Tracie Peterson (8 page)

“Something that means more to you than HEARTBEAT?”

“No, not really,” Cara replied. She knew the conversation was headed in the wrong direction. If she continued along these lines, she’d soon be spilling the truth of Kerns’ threats, and that was something she was determined not to do. She couldn’t add stress to Joe’s life. Especially not if Suzanne needed to remain calm in order to bring her child to term. Cara couldn’t do anything that might risk that happiness. “It’s just something I feel I must do,” she said, knowing that it wasn’t a lie.

“I see.”

Joe sounded so dejected that Cara immediately pushed the conversation forward. “It will be a tremendous financial benefit for you, Joe. And as director of HEARTBEAT you will be able to take the ministry in the direction you have felt it should go.”

“But we were going to decide those things together. You and me. This is your baby. I can’t just take it over.”

The word “baby” stabbed at Cara. She desperately tried to convince herself that she was doing the right thing. “The baby has grown up and needs a man with vision at the helm. I’m just starting to move forward in my life. You agreed that I needed a little change.”

“A little change, yes,” Joe admitted. “But you’ve already done more than a little with the plan to move to Misty Glen. Changing jobs is another matter entirely.”

Cara nodded. “I know this comes as a shock to you, but it will be a good thing. I know you and Suzanne can use the extra money.”

“Well, that’s true enough. We’ve got a few extra bills coming our way in the future, but even so, I wouldn’t want you to think you had to do this on my account.”

Cara sighed.
If you only knew,
she thought. She was doing this on everyone’s account. Everyone’s but her own. No, that was a lie. She was doing this for herself as well. She didn’t want to see HEARTBEAT ruined. She’d worked too hard at making it a great organization. It was her dream. It had been Jack’s dream, too.

“I’m doing this because it’s the right thing to do,” Cara finally said in a sobering tone. “I’ve prayed and I just think it’s the best way.”

Joe leaned back in his seat. His face clearly showed he was still stunned by the news. “I just can’t imagine the place without you.”

“Well, I won’t be totally removed. I’ll stay on for a while, and after that I’ll still drop in from time to time to see how things are going. Besides, we’ll always be friends, and you and Suzanne are welcome to come by the apartment anytime. Especially after—” She shut her mouth with an abruptness that caused Joe to raise his brows in question. She’d almost mentioned the baby.

“After what?”

Cara stammered, “Well . . . after . . . I mean—” She stopped to collect her thoughts. “After the November election.”

Joe laughed. “What in the world does the November election have to do with anything?”

“It relates to my other project,” Cara said, fidgeting with her pencil. “You see, Robert Kerns has asked me to be his running mate in the gubernatorial race.”

Joe stopped laughing and his mouth formed a silent O. “This is a joke, right?”

“No, it’s not,” Cara answered very seriously. “I can do a lot of good for the kids in this state if I should become the next lieutenant governor. Just think of the influence I’ll have and the opportunity to be a positive role model.”

“But, Cara, you hate politics. You’ve said so a million times. Now you’re telling me that you plan to run for lieutenant governor of Kansas?”

“That’s about the long and the short of it. Do I get your vote?” asked Cara with a nervous grin.

“You’re serious. You’re really going to leave HEARTBEAT to get involved with politics. I can’t believe this. Are you on some kind of publicity kick?”

Cara winced at the accusing tone. “I just think I can be of more help to the ministry if I work with Kerns as lieutenant governor.” It wasn’t a lie, that was for sure. Cara bore the burden of knowing what would happen to HEARTBEAT—and Joe—if she didn’t do exactly as Kerns wanted.

“Are you sure this is what God wants?”

Cara wondered that herself. She’d prayed and asked for a direction out, but God’s silence was almost deafening in her ears. She had no peace in her heart when she thought about rejecting Kerns and battling through the threats. There was a chance he was bluffing about his lawsuits, but could she take that chance and risk everything? No, this was the only answer.

“I feel confident,” Cara said softly, “that I’m doing the right thing.”

Joe got up and stuffed his hands deep into his jeans pockets. “I guess this will take some getting used to.”

“But you’ll take the directorship, right? You’ll see that HEARTBEAT makes the changes to keep it a strong ministry for God?”

