“Ouch.”
“Yeah. And I dated a guy a couple of years ago who after six months confessed he had a wife and two kids back in Connecticut.”
“Annie, that’s awful.”
“And he had the nerve to ask if that would be a problem.” She chuckled while looking over Kip’s shoulder, avoiding his eyes. Kip pulled her over to his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I don’t get it.”
“I guess I’m a bad judge of character or I have ‘sucker’ written across my forehead. For all I know you could be playing me right now.” Annie cupped Kip’s face in her hands. “Are you playing me, Porter?”
As though stung, Kip stared at her, his mouth agape. His eyes bore into hers as he said, “Why would you ask me that?”
“Oh, I don’t know…former football player—player—get it?” She threw her head back with mock laughter. “What position did you play? Tight end?” She reached down to his butt and grabbed a handful.
“Easy now.”
“I think that was the right position for you.”
“If you’re not careful, I’ll lay you between the seats like Tiffany Sue.”
“Ha! You wouldn’t dare.”
“Watch me.” With lightening speed, Annie found herself flat on her back, the prickly outdoor carpet on the deck chafing her skin. Kip nuzzled against her neck, ravishing her with kisses.
Hours later they cruised back to the dock as the sun was sinking below the horizon. Most of the boaters had returned to the marina, the slips filled with vessels of every size. While Kip tied off the lines, Annie set the cooler and bag on the dock and then climbed onto the creaking boards. An old man dressed in baggy faded work pants and red suspenders limped toward them. Kip stepped onto the dock and jogged to the old man, gathering him in a bear hug. At least a head taller, Kip wrapped an arm around the small man’s shoulder as they walked toward Annie.
“Look who I found! Annie, this is Virgil.”
“It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Annie.” She reached out her hand in greeting and was yanked into Virgil’s embrace. He was strong for such a small, elderly man.
“Damn, Kip, what line of shit did you give this beauty to get her to go out with you? Must’ve been good.”
Kip’s face grew red and he patted Virgil on his back, laughing.
“I heard you were at the crab feast, young lady. You’re all the talk around here. Sorry I missed it,” Virgil said with a twinkle in his eye.
Annie arched her brows at Kip. Surely Rob hadn’t spread the story of them making out in the water. She was Tiffany Sue Buttons today in more ways than one.
“Kip, can I have a word with you?” Virgil didn’t wait for an answer. He put his hand on Kip’s back and began leading him down the dock.
Kip tossed Annie the keys and said, “I’ll bring everything when I’m done.”
When the men reached the end of the dock, Virgil turned and looked up at Kip with a shadow of seriousness across his face. “Son, you know your daddy and I were the best of friends and I think he’d want me to step in if I thought it necessary.”
“Absolutely.” Kip crossed his arms over his chest and mirrored Virgil’s serious expression.
“Ken would be real proud of you the way you’ve handled your role as congressman. Most of the time, you’ve done right by the people around here. But, son, we have to talk about this pipeline. It’s not good—not good at all.”
Kip looked down at the man he’d grown to admire over the years. He’d not only been the best boss he’d ever had, he had become like a father to him since his dad died. Throughout his whole life, Kip had considered Virgil to be one of the wisest people he knew, strong in his beliefs, never wavering in his convictions.
“See now, Virgil, that’s where we disagree. I see this pipeline as an opportunity for growth and economic stability in our district.”
“How so?” Virgil shook his head, lifting his faded ball cap off his head and repositioning it.
“It’s going to bring good jobs to the region. And think of all the possibilities after it’s built. The pipeline will spur development, attract new companies to our area—”
“Frankly, son, it scares the hell out of me. I worry about an oil pipeline running less than three miles away from this water.”
“Virgil, you have nothing to worry about. It’s going to be built with the highest quality materials, far exceeding government standards.”
“How can you be sure? I’ve lived on this river my whole life—born less than a mile down that way. I’ve made my living here, raised my family here, and…” Virgil sighed heavily and turned to look out at the still water. He appeared to be contemplating the setting sun while Kip scuffed his foot against the weathered wood. Finally, Virgil broke away from his reverie.
“It’s taken years of effort to get the bay and its tributaries back to a somewhat healthy condition, and there’s still more to do. If there were a leak or worse, a break in that pipeline, not only would it be an environmental disaster but an economic one, too. I’m begging you to reconsider.” Virgil lifted himself to his full height to look Kip in the eye.
“I assure you that won’t happen. I love this river, too. I wouldn’t want anything to happen either,” Kip replied.
“But why take the risk? This is a farming and fishing community. I don’t think anyone wants the kind of growth you’re talking about.”
Kip looked down at the pack of Marlboros Virgil always had in his T-shirt pocket and the old Orioles ball cap he’d always worn. He might not be able to change Virgil’s fashion sense, but he hoped he could change his way of thinking. “Virgil, change keeps us moving forward. It’s good to diversify. A couple of years of drought could devastate this area. Wouldn’t it be nice to know there would be some families who could survive a drought because they’re livelihood was somehow related to the pipeline?”
