Solid Foundation (4 page)

“What
are you talking about?” Jameson wondered.

“The
ring, Jameson. I’m so sorry. I didn’t even notice it was…”

Jameson
kissed Candace sweetly. “Well, it isn’t exactly the same. Pearl told me that
your grandmother always wanted you to have it, but your mother and father gave
it to David to give to Carol. I know it’s not the same.”

“No,
it’s even better,” Candace said with a kiss.

“I’m
going to go get that wine,” Pearl said. “I trust you will be right behind me?”
Jameson nodded. “Good.
As fascinating as I find
Shell’s tale of the fireworks on the Fourth of July, I would prefer you wait
until after I leave for a repeat performance,” she said as she walked out the
door.

Candace
collapsed her head on Jameson’s shoulder. “Why doesn’t she just rent a
billboard?”

“Well,
look at the bright side. If you run for governor you could save a lot of money
and just hire Shell for your campaign,” Jameson suggested. “She certainly knows
how to get a message out.”

“Campaign
for what? Madame Candace of the Jameson Reid House of Ill Repute?” Candace
asked.

Jameson
laughed. “Eh, no one looks for honest politicians anyway.”

“Jameson!”
Candace swatted her lover.

“Just
kidding. Come on, or there will be a whole new campaign running through this
family before we know it,” Jameson said.

“Jameson?
Thanks.”

Jameson
smiled. “Don’t thank me until you hear all of my mother’s ideas,” she laughed.

“Oh
no.”

“Oh
yes,” Jameson laughed.

“Red,
white, and blue?” Candace asked. Jameson just smiled. “Oh boy,” Candace
chuckled. She let Jameson lead her back to their family. “Why do I suddenly
think a campaign might be less stressful?” she thought silently.

“No,” Candace said
firmly. “I said no. There are only two letters in the word, Daniel. It
shouldn’t be that difficult to understand…even for you.”

Dana
walked into Candace’s office and flinched at the tone
of
the senator’s voice. Candace was annoyed and on the threshold of
angry. Dana took a seat on the sofa and listened to Candace’s end of the phone
call.

“What
would possess you to even ask me to co-sponsor this bill?” Candace barked into
the phone. She played with the glasses on the bridge of her nose and tapped the
pen in her hands repeatedly on her desk. “Of course, I understand the issue,
Daniel. I am not putting my name on something that has the potential to empower
the wrong people.”

Candace
could feel her head beginning to pound. Two weeks back in Washington and she
was ready to go home. The climate in the nation’s capital was contentious at
best. Candace had one policy that she never compromised on. If she felt in her
gut that a bill would do more harm than good, she would not sponsor it nor
would she vote for it.
Compromise
was
necessary to get things done. Compromising her morals was not something she was
willing to do. It had become an increasingly difficult policy to adhere to.
Lobbyists and
donors
and worse still,
lobbyists for donors, were
always
knocking at her door. She often wondered who the authors of the majority of
legislation that rolled across her desk were. Were they congressional staffers
or corporate and special interest lobbyists? Candace groaned inwardly as she
listened to the senator on the line. Everything these days seemed it was
special
interest and little of it served the
interests of the people she represented.

“No.
Flat out, unequivocal no. That’s
it,
Daniel,” she repeated her answer. “That’s nice. I’m sure that President Wallace
will appreciate your efforts,” Candace said. “My answer is still no.” Dana
looked over at Candace and Candace shook her head in disbelief. “Yes, well, I
have not made a decision about that yet. That has no bearing at all on my
answer. Yes. You as well, Senator.” Candace hung up the phone and rolled her
eyes. “Nitwit.”

“Senator
Barker?” Dana guessed.

“Senator
Nitwit,” Candace corrected. “What is it with these men? Do they not understand
when a woman says no, she means no?”

“Are
we still talking about legislation here?” Dana asked.

“Yes…and
no. I’m tired of it, Dana; the lack of respect. Half these guys couldn’t pass a
fifth grade history test and they treat the handful of us women as if we are
their wives or worse still, daughters. I am not Senator Barker’s wife. Talking to
me like I am a teenager who hasn’t learned about the birds and the bees! He’d better
watch himself before he gets stung on the ass. I could teach him a thing or two
about birds and bees.”

Dana
couldn’t help herself. She erupted in a fit of laughter. Candace tossed her
glasses on the desk and chuckled. “Birds and bees, Senator?” Dana was laughing
so hard she began to cry.

