Campaigning for Love (9 page)

“On Saturday mornings. I guess we missed today’s.” Abby sounded disappointed. “Hey, you can come with me. That way it won’t be so obvious.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not? Nick plays on the same team.”

She aimed her racket at Abby. “That would be why.”

“I know you said he doesn’t care for you, but you guys act okay around each other. I don’t understand.” Abby caught the ball in her hand, walked over to the bench beside the court and sat down. She gave Katherine a challenging look.

Katherine had no choice but to sit beside her. “It’s a front. Nick and I, well, we don’t get along.” She fingered the strings of her racket and avoided Abby’s gaze.

“Are you crazy? He couldn’t take his eyes off you last night. Besides, weren’t you his date?”

“No! He only brought me as a favor to Uncle Charles. How do I make you understand this? Nick is using me to score brownie points with the judge while he’s stuck in family court.”

“And you believe that?”

“He’s done it before.”

“I’ve got all day.” Abby tapped the face of her watch. “Go ahead, spell it out for me.”

Maybe the aftereffects of the emotional roller coaster she’d ridden last night, or the sympathetic tone Abby inflected in her question, or the desperate need for a friend were to blame. She’d never told anyone of the betrayal she’d experienced at the hands of the Delaneys. Katherine took a deep breath. “We went to high school together. I tutored him and once he had a higher test score, he had his father send me packing.”

Abby sat in stunned silence. “I wouldn’t have pictured Nick as a user. His father is always trying to get ahead, but I thought Nick was a nice guy. I still can’t believe it. He acts like he’s nuts about you,” Abby argued.

“He’s trying to schmooze Uncle Charles.”

“Nick cares for you. I know he does. I agree you have cause not to trust him. But you fight against making assumptions about people every day. You make the system hear those kids’ stories before they make decisions about their futures. Doesn’t Nick deserve the same opportunity? At least consider it.” She reached over and squeezed Katherine’s hand. “I’d feel so much better if you came with me next Saturday, but I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

“I’ll think about it. I promise.” As they walked to their cars, she smiled at Abby. “So, are you going to ask Jeremy out this week or not?”

Abby sighed. “I’m really nervous. I can talk to him all night about programs for the church. But what do I say to him that doesn’t relate to that? I want him to see me outside the role of volunteer.”

“Then ask him to a movie. There won’t be as much time for talking. He’s definitely interested in you. You just need to get his attention.”

“Okay, but if he acts like I’ve gone off the deep end, I’m sending you to talk to him.”

“Go ahead. I’d love to set him straight.”

As Abby backed out of the parking lot, she called out, “Good luck in court Monday. Think about what I said.”

Katherine waved her off, but was too edgy to go home, so she took a chance and went to Uncle Charles and Aunt Melvia’s house. The dogs were out front playing when she drove up. As soon as she got out of her car, they were all over her, begging for attention.

Uncle Charles rose from a chair on the porch. “What an honor to receive a personal visit from our favorite citizen.”

“Cut it out. That was a sneaky thing you did to me last night.” She hugged him.

“That was all I could come up with to get you there so I could present you with the award.” He walked her inside to the kitchen, where Aunt Melvia was snapping beans. She wiped her hands before giving Katherine a warm hug.

“You were so beautiful last night. No one deserved that award more than you did. We love you very much.” She held Katherine away from her and wiped the twin tears as they streamed down Katherine’s cheeks.

“I love you both, too.” She managed around the sudden lump in her throat.

“Will you stay for dinner?” Aunt Melvia asked.

“Sure, how can I help?”

“There’s nothing left. Go visit with Charles while I finish up in here,” Melvia ordered and shooed her out of the kitchen and down the hall.

Katherine found him in his study. His intense gaze followed her as she took her usual spot on the sofa near his chair.

“Why are you looking at me so hard? I’m the same person I was before they gave me the award.”

“That’s not what I’m looking at. How’s your heart?”

Her smile froze on her face. “My heart’s fine. Why?”

“I had a visit from Nick today.”

“Oh? I wouldn’t have thought he’d want to spend two weekends in a row with you.”

“That won’t work with me, young lady,” he scolded. “What happened last night?”

She got up and moved over in front of the fireplace, rearranging the miniature teacups displayed on the mantle. “He asked me about dating him and I told him I wasn’t interested.” She glanced back, trying to gauge his reaction.