Virgil sighed and again looked out at the quiet river. He shook his head a few times and turned back to Kip. “Look, I’m not the only one who feels this way. This isn’t just some stubborn old man talking to you. You keep this up and you’ll lose the election.”
“That’s not what our research shows.”
“Your research is wrong. What about the petitions, the letters?”
“What petitions?”
“Son, there have been at least three petitions going around—at least I know I’ve signed three. Letters have been sent. People are up in arms about this.”
“I haven’t seen any petition or letters. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You better check with whoever opens your mail, because believe me, they’ve been sent. If you don’t want a riot on the capitol steps, son, you better stop this bill.”
Twenty
Thank goodness Kip had given her the keys—it was sweltering inside the car. As soon as she climbed inside, she put down the windows and started the SUV, allowing the air conditioner to blast in her face. She glanced down at the dock and noticed Kip and Virgil talking and could see it was a serious discussion: no laughing, no patting each other on the back, the opposite of the way they had greeted each other a few minutes ago. Their conversation ended with a brief handshake and then Kip walked quickly up the dock, his head tilted down.
When he climbed in the car, Annie noticed his jaw muscle twitching. He didn’t say a word as he charged out of the parking lot. They turned onto the narrow country road and Kip roared the engine, keeping his eyes pointed straight at the windshield.
“Is something wrong?” Annie asked, placing her hand on his arm.
“Everything’s fine.” Kip’s clipped answer told her everything was not fine.
She propped her elbow against her door and twirled a piece of hair around her finger, let it drop, then twisted it again while she stared out the window at the flat fields.
“What do you think of the pipeline bill?” Kip asked, his voice deep and gritty.
“The pipeline? Well, to be honest, I haven’t read up on it much
. What I know is what you’ve told me. Why?”
“Virgil thinks it’s a bad idea.”
“Oh.” Annie twirled another strand of hair so tight it stung her scalp. She let it drop and shifted in her seat to face Kip. “Remember what I overheard at the crab feast? Those men were grumbling about the pipeline, saying some rather unkind things about you.”
“No, remind me.”
Annie looked down at her lap, wringing her hands, wishing he hadn’t asked. They’d had a perfect day and she didn’t want to put him in a worse mood than he seemed to already be in.
“Tell me,” Kip growled. “All of it.”
“There were three men standing by the grill talking about how the pipeline was a terrible idea. They thought it was the wrong place for it. One man said he heard the company building it had a terrible safety record. Another guy said he was thinking of putting his farm up for sale and getting out of here before it came through. He thought maybe you’d been offered a bribe or something because he was shocked when he heard you were sponsoring the bill. He was going to talk to you that day, but one of the other guys told him to hold off until after the crab feast.”
Kip didn’t respond, just kept his eyes straight ahead, but Annie could see he was breathing heavily and the twitch in his jaw was getting stronger.
“Since you brought it up, the pipeline was one of the issues on the poll I wanted to talk to you about,” she said.
“I want to know your opinion—based on what you know about it.” Kip jerked the car to a stop at an intersection despite the green light ahead and looked at Annie. “What do you think?”
“Shouldn’t you go on through the intersection?”
“No one’s behind me. What’s your opinion?”
Annie nibbled on her bottom lip and looked through the rear window. When she turned back, Kip was drilling her with piercing eyes and knitted brow. She cleared her throat and picked up twirling her hair again. “Like I said, I don’t know much about it, but I agree with that gentleman at the picnic. It doesn’t seem like the right place to build it. If they have to expand the pipeline, why not do it in a remote place that isn’t near water? I mean, the bay and rivers are sources of drinking water, water for crops, fishing, shipping, recreation. If something happened, it would be devastating.”
“Shit.” Kip slammed his foot on the gas and squealed through the intersection.
They pulled in the drive a few minutes later, Kip still silently fuming, and he brought the car to a stop. He reached into the back seat, grabbed the cooler and bag, and went into the house ahead of Annie. When she reached the door, he was coming back out.
“I’ve got to talk to Tom,” he said, brushing past her.
Kip walked down the lane with his cell phone pressed to his ear, and though Annie couldn’t hear what was being said, she could see it was a heated discussion. His arms were flailing and his face was red. If only she knew what was going on.
She put the remaining food and drinks in the refrigerator, then took a shower. After she was dressed, she came into the kitchen and saw an open beer bottle on the table. The screen door slammed and Kip came in with grocery bags in his hands.
“I meant to stop at the store on our way back from the marina. I thought we’d grill tonight.” He appeared relaxed, pleasant, as if nothing had happened earlier.
“That sounds good. Anything I can do?” Annie asked.
“Sure. Can you make a salad while I shower?”
“Okay.”
“Thanks, babe.” Kip dropped a quick kiss on her temple and brushed past her.
Throughout dinner, Annie waited for Kip to bring up what had happened earlier that day between him and Virgil and Tom, but he seemed to be avoiding any talk of the pipeline. It was as if he’d flipped the switch between his angry and happy self. After dinner, they sat on the screen porch, rocking back and forth on an old-fashioned glider. Annie’s curiosity was getting the best of her.
“Everything okay with you and Tom? You seemed pretty angry when you were talking to him.”
