Michelle rolled her eyes. “Only in your eyes, honey,” she muttered.
Melanie laughed. “You had your turn, Fletcher,” she said. Everyone laughed, and Melanie continued. “I love that you never ask me to be anything but myself,” Melanie said. “Funny thing—your mom told me the same thing once about families. She was right. You have no idea how much it means to me that I get to be a part of yours. Because that means I’m a part of your life. You are my family, Shell. You’re the most important person in my life. I promise you; I will always love you, no matter what. And, I will always be here for you, wherever life takes us. I love you, Shell. I can’t wait to share the rest of my life with you.”
Jameson glanced over to see Candace wiping a tear from her eye. She looked back at Michelle and Melanie as the reverend declared their union and Michelle gently guided Melanie’s lips to her own. She smiled. Spencer tugged her hand just as Michelle and Melanie walked by.
“Yeah, Spence?”
Spencer looked over at Cooper. “Can me and Coop go play now?” he asked.
“After you say hello to your Aunts—yes, you can.”
“Okay,” he said.
“Come on, Coop!”
Jameson rolled her eyes as the two boys barreled down the aisle behind Marianne and Jonah. “And, they’re off again!”
Candace laughed. “Enjoy it while it lasts,” she said.
Jameson nodded. I hope it lasts a long time.
***
Jameson stood by the bar sipping from a bottle of beer. Her eyes swept across the yard from one scene to another. Cooper and Spencer were engaged in some dance they had created. Jameson could have watched the pair all night. She found herself traveling back in time to her childhood and all the crazy things she did with Scott and Craig. Her eyes roamed a few feet farther in search of her cousin. Jameson took a deep breath and let it out. Maddie was asleep on Scott’s right shoulder. Marianne’s head was resting on his left as they both watched Cooper and Spencer in the distance.
“Think that one is kind of a done deal,” Michelle bumped Jameson with her hip.
Jameson nodded.
“That’s if she ever gets the guts up to seal the deal,” Michelle joked.
“She will,” Jameson said.
“You sound okay with that?” Michelle observed with surprise.
“They’re two of the best people I know,” Jameson said honestly. She smiled. Scott and Marianne shared something that Jameson knew one day Michelle would unfortunately understand; they’d lost the most important person in their life. They fit. She turned to Michelle. “Where is your wife?” she teased Michelle.
Michelle grinned.
Jameson rolled her eyes. “You are so far gone, Shell.” She was surprised when Michelle made no attempt at a comeback nor any denial.
“Yeah, I so am,” Michelle admitted. “JD?’
“Yeah?”
“Would you and Mom mind if we left tomorrow instead?”
Jameson grinned evilly. “Depends?” She tried not to laugh at the shock on Michelle’s face. “Will I need to break out those Xena DVDs again or will Jonah’s tent suffice?”
“Haha,” Michelle rolled her eyes.
Jameson laughed. “You don’t have to ask,” she reminded Michelle.
“Yeah, but it’s going to be a full house if we do. Jonah and Laura are staying too. And, Marianne might…”
Jameson held up her hand. Oh, God. I’m not sure I can handle hearing Scott review Bible Study with my step-daughter. Jameson shook off the thought.
“You okay there, JD?” Michelle chuckled.
“Fine, just wondering if I should lay off on these,” Jameson held up her beer.
“Why?”
“A trip home to Ithaca might be a good idea,” Jameson deadpanned.
Michelle laughed. “Hey, you have scarred us all for life,” she reminded Jameson.
Jameson shrugged. Probably true. “Just curious—why the change in plans?”
“Truthfully?”
“Yes?”
“Mel’s had a tough few weeks,” Michelle explained. “I think maybe being here with everyone is what she needs even more than me whisking her away to some hotel. We don’t leave until tomorrow night for Hawaii.” She searched for Melanie in the distance and found her holding out her hands for Maddie, presumably so that Marianne could finally get a dance with Scott. “I think she needs to know—really know—she doesn’t just have me; she has all of you.”
Jameson nodded. She loved to tease Michelle, and Jameson knew that Michelle took immense pleasure in giving her a hard time. But, Michelle resembled her mother in many ways. Underneath Michelle’s sometimes goofy exterior lay a deeply caring and thoughtful woman. And, Jameson knew that Michelle loved Melanie McKenna as much as Jameson loved Candace. It was evident each time Melanie walked into a room. She could easily imagine that the wedding had presented some painful reminders for Melanie. Her parents had refused to attend. Her brother had been unable to make the trip home, and her grandmother was a shadow of herself. There were moments when Melanie’s grandmother seemed completely lucid, and periods when she drifted back to another place in time. It was unsettling, even to Jameson. Colleen McKenna was only sixty-six. It was another piece of evidence that no one could predict the future, no matter how much they endeavored to.
“Shell, you know that you are always welcome here, so is Mel.”
Michelle nodded.
“Something bothering you?” Jameson asked.
“Not bothering me,” Michelle said. She smiled at Jameson. “I decided not to launch a campaign for Mom’s old seat.”