Joe nodded. “I’ll talk to Suzanne, but I’m pretty sure she’ll agree with me. Running HEARTBEAT is a dream I’ve always had.”

Cara could finally smile from the heart. “Good. Maybe you should bring Suzanne on board as your partner. After all, HEARTBEAT was always intended to be a husband and wife ministry.”

Joe seemed to perk up at this thought. “She’d love it, and I know having her here would make me happy.”

“Then it’s settled. We’ll draw up the papers tomorrow.”

“If you’re sure,” Joe said, standing in the doorway. “It’s not too late to tell me you’ve changed your mind.”

“I’m sure about this, Joe.”

Cara waited until she heard Joe close the door to his own office before picking up the telephone. She could tell by the lighted second line that Joe was probably already calling Suzanne with the news. Dialing the number Kerns had given her, Cara wasn’t surprised when Russell Owens answered the telephone.

“Kerns for governor, this is Russell Owens.”

“Mr. Owens, this is Cara Kessler.” She felt her mouth go dry and wondered if she could go through with it.

“Well, it’s good to finally hear from you.” He didn’t sound at all surprised that she was calling. “What can I do for you?”

Cara hated playing the game but knew it would be only the first of many to come. “I’m calling to let you know that I’ll run with Bob Kerns.” She could imagine the smug smile of satisfaction on the man’s face at that moment.

“Cara, that’s great news. I know Bob will be pleased. Why don’t you plan to come over to the office, say around four. We’ll need to plan the press release.”

“Very well,” Cara said rather formally and hung up the phone without saying good-bye. She felt like a prisoner being led to the gallows. The finality of it all seemed to wash over her in waves of despair. What if Kerns actually won the election? What if she actually became the next lieutenant governor of Kansas? The entire thing was too much to consider as a possibility. From that moment on, it became Cara’s fervent hope and prayer that Kerns would suffer a terrible defeat at the polls and she would be allowed to go about her business.

But after today, what would her business be? She was turning HEARTBEAT over to the Milkens. She couldn’t just take it back when the election failed to put her into office. With a heavy sigh, she looked at the photograph of Brianna. It stood in the place of the old family photo and gave her a sense of encouragement. There were too many unanswered questions, but one thing was certain: Brianna needed her, and little else mattered. She would concern herself with the uncertain future when the time and place demanded it. To struggle with it before then seemed to deny that God was in control of her life.

To deny that would be giving in to utter despair.

Eleven

Making her way across the parking lot of the finest hotel in Topeka, Cara dreaded this evening like no other. Inside, the press and public waited for her to join Kerns in announcing her candidacy for lieutenant governor.

She looked down at her sedate blue suit and hoped she’d remember everything Kerns had told her to say. The only way Cara could make it through this nightmarish evening was to remember the ultimate goal. She had to protect HEARTBEAT and those she loved.

Entering through the glass doors, Cara was immediately besieged by reporters and bright lights. Camera crews from seven major television stations around the state shoved microphones in her face and attacked her with questions.

“Mrs. Kessler, will you tell us how you came to be Robert Kerns’ running mate?”

“Mrs. Kessler, who will head up HEARTBEAT now that you’re running for lieutenant governor?”

“Mrs. Kessler . . .”

The noise was overwhelming and Cara immediately began to look for some sign of Kerns or Owens. She didn’t want this kind of attention. It was nothing like the quiet affairs of her ministry work. It wasn’t even the mild pandemonium of her father’s district campaigns. This was a hideous monster out of control.

“Ah, there you are,” Bob Kerns said, coming to stand beside Cara. He took hold of her elbow with one hand and maneuvered her expertly through the crowd. “Are you ready?” he managed to whisper against her ear.

“No.”

“You’ll do just fine.” His grip tightened on her arm as he led her toward the ballroom where they would make their formal announcement.

Kerns, too, wore a blue suit and made a striking match at Cara’s side. His dark hair was combed straight back, while Cara’s shoulder-length coif was parted on the side and delicately curled under at the ends. They appeared to be the all-American couple—polished and shined to perfection, no visible blemish to mar their image.