He kept his expression blank. “I heard your answer was a little more impassioned than a simple ‘no thank you.’”

Her shoulders sagged. She was so tired. “I told him no in a way that ensured he won’t ask me again.”

“Why?”

“Isn’t it enough that he hurt me a long time ago and it still hurts?”

“Maybe it still hurts because he still means something to you.”

She shook her head. “That was a long time ago. I hadn’t thought of him in years, not until he showed up in court. I don’t want to care about him. I’m fine without him.”

“Do you really believe that? If he stirs this many emotions in you...”

“He doesn’t.” And she would never let him.

Chapter 8

A
storm blew through on Sunday night, leaving Monday morning damp and gloomy. A perfect match for Katherine’s mood. She drove straight to the courthouse instead of swinging by her office first. Traffic crawled, adding to her frustration. She was late. She hated being late. She rushed into the courtroom. Uncle Charles and Nick both paused as she took her seat.

“Miss Harper, everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. The weather has traffic snarled on my side of town.”

“Today’s hearing addresses the status of Stevie Mills and his care.” The judge swiveled his head toward her. “What is his grandmother’s prognosis?”

“Mrs. Tindle is fully recovered, and Dr. Collins has released her from the rehab center. He foresees no problems with her assuming care of Stevie. I will follow up monthly and make sure she and Stevie are doing fine, but I don’t expect any problems.”

“That’s good news. Mr. Delaney, do you have any questions?”

“No, sir. I’m happy to hear Mrs. Tindle is better so she and Stevie can be together.”

Uncle Charles tapped his gavel on the padded block, signaling the close of the case. He dismissed the session and left Katherine alone with Nick in the courtroom without a backward glance. It was a setup if ever she saw one.

Nick moved toward her as she placed her files inside her briefcase. “Katherine, may I speak with you, please?”

She met his gaze and nodded.

“I wanted to tell you I’m sorry for the things I said to you in the library that day back in high school. The words that came out of my mouth then were not the ones I meant to say. I don’t think I’m better than anyone, especially not you.”

He looked so humble, so full of contrition.

“In fact, I’ve always thought you were one of the best people I know. I admired you then and I admire you even more now. There is no way to make up for the pain I’ve caused you, but I wanted to give you this.” He handed her a black velvet box.

Her tongue had tied itself in a knot that matched the one in her stomach. She took the box with unsteady hands. When the hinged lid snapped open, she gasped. Winking back at her, outlined in gold wire were clusters of bronze-colored stones that created the coat of a golden retriever with sparkling black eyes.

A rushing, burning sensation flowed through her. “He’s beautiful.” She ran her finger over the stones.

“You said you’re never home so a real dog is out of the question. It was this or a stuffed toy and I didn’t want you to have to fight one of the kids over him.” He reached for the box, freeing the pin from its clasp, and waited for her permission before he fastened the brooch to the lapel of her suit jacket.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“There’s nothing for
you
to say. I’m the one apologizing.”

“Oh, well, um, thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.” Nick turned and left her standing alone in the courtroom.

* * *

Katherine used the drive back to her office to clear away the fog swirling in her mind over Nick’s whimsical, yet perfect, peace offering. A glimpse at her face in the rearview mirror reflected a goofy smile she couldn’t wipe away. She was pathetic if a piece of costume jewelry affected her like this.

When she opened the outer door to her office, Gina pounced. “Thank the Lord. I’ve been going absolutely insane here. Ah-choo!”

The edge in the unflappable Gina’s voice jolted Katherine into the here and now. Her mission-style furnished reception area had become a massive sea of floral arrangements. Every available surface held a giant vase overflowing with roses in every color of the rainbow and then some.

The sweet heady fragrance drew her in, wrapping her senses in a deluge of spring images. “Bless you. What happened?” She tried to find somewhere to set her briefcase.

“Mr. Nicolas Delaney is what happened,” Gina stated in an odd combination of admiration flavored with a hint of vexation. “Ah-choo. I had to start lining them up along the wall because I’d put a vase on every flat surface in here with the first round of deliveries.” Gina sneezed again into a tissue.

“There was more than one delivery?”

