both remember the incident and are willing to corroborate your story. Someone is with them now taking their full statement.”
They had been located already? She’d only given the campaign manager the full story last night. Clearly Carl was one resourceful man. Jen was glad he was on Brett’s side and not working for the opposition.
“Awesome.” At least the media wouldn’t be able to use one part of the story against Brett any longer.
“We need to head downstairs,” he said, causing the butterflies in her stomach to grow extra-long wings.
His parents promised to meet them in the hallway and left the room, but Jen didn’t move.
“Don’t worry about a thing, Jenner.”
“Jenner?” she asked, aware she was stalling but not caring.
Brett brushed his thumb over her hand, the slight touch helping to at least ease the anxiety inside her. “I told you I’d come up with a nickname for you,” he said patiently, as if there wasn’t a roomful of reporters waiting for them. “It’s a hell of a lot better than Buster. What do you think?”
“I like it.” She couldn’t stall all day. “Come on, Buster. Let’s get this over with.”
Momentary panic swept through her as she watched Lily approach the podium and address the packed room. Jen didn’t hear the woman’s words until Lily said, “Jennifer Wallace.”
When Lily said her name, it was her cue to join the press secretary. Despite knowing what she needed to do, her feet refused to move.
“You’ve got this, Jenner,” Brett whispered. “And remember I love you.”
Epilogue
December, Election Day
It’s almost over, Brett thought as he checked the large television screen closest to him. The polls had closed at eight o’clock, and the final numbers were coming in.
Despite Phillip Young’s best efforts, Brett had crushed Ted Smith in the primary and won the party nomination—although it had been a tight race. As Carl predicted, Gina Hammond managed to capture her party’s nomination in November too. Throughout the entire six weeks since the primary, Brett had been ahead by a wide margin. So far tonight’s exit polls confirmed the data. Despite the optimistic intel, Brett wouldn’t be able to relax until the final numbers were in and the race called. The unexpected happened all the time.
At that thought, his eyes settled on Jen across the room. She stood talking to his brother, just one of the many relatives in attendance, and Taylor, Curt’s girlfriend. Jen epitomized the word unexpected. When they started exchanging letters over two years ago, he never expected to fall in love with her. Yet, it had happened.
“I still can’t picture you on the Hill,” Jake said, stopping next to him. Jake and his family had arrived in Massachusetts over the weekend, allowing them to spend time with Charlie’s family and be here today for the election. “In fact, I’m not convinced we’re not trapped in an alternate reality.”
“I’m not there yet,” Brett answered.
“Check the numbers again.” Jake pointed toward one of the large televisions displaying the results announced so far. “Or do you need me to read them to you?”
“I’ve been reading them all night, but I’m not giving my victory speech just yet.”
“Whatever.” Jake crossed his arms and nodded in Curt’s direction. “How much longer before he asks her?”
Brett watched his brother with his girlfriend. The campaign had sucked up most of his time, making it difficult to see his family. He’d managed enough time with Curt and Taylor though to know his brother would pop the question soon. But he hadn’t discussed it with Curt, and his brother hadn’t offered any specifics, so he didn’t have an exact time frame.
“Within the year,” he answered before he checked the data coming in again. According to the screen, he’d taken both Westport and Springfield.
Jake looked at the screen too. “Better have your victory speech ready,” he said. “Anyway, I say Curt asks her sometime around Allison’s wedding in the spring.”
“I told you, you’re wrong,” Trent said, joining them. Trent and his wife, Addie, were both in attendance tonight too. “They’ll be engaged by the New Year’s Eve party at Cliff House.”
If his brother arrived at the annual Sherbrooke New Year’s Eve party engaged, Brett wouldn’t be surprised. He planned on being engaged for the event himself.
“And the Senator here will be engaged in time for my sister’s wedding,” Trent said.
“I disagree with you on both,” Jake said. “Help me out, Senator. Tell Trent he’s wrong as usual.”
An arm slipped around his waist, and he hoped Jen hadn’t caught any of their conversation.
“Jake, didn’t he tell you?” Jen asked with a laugh. “It’s Senator Buster.”
“I like it. Sounds dignified,” Trent said.
“So, Senator Buster, who’s right?” Jake asked again.
“That information is need to know only. You’ll have to place your bet and wait for the results like everyone else.”
Jen looked confused, and he didn’t blame her. She hadn’t been in the room when they’d talked about adding his name and Curt’s to the pool of Sherbrooke men likely to get engaged next.
“I don’t know what you guys are talking about, but Carl’s headed this way,” she said. “And he looks happy.”
He’d never seen a bigger smile on Carl’s face. The man was about to deliver good news. “I just heard from Kevin McGinnis. Gina’s getting ready to call and concede the race to you.”
***
Jen sipped her champagne and watched another group of well-wishers circle around Brett. Family members as well as campaign workers had been offering their congratulations since he took the call from Gina and then announced she’d conceded. He’d delivered his victory speech well over an hour ago. The celebration wouldn’t be ending anytime soon if the atmosphere around her was anything to go by. Even if it went on for another eight hours, she didn’t care. Brett deserved every moment of it. He, as well as his campaign staff, had worked nonstop to win, especially right after the story about her biological father broke.
Although Ted Smith had never taken a lead in the polls prior to the primary, he had temporarily narrowed the gap back in October. Thank God, it hadn’t lasted. Brett insisted the press conference she gave and the statement from Debra McCormick and her husband killed any lead Ted had garnered following the initial story. Whether those things had helped or not, she didn’t know. Either way, she was glad the media had lost interest in the whole topic. She was even happier her past hadn’t cost Brett the future he wanted.
