17

“Not about politics. Of course it is. You’re all about the politics.” Elizabeth’s head tilted back as she laughed.

“I told you so, Lucas. If it’s about you, then it’s about politics,” Nikki chimed in.

“Not this time. I am not going to exploit what happened to you, Nikki, for political gain.”

“We shall see.” Elizabeth smiled.

Did Lucas have any idea how much the woman cared for him? It was so obvious. Elizabeth only had eyes for Lucas. And the way she clutched his arm as if she owned him.

The surge of jealousy surprised her. Nikki pushed it away. She had no right to be jealous of Lucas. Even if the last few days had brought back some of those long-ago feelings, they couldn’t be together. Ever.

Lucas shook his head, but his eyes twinkled. “It’s not true. Apparently, no one knows the real me. I’d be just as happy on a flower farm as in DC.” His gaze met Nikki’s.

Nikki’s heart skipped a beat.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Lucas. You can’t be President and live on a flower farm.”

“Who said I wanted to be President?”

“You did. Many times.” Elizabeth’s voice was adamant.

“Maybe it’s time for a change.” Lucas took Elizabeth’s hand off his arm and moved to Nikki’s bedside. “Enough about politics. And I’m not going anywhere at the moment. Nikki got shot because of me. The least I can do is keep her company while she’s recuperating. Elizabeth, you are more than capable of finding your way to my house without me.”

Disappointment crossed Elizabeth’s face, but only for a moment. Then she brightened up. “You are absolutely right. I’m very capable of taking care of myself.” The way she said it made it sound as if Nikki wasn’t capable of the same.

“Go with her, Lucas. I’m very tired. I really need to take a nap.”

“OK, but I’ll be back later to check on you. And we can talk some more about flower farms.”

Elizabeth moved closer to Lucas, a smug smile on her face. “Please stay. I can find my way.”

“Elizabeth is probably right. You need to get back to work and get busy with those interviews. Gotta strike while the iron is hot, as they say.”

A flicker of hurt grazed his expression, but he smiled. “I’ll be back later to check on you. You aren’t getting rid of me that easy.”

“It’s not necessary.”

“Necessary or not, I’ll be back.” He turned to Elizabeth. “Let’s go.”

“If you don’t mind, can you get your car and pick me up at the entryway of the hospital?” Elizabeth asked. “I’m so tired I don’t think it would be safe for me to drive. But I do want to talk with Nikki for a moment to make sure there’s nothing else we can do for her.”

“I can do that.” He left.

Elizabeth touched the flowers. “These are beautiful. I assume they’re from Lucas.”

Nikki nodded.

Elizabeth walked over to her bed. “Lucas is a stand-up guy and it’s obvious he’s feeling guilty about you getting shot. After all he’s been through with his wife and now this fiasco, I would hate to see him mistake guilt for”—She paused as if searching for the right words—“well, for something more than it is.”

Fiasco? Her getting shot was more than a fiasco. But she understood what Elizabeth was hinting at. “There is nothing between us.”

Elizabeth nodded. “How is it that the two of you were up at the cabin alone?” She fluffed a hand at Nikki. “Oh, never mind. Lucas’s love life is not my business. But I’d hate to see him hurt.”

“I don’t know anything about his love life. I think he has bigger issues at the moment. Like finding out who’s trying to killing him.”

“So true. So true. Just remember his real life is politics. His career means everything to him.” Elizabeth gave a small wave. “Tootles.”

After she’d gone, Nikki lay back down on the pillow. She was exhausted. Tears pushed against her eyelids. “This is ridiculous,” she mumbled as tears slid down her cheeks. Why was she even crying? She didn’t feel that way about Lucas. And Elizabeth was right—Lucas belonged in Washington, not on a flower farm.

Elizabeth was the perfect woman for Lucas. Sophisticated. Beautiful. Intelligent. That outfit she had on probably cost more than Nikki’s yearly clothing budget. Elizabeth traveled in his circles, understood politics, and it was obvious she cared about Lucas.

Nikki wiped away the tears dripping down her cheeks.

Elizabeth was the type of woman to help Lucas get to the White House.

How had this happened? When had this happened? She’d opened her heart to Lucas once again. But it was time to close it, put a lock on it. They could never have a future together.

The door opened, but Nikki kept her eyes closed, hoping they would go away.

“What’s wrong, Auntie?” Cassie’s voice was filled with concern.

Nikki opened her eyes and attempted a smile. “Nothing. Probably feeling the aftereffects of the anesthesia. They said some people get a little weepy.”

Cassie walked to her bedside and hugged her as best she could through the wires and tubes. “Of course that’s it. It couldn’t have anything to do with being shot. You don’t have to act that tough all the time, Auntie.”