“Oh.” Kip sighed. “Everything’s fine. It’s this damn pipeline. I’m sorry about earlier.”
“It’s okay. Anything I can do to help?”
“Nah, we’re handling it. I was hoping you’d never see my quick temper.”
“Too late…you’ve already turned that temper on me, remember?” She wrapped her arms around his waist and they both chuckled.
“I didn’t want to deal with anything work related this weekend. Just wanted it to be about us.”
“It has been. But, you and I need to talk about the poll results.”
“Not this weekend, please,” Kip said, as he tipped her chin up with his hand.
“Monday morning?”
“Absolutely. Monday morning, I’ll be all yours,” he said.
“What about right now?”
Kip’s face erupted in a wide grin and he skimmed his lips across hers. “Definitely all yours.”
Annie was trapped—trapped under the weight of a robust, delicious man—his arm draped protectively around her waist and his leg thrown over hers. Kip’s shoulder was resting on her mass of hair and his warm breath was tickling her ear. She had to get up—nature was calling—but she didn’t want to wake her sleeping giant. Ever so gently, she lifted his arm, placed it by his side, and slid out from under his leg. Painfully, she tugged her hair from beneath him and ran into the tiny bathroom outside his bedroom door. When Annie returned, she stood in the doorframe, drinking in the sight before her: Kip was dozing on his back with a peaceful expression, his lashes against his cheeks and his mouth gaping slightly. She felt a rush of emotion so intense it brought tears to her eyes. She’d just spent two days with him at his little cabin and she’d never been happier. It had been more perfect than she could have imagined.
Graceful as a cat, Annie crawled back into bed, tucked her shoulder under his arm, and rested her head against the soft dark hair on his chest. Kip sighed loudly, raised and lowered his knee, and then wrapped his arm around Annie, falling back into a deep sleep. She lay there looking up at the swirling ceiling fan click-click-clicking with each turn of the paddles. She splayed her fingers across Kip’s chest, right over his heart, feeling its steady rhythm. “You have my heart, Kip Porter,” she whispered softly. She leaned up and ran her lips gently over his chest while her hair veiled across his shoulders. After several moments, Kip stirred from his sleep and kissed Annie tenderly.
“Good morning, beautiful. How long have you been awake?” he asked in a groggy voice.
“Long enough to know this has been the best weekend ever.” Annie’s cell phone rang, the shrillness echoing off the bedroom walls.
“Uh oh, it’s my mother. I forgot to call her.” Annie sat up and tapped the phone screen, answering in her sweetest voice. “Hi, Mom. How are you this morning?”
“Ann, I was just setting the table for brunch and realized you didn’t tell me whether you were coming or not.”
Annie pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I forgot to call you. I can’t come this morning.”
“Oh? You haven’t been to brunch in over a month. I was hoping you’d come this morning.”
Annie glanced over at Kip, lying against a pile of pillows while he dragged his fingers up and down her back. He had a lazy smile and his blue eyes smoldered. She covered the phone with her hand and whispered to Kip, “How would you like to go with me to my parents’ house for Sunday brunch next week?”
“Sounds great. Sure.”
She pecked a kiss on the back of his hand and returned to her conversation. “Hey, Mom, count on me for brunch next week—for sure. In fact, I’d like to bring someone if that’s okay.”
“Of course,” her mother responded with delight. “Who will you be bringing?”
“Kip Porter.”
“Oh, how exciting. I had a feeling about him.”
Annie laughed and rolled her eyes. “Okay, Mom, don’t go crazy. We�
��re just—well, I was going to say friends, but actually we’ve started dating.”
“Ann, I’m thrilled. He’s a very handsome man. Good for you.”
“Thanks.” Annie threw her hands in the air and looked to the ceiling. “Okay, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you next week.”
After Annie clicked off the call, Kip rose up and flipped her to her back. His eyes followed the back of his hand as he skimmed his fingers down her cheek, to her neck, to her breasts. “So, I’m going to meet the parents next week, huh?”
“Looks like it. Are you ready for that?” Annie wrapped her arms around his neck and focused on his reaction.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Kip laid a long kiss against her lips.
“Surprisingly, so am I.”
Across the bay, a world away from the quiet, riverside dawn, another couple laid side-by-side in luxurious cotton sheets beneath smoke rising toward the ceiling from a slim cigarette. Amelia Wentworth took another deep drag and let the gray smoke ribbon twirl above her while Tom tried to steady his breath, wiping sweat from his brow.
“Where does your husband think you are?” he panted.
“He thinks I’m at church, but he really doesn’t care since he’s playing golf.”
Amelia leaned across Tom’s chest and stubbed out the cigarette in an empty wine glass on the nightstand. “Okay, time to talk business.”
“I’ve barely caught my breath and you want to talk business.”
“Whether you realize this or not, my dear, this is all business. Now, we’ve got full congressional support and we’re about 50-50 in the Senate. My sources tell me there may be a wind power farm in Nebraska tacked on to the bill, which might help. It will satisfy the alternative energy folks.”
“True.” Tom climbed out of bed and stepped into his boxers. His back was to Amelia and he felt himself stiffen when she said, “What about Appropriations? Any problem with us getting the bid?”
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