A Political Affair (34 page)

“What will you say?” Anne asked with some trepidation.
 

“Oh, something like, ‘Yesterday morning, I was proud to perform the marriage of a longtime friend. In the afternoon, I went fishin’.’ ”

Everyone laughed at the Judge’s statement, and Grayson snickered. “Mine will be similar. ‘I was happy to stand up for a Senate colleague and family friend. If you want to know about the dress or the flowers, ask Laura.’ ”

While they all chuckled, Anne turned to Laura and smiled. “And what will you say?”

“I’ll bore them to death with every last detail of your dress, hair, flowers, and rings.” She winked and leaned closer to Anne. “And if Phillip lets me, I might leak a photo.”

Stephen twisted his mouth, hating to bring up something so depressing at a happy time. He looked at Anne apologetically. “And what if someone suggests it’s a shotgun wedding?”

Anne shrugged. “Isn’t that guaranteed?” She made light of it, though she dreaded the ordeal.

“Pshaw,” said the Judge with a wave of his hand. “I’m a judge in West Virginia. I’ve been to plenty of shotgun weddings. I’ve officiated shotgun weddings. I know a shotgun wedding when I see one, and this wasn’t a shotgun wedding. Don’t you think that’s right, Grayson?”

“Of course.” Grayson laughed. “I’d comment and say ‘despite the Second Amendment rights of the father of the bride, there was no need for firearms at the ceremony.’ ”

After brunch, Judge Clements left for his house with his Bible and dog, while Laura ordered Grayson to help her with the dishes. Anne and Stephen used the time to square away with Phillip the following day’s announcement of their wedding to their families. When everything was taken care of, the newly married couple bid their guests farewell.

As soon as they were out of sight, Stephen lifted Anne off the ground and spun her around. “You’re my wife, we’re alone, and for the rest of our lives, we don’t have to hide anymore!”

“I know!” She kissed him hard. The kiss and his gleeful expression made her gasp and she asked, “Why didn’t we do this sooner?”

“Oh God. Don’t you dare revise history here. I had this idea a long time ago.”

“But I came up with it at a better time.”
 

“My smartass.” He put her down and kissed her joyfully. As his hands wandered up her bare back, he touched the tendrils of her hair, damp from the heat. “Maybe we should go for a swim. You haven’t been to the swimming hole yet.”

“Sure. Let me get my suit.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary today,” he countered, waggling his eyebrows.

“Are you sure?” She was still surprised by their newfound freedom.

“Definitely.”

A partially dammed creek created a small pond with clear water, and a dock jutted out, providing both a patio and diving platform. When they arrived at the dock, Stephen unbuttoned his shirt while Anne found a place to lay her dress.
 

Just as she reached to undo her halter, Stephen rushed to her side. “No. Not a chance. That’s my job.” After he unfastened the dress, she turned around and smiled, holding the top to her chest. He lowered the dress so she could step out of it, and his grin grew. She was completely nude, save for lacy blue panties. “Oh, my naughty bride.”

“I was supposed to wear something blue.” She smirked, happy that her plan worked.

His hands ghosted over her breasts, hips, and finally the blue silk. “Rather than skinny-dipping, maybe we should get on with our marriage.”

She laughed and took his hand. “I think that’s a great idea.”
 

Chapter 25

The following morning, Anne and Stephen were giddy as they sped across Interstate 66 through northern Virginia, nearing Washington, D.C. It wasn’t simply the speed of sixty-five miles per hour which gave them a rush—it was also the experience of being out publicly as a couple, albeit in a car at a high speed.
 

   
A few times that morning, Stephen checked his messages. He smiled as he ignored Megan and Patty’s annoyed pleas demanding his location. When his cell rang and he saw it was Helen, he grimaced.
 

“It’s Helen. I think I should take it. Are you okay with me taking the call?” he asked Anne.

“It’s fine,” she grumbled and looked out the window.

“I’ll keep it on speaker.” He smiled and answered, “Good morning, Helen. How are you? I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you yesterday.”

“I’m good,” she answered in a silky voice. “Although things always get better when I talk with you.”

