Election Day (By Design Book 10) Read online

  “Uh-huh.”

  “I took Coop and Spence shopping before Scott came. I told them they could pick something out for you. That was it.”

  Candace nodded. She looked at the pajamas and shook her head. “I can’t believe I am about to do this.”

  Jameson grinned.

  “What are you grinning about?”

  “Oh, I was just thinking about getting you to come out of your shell later.”

  Candace threw the empty box at Jameson and headed to the bathroom.

  “What?” Jameson feigned innocence.

  “Don’t get too cocky, honey. I have a credit card too.”

  Jameson frowned. “Damnit. I didn’t think of that,” she muttered.

  Candace heard Jameson’s comment and giggled. She shed her suit and slipped into her new pajamas. The things I do.

  “What are you doing in there?” Jameson asked.

  Candace emerged. “Think before you speak,” she warned her wife.

  “It’s a good look on you.”

  “Glad you approve.”

  “Ready for pizza?” Jameson asked.

  “Wait a minute. Cooper’s already in his jammies. What are you wearing to this party?”

  “Me?” Jameson asked.

  Candace raised her brow.

  “What’s wrong with what I have on?”

  “You need pajamas, Jameson.”

  “I sleep naked, Candace.”

  “Well, how about I loan you something?”

  “What?”

  Candace held up a finger. “Wait here.”

  “What is she up to?”

  A few minutes passed and Candace returned holding a large, pink nightgown with ruffles.

  “What is that?” Jameson’s eyes widened in horror.

  “My mother bought it for me years ago one Christmas. It’s been in the old wardrobe ever since.”

  “I am not wearing that.”

  “Oh, yes you are.”

  “Candace…”

  Candace grinned. “I’ll play the teenage turtle; you play the ruffled rose.”

  Jameson groaned. There was no way she was getting out of this and she knew it. “Fine.”

  It took every ounce of self-control Candace possessed not to fall over laughing when Jameson walked out of the bathroom. She held out her hand and led Jameson down the stairs. Cooper turned when he heard his parents and immediately began to laugh hysterically.

  “Momma!” Cooper laughed harder. “Momma!”

  Candace finally laughed.

  “Laugh it up, Donatello. You’re answering the door for the pizza,” Jameson whispered.

  Candace laughed so hard she cried. She leaned in and kissed Jameson lovingly. “I love you, you lunatic.”

  Jameson groaned.

  Candace decided to let her off the hook. “As adorable as you are, I prefer you in a pair of sweats. Go change.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Besides, I’m pretty sure both Cooper and I will need a diaper if we have to look at you wearing that all night.”

  “Cute.”

  Candace pecked Jameson’s cheek. “Go on.”

  “What about you?” Jameson asked.

  Candace smiled. She was sure that Jameson had encouraged the boys to pick out her new evening attire. It didn’t matter. That was one of the things she adored about Jameson—Jameson’s playfulness. Candace would wear a bag over her head if Cooper or any of her grandchildren gave it to her. “I’m fine,” she said.

  “I’ll call for the pizza,” Jameson said. “Just sit with Coop. He missed you.”

  Candace sat down with Cooper while Jameson headed off to change.

  “Momma’s silly,” Cooper said.

  “She certainly is,” Candace agreed.

  Cooper snuggled against Candace happily. “We got you turtles. Momma couldn’t find trains.”

  “I love them.” Not as much as I love you.

  “Momma says we’re gonna be home all weekend.”

  Candace let her head fall onto Cooper’s head. She was grateful to be home. For the next two days, she intended to put work aside as much as possible and focus on her family. Balance would always be a challenge. She did need to slow down. Less than a half an hour of being home and Candace found herself wishing she never had to leave. “Yes, we are, Cooper. Yes, we are.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Jameson enjoyed watching Cooper run around her parents’ yard with her nephew. It reminded her of her childhood. She was looking forward to Michelle and Melanie arriving that evening for a visit. One bonus to Candace’s travel—it gave Jameson a reason to spend more time with her mother and Candace’s kids.