“Every hour, on the hour. A different florist backs an oversized van up to the front door and makes ten trips in carrying these beauties. What is he apologizing for?”

“How do you know he’s apologizing?” she asked, shocked at Gina’s acuity.

“Honey, no man sends this many roses unless he’s in deep trouble.” Her arms encompassing the whole room, Gina gave her a condescending look. “Judging by the quantity delivered today, he must have offended the entire female population of the state.”

Katherine peeked into her office. A mass of vases topped three corners of her desk. Rose petals and baby’s breath overshadowed the orchid on her credenza. She looked back at Gina and found her standing in the middle of the room with her arms folded across her chest, her toe tapping—waiting.

“Well?” Gina demanded.

“You remember me saying I knew Nick in high school?”

“Uh-huh. Go on,” Gina prompted with her nose buried in a tissue.

“He said some things that hurt me back then. I think he’s saying he’s sorry.”

Gina stared at her in disbelief. “He’s doing all this to say he’s sorry for hurting your feelings thirteen years ago?”

“I’ve sort of been holding a grudge.” She fingered the velvety petal of a crimson rose before leaning down and sampling its fragrance.

“Is he forgiven?”

She inhaled deeply, enjoying the sweet smell as she thought over her answer. “He’s getting there,” she murmured and strolled into her office, leaving Gina to handle any more deliveries.

She had to call him. At the very least, to thank him, and to tell him to stop before Gina deserted her. She worried about what was happening and what this softening around her heart meant as she looked at the beautiful flowers and touched the brooch he’d pinned to her jacket. Every time she turned around, he came at her with something new, knocking her off balance again. He confused her, left her head spinning, wondering which way was up.

She understood holding on to words said years ago was petty, especially since he’d apologized so lavishly. But she was used to their bitter taste, almost immune to their bite. The feelings of resentment and hurt they stirred were familiar, their sharpness worn down by age.

The forgiveness Jeremy had preached about, and Abby had encouraged her to try, was harder to do. If she let the past go, what would take its place? Would there be a big open void, leaving her empty inside?

She needed control of her life, her emotions. She wouldn’t rely on anyone else for her happiness. Everyone left her. Or in Nick’s case, sent her away. That truth helped her keep her perspective and maintain her distance when she picked up the phone.

Her gratitude and request to lighten up were easier to express than she’d expected. She and Nick laughed over Gina’s reaction, but Katherine held part of herself back, not able to forget his deepest betrayal. That, she didn’t think she could ever forgive.

Later in the afternoon, Gina buzzed her to find out if she was available for Corinne Hightower, chairperson of the Businesswomen of Pemberly Coalition.

“Great, I’ll send her in.”

Katherine had three seconds to wonder why Corinne had stopped by before Gina ushered her through the door. She smiled and rose from her desk, offering her hand, but had to wait. The endless displays of floral arrangements at their finest managed to leave even Corinne speechless.

“Sorry about this,” Katherine began, indicating the sea of bouquets. “I seem to have an overzealous fan.”

“I’ll say. They’re gorgeous. He has excellent taste.”

“Please, have a seat. What can I do for you?”

Corinne regained her focus and offered her a sly smile. “Actually, Miss Harper, it’s what the Businesswomen of Pemberly can do for you.”

“I’m sorry, you’ve lost me.”

“We want to sponsor you as our candidate for the open city council seat.”

“Me? But I’ve never been interested in politics.”

“Maybe not, but you are very interested in this community, Miss Citizen of the Year.”

“Yes, well, I don’t do volunteer work for awards or to get elected to public office. I do it to help people.”

Corinne leaned forward. “I know. It’s what makes you an ideal candidate. You love this community. You want to help people, and as a council member, you would have a chance to shape policy by creating programs and voting on agendas that would help even more people than you can reach as a volunteer.

“There are only two women on the eight-seat council right now. The Coalition thinks more women need to be in a position to offer ideas and changes. To shift the balance of power.”

After the initial shock, Katherine found her voice and pointed out a flaw in Corinne’s presentation. “That’s fine and good, but I would never agree to run for office just because I’m a woman and you want to change the status quo.”

“But you would consider running if it meant making a difference. You have a burden in your heart for the disadvantaged. Who else on the council feels that burden like you do?”