“I heard.”
Michelle nodded. “Mel and I met with a fertility specialist.”
Jameson’s eyes widened.
Michelle laughed. “Geez, JD, you’d think I told you she got knocked me up herself.”
Jameson rolled her eyes. “I’m just surprised, I guess.”
“Why? We’ve been together almost as long as you and mom, and you have a kid.”
“Fair enough. What does that have to do with wanting to stay here tonight?”
Michelle looked over at Melanie holding Maddie. “It’s a long story,” she said. “You know, Mel has always wanted kids.”
Jameson did know that. She nodded.
“She has some—well, let’s just say that the likelihood that she will ever be able to carry one is a lot lower than the chances Mom will become president.”
“I’m sorry, Shell.”
“Don’t be. I’m not. I mean, I am because I think she’s disappointed about that. I think she just figured she’d be the one when we wanted to start a family. There is a chance we can both be a part of it, but it will take some time,” Michelle explained. “Maybe it sounds crazy, but everything with her family, and then that news—I want her to know that I meant what I said today. No matter what happens, this is her family now.”
Jameson smiled.
“What?” Michelle asked.
“You remind me of your mom.”
“Really?”
Jameson chuckled. “Why does that surprise you?”
“Mom is…”
“Your hero. I know.”
Michelle smiled. “She is.”
“Mine too,” Jameson said.
“Speaking of,” Michelle gestured to her mother. Candace was attempting to make her way to the pair, and kept getting stopped along the way. She giggled.
“What are you two plotting over here?” Candace finally reached them.
“Not a thing,” Michelle said. “I’m going to go find that woman I get to call my wife now,” she said.
“Good idea,” Jameson offered.
“What was that about?” Candace asked.
“I’ll fill you in later. The short version is that we have additional overnight guests.”
“Shell wants to stay here?”
Jameson nodded.
“On her wedding night?”
Jameson shrugged.
�
��Oh, God.”
Jameson laughed. “Where’ve I heard that before?”
Candace whacked Jameson playfully.
“Are you tired?” Jameson asked.
“Why?”
“Because I think I will either need a distraction later, a whole lot more of this,” Jameson held up her beer, “or we’d better hope Jonah’s old tent is still in the barn.”
“You want me to sleep in a tent?”
“Nope, but I might suggest Scott and Marianne go camping.”
Candace roared with laughter.
“I wonder what your mom is laughing about,” Melanie said.
Michelle rolled her eyes. “She’s with JD.”
“Yeah?”
“Be glad they’re laughing and not quoting scripture.”
Melanie chuckled.
Marianne started to laugh, and Scott pulled back slightly to look at her. “What’s funny? Am I that bad of a dancer?”
Marianne looked at him and smiled. She felt an immense sense of gratefulness pass through her at the sound of her mother’s laughter. She brought her lips to his gently, surprising him with her gesture of affection. “Was that not okay?” she asked.
Scott touched her cheek. “You know it was.”
Marianne closed her eyes.
“What is it?” he asked.
Marianne opened her eyes and smiled. “I do love you, Scott.”
Scott nearly fell off his feet.
Marianne giggled. “Can’t say I have ever had that reaction before.”
“Marianne…”
Marianne kissed him again tenderly. “I’m not ready for all of this,” she told him, referring to the day’s festivities. “I don’t know when I will be,” she said honestly. He smiled. “But, I don’t intend to walk away from whatever is between us. I hope you understand that it’s…”
Scott placed his lips on Marianne’s forehead tenderly. “You don’t need to explain anything,” he said. “I’m not going anywhere. I told you that. I meant it. I love you. I’ve never said that to anyone before you.”
“I know,” Marianne admitted. “Just be patient with me.”
Scott pulled her close. “I’m not going anywhere,” he repeated.
“Not tonight, you’re not,” she whispered.
Scott chuckled.
“Even if it is just to hold me.”
“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do,” he said. “What do you think your Mom wants to talk to everyone about tomorrow?” he asked.
Marianne glanced over to capture her mother’s gaze. “I think she wants to know where we all stand.”
“Stand?”
“Mm-hum. Let’s just say if we ever do this, we might have access to a bigger white house.”
“You really think she’ll do it?”
“Only if we all tell her we want her to.”
“Do you?” he wondered.
“Not really,” she confessed. “But, I will never tell her that.”
“Why not?”
Marianne pulled away slightly and looked at Scott. “Because she would never tell me that. No matter how much she might want any of us to stay right here; no matter how crazy she thought one of our dreams might be; she would never put her wishes first. She never has—not once. That’s the least any of us can give her.”
“You know, you are lucky, Marianne. Not everyone gets parents like yours.”
Marianne smiled. She looked back at her mother. “I just hope my kids feel that way one day about me.”
“They already do,” he said.
***
SUNDAY
Jameson walked into the kitchen to find Candace on her phone.