Cara allowed Kerns to take her through the onslaught of reporters to the ballroom where friends and supporters were gathered. Kerns had wanted her to bring Brianna, but Cara had flatly refused. There would be enough disruptions in her daughter’s life later, especially if the election went their way. Cara could see no reason to put Brianna through any more than was absolutely necessary.

“This is my wife, Debra, and daughter Danielle,” Kerns said, stopping in front of a pencil-thin blonde and a feminine version of himself.

Cara smiled at the women and felt a cold reception from Debra Kerns. “I’m pleased to meet you,” Debra said, but there was no truth in the statement.

Danielle Kerns was also hesitant in her greeting, but obviously well-trained in public appearance. “I’ve heard great things about you, Mrs. Kessler,” Danielle said, extending a hand. The two women shook hands and exchanged smiles, but Cara knew she was an unwelcome presence.
But why?

Bob continued to move Cara through the room filled with well-wishers and a variety of “KERNS AND KESSLER” paraphernalia. Banners overhead in red, white, and blue declared the team in broad bold lettering. Across the podium where their announcement would be made, Cara found a huge rosette with “KERNS AND KESSLER” in gold lettering across the center. The sheer weight of her decision was beginning to settle upon her shoulders.

“And this is . . .” came the introduction to yet another of Robert Kerns’ associates. Cara smiled politely and shook hand after hand. Both her face and hand ached from the abuse by the time Kerns led her to the podium. Would this night never end?

Searching the room, Cara felt a small amount of relief when she spotted Melissa Jordon. Although, her friend’s expression told Cara that there would be plenty to discuss when the evening was over.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you a remarkable young woman who has taken the state by storm. She heads up HEARTBEAT Ministries, a business devoted to the promotion of our young people. She has given ten years of her life working to motivate our cities and towns into action on behalf of our youth. She has been awarded numerous community action awards from around the state and last year was voted Topeka’s Woman of the Year. She is a widow and single mother who has broken the stereotypes to prove herself over and over again. I give you now my running mate and the next lieutenant governor of Kansas, Cara Kessler!”

Cameras clicked and flashed as the photo opportunity of Kerns and Kessler side-by-side became destined for front-page news in tomorrow’s papers.

****

Cara remembered very little of her speech. It had been written for her by Russell and rehearsed by Kerns himself. She knew it was short and simple and kept the focus of the race on Kerns, but other than that she recalled few details. Suddenly, this was no game, and she was now stuck in a situation that seemed hopeless and frightening. She had relinquished the podium to Kerns amidst the applause of an enthusiastic crowd and forced herself to stand at his side until the conclusion.

With the speeches wrapped up, Kerns encouraged the crowd to mingle and enjoy the refreshments offered by the hotel caterers. Cara took that opportunity to slip away to the rest room before allowing the press to ask a single question. She had to find some peace and quiet, even if it was for only a few minutes. Purposefully finding a rest room as far removed
from the ballroom as possible, Cara made her way inside and wished she could lock the door behind her.

She took deep breaths and felt a small amount of peace. If it was this hard just getting through the announcement, how would she ever be able to endure a grueling campaign trail?

“Cara?” Melissa called out as she entered the lounge.

Cara had just taken a seat on the floral print sofa. “I’m afraid so,” she answered.

Melissa, dressed in a cream-colored suit that showed off her auburn hair, stood with hands on hips. “Well?”

Cara motioned to the sofa. “Have a seat and we’ll talk, off the record.”

Melissa smiled. “It’s been a pretty trying evening, eh?”

“The worst in my life.” Cara shook her head, remembering Jack. “Second worst.”

Melissa seemed to understand. “You have to tell me how this all came about. I couldn’t believe my ears when they announced you as Bob Kerns’ running mate.”

“Tell me about it,” Cara said in a dejected manner. She pushed her hair back and tried to relax.

“No, that’s
your
job. What’s going on here?”

Cara cast a wary glance first toward the inner rest room door and then to the outer one. “Melissa, I was hoping we’d have some time to talk, but it has to be off the record. I mean, way, way off the record. Friend to friend.”

“You’ve got it,” she answered before dropping down beside Cara.