Rough Drafts (By Design Book 4), page 6
That indiscretion had been forgiven almost immediately, at least by Candace. Some years later, Jeffrey would confront Jessica Stein in much the same manner. Jessica was out at a restaurant in Washington. Jeffrey happened to walk in and see her with another woman. Jessica feigned innocence. Jeffrey had seen enough at a distance to understand that it was not a simple business meeting. He strolled up to her, said hello and then pulled her aside. His words of warning were harsh. She, of course, took the altercation to Candace, who in turn chastised Jeffrey for his behavior. It left Jeffrey angry and embarrassed. They had, of course, seen each other since. Jeffrey had kept his distance. Perhaps he had overstepped his bounds. He adored Candace. She had always protected him. He had only ever wanted to do the same. She’d even secured him his position at the State Department. She insisted he had earned it on his own merits. Jeffrey moved up the ladder quickly. That required advocates. There were few better advocates to have than Candace Fletcher.
“I don’t know,” he said quietly.
Pearl frowned. “Jeff,” she said. “You have to give Jameson a chance. Just don’t throw any punches,” she laughed. “Trust me on this one, Jameson Reid would die before she would let a soul hurt Candy, or me for that matter.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Of course, I am.”
***
“Are you going to tell her?” Jonah asked his mother.
Candace folded her arms across her chest and regarded her son for a moment silently. “I can. I think maybe you should tell her yourself.”
Jonah went pale. “Grandma Pearl…”
“Will want to know what on earth you two are talking about,” Pearl’s voice boomed from the doorway.
Candace raised a brow at her son. “Nothing, Grandma,” Jonah moved his chair aside and made his way to the older woman.
“You think because I am old, I am senile?” she asked him. Candace snickered in the distance.
“No!” Jonah defended himself. Just as he was about to continue, another figure appeared in the doorway.
Candace smiled at the tall, attractive man who was looking at her hesitantly. “Hi, Jeffy.”
“Hey, Candy,” he greeted her. They shared a silent glance before Jeffrey shifted his attention to Jonah. “Jesus, you look like your Mom!” he said to the younger man. “Only younger and male.”
“Thanks, I think,” Jonah laughed.
“Hey, I think I managed to fix the leak in the old,” Jameson was carrying on excitedly as she entered the back door and hung up her coat. “Barn,” she finished.
“Jameson,” Pearl said. “You are filthy. What the hell are you doing outside in this cold?”
Candace rolled her eyes and looked at her wife to answer. “Fixing the leak in the barn.”
“In February? I seem to see your wife here, don’t you have better projects to get your hands on?” Pearl teased. “Warmer ones?” Candace covered her mouth to hide her chuckle as Jameson blushed furiously.
Jonah snickered. “What’s so funny?” Jameson asked him.
“Nothing,” he said with a raise of his hands. “Just wondering what you were repairing at about eleven-thirty last night,” Jonah smirked.
Jameson’s mouth flew open. Candace closed it with her hand. “Jameson,” she said. “This is Pearl’s son, Jeffrey.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jameson said. She went to extend her hand and withdrew it when she noticed how filthy it actually was. “Sorry,” she wrinkled her nose.
Jeffrey was intrigued. “No need for apologies. Nice to finally meet you, Jameson.”
“J.D.,” Jameson said.
“I’m sorry?” Jeffrey was confused.
“Everyone calls me J.D. except your mom and Candace. I don’t what their problem is.”
“It’s your name, isn’t it?” Candace said.
Jameson rolled her eyes. “That or lunatic,” she answered smartly. Candace threw a dish towel at her. “Hey! I get the hint,” Jameson said. “If you’ll excuse me, I think Nana here is telling me I need to get cleaned up.”
Candace shook her head affectionately as Jameson placed a kiss on her cheek. “Lunatic.”
“That makes you Mrs. Lunatic,” Jameson called back.
“We all have our crosses to bear!” Candace called after her. Jameson waved her off just as Jinx made his presence known. “And, where have you been?” Candace asked the cat at her feet.
“What is that?” Jeffrey asked.
“Oh, that’s Jinx,” Jonah answered.