Nikki patted Cassie with her good arm. “You’re right. Why are you back? It’s not time for school to be out yet.”

“My principal said it was OK for me to leave, so I did. Don’t get mad. I was worried about you.”

“That’s sweet.”

“That’s me.” Cassie grinned. “I met the senator’s assistant as I was coming in. You’d think the great man could come himself rather than send his assistant. Since you got shot because of him. How rude.”

Nikki pointed at the flowers. “He was here and it wasn’t his fault I got shot.”

“That’s a matter of opinion. So, do they know who shot you?”

“Not yet, but the FBI is investigating.”

“Well, it makes me really mad.” Cassie pulled the chair closer to her bed. She laid her head on the mattress near Nikki. “I was so scared.”

More tears leaked from Nikki’s eyes as she caressed her daugh—her niece’s hair. “I’m fine, Cassie. All’s well that ends well, as they say.”

Cassie sat back up. “I know, Auntie. But with the job you have, you might not be all right the next time. I don’t want that to happen.”

“It won’t. And besides, it wasn’t me they were aiming at. I just happen to be the one the bullet found.”

“See, it was his fault.”

The nurse opened the door. “Hey, your guard’s gone.”

“That’s because he wasn’t mine.”

“That makes sense. Time for a walk. Let’s get you up and moving.” She unplugged some of the wires. “OK, you can sit up.” Then she took the blood-pressure cuff off.

“It feels good to have that thing off.”

“Good news. You’ve graduated to only having it taken every few hours.”

“Lovely.”

“I thought you’d like that. Alrighty, you can stand up. Lean on my arm while you get up.”

Once Nikki was standing, the nurse turned to Cassie. “She’s all yours. She needs to at least walk down to the end of the hall and back. Gotta keep her moving. We don’t want her to get blood clots. They’re nasty little things.”

“Yes, ma’am. Let’s go, Auntie.”

Nikki held on to Cassie’s arm. “I don’t like feeling like an invalid.”

“Then stop getting shot.”

“I’ll remember that next time.”

“Next time? See, your job is too dangerous, and you know it.”

They walked down the hall, one slow step at a time.

“Hey, did you find anything out about that video?”

“I found the person who took it and he sent me the complete video. I didn’t see anyone with a gun. The camera must have been at the wrong angle.”

“Let’s stop a minute.” Nikki couldn’t believe she was winded already. She leaned against the wall. “Thanks for trying. Did you talk him into taking down the video?”

“Uh…not exactly.”

Oh well… After a moment, she straightened up.

They proceeded down the hall.

“I don’t understand why you want a job where people shoot you.”

“That’s a good question, my sweet niece.” A flower farm didn’t seem like such a bad idea at the moment.

“Maybe it’s time you change jobs.”

“Maybe it is. How’d you get so wise, young one?”

Cassie grinned. “Don’t know. Guess I was born that way.”

****

“That woman is in love with you,” Lucas’s mother whispered even though they were alone in the kitchen.

Elizabeth was upstairs getting settled in.

Lucas laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Mama. I admit she worries about me too much. But that’s a lot different than being in love with me. She’s a good friend. That’s all. She was a good friend to Victoria as well.”

“I’ll just bet she was. She came here as soon as she’d heard about the shooting. I call that more than a good friend.” His mother shook her head.

“I call it worry and a very good friend.”

“It’s been more than a year since Victoria died. It’s not too soon to be thinking about a new relationship. She might be the right woman.”

“Yeah, like you did after Dad died.”

“That’s different. I was an old lady when your daddy died, but you’re a young, healthy man who needs…well, let’s just say, companionship. And the truth is you could do worse than Elizabeth.”

“I’m not in the market for a wife.” But as he said those words, he knew that wasn’t exactly true. It would be nice to share his life with someone, but it wasn’t in the cards. He wouldn’t take that chance again, and besides, Nikki had his heart, as she always had. There was no substitute for her. “And if I were in the market, it wouldn’t be Elizabeth.”

“Then who would it be?” Those wise eyes of hers pierced through his skin, staring straight into his heart.

“Mama…don’t go there.”

“I’ve learned a few things in the many years I’ve been on this earth. And one of those is that we have a tendency to look at the past through rose-colored glasses. The reality was never as good as our memories.”

He shook his head. He couldn’t hide a thing from his mother. “Leave it alone, Mama.”

“I’m just saying.” His mother held up her hands in surrender. “When is Elizabeth leaving?”

“Tomorrow. She’s exhausted. Was it all right that I invited her to stay?”

