15

Lainie counted Reece’s invitation to meet at the Dallas Arboretum a good sign. Beyond providing the requisite privacy they needed, the botanical showplace was known as one of the most romantic places in the Dallas area—and it was the venue they’d booked for the wedding ceremony in December, with fireworks over the lake and everything.

Only last week, she’d thought Reece’s silence signaled the wedding was off. But then the text had come, asking how she was doing. He missed her and needed to see her.

She’d obviously miscalculated Reece’s intentions and allowed herself to become insecure, a state fairly foreign to Lainie. But the situation with her father had left everyone in the family unsteady. She was no exception.

Even at this early morning hour, the gardens were filled with visitors strolling walkways lined with carpets of pink and white impatiens, some posing for photos beneath pergolas dripping with soft lavender wisteria.

Lainie wore a tight-fitted blue sundress, meant to ensure Reece was really glad to see her. Before they parted today, she planned on doing everything in her female power to make sure her fiancé never again left her wondering where they stood, no matter what the polls and advisors dictated.

She made her way past the DeGolyer House and through Magnolia Alley, heading in the direction of the concert stage. As she walked, she considered how the air carried a hint of rose, promising the knockouts would soon be in bloom.

Then she saw him.

Reece sat on a bench, looking out at a sailboat skittering along the shoreline of White Rock Lake, his back to her. Lainie paused for several seconds, surprised at how dry her mouth had become. He turned and spotted her then. His face broke into a smile and he waved her over.

“Hey, Lainie.” Reece stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace. The smell of his aftershave made her ache. She’d missed him terribly and whispered in his ear telling him so.

“I missed you too.” He took her hand and guided her to the seat beside him. “And I’m sorry about . . . everything.” Reece glanced around before slipping his Ray-Bans in place. “How’s your mom?”

Lainie caught him up, told him about the upcoming hearing. Her parents seemed to be doing all right. They’d been in frequent meetings with Ranger and his firm, planning the turnover of assets to the receiver.

She didn’t tell him she’d gone for a glass of milk in the middle of the night and heard her mother crying. Or that she’d pretended not to hear and slipped quietly back to her own room because she didn’t know what to say.

She also skipped over Garrett and Marcy’s surprise baby news, and that they’d picked up and moved to Houston to avoid what she also wished to escape.

Instead, Lainie tried to remain upbeat until finally she forced herself to ask, “So, how’s the campaign?” She swallowed back nerves, waiting to hear whether he was really still down six points like the media reported.

“Slowly climbing back,” he responded.

Relieved, Lainie searched his expression. “That’s good. Right?”

Reece nodded. He looked out over the water. “Yeah, the numbers are up. But funding is down.”

“Look, Reece. I know this situation is bad. Believe me, I know.” Lainie touched his elbow. “But you love me. We’re going to be married. By the time the election rolls around, all this will have settled down in voters’ minds. Many news cycles will have come and gone, and Daddy’s business dealings will be ancient history.”

“You’re wrong about that, Lainie. Politics creates long memories. The fact your father bilked thousands of people will be used over and over by our opponents.” Reece stood and ran his hand across the back of his neck. “How can I debate educational reform when facing the fact my future father-in-law single-handedly robbed hundreds of people of college funds?” He turned, his voice rising. “Think of how I’m going to possibly counter accusations that a mass of Texans now have zilch in their retirement accounts because of what your dad did.”

“Yes, but—all that will resolve in time. Many candidates have weathered worse. At least you don’t have a mistress and a hidden baby somewhere.” She laughed, trying to lighten the tension.

“No, I don’t have a hidden love child somewhere.” Reece’s tone grew sarcastic. “But you need a reality check. Your father is a crook.”

Lainie tempered her response, though she felt a flash of fury. “I’m perfectly aware of what my father did and how the consequences of his actions ripple.” Despite her desire to remain calm, she stood and pointed her finger in his direction. “I drove here in a Toyota, for goodness’ sake. Because heaven forbid how it might look if I zoomed into the parking lot in my Maserati.” She huffed. “Less than two weeks ago, I ordered a wedding gown my mother now tells me we can’t pay for. We’ve had to let our staff go, all our stable hands, the landscapers, my massage therapist—they’re all gone. Margarita and Henry are the only ones left.” Lainie flung her arms wide. “I’m plenty in touch with reality.”

With shaking hands, Lainie straightened her dress, already sorry for her outburst. Reece was attracted to strength. Not an angry woman who loaded up her mouth and shot rounds of anger in the not-O.K. Corral. Besides, her fight wasn’t with Reece. She loved him and knew his concerns were more than valid. “Reece, I’m sorry. I know none of this is good.”

“Look, Lainie—”

She held up her hand. “No, stop.” Lainie bit her quivering lip.

Reece’s eyes saddened and he rubbed his chin. “Lainie, please don’t make what I have to say any harder.”

Lainie blinked to clear hot tears forming at the backs of her lids. “I’ll make it easy. You don’t have to say it.” She quietly slipped the ring off and set her cherished trophy on the seat between them.

Across the lawn, a woman sitting cross-legged on a blanket dipped a tiny plastic wand into a bright blue bottle, raised the wand to her lips, and blew. Her toddler giggled and chased the blast of soap bubbles. Each time he reached for a bubble, it popped.

Lainie slowly lifted her purse from the bench, knowing her own dreams had burst. She’d never stand before this man in a white gown. There’d be no fireworks over a crowd of well-wishers. No White House in her future.

Lainie wasn’t the kind of girl who would beg or cajole, or the type who might manipulate with guilt. Her approach was much more direct. She simply bulleted a steely look into her former fiancé’s eyes. “You’ve made a huge mistake.” She stood and headed in the direction of the parking lot.

Alaina Claire Massey never once looked back.