Jeffrey was dumbfounded and looked at his mother to explain. “Candy got a cat?”
“No, Jameson made a deal with Candy. Candy got out-negotiated,” Pearl explained.
Jeffrey watched Candace pick Jinx up, cuddle him and place him back on the floor. “You hate cats,” he said in utter disbelief.
Candace shrugged. “Like I said, we all have our crosses to bear.”
“So?” Pearl chimed. She made her way to the kitchen table and plopped in a chair. “What were you two discussing about me when I so rudely interrupted?”
“Uh…” Jonah stammered.
“Jonah has some news,” Candace said.
“Oh? Is this coffee or wine kind of news?” Pearl asked. Jonah went pale. Pearl raised her eyes to Candace’s. Candace smiled and gave the signature raise of her brow. “I see,” Pearl said. “Did you get arrested?”
“What? No!” Jonah said.
“Okay. Did you crash that nice car your mother bought you?” Pearl asked.
“No…”
“Flunk out of school?”
“No!”
“Hum. Well, you didn’t elope because I don’t see any girl here,” Pearl paused. “Told your mother you’re gay?”
Jonah started laughing. “I’m not gay, Grandma.”
“Joined the CIA like this one here,” she pointed to Jeffrey, who was now sitting beside her.
“I am not in the CIA, Mom,” Jeffrey laughed.
“No,” Jonah chuckled.
“Well, that leaves two possibilities. Either you are in love or somebody’s pregnant,” Pearl said. Jonah’s look of astonishment made Candace chuckle. “Well? How’d I do? Wait…Tell me it’s both.”
“Well…I mean…How could you…” Jonah tried to speak, but he was at a loss.
“Is she pretty?” Pearl asked. She looked up at Candace.
“Don’t ask me,” Candace said. “I haven’t even seen a picture of the mystery girl yet.”
“Yes, Grandma,” Jonah answered.
“Smart?”
“Yes. She’s in her senior year at Cal,” he said. “She’s a political science major.”
“Imagine that,” Pearl said with a knowing grin as she looked back at Candace. She returned her focus to Jonah. “Should be an interesting kid, then, I would think,” she said. “So? When do we get to meet her?” Pearl asked the million dollar question.
Jonah shifted uncomfortably. “I’m not sure. I want you to. I know Laura wants to meet you. I just…”
Jameson entered the kitchen as Jonah began to stammer again. “I’m sure we will meet her soon enough,” Jameson said assuredly. Jonah looked at her gratefully.
“Jameson, look at that, you and Candy are going to be grandparents—again,” Pearl started laughing.
“Laugh it up,” Jameson said.
“Next thing you know, you’ll be telling us you two are expecting,” Pearl laughed harder.
Jameson shrugged. “If you can find a way to get Candace pregnant, I’m all for it.”
“Excuse me?” Candace piped up.
“What?” Jameson smirked. “I’ve tried,” she said. Candace’s eyes widened.
“Are they always like this?” Jeffrey whispered to Jonah.
Jonah nodded. “Pretty much.”
“That is you mother?” Jeffrey asked.
“Yep,” Jonah replied. “Crazy, huh?”
“What are you two whispering about?” Candace asked suspiciously.
“Nothing,” they both answered.
“Uh-huh. Good. You two can go out and get some wood for the woodstove and the fireplace while Pearl and I think about dinner,” Candace said.
“That means they are going to drink wine and talk about us,” Jeffrey told Jonah.
“I know,” Jonah laughed.
“What about me?” Jameson asked.
“You’ve caused enough trouble for one day,” Candace said.
“What are you sending me to my room?” Jameson asked.
“Don’t push it. I might,” Candace answered. Jameson’s eyes twinkled. “Alone,” Candace said firmly. Jameson’s mouth flew open.
“Come on,” Jonah grabbed Jameson’s arm. “It’s safer outside. Trust me.”
Jameson stopped in front of Candace. “You’re not really mad at me, are you?” she whispered.
Candace tried to glare. She saw the forlorn look in Jameson’s eyes and kissed her wife on the cheek. “Go keep those two in line,” she said. Jameson nodded and headed out the door.