“Senator
Fletcher,” the office intercom beckoned.

“Yes,
Susan?” Candace replied through a few giggles.

“There
is a delivery here for you,” Susan said.

“That’s
fine, Susan. Bring it in,” Candace said. She looked back at Dana and they
started laughing again.

“Whose
office did you two toilet paper?” an amused voice inquired from the doorway.
Candace and Dana both turned in surprise.

“Jameson?”
Candace asked in disbelief. Jameson just smiled. “What are you doing here?”

“Nice
to see you too, Senator Fletcher,” Jameson responded.

“Well,
get in here,” Candace said.

“Dana,”
Jameson greeted her friend. “Sorry if I am interrupting something important,”
Jameson said playfully.

“No,
your fiancée was just explaining the birds and the bees,” Dana replied.

Jameson
looked at Candace suspiciously. “”Environmental legislation?” she asked.

“Cute,”
Candace laughed. “Not exactly.” Candace stood and greeted Jameson with a hug.
“Now, really…What are you doing in Washington?”

“I
have a meeting in Baltimore at three. Thought I might be able to lobby you for
dinner?”

“No
lobbying necessary. When did this all happen?” Candace asked.

“Just
this morning. Bryan was supposed to make the trip. I figured we could save on
the hotel expense if I came instead.”

“I
see,” Candace said.

“So…
Dinner
in Georgetown? Dana, would you like to
join us?” Jameson asked.

“Davey
has his first T-Ball game,” Dana said.

“That
will probably be more exciting than dinner in Georgetown,” Candace commented.

“Maybe.
You think Senator Barker is bad? You should see some of these parents,” Dana
groaned.

Candace
laughed. “I have every confidence you will put them all in line if necessary.”

“True.
It’s what I do,” Dana agreed.

“All
right,” Jameson began, “sorry to pop in and out. I need to get going. Have to
catch a train.” She leaned in and kissed Candace on the cheek. “Meet you here
later?”

“Actually,
how about we meet at Martin’s? Say around six-thirty?” Candace suggested.

“See
you then. Wish Davey luck for me,” Jameson said to Dana.

Dana
waited until Jameson had closed the door and then turned to Candace. “What was
that all about?”

Candace
sighed. “I don’t know. Something is on her mind.”

“Maybe
she just missed you,” Dana suggested.

“Oh,
I am sure she misses me. That’s not why she came down here. She’s up to
something.”

“Well,
at least you know it isn’t for a proposal,” Dana offered.

“At
least not marriage,” Candace laughed.

“Come
on, Candy. You know J.D. She hates being away from you. What could she possibly
have up her sleeve?”

“Dana, in the last year Jameson has convinced me to take a
lover twenty years my junior. I have gotten engaged when I swore I would never
marry again and remodel my entire home. And, even more unbelievably, I have allow
a cat to keep residence in that home.
What does she have up her sleeve? God only knows,” Candace said.

“She’s
good
for you,” Dana said flatly.

“Yes,
I know,” Candace admitted. “I just hope I am as good for her.”

Dana
smiled. “Still twirling this governor race around in your head? Stop worrying,
Candy. I’ve known J.D. since we were barely twenty. She’s never been happier.
And, J.D. is tough. I’ve always admired that in her; the way things roll off
her.”

Candace
offered Dana a weak smile. She believed that Jameson was happy. She also knew
Jameson was a determined person. Jameson was hardly
tough
. Jameson was the most sensitive person Candace had ever known.
Candace was aware that most people saw the humorous Jameson, the professional
Jameson. They knew J.D. Reid. Candace loved J.D. but she was in love with
Jameson. Jameson was the person underneath the exterior, much like Candace was
the woman behind Senator Fletcher. Jameson’s appearance in Washington meant
something was on her mind. Candace was eager to find out exactly what that
might be. She sighed and looked at Dana. “Let’s get down to business. Seems we
both have important dates tonight.”

***

“How was your meeting?”
Candace asked Jameson.

“Fine,”
Jameson responded. “Typical. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Uh-huh.
You flew down here for a typical meeting to save money on a hotel?”

“I
flew down here to see you,” Jameson said taking a sip of her wine. “I missed
you.” Candace looked across at Jameson doubtfully. “What? I did miss you.”

“I
know. That isn’t why you are here. What’s going on?” Candace asked.