  “Does he ever stop?” Maureen asked.

  “Not until he drops.”

  “When do you two leave for Nevada?”

  “Tomorrow morning.”

  “What about Candace?”

  “Tomorrow night.”

  “Surprised you didn’t want to be in Albany.”

  “She’s in meetings all day today and all day tomorrow. We were with her all weekend. She’ll catch up with us tomorrow night. It’s all good.”

  Maureen considered Jameson’s words. She wondered how Jameson was handling the increasing pace of Candace’s schedule and the growing scrutiny of their lives. “How are you, JD?”

  “Good,” Jameson answered honestly.

  “How’s Candace holding up with everything?”

  “She’s holding up. You know her.”

  “I do. I was surprised by her pick.”

  Jameson shrugged. “You know me, I stay out of that.”

  “You must have an opinion. I mean, JD it will affect you too. You’ll be traveling with them for the next few months, longer if she wins.”

  “I like Ellison—from what I know of him. I think they’re a good fit.”

  “He’s young.”

  Jameson laughed. “He’s older than me.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Not really. Besides, I think that worked to his benefit.”

  “JD?”

  “Hum?”

  “What do you make of all this press about Candace and Russia?”

  “Mom, if I paid attention to the press I’d either be an alcoholic or in a psych ward by now.”

  “I just don’t understand how they can come at her. No senator has that kind of power.”

  Oh, you’d be surprised. “She’s not worried about testifying if that’s what you’re wondering. And, before you ask, I don’t ask about the nuts and bolts of her job. If she offers, I listen. Some things she can’t offer.”

  Maureen considered Jameson’s reply. She had always been fascinated by politics. That interest was one of the primary reasons she had decided to teach history. Jameson loved to tease her about having a crush on Candace. Maureen admired her daughter-in-law. She’d watched Candace’s career at a distance for years. The last thing she had expected was for Jameson to marry the affable senator. Jameson’s marriage to Candace had changed their family dynamic in ways that continued to surprise Maureen. Most of it had been welcome. Maureen enjoyed a close relationship with Candace. They confided in each other about everything from the challenges in marriage to the foibles of raising children. They even discussed policy and politics at length. Candace was open, but also cautious. Maureen hadn’t given much thought to how difficult balancing the enormity of Candace’s job and the realities of her life with Jameson must be until now. At least, she hadn’t considered the fact that Candace would be unable to share parts of her day with Jameson.

  “Must be hard,” Maureen commented absently.

  “What’s that?”

  “Not being able to talk to your spouse about everything.”

  “Do you talk to Dad about everything?”

  “No, but I can.”

  Jameson shrugged. “She tells me what I need to know to support her. That’s good enough for me. I don’t know how she handles all of it—the state, the campaign, the kids—me.” Jameson laugh
ed. “Probably me most of all.”

  “I doubt she sees it that way.”

  Jameson winked at her mother.

  “Are you nervous about the convention?” Maureen wondered.

  “You mean am I freaking out about speaking in front of the whole country?”

  “That too.”

  “Not freaking out, not yet anyway. Shell’s helping me write the speech.”

  “Shell?”

  “Yeah. Why? Do you think that’s a bad idea?”

  “No, I’m just surprised.”

  “You know Shell. She can’t stay out of it. This lets her be a part of everything without having to travel. Candace always finds a way.”

  “JD, can I ask you something without you getting mad?”

  “That’s not a good sign.”

  “I just wonder if you are doing okay with all of this. You’ve given a lot up already, and you’re a private person. This is…”

  “It’s my life now,” Jameson said.

  “But is it the life you want?”

  Jameson smiled. She understood her mother’s concerns.

  “I know how much you love Candace.”

  “I thought you hopped onto this runaway train long ago,” Jameson commented.