“Just don’t tell me Shell is knocked up,” Pearl said.
Candace snorted. “At this point? Nothing would surprise me.”
“Kind of changed your weekend plans. How is Jameson doing?” Pearl asked.
Candace sighed. “Right now? I think Jonah’s news gave her a diversion. Come Monday when she has to go back and face Scott? I don’t know, Pearl.”
“What about you?” Pearl asked. “You and I both know all of this is going to play out publicly.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ll deal with it.”
“Mm. You’d better reel in Marianne before she guts that young girl of Jonah’s,” Pearl sniggered.
“Oh, Jesus! Maybe you should call her,” Candy suggested.
“She’s your kid,” Pearl reminded Candace.
“Speaking of kids, Jeffrey seemed a little…”
“Nervous? He is. Still worries about you,” Pearl said.
Candace glanced out the window. Jameson was leading Jeffrey and Jonah toward the barn. “I know he does. I really should make more of an effort to keep in touch.”
Pearl nodded. “You think Jonah will be all right?” she asked Candace.
Candace let out a heavy sigh. “I hope so. I have to say, that was about the last thing I expected to hear.”
“Think there is something he’s not telling you?” Pearl guessed.
Candace turned to Pearl and nodded. “I’m sure of it.”
***
The weekend passed much more quickly than Jameson would have liked. Jameson was due in Ithaca at noon. Jonah had asked if he could accompany her. Jameson reluctantly agreed. “So, Scott is your cousin?” Jonah asked.
“Yep.”
“You guys aren’t close?”
“We were,” Jameson said.
Jonah watched Jameson’s brow knit in tension as they pulled into the parking lot. “J.D.?”
Jameson turned and offered Jonah a half-hearted smile. “Come on,” she said.
Jonah followed Jameson through the doors of the clinic. They rounded a corner and Jameson’s pace slowed. Jonah noticed that Jameson’s hand was trembling slightly. “J.D.? You okay?”
Jameson nodded. “Come on.” She took a deep breath and made her way a few short paces down the corridor. “Scott?”
Scott turned and smiled. “J.D.,” he greeted her. “Who’s this?” he asked.
Jameson looked at Jonah. “This?” she asked. Scott nodded. “This is Jonah…my…my step-son,” she smiled.
Scott extended his hand and Jonah accepted it. “Nice to meet you, Jonah.”
“You too,” Jonah said. He leaned in and whispered in Jameson’s ear. “How painful was that?”
Jameson laughed and elbowed him in the ribs. “It’ll be a lot more painful for you if you’re not careful.”
Jonah followed Jameson for the next hour as she took detailed notes and made rough sketches. They passed Scott a few more times and Jonah noticed that each time, Jameson would become quiet. He was enjoying watching Jameson work and was curious about what she was looking at. Jameson made no more mention of Scott. That was until she and Jonah were headed out the door and Scott caught them.
“You headed home?” Scott asked Jameson.
“Yeah. I have to drive to Albany tomorrow morning to take Jonah to the airport.”
“Have time for dinner?” Scott asked hopefully.
Jameson managed a small grin. “We’re actually headed to my parents’ house for dinner,” she explained. Scott nodded his understanding. Jonah looked at Jameson curiously. Jameson sighed. “I’m sure Mom would be happy to have you join us,” Jameson said. “You are her nephew,” Jameson continued.
“I don’t want to impose,” Scott answered.
Jameson took a deep breath. Candace’s words were ringing in her ears. She needed to talk to Scott. She simply didn’t know how. Maybe Jonah and her parents would be enough of a buffer for her to begin to find a way. “You wouldn’t be,” she said honestly. “Just stop over. You know Mom will be happy to see you.”
“Are you sure?” Scott asked. “I’m sure that Jonah is…”
“It’s cool with me,” Jonah chimed.
“Okay. What time?” Scott asked.
“You know my mom,” Jameson said. “Just come whenever. You never needed an invitation before,” she pointed out.
“Yeah. I remember,” Scott said softly.
