ELECTION NIGHT
Leta stepped into the ballroom at the Driskill Hotel, feeling buoyed by the high energy and party atmosphere. She’d never attended an election night gala, and certainly never been in the spotlight of all these flashing cameras.
She smiled brightly and followed Porter and Vera to the dais, taking care not to stumble in her heels as she moved up the steps leading to the platform. She took her place under a large arch of red, white, and blue helium balloons and looked out over the enthusiastic crowd.
Katie waved wildly from the floor, as did Bart. Her neighbor Ben Kimey was there too, looking a bit out of place. She greeted him with a little wave. He grinned and smiled back.
Over near the bank of television cameras, she spotted Mike from the store.
On the other side of the room, Edith Styles and Penny Murdock stood chatting. Lucy spotted her and waved.
If able, her mother would’ve been here as well, beaming with pride. For now, she remained with the Wyatts under the care of their private nurse. She was safe, and happy.
All their friends were gathered, along with a crowd of people she didn’t know but who had supported Nathan and were here tonight to celebrate his win.
This was Nate’s big night. One well deserved. She couldn’t be more proud.
To the right of the stage, a media crew filmed their star reporter—one Leta recognized had been in the group who accosted her at the Pecan Street Festival all those weeks ago, back when she couldn’t have imagined this moment.
Three, two, one. The cameraman motioned with his finger, and the reporter instantly pasted on a wide smile.
“Good evening, everyone. Tonight we’re broadcasting from the Driskill Hotel where, in just moments, Nathan Emerson will take the stage behind me and give his acceptance speech. As you know, the road to victory took an unusual path when his opponent, Governor Holiday, was arrested, along with his wife, Amanda Joy Holiday, and many of their key campaign personnel and associates, for an elaborate scheme of illegal real estate deals that involved unauthorized use of state funds—proving the old adage, ‘In politics, truth can be stranger than fiction.’”
Suddenly, music drowned out the reporter’s voice as the band at the back of the ballroom began playing Nate’s campaign theme song. The entire crowd swayed to the tune and not only mouthed the words to “Deep in the Heart of Texas” but clap-clap-clapped in unison.
At the side of the dais, a commotion drew Leta’s attention. Then she saw him—Nate.
She knew more than most anyone in the room about this man. How he talked and laughed and what he drank in his coffee. She knew what he stood for, and it made her proud.
Her heart fluttered as she watched him shake hands with a small crowd milling around at the base of the steps.
The enthusiasm in the room swelled to towering proportions as the man she loved took the stage, waving.
He stepped to the podium, and applause exploded across the ballroom.
Nate held up his palms to quiet the crowd. “Thank you! Thank you, everyone. And thank you for being here. Tonight the voters of Texas have spoken—and I am honored to serve as your next governor!”
The crowd cheered and applauded.
Nate cleared his throat and continued. “There is no higher calling than service. Across this room tonight, we have nurses, law enforcement officials, teachers, and waitresses who all know that to be true.
“This has been a lengthy race, a long way to the finish line, and I am proud of the contest my campaign has run—a journey made with integrity and heart. We kept our focus—kept the faith that if we did the right thing, this election would turn out in our favor.
“We extend sincere respect and appreciation to my opponent, Kyle Jackson, who stepped up and entered the race during the last lap. He did a fine job, and I wish him and his wife and family all the best.”
Leta knew many politicians would take this opportunity to throw mud at Holiday and highlight his downfall. Nate didn’t. He was far too classy for that.
“I’d also like to acknowledge a few key people up on the stage with me tonight. My mother, Vera Emerson Wyatt, and my stepfather, Porter Wyatt.” He turned to them. “You have my utmost love and respect. Without you, none of this would be possible.” Nate looked back over the crowd. “And I’d like to mention a man who went before, a man who first introduced me to the notion of serving in public office. My father, Senator Robert Nathaniel Emerson.” Nate gazed upward. “I hope I’ve made you proud, Dad.”
In a rare show of public emotion, Vera wiped her misty eyes.
Leta reached for her hand and squeezed.
Nate expressed to the crowd how hard his campaign team had worked, led by the fabulous efforts of Janesa Morgan. How no team had worked more diligently and with more integrity.
“And last but certainly not least, I want to express my deep respect and love for the woman standing next to me on this stage, Leta Breckenridge. Her tenacious spirit and never-ending quest for truth changed history and secured my ability to stand before you tonight as your new governor.”
He motioned her forward and slipped his arm tightly around her waist.
“And now, if you will all indulge me . . .”
He led her out from behind the podium and slid down on one knee.
She looked down with utter amazement. “What are you doing?” she mouthed.
The crowd went crazy wild. Applause and pandemonium broke out across the room.
Nate simply grinned and held up his hand until they quieted.
Her heart nearly pounded out of her chest as he cleared his throat. “Leta Breckenridge, would you do me the honor of becoming my first lady?”
Her eyes widened and tears flooded, making it hard to see his hopeful expression. She nodded. “Yes—yes!”
He pulled a ring from his pants pocket and slipped it on her finger. “Did you hear that, everyone? She said yes!” He rose to his feet and scooped her into his arms. “I love you,” he whispered against her ear.
“I—I love you too!”
He turned back to the podium and leaned into the microphone. “Again, thank you for coming out tonight. I promise I will work every day to serve you!”
He grabbed Leta’s hand and his mother’s and lifted their arms in a victory pose. Music blared and confetti dropped from the ceiling. Cameras flashed, nearly blinding her.
Leta savored the moment, feeling a little shell-shocked. As if the reality of what had just happened hadn’t quite set in.
Still, she couldn’t help but recognize something very poignant.
Even though life could sometimes be hard, with unexpected twists and turns, life could also be very good. In the midst of the pain of her mother’s decline, of coming face-to-face with others’ evil actions, she’d been granted what matters most in life—someone to love.
In what seemed like a flash, a struggling, uneducated nobody who had sacrificed her dreams to do what was right was now poised to become the next first lady of Texas—a princess at the ball on the arm of her prince, a man of immense integrity who delighted in serving others.
While it was unclear what her future would look like exactly, she knew she’d return to school and graduate. Perhaps she could even follow in the footsteps of Lady Bird Johnson and use her role as first lady to influence environmental and landscape management issues for their state.
She and Nate had waited a long time to hear it, but the victory music was finally playing.
The grueling campaign was over.
It was time for them to dance.