“Of course. It’s your house too. Even if you do stay in the guesthouse. I don’t know why you won’t stay in the main house with me.”

“To remind myself that I’m an adult. Living with my mother at this age is shameful.”

She giggled. “It’s not shameful. It’s what a good son does. My monthly tea is on Saturday. I’m wondering if I should postpone it in light of the events of the past few days.”

“I don’t think it’s necessary. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, we can hire some private security.”

“I’ll let that up to you. Just thinking about such things gives me the heebie-jeebies.”

“Then have your tea party. I’ll make sure everyone is safe.”

“Maybe Elizabeth would like to stay a few more days so she can attend the tea.”

“Are you trying to be a matchmaker, Mama?”

“Absolutely not!” She winked. “Besides, I know better than to get involved in your love life. I learned my lesson.”

“Good.”

“Do you forgive me, Lucas?” Her eyes turned serious. “I know we were wrong to interfere. But you were so young and…Whatever our reasons, we shouldn’t have done what we did.”

“Forgive you for what, Mama?” He decided to take a page from Nikki’s playbook. “You did what you thought was best for me. Even if it wasn’t.” He leaned over and hugged her tightly.

Elizabeth walked into the room. “I can’t believe your house, Mrs. McMann. It’s simply lovely.”

“That’s very kind of you,” his mother said as they broke their embrace.

“I can’t believe it’s the first time I’ve been here.” She turned to Lucas. “Shame on you for not sharing this wonderful house with me.”

“It is wonderful and so full of history. It’s been in the McMann family since before the Civil War.” His mother sighed. “Of course, it’s not easy to keep a house that old up to par. But I do my best.”

“Mama, if the house is getting to be too much for you, let Suzie take it over,” Lucas said. “She’d love it. At your age, you shouldn’t be worrying about this monstrosity.”

“What should I be doing at my age?” There was a warning in her tone, but she said it with a smile.

“Anything you want, Mama. Anything you want.” He turned to Elizabeth. “Do you think that was the right answer?”

“I do indeed. Good save.”

“That’s why I’m a politician.”

“I just got off the phone with the Charlotte office of the FBI.”

“And that’s my cue to leave. This old gal is taking a nap. I’ve had a busy day.” She hugged Lucas and then turned to Elizabeth. “It’s so nice to have you here. I wish it were under better circumstances.” She left the room, as regal as ever.

“What did the FBI have to say?” Lucas turned to Elizabeth. “Have they found out who the shooters are?”

“Not yet, but they’re making progress, or so they claim. It didn’t sound like much to me. They didn’t find any fingerprints at your cabin, but they found some tire tracks. How that’ll help, I don’t know. But they claim it will.”

“We have to give them time to work.”

“I suppose, but I’d feel a lot better if they found them. Who knows if they’ll try again?”

“I’ve got an agent protecting me. Everything will be fine. It’s been a long day, Elizabeth. I need to get a little work done before I go back to the hospital to check on Nikki.”

“I’ll come with you. After all, I am your assistant.”

“I need to be alone.” Lucas walked to the guesthouse, hoping he hadn’t hurt Elizabeth’s feelings too much. It had been way beyond the call of duty to come, and he appreciated it. But he needed some time to himself—to think and to pray.

As soon as he was in the house, he picked up the Bible on the stand beside his chair. Nikki’s words had pierced him. How had she seen into his soul and found that dark, black space where all his ugliness lived? He remembered her words. She’d told him that she’d forgiven him and God had forgiven him but that he needed to forgive himself. When he’d heard her speak those words, he hadn’t reacted, but he’d known she was right. He’d been carrying guilt for so long, it had skewed his thinking. Somewhere along the way, he’d started believing he was responsible for everything. That he could control everything. But he couldn’t.

That was God’s job.

Lucas’s Bible opened in Philippians. He scanned through several chapters and then he saw it.

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”

He read the verse again and again. He’d spent his life doing just the opposite. Always looking to the past. Never looking to the future. And certainly not enjoying the present. He’d been blessed with so much, and he’d never taken the time to enjoy it. All he’d ever done was follow the path his father had set for him. He moved to another verse in the Gospel of John.

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Tears welled up. Jesus had freed him, but he hadn’t left the jail cell. Instead, he’d kept closing the door, refusing to step out into the freedom. He didn’t have to live in his self-imposed prison.

God wanted him to have a future.

And it could be the future Lucas wanted. Not the one his father planned for him. A future without politics? A future where he didn’t worry about the public’s reaction. A future filled with love and laughter. Hard to imagine. But it was something to think about.

His cell phone rang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It was a special ring reserved for only one person. He hit the button. “Hello, Mr. President.”