  “This isn’t about me. I love Candace too.”

  “You don’t say.”

  “Stop it. She’ll make a fantastic president. It does alter your life. I knew that. Seeing it unfold—I just wonder how you feel about it.”

  Jameson’s eyes fell on Cooper. How do I feel about it? “I never imagined being anyone’s Mom.”

  “What does that have to do with…”

  “It has everything to do with what you’re asking. You seem to have some idea that none of this was my choice,” Jameson said. “It is. If I asked Candace to quit tomorrow, I’m pretty sure she would. Everyone thinks I’ve given something up. I haven’t given up any more than she has.”

  “JD, you’ve left your firm. You’ve agreed to travel and to…”

  “I’ve given up my anonymity. I gave that up when I decided that I wanted to be with Candace. I knew what that meant. I knew where she was heading, Mom. I probably knew it before she did. Do you know why Candace and I work?”

  “Tell me.”

  “Part of it is that I don’t care about the Governor’s Ball or the spotlight. I don’t enjoy that.”

  “That’s my point.”

  “Would you just listen?” Jameson chuckled. “I don’t enjoy those things on my own. I wouldn’t seek it out for myself. Being with her? I love those events. You don’t get that. I love it because I get to be at her side. I get to watch the way her eyes light up and the way everyone’s eyes fall on her the moment she enters a room. You’re right. I don’t feed myself on a steady diet of cable news. I do love to listen to her dissect a problem.”

  “And, Candace?”

  “Candace? She would have to tell you how she sees it. You don’t see the fatigue in her eyes in the morning after she tosses and turns over some bill that she needs to pass or over a call she got late in the night. I see that side of her too. We balance each other. She might complain about me climbing on the roof, but she loves to watch me do it. I know that. I’m not missing anything, Mom. Trust me on that. And, if you want to know the truth, it isn’t always easy for us. Sometimes, I want to throttle her for not slowing down. And, I wouldn’t blame her if she wanted to scream at how stubborn I can be. Our life isn’t like most people’s lives—not when it comes to what you see on those cable news shows. That’s only part of it. It’s all the other parts that hold us together. I wouldn’t change her decision to run this campaign. It’s who she is. That’s who I want to be with, even if that makes me crazy sometimes.”

  “I give you credit, JD.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Candace is lucky to have you.”

  Jameson laughed. “You definitely have that one backward.”

  ***

  Candace looked out the window of the airplane at the glistening lights below. She felt more rested than she had in months. A couple of days at home had been a balm for her soul. She’d balked at looking at the news or taking calls. She’d been surprised when Jameson pulled her aside Saturday afternoon and told her to take a couple of hours and catch up—surprised and grateful. Jameson’s support and understanding gave her focus and strength. She replayed the conversation as the plane began its final descent.

  “Go do what you need to do,” Jameson said.

  “I need to be with you and Cooper.”

  “I know. We need that too. You’re not going to be able to focus on us if you are playing possibilities all day in the back of your mind. Go call Glenn and Dana, catch up on the news you need to for a couple of hours.”

  “I promised Cooper…”

  “I’ve got that covered.”

  “Jameson…”

  “Go on. Your phone’s been buzzing for two hours.”

  “So, it can buzz.”

  Jameson smiled. “Candace, I don’t expect your undivided attention for an entire weekend. I think we both know that is unlikely to happen—ever.”

  Candace sighed.

  “Stop. When have we not been interrupted by work or one of the kids? It’s inevitable. You’re here. Trust me, if you’re not done by the time we get back, I will hide your phone for the rest of the weekend.”

  “Where are you going?” Candace asked.

  “Coop and I have a couple of errands to run.”

  “None of these errands involve new outfits for me, do they?”

  Jameson grinned. “I can’t take Coop into those stores.”

  Candace swatted Jameson. “Stop.”

  “Just go. You won’t be able to enjoy your time and relax if you don’t make those calls. I know you.”