Jameson sighed. “Whenever,” Jameson repeated. “I’ll let her know.” Scott nodded and watched Jameson and Jonah leave.
Jameson rubbed her eyes and shook her head as she walked out of the building. Jonah grabbed her arm. “J.D.? Are you okay?” he asked. “It’s none of my business, but you just seem…”
Jameson looked at Jonah. “It’s a long story,” she said.
“I don’t leave until tomorrow,” Jonah reminded her.
Jameson nodded and sighed. Jonah’s offer was sincere. “How about we grab a beer before we hit my mom’s?”
Jonah smiled. “Hey, at least you aren’t telling your parents you are about to become a parent yourself.”
“True,” Jameson laughed. “Beer?”
“Beer,” Jonah agreed.
***
“So?” Dana asked Candace.
Candace looked up from her desk at her friend and lowered her glasses onto the bridge of her nose. “Happy Monday to you too, Dana,” Candace replied.
“Don’t you Happy Monday me,” Dana scolded her boss. “Did you talk to Shell?” she asked.
Candace removed her glasses and placed them on her desk slowly. “I did,” she responded.
“And?” Dana urged.
“She’s considering coming on board. I promised her that you would be there to guide her,” Candace said.
“I will,” Dana responded. She watched as Candace’s face transformed into a familiar expression, one that told Dana there was something else on the senator’s mind. “Uh-oh. What happened? Is J.D. okay? I know Friday was an eventful day for her too.”
“Jameson is all right. She’s headed back there today,” Candace said.
“Are you worried about her?”
Candace smiled. “I always worry,” Candace reminded her friend. “Jonah is with her. She’ll have a buffer—at least for today.”
“Jonah?” Dana asked in surprised.
“Mm-hm.”
“I didn’t know Jonah was coming home,” Dana said.
“Neither did we,” Candace said with a nervous chuckle.
“Is Jonah okay?”
“Oh, he is okay. He just had some news he wanted to share,” Candace explained.
“He got a job lined up already?” Dana guessed.
“Nope.”
“He met someone?” Dana’s eyes grew wider.
“You could say that, yes,” Candace replied.
“Did he bring her home?”
“No yet, no, but I think you can safely say we will be meeting her,” Candace said. Dana’s curiosity was piqued. “It seems that I am going to be a Nana again,” Candace explained.
Dana seemed confused for a moment before Candace’s meaning hit her. “Oh my God, Jonah got someone pregnant?”
“Laura. Her name is Laura, apparently,” Candace said.
“Holy shit! What did you say?” Dana asked. Before Candace could respond, Dana repeated her reaction. “Holy shit!”
Candace laughed. “Not exactly what I said, but pretty much my reaction too,” Candace admitted.
“I did not see that one coming,” Dana said. “Is this a serious relationship?” she asked.
Candace shook her head. “It is now,” she said. “Would it have been?” she mused aloud. “I don’t know, Dana. You know Jonah. He’s quiet about those kinds of things.”
Dana nodded. “Have you talked to him about how this will eventually hit the media?”
“No,” Candace said flatly. “He’s been around things enough to know that. If I can, I’d like to keep this at bay as long as possible.”
“Any reason, other than the obvious?” Dana asked cautiously.
“There is something he is not telling me,” Candace said.
“What do you mean?” Dana wondered. “Something that we need to worry about?” she asked.
Candace groaned. “I don’t know,” Candace confessed. “Right now, I am not worried about that.”
“I know, Candy. I get it, it’s early now. I hate to say this to you, but letting this out now might be for the best. Any negative blowback will blow over before the campaign season heats up in earnest.”
Candace kneaded her forehead in frustration. “I know that,” she said. “The campaign is the least of my worries.”
“I know that,” Dana responded. “I understand. But, Candy—you have a commitment to this election as well. You know that. This is the reality.”
“Shit,” Candace huffed. She massaged her temples and closed her eyes.
“Candy,” Dana began sympathetically. “I do understand. Jonah has been around this his whole life. He knows the drill,” she pointed out.
Candace opened her eyes and shook her head. “As long as you can manage it, at least for now,” Candace said. “I want to leave it in the personal realm. Okay?”