“Are you sure?” Candace asked the caller. She sighed. “Any leads at all? No, I understand. Believe me; I appreciate you calling me first, Alex. I know you will. Just be careful.” Candace chuckled. “You didn’t spoil the weekend. You definitely made it more interesting,” she tried to joke. “I know. I’ll call Dana and let her know. That they are,” Candace laughed. “Say hello to Cassidy. I’ll have Dana coordinate. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow.”
“Problem?” Jameson guessed.
Candace groaned. “Well, it’s not speculation anymore. Alex is confident that there is a serial killer targeting the area.” She shook her head. “I just hope we can keep people calm.”
“Is she sure?”
Candace nodded. “She got a letter. Looks like he’s been at work for a while. Only one positive ID so far,” she explained. “That’s enough for her to be convinced. If it’s enough for her; it’s enough for me.”
“At least, it’s Alex,” Jameson offered.
“True. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have the heads up.”
“Why do I think there is something else?”
“Bradley Wolfe hurled the accusation that my grandfather’s foundation is corrupt. That it’s a front for the Stratton fortune.”
“What?”
Candace shrugged. The game was already beginning and she hadn’t even announced her candidacy. “I told you; they will say anything.”
“Candace, you don’t manage the foundation; David does.”
“Yes, he does,” Candace said.
“You don’t think there is any truth…”
“No,” Candace replied. “My brothers might be ambitious; they aren’t dishonest.”
“I don’t understand what that even has to do with you. You stay as far away from that as you possibly can.”
“I am, many times, the face of it, Jameson.”
“So? You don’t even have a seat on the board.”
“No, and that is by design,” Candace replied. “Jameson, everything I do has to be above reproach as much of possible. Whatever I can control? I must control. If it has the potential to raise red flags, I have to consider its worth carefully. Trust me; I have learned that the hard way over the years.”
“You’re really worried about this story?” Jameson was surprised.
“No.”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s only the first, Jameson—the first of many. And, honestly? Innuendo alone could negatively effect fundraising. My grandfather established that foundation to help at-risk families here in the state. It has done that for almost forty years. One thing I will say for David, he has grown its reach substantially.”
“With your voice.”
“Yes, but he has worked doggedly to make it successful. It was my father’s passion, Jameson. David was the closest to my father. It’s the legacy he wants to leave. It’s his name.”
“Are you worried that David won’t support you running a campaign?”
Candace shook her head. “No. He’s the one who called me this morning.”
“Really?”
Candace nodded. “He is my brother,” she said with a smile. “And, no matter what, I am still his little sister.”
“What did he say?”
“If I recall correctly he said, ‘Put the screws to ‘em, Candy.’ I think that was it.”
Jameson laughed. “He’s right, you know?”
“Maybe.”
“Candace…”
“I know what you are going to say. Jameson, keeping the press at bay about serial killers is going to look like child’s play in six months if I do this.”
Jameson stepped up and took Candace into her arms. “Talk to the kids today.” Candace sighed. “Candace, stop projecting the worst.”
“I’m not projecting,” Candace replied honestly.
Jameson held Candace close, feeling her wife’s inner battle as it continued to rage on. She closed her eyes and said a prayer that the Three Stooges would be able to quell their mother’s fears. As much as Candace denied it, Jameson knew that The White House was something Candace aspired to. Perhaps that had not always been the case. It was now. It wasn’t because Candace wanted to serve her ego. It was because Candace wanted to serve, just as her grandfather had. And, Jameson understood that Governor Stratton had been Candace’s hero.
Part of Candace imagined the pride he would feel watching his granddaughter make a run for the highest office in the land.
Marianne walked into the room and cleared her throat. “Sorry.”
Candace stepped out of Jameson’s arms and smiled. “Don’t be. I need to call Dana,” she looked back at Jameson. Jameson nodded, and squeezed Candace’s hand.
“Is she okay? Marianne asked.
“She’ll be okay. How are you?” Jameson smirked.
“Nothing happened,” Marianne rolled her eyes. “Nothing in the way you are thinking.”
“Mm-hum.”
“No offense, JD. I think I’d like to wait on that until you all leave tomorrow.”
“No offense taken, believe me.”
Marianne laughed at the relief in Jameson’s eyes. “I’d like him to be here—when Mom talks to us.”
“I figured.”
“JD? What happened this morning?”
Jameson smiled. “Just the typical things that happen,” she said. “You know, your mom is always juggling fifty issues at once.”
“Yeah, I do, but she doesn’t usually have that expression.”
“Be flattered,” Jameson said.
“What do you mean?”
“She doesn’t let many people see that,” Jameson offered. “Pearl, me, and you, Marianne. Those are about the only people who she lets see the wear and tear. Not even Shell. She knows you can see through her,” Jameson said. “You see what your brother and sister don’t,” Jameson told Marianne. “You see your mother as the woman she is, not just the woman who raised you.”
“How are you doing with everything?”
“By everything do you mean you falling in love with my cousin, Shell marrying the best architect in the firm, or my wife possibly becoming the next president?”
Road Blocks (By Design Book 8) Page 11