  “I promise, I will be done when you get home.”

  Jameson nodded and placed a sweet kiss on Candace’s lips. “Just remind all of your little minions that I have a speech to make. Never know what I might say.”

  Candace laughed. “Leverage?”

  “Whatever it takes. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  “Hey.” Dana’s voice pulled Candace from her memory. “You look rested.”

  “I feel rested.”

  “That’s good.”

  “Oh, no. What now?” Candace asked.

  “It’s not that bad.”

  “That’s like saying you have measles instead of syphilis.”

  Dana laughed. “Want me to add that analogy to your speech?”

  “Might work,” Candace said. “What is it?”

  Dana handed Candace a folder.

  Candace reached in front of her and retrieved her glasses. She studied the contents of the folder thoughtfully. Occasionally, her tongue would roll across her lower lip as she processed the information. She sighed, nodded, removed her glasses, and handed the folder back to Dana. “When did you get this?”

  “Early this morning. You were with Glenn and Doug.”

  Candace looked out the window again. She shook her head. “I need you to do something for me.”

  “Whatever you need—you know that.”

  Candace nodded and turned back to her friend. “Call Jane Merrow.”

  “Jane?”

  “See if she can make some room in her schedule to meet me in Illinois this week.”

  “You’re not scheduled to be in Illinois; Jameson is.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “Candy, you are supposed to be at a meeting in Albany Friday morning.”

  “And, I will be. Jane has a fundraiser in Chicago Sunday that she’s scheduled to speak at.”

  “I know, but…”

  “Dana, please—make the arrangements. My meeting is at 9:00 A.M. I can be in Chicago by dinner.”

  “What do you want me to tell Jane?”

  “Tell her I want to discuss strategy.”

  “Campaign strategy?”

  Candace
smiled.

  “Okay, I get it. Why don’t you just call her yourself?” Dana wondered.

  “Optics, Dana.”

  “Do you want me to schedule an appearance for the two of you?”

  “No. Make it about old friends. She’ll understand.”

  “I’m on it.”

  Candace’s head fell back against the seat. She sighed. “Damnit.”

  TUESDAY, JUNE 10th

  “Momma?”

  “What’s up, Coop?”

  “When’s Mommy coming?”

  “Mommy will be here tomorrow morning when you wake up.”

  Cooper frowned.

  “I know you miss her, buddy. I do too.”

  “It’s okay. Momma?”

  “Yes?”

  “Can me and you swim?”

  “Cooper, are you sure your name isn’t Flounder?”

  “No! You’re silly. I’m not a fish.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Jameson teased.

  “I just like to swim.”

  “Like a fish,” Jameson said.

  “No. I can’t stay under the water.”

  “Oh. Good point.”

  Cooper giggled. “Can we?”

  Jameson had no issue taking Cooper for a swim. Since Candace had secured the Democratic nomination, their lives had changed drastically. Candace, Jameson, and Cooper had 24/7 Secret Service protection. Jameson knew that some of that was procedure. Some of it had to do with the opposition certain factions of people had to their family. She hated that reality. There were crazy people in the world. That much Jameson did know. A simple trip to the hotel pool now required notice. She would need to advise their detail about her plans.

  “Tell you what,” Jameson said. “I’ll go talk to Agent Lamkin, and you go see if you can find your suit. I know Mommy packed it.”

  “Mommy always packs it,” Cooper said. He hopped off the couch and headed for the bedroom.

  Jameson made her way to the door.

  “Ms. Reid, everything okay?” Jeff Lamkin asked.

  “Yeah, it’s fine, Jeff. Coop wants to go for a swim.”

  Lamkin nodded. “I’ll call down. Shouldn’t be a problem. Pretty quiet here right now.”

  “Thanks.”

  “No thanks necessary, Ma’am.”

  “Jeff, if you want us both to survive this arrangement, call me anything but Ma’am.”