Anne sneered at the phone, and he shook his head apologetically. He warned Helen, “I’ve got you on speaker because I’m driving . . . with my family.”
 

He winked at Anne’s grin, while Helen’s voice huffed, “Please pull over and take me off speaker. I need to talk with you about my border security amendment on the appropriations bill.”

“Okay. Just a second.” He muted the phone. “She actually does want to talk work. She’s been trying to get me to vote for this stupid thing for a while now. The vote is on Wednesday, and I need to get her off my back. There’s an exit coming up. I’ll make the call quick.”

Anne nodded, and he exited the highway. In a gas station parking lot, he answered again. “I’m sorry, but my position hasn’t changed. I can’t vote for that amendment.”

“This is important to me. It was a campaign promise. I’m not sure when I can sneak it in again.”

“But you’re not up again for two years. You’ve got plenty of time.”

“Stephen, I’m counting on you for this one. I need your vote.” Her sharp plea sounded more like a demand.

“No.” He’d lost his patience with her relentlessness. “There’s no way I’m taking money away from airports, which actually have real national security threats, to fund crazy Idaho militias.”

Anne suppressed a giggle and gave him a nod of approval.
 

Over the speaker, Helen snapped, “Those are patriotic Americans who want to keep this country safe from terrorists and illegal immigrants. They’re some of my most devoted constituents. I won’t have you talking about them like that. Take it back, now.”

“No. It’s the truth.” He smiled at Anne, but he soon thought better of his harsh words to Helen. Needing to make some amends, his tone softened. “Come on, Helen. I accept it when you can’t support my bills. Please do the same for me.”

“This is different.”

“No, it’s not.”

Helen didn’t reply for a moment, and when she did, her voice was stern and cold. “I’m not used to being told no, and I’m tired of hearing it from you. Do I have to remind you that you are in no position to reject a request from me?”

“Do I have to remind you that you’re in no position to
ever
threaten me?” His eyes opened wide in anger.

“Oh, really? Who has more to lose?”

Catching a glimpse of his wedding ring, he smiled at Anne. “At this point
 . . .
I think you do.”

“What does that mean?”

“Just speculating.” He lowered his voice in warning. “You’re playing a dangerous game here. Drop it.”

“Huh. I’ll think about it.” Her line clicked as she ended the call.

“Is she going to be a problem?” Anne asked and winced.

“Not any more than usual . . . if she knows what’s good for her.” He squeezed her hand and rubbed his thumb over her wedding band, a constant reminder of his newfound comfort in the world. Without saying another word, he tapped on his phone a few times and rang his mother’s line.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hello, Stephen. Are you home from your fishing trip with Grayson yet?”

“Almost. I need you to call a family meeting at the house in an hour, and please tell Megan to get Greg there, too. It’s important.”

“So are you going to make an announcement?”
 

Stephen heard the grin in his mother’s voice in anticipation of an engagement. “Yes. Anne and I have something to tell everyone.”

“I can’t wait!” Her gleeful tone was one Stephen hadn’t heard from his mother in years. “I’ll go do it right now. Oh, and tell Anne good-bye.”

Anne smiled at all-knowing Lillian. “Good-bye, Lillian.”
 

In less than an hour, Stephen and Anne entered the house hand in hand. High from anticipation, Anne smiled with nervous delight. Her smile vanished when she saw a stern Patty heading straight toward them, with Lillian following behind.

Before any morning greetings, Patty accosted him in the foyer. “Why haven’t you returned my calls? Why is there a new woman’s saddle in the garage? And above all, why did the two of you pull up together in the same car? What the
fuck
is going on?”

Lillian placed her hands on her hotheaded daughter’s shoulders. “Now, Patty, calm down. Let’s all sit in the living room before you interrogate your brother. I’m sure he’ll answer all of our questions.”

Stephen smirked at his sister. “That, I will.” He whispered in Anne’s ear. “Patty ruined the surprise, but the saddle is your wedding present.”

“Really?” Anne exclaimed, her eyes big with disbelief.

He pressed his finger to her lips. “Shush for now. This isn’t how we wanted to tell them we got married.”