“But Nick Delaney...” It was out of her mouth before she could stop it.

“A rich man’s son?” Corinne countered. “How in tune to the needs of this community would he be?”

“He—”

Corinne held up a hand to stall her. “All I’m asking you to do is give the idea some thought. I’ll drop by next week and you can give me your answer then.”

Stunned, Katherine could only nod and mumble her consent to the open-ended follow-up.

Gina stopped in the doorway of her office and leaned against the doorjamb, taking in her shell-shocked stillness. “So, what did Miss Mover and Shaker want?”

“They want me to run for city council.”

Gina abandoned all propriety and flopped down in the chair facing her, her mouth open. “No way!”

“Yes, way. They think there aren’t enough women in power and I would have the community’s best interests at heart.”

“Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Going to run?”

“I don’t know. I mean, no. Absolutely not. I have no political aspirations. That’s Nick’s domain,” she explained, wondering why it wasn’t obvious to Gina.

“I see. You don’t want to go head to head against Nicky Boy. You’re afraid he’ll beat you.”

“Oh, please. Nick has nothing to do with this. I mean, with me running for office. I don’t want to be on the council.”

“Did you tell Corinne that?”

“Yes.”

“And she said, ‘okay, thanks anyway,’ right?”

Katherine gave Gina a squinted glare. “She asked me to think about it and let her know.”

“Will you?”

“How can I not think about it now that she’s asked me such a crazy thing? It’ll be like that ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ song playing in my head for the next week.”

“Well, I’m calling Judge Pierce.” Gina sprang from her seat, already on her way to the door.

“Don’t you dare,” Katherine ordered. “He doesn’t need to know about this. He’d worry for nothing.”

“Trust me. It will go better for you if he hears about this from you instead of Corinne at some country club luncheon later this week.”

“You think she would do that?”

“Are you kidding me? The Coalition finally has their poster child, or should I say, woman. They’ll be champing at the bit to get you to agree to run. Prepare to be seriously courted between now and her follow-up visit next week.”

* * *

Katherine hadn’t put much stock in Gina’s warning about political wooing. However, the growing stack of invitations to luncheons and dinners cluttering her desk gave support to the prediction and changed her social life from nonexistent to nonstop overnight.

The luncheons were easy to brush off. After all, she had a full-time day job. The dinners, however, left her feeling guilty when she declined. Not all of them were to get her to run for office. Some were congratulations for the Citizen of the Year Award.

Oh, how she missed the days before she received that annoying award. She picked out three invitations she knew she couldn’t ignore. All three were from Uncle Charles.

“There’s nothing to think about. I have no interest in politics,” she told Abby over lunch two days after the meeting. She’d just given her all the details of Corinne’s offer.

“I don’t know,” Abby speculated. “Corinne brought up some valid arguments. This could be an opportunity to help a lot more people within the community than you can right now. This would give you a platform for your charity work.”

“You’re serious. You think I should run?”

Abby used her fork to flake the crust from around her quiche and kept her eyes on her plate. “I think you’d be great at the job. I know you’d be fair and wouldn’t let outside interests sway you like some people would.”

“Are you willing to sign on as my campaign manager if I do?”

“If you decided to run, I’d do all I could to get you elected.”

“Even go against Nick?”

Abby dismissed the question with a wave of her fork. “Nick isn’t the only one who cares about this community.”

“I still don’t think I’m the best person for the job.”

“Give it more time. Corinne won’t call until next week. Are you coming to the dinner for the children’s wing dedication at the hospital tonight?”

Katherine gave her a tired smile. “Yes, I have to go. Uncle Charles worked it out for me to cut the ribbon due to my celebrity status, of course.”

“Of course.” They both burst out laughing.

“I bet he’s thrilled.”

“Oh, you have no idea. I’m sure he’s working on my acceptance speech right now.”

“Maybe you should give the idea of running some serious thought.”

She sighed. “I’m trying to keep an open mind. I’ve never pictured myself in the political arena.”

“I trust you to make the right decision.” Abby glanced at her watch. “I have to go. I have an afternoon meeting. I’ll see you tonight.” She squeezed Katherine’s hand and left.

* * *

Katherine dressed for the ribbon cutting that evening without any jitters. She was going solo and would be with her small group of friends and Uncle Charles. No Nick.