“Candy?”
a voice startled Candace from behind her.

Candace
saw Jameson’s expression fall and turned to the sound of the voice. “Jessica?”

Jessica
Stearns smiled at her former partner. “It’s been a while,” she said softly as
she made her way
to stand
beside Candace
and Jameson’s table.

“What
are you doing in Washington?” Candace asked.

“I
do still have friends here, Candy,” Jessica chuckled.

Candace
sighed. “I didn’t mean it the way…”

“I
know,” Jessica said a bit sadly. She extended her hand to Jameson.

“Oh
God, I’m sorry. Jameson Reid meet Jessica Stearns,” Candace made the formal
introduction.

“Nice
to meet you,” Jameson said cordially.

“I
hear congratulations are in order,” Jessica offered. Candace smiled a bit
uncomfortably. She had not seen her former lover in over two years, not even in
passing.

Jameson
watched the exchange between Candace and Jessica with interest. She had heard
stories and opinions about the infamous Jessica Stearns from all of Candace’s
children, Dana, and even Pearl. Candace never spoke ill of Jessica in spite of
the scandal Jessica’s affair had caused. That was not Candace’s way. She had
moved on. Jessica had been part of her life, an important part. Jameson often
wondered about the woman who had share Candace’s life before her. She wondered
how anyone could be foolish enough to let Candace go.

Jessica
was every bit as attractive and polished as Jameson would have expected. She
also noted the genuine affection in Jessica’s eyes as she looked at Candace.
Jameson had never given any thought to the likelihood that she would eventually
confront this part of Candace’s past. She’d met Candace’s ex-husband a handful
of times. That had been inevitable. They shared three children. To her
surprise, she had been relaxed in his presence. He and Candace had been apart
for many years. Their divorce was amicable. While Jameson was certain there was
no animosity between them, she also recognized there was also little emotion at
all. Jessica was different. Candace had loved her once. Jameson understood
that. Jessica had hurt Candace deeply. Jameson
knew
that as well. She smiled at Candace when Candace grasped her hand.

“Yes,”
Candace said to Jessica. She smiled at Jameson and turned back to her former
lover. “Thank you.”

Jessica
nodded. “I hear you might be spending less time here
shortly
,” she said to Candace. Candace sighed. “You are going to
run; aren’t you?”

“I’m
not sure yet,” Candace answered.

Jessica
looked at her curiously then looked at Jameson and nodded. “How are the kids?”
she asked with genuine interest.

“Good,”
Candace beamed. “How about you?”

“The
same,” Jessica said. “Work, work and more work.”

Candace
laughed lightly. “Comforting to know some things don’t ever change,” she
teased.

Jessica
looked at Jameson. “And, some things do,” she said. “I’ve taken enough of your
time,” she said.

Jameson
surprised herself with her words. “Why don’t you at least join us for a drink
while you wait for your table?” Candace looked at Jameson in disbelief.

“I
would love to, but I have someone waiting for me,” Jessica said with a gesture
to the far corner of the restaurant where an attractive woman was watching
their table curiously.

Candace
smiled. “How is Monica?”

“She’s
Monica,” Jessica laughed. Jameson noted the mischievous glint that mingled with
remorse in Jessica’s eye. “It was good to see you, Candy. And, to meet
you,
Jameson,” she said sincerely. She leaned
in and placed a friendly kiss on Candace’s cheek. “I’m happy for you, Candy,”
she whispered. Candace nodded and watched Jessica make her way across the
restaurant.

“You
okay?” Jameson asked.

Candace
turned back to Jameson and smiled. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t
be,” Jameson said sincerely. “Are you sure you are all right? We can go if…”

“I
'm all right,
” Candace promised. “It was a
little awkward, but in a way I’m glad it’s over.”

“You
mean seeing Jessica again or her seeing you with me?”

“Both,”
Candace replied honestly.

“She
seems very nice,” Jameson said quietly.

“She’s
a good
person, Jameson. She just isn’t
good for me.”

Jameson
sipped her wine and let her gaze drift back across the room to where Jessica
was seated with her partner. This was not how she had planned the evening. She
didn’t feel any jealousy, which surprised her a bit. She did wonder what was
going through Candace’s mind. Jameson was not one to push. She resigned herself
to letting her questions lie at least for the moment. She smiled when she saw
Jessica glance her way. “Your loss, my gain,” she thought silently.

“What
are you grinning about?” Candace asked.