“When I worked on the Hill, I lived in Alexandria. You two should look for a house there. It’s a great city, and the commute into Washington isn’t too bad,” Sara Hall, Brett’s cousin, said. “Well, compared to driving in from other areas. It’s still not a pleasant ride.”
She’d first met Sara, President Sherbrooke’s youngest daughter, at Allison Sherbrooke’s engagement party. A woman well versed in politics, she’d made several trips back since then to help consult on Brett’s campaign. Jen had gotten to know the woman well in the past two months.
“Are you going to move down when he does or wait a little while?” Sara asked.
They’d spent so much time getting him elected, they hadn’t talked about what would happen between them once he won. Jen knew he loved her. Brett told her and showed her all the time. But this win and the move it required would add a new and unwanted challenge to their relationship.
No one appeared to be listening to them, and she trusted anything she told Sara would stay between them. “I don’t know,” Jen admitted. “He hasn’t asked me to move down with him. Actually, neither of us has ever brought up the fact a win today would mean he has to relocate.”
Sara looked across at her cousin. He’d left the previous group he’d been with and now stood with his cousins Derek and Scott as well as his uncles Mark and Harrison. “Long-distance relationships can be hard, but they’re doable. Christopher and I did it for a while.” Sara met her eyes again. “Brett won’t settle for that. He’s not one to settle for anything. He loves you. Before my cousin moves, he’ll ask you to go with him. I suggest you start thinking about whether or not you want to go now so you’re ready when the time comes.”
If he asked, Jen already had her answer. She’d miss being close to her family, but the drive from the Washington area to Rhode Island was less than ten hours. A plane ticket to and from DC wasn’t expensive either, so she could easily visit when she wanted. She liked working for Pattersen Financial, but she could find a new job.
“I’ve been looking for you,” Christopher, Sara’s husband, said as he and Brett joined them. “Why are the two of you hiding over here?” he asked, handing Sara a new glass of champagne.
Sara accepted the glass and took a sip before she answered. “I was filling Jen in on a few more of my cousin’s faults. She deserves to know what she’s getting, and I doubt anyone else has told her.”
“Thanks a lot, Sara. Don’t worry, I’ll remember that and repay the favor someday,” Brett said, before ignoring his cousin and her husband. “I’m sorry I left you alone for so long. I need a break from this. Let’s go.” Brett took the half-empty wine glass from her and passed it to his cousin before taking her hand. “Sara, if anyone’s looking for me, tell them I’ll be back soon.”
“Since this is your big night, I’ll do it. But don’t make asking me for favors a habit, cuz.” Sara winked at her and smiled. “Jen, make sure he comes back soon.”
He’d already started leading her away, so she had to look back to answer. “I’ll do my best.”
Brett exited the hotel ballroom that had been converted into campaign headquarters for the night. He glanced left and right before heading straight for an elevator. When the doors opened, he tugged her inside behind him.
“I thought we were going outside for a minute.” She watched him press the button for the eighth floor.
“Too many people out there tonight too,” he said.
The elevator stopped, and they walked down the carpeted hallway. “I want some time alone with you.” He passed the room key near the lock and pushed the door open.
Jen preceded him inside. Her eyes immediately settled on the suite’s table. A bottle of wine sat chilling near two long-stemmed glasses. A dessert plate containing what appeared to be limoncello panna cotta with wild blueberry glaze sat in front of one seat. A large chocolate torte had been placed in front of the other. They were the same two desserts they’d ordered at Turin during what she considered their second official date.
&nb
sp; She gestured toward the table. “This took some planning.”
“Even if I didn’t win tonight, I hoped to have a reason to celebrate.” Brett pulled her chair out.
She didn’t know how she should interrupt his cryptic comment. Jen sat and waited for him to explain as he poured them each a glass of white wine.
“Well, you did win, Senator, so we can celebrate,” Jen said. “Congratulations. I couldn’t be happier for you.” She raised her glass and tapped it against his. “You deserve it.”
He set his glass aside without tasting it. “I didn’t ask you up here to celebrate my win.” Brett cleared his throat and removed something from his seat. He stood there, his fists clenched by his sides, indecision on his face. “This might be clichéd, but it seems appropriate.” He dropped to one knee and took her left hand. “Jenner, will you marry me?”
She’d hoped he’d ask her to move to Washington with him. She hadn’t expected or imagined he’d propose before he relocated.
He didn’t give her a chance to speak. “You can take as much time as you want planning the wedding.” He moved the ring toward her knuckle even though she hadn’t answered him. “But when I go to Washington next month, I want you to come with me.”
Sara had told her Brett wouldn’t settle for a long-distance relationship. She’d been correct.
“Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you?” she asked, unable to resist giving him a hard time. Jen pointed to the most gorgeous diamond engagement ring she’d ever seen. “Maybe you should give me a chance to answer you before you put it on me.” Jen leaned forward and kissed him. “Yes, Senator Buster, I’ll marry you and leave for Washington with you.”
Brett kissed her, nearly turning her blood to steam. When he pulled away, he stood but kept a hand on her cheek. “You need to come up with something better than Buster soon, Jenner.”
She raised her left hand and wiggled her fingers. “Soon I can call you hubby.”
He smiled and kissed her again. “Can’t wait.” His voice echoed the same emotions she felt.
The Billionaire's Homecoming Page 20