The entire family plus Greg assembled on the sofas and chairs. Before Stephen said a word, Megan spotted the diamond on Anne’s hand. She gasped out loud and turned to look at Stephen’s left hand. “Oh my God. You’re married!”

The reactions around the room varied.

Greg appeared genuinely happy for Stephen and Anne. “Wow. This changes everything—and in a good way, I think.”

Megan took her hand off her big, pregnant belly and placed it on Marco’s leg. She looked him in the eye and rested her head on his shoulder. “I feel sick.”

Marco clenched his wife’s hand, and his smiled widened at his brother-in-law and new sister-in-law. “Well, hot damn. Congratulations.” He kissed his wife’s hair and said softly, “I think it’s a good thing. They didn’t have any good options. Why not take the one which makes them happiest?”

“Please, don’t get me wrong,” Megan said and smiled. “I
am
happy for you two—really, I am. It’s just a surprise, and the press will be crazy.”

Almost jumping out of her seat with glee, Lillian’s hands fluttered around her face. “I’m so happy! I’m so proud of you two. It reminds me of Patrick’s and my wedding. I want to hear all about it. Oh, I can’t wait to see the pictures!” Her voice lowered in reproach. “You do have pictures, don’t you?”

Stephen nodded. “Of course, Mom. Phillip took them.” He turned to Patty, who’d been uncharacteristically quiet.

“What the fuck?” She said with her eyes ablaze. “You went off and eloped? I swear to God, you’re trying to lose this race.”

“Now Patty, that is no way to speak to your brother and your new sister-in-law.” Lillian shook her head. “I will not have it. Even your father would put aside politics at this moment.”

Chastened, Patty hung her head down and mumbled, “Congratulations, but I have to think about this.” She rubbed her temples in silence.
 

In the meantime, Marco went to the bar to grab a bottle of champagne. As he handed out the crystal flutes, the room erupted in hugs and cheers and questions asking how they had pulled it off. Everyone admired the rings, but they were far more impressed with the wedding story. While the impromptu party swirled around her, Patty continued to press her fingers into her forehead.

Marco was the one to confirm what no one yet had asked. “So you’re going public, correct?”

Anne and Stephen smiled at one another. “Of course. As soon as possible.”

“It’s going to be one hell of a news day.” Megan giggled. “And I’ll love it.”

After Anne and Stephen told all the details of their wedding tale, Patty piped up with a grin. “Okay. I’ve thought things through. I’m fine with it. This might even work. Congratulations.”

“Don’t knock yourself out there, sis.” Stephen laughed.

“Don’t worry. I won’t. We’ve got to get on this. I don’t know if a politician has ever tried to avert a sex scandal by eloping.”

“I wouldn’t refer to my marriage to Anne as my ‘trying to avert a sex scandal.’ ”

A pang hit Anne in the gut. She gave him an uneasy look and shrugged. “I think that’s what people will call it. Patty’s right.”

“Thanks, Anne.” Patty smiled and turned to her brother. She was smug. “I’ve always liked your wife. She’s smart.”

Megan interrupted the squabble. “Can we talk about the announcement strategy?”

“Well, I’d like to tell my parents first, of course, and in person, if at all possible,” said Anne.

Lillian smiled. “Lovely, then I’ll place a call to them afterward. I’ll tell them the truth—Patrick would have been proud to have you as a daughter-in-law.”

“Good move on both parts,” Patty commented. “We need your dad standing beside you and Stephen at the press conference.”

Anne sucked in a sharp breath. “Um. My mom and brother
may
be there. But I have no idea how we’ll get my dad there. He may think it’s a campaign stunt.”

“That’s understandable.” Stephen nodded. “I don’t want to pressure your family to do something they’re uncomfortable with.”

She cringed as she thought of the awkward position she’d put her parents in, especially her father. She’d tried not to think about it over the last week, concentrating instead on her own happiness. Now she faced the political fallout of her marriage. Whether it was at a press conference or some later date, her father was guaranteed to be asked about his son-in-law. Would he buck his party and endorse Stephen over Langford? She was certain he wouldn’t take sides, though she wondered how he’d convey his continued party loyalty, despite his daughter’s choice of husbands. She had an idea which could make it easier for everyone.