Building Blocks (By Design Book 7), page 8
Jameson sighed. “You are right about that.”
“J.D., I’m not worried about Candy’s career right now. I’m worried about Candy.”
“She’ll be okay, Dana,” Jameson said assuredly. Dana’s skepticism remained. “She will. That much I do know,” Jameson smiled. “Don’t worry about Candace. Worry about Lawson Klein.”
“No. He’s not worth that energy.”
Jameson agreed. “No, but Cooper and Laura are,” she said. “Find out what you can. The more I have to tell her when I do, the better it will be.”
“I promise.”
Jameson squeezed Dana’s arm. “I need to get back. Call me if you find out anything. I mean anything, Dana.”
“I will.”
Jameson hugged Dana goodbye and started back to Candace’s room. “Careful, Klein. You just opened the genie’s bottle and that can be unpredictable,” Jameson whispered as she left.
***
“Hey?” Jameson called into the room quietly. “Is he asleep?”
Candace nodded with a smile. Jameson watched as Candace closed her eyes in contentment. It made Jameson’s heart swell and sink simultaneously. She hated keeping anything from Candace—ever. That was not how they existed. Their relationship had always been founded on openness and honesty. Jameson was an open book to Candace most of the time and she knew it. She didn’t have any desire to hide her emotions from her wife. The same was true for Candace. Jameson knew that as well. Jameson closed her eyes and sighed in frustration.
“Want to talk about it?” Candace asked without opening her eyes.
“I’m fine.”
Candace opened her eyes, lifted her brow and smirked. “You may be a lunatic, honey. You are not a good liar. What’s wrong?”
Jameson made her decision instantly. “I don’t want to upset you.”
“Well, now that we know my heart is healthy, I think you can rest easy about that. What is it that you don’t want to tell me? Dana was walking on eggshells the entire time she was in here and Marianne kept spinning her wedding ring. What is going on?” Candace asked. Jameson hesitated. “Jameson, if you don’t tell me I will be worried.”
“When I do, you will be livid.”
Candace smiled. “I gathered that already. Otherwise, you would have told me. She motioned to Jameson to come closer. “I am going to be fine tomorrow, Jameson,” she said assuredly. Candace kissed Cooper’s head and took Jameson’s hand. “Don’t do this to yourself,” she said knowingly. “We’ve never kept anything from each other. Don’t let a routine procedure change that.”
“It’s surgery, Candace. I don’t find that routine.”
“I know. I know you’re scared. I can see it in your eyes. You know that I will be okay. Whatever it is, just tell me.”
Jameson sucked in a nervous breath. “Lawson Klein apparently found Coop’s grandmother in Ohio. I don’t know how or why…”
“I know why,” Candace said flatly. “To hurt me. And?”
“There’s a television segment running tomorrow. Dana’s sources say it suggests that we basically stole Cooper to help…”
“My career?” Candace guessed. She took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I need to call Jessica.”
“Dana already spoke with her. So did I—just before I came in here. There’s nothing to fear legally.”
“No, I didn’t imagine there would be. Jessica is thorough. That’s why I called her.”
“She cares about you,” Jameson muttered.
“Yes, she does,” Candace conceded. “We had some good years, Jameson. You know that.”
“I know,” Jameson said. “I like Jessica. I wish I didn’t sometimes.”
“She’s not the love of my life,” Candace reminded Jameson gently.
“I know that too. You’re taking this better than I imagined.”
“I’m furious. Right now, I can’t do much about it. Jessica will have the agreement that Ms. Cosgrove signed when she made the choice to forego any place in Cooper’s life.”
Jameson nodded. “I didn’t want you thinking about this.”
“Jameson,” Candace said, offering Jameson a sympathetic smile of understanding. “I’m glad that you did.”
“I can see the stress in your eyes, Candace.”
Jameson watched as Candace kissed Cooper’s head. Candace took another deep breath. Jameson understood each action as a necessary part of Candace’s effort to gather her thoughts and control her emotion. Jameson smiled when Candace looked down at Cooper as only a mother could. She hated herself for causing Candace any additional stress. Withholding the truth for even a day or two felt like a deception to Jameson. One look in Candace’s eyes and Jameson knew that she could not keep the news from her. She could plainly see concern and anger in Candace’s eyes. One thing Jameson was certain of; those two elements would ultimately result in Candace’s steady resolve; a resolve that few people possessed in earnest.
At the moment, Jameson almost felt sorry for Lawson Klein—almost. Candace was passionate about politics and policy. The politician in Candace was willing to fight for what she believed in no matter how many insults were leveled at her or roadblocks were thrown in her way. One thing eclipsed that passion—family. Candace’s children were her greatest love. Jameson adored that about the woman who shared her life. She had learned from loving Candace that children added a dimension to life. Cooper had become a light in their life together. At times, he added some challenges. They were no longer a pair; they were parents of a toddler. But, more than Jameson could have imagined, having Cooper in their life had made Jameson fall more deeply in love with Candace. Klein had decided to step onto Holy ground. She pitied him for that miscalculation.
“Candace?”
Candace smiled again at Jameson. “I would like to talk to Jessica, Jameson.”
Jameson nodded. “Do me one favor? Just wait until you are home? Please? Like you said, there is nothing you can do right now. You know, the kids are going to think I was crazy for telling you.”
“None of you can lie to save your lives,” Candace laughed. “You least of all,” she repeated. “It’s one of the things I love so much about you.”
“Do you want me to take him so you can get some rest?” Jameson asked. Candace shook her head and patted the bed. “I don’t think three of us are going to fit in that little bed,” Jameson chuckled.
“Are you suggesting that I am getting fat?”
“What? No! But, with all those fortune cookies you have stashed…”
“Come here, you lunatic,” Candace said.
Jameson jostled herself into the bed on her side and put her arm over Candace. “I just want to take you home.”
“I know,” Candace said. “It’s only a couple of nights.”
“I hate it.”
Candace laughed. “I promise; I will handle Lawson Klein.”
Jameson groaned slightly. “I can’t tell you what I’d like to do to him.”
“I think I can imagine.”
“What are you going to do?” Jameson wondered.
Candace gripped Jameson’s hand. “That depends entirely on him. Forget about him right now. Just stay for a while.”
“How about until they kick me out?” Jameson suggested.
“I guess you’ll be here in the morning then.”
Jameson laughed. No one was likely to fight Candace when she put her foot down. Jameson kissed Candace’s temple. “Get some rest.”
Candace closed her eyes. She was completely drained. Jameson’s news had not surprised her. It had rattled her more than she intended to let on to Jameson. She tightened her grasp on Cooper as Jameson held her. “You have no idea who you are dealing with,” she thought silently. “No idea.”
CHAPTER SIX
“J.D.?” Jameson turned to find Michelle and Melanie entering the small family waiting room she was in. “Any word?”
“Not yet,” Jameson told the pair. “I would imagine soon. He said it would probably take about two hours, maybe less. It’s only been an hour.”
Michelle nodded. “What time did you leave last night?”
“Late, why?”
“No offense, J.D., but you look like shit.”
“Thanks, Shell. I love you too.”
Michelle chuckled. “I’m serious. I’m worried about you. I don’t need both of you in here.”
Jameson smiled. “I didn’t sleep much. She knows, Shell, about the interview today and Klein’s involvement.”
“You told her?” Michelle asked.
Jameson nodded a bit regretfully. Michelle sat down beside Jameson and regarded her thoughtfully for a moment. She’d never seen Jameson look so tired before. Jameson had dark circles under her eyes. Michelle studied Jameson, determining that not only had Jameson failed to get much rest, but she had also likely cried for an extended period of time.
“Probably better for everyone that you did tell her,” Michelle said.
“What about for her?” Jameson asked rhetorically.
“For Mom too. You know her; she’s better when she has the information. Stop beating yourself up,” Michelle told Jameson. “How was she this morning?”
“Actually, she seemed pretty good,” Jameson admitted. “I’m not sure how much of her cheeriness was for my benefit.”
“One look at you and she probably was worried you’d end up in the bed beside her,” Michelle commented. Jameson snickered. “Oh, God. Only you two would conduct Bible Study in a hospital bed.”
Jameson rolled her eyes. “Very funny, Shell. No one was quoting scriptures.”
“There’s a first,” Michelle returned.
Melanie chuckled listening to her boss and her girlfriend. “I’m going to go so that Jonah can come over here, okay?” she asked Michelle
Michelle leaned in and kissed Melanie softly. “Thank you.”
“Anytime,” Melanie replied. “J.D.? You two want Jonah to bring you anything?”
Jameson shook her head.
“Coffee, Mel. Tell my little brother to bring the zombie we call our step-mother a coffee. Me too, if he wouldn’t mind.”
Melanie nodded. She looked at Michelle with concern. She had also noticed Jameson’s demeanor. Jameson was quiet, almost withdrawn. It didn’t surprise Melanie that Jameson appeared to be both exhausted and worried. Michelle had filled Melanie in on the major points of the prior day. Melanie didn’t need to see Jameson to know that all of Michelle’s news would have taken its toll on her friend. Melanie had known Jameson before Jameson had met Candace. She remembered vividly what it had been like to watch the change in Jameson after Senator Candace Fletcher had come into Jameson’s life. None of Candace’s children had that benefit. They had always known Jameson as the woman their mother had fallen in love with. Melanie’s perspective differed. She knew Jameson as the woman who had fallen in love with Senator Candace Fletcher.
Michelle noted the concern in Melanie’s eyes and offered her a wink. “Coffee, Mel. Tell him the biggest one they have for her,” Michelle joked.
Michelle waited for Melanie to leave and then turned to Jameson. “What gives, J.D.?”
“What?”
“I know you are tired. That’s not all.”
“I’m worried, Shell. I can’t help it.”
“About Mom or about Lawson Klein?”
“Both.”
“Mom will be okay, J.D., and she can handle Klein.”
“Maybe, but she shouldn’t have to. I hate this.”
“What?” Michelle asked.
“Being helpless.”
“You’re not,” Michelle said.
“Shell, Jesus! My son’s past is about to be splashed across the national news, completely vilifying my wife, who is currently in surgery. I can’t do one thing to protect either of them. Do you know how much that pisses me off? What about Laura? She needs this now? I’m supposed to protect my family, Shell.”
“J.D., none of this is because of you.”
“Maybe not, but I can’t even stop any of it.”
Michelle released a heavy sigh. “I understand.”
“I’m sorry, Shell. I hate this. I don’t like to hate people. Right now? Right now, I hate Lawson Klein.”
“Well, you have a lot of company in that club.”
Jameson laughed. “I am sorry.”
“Don’t be. I talked to Marianne on my way here. She spent over an hour talking Jonah off the ledge last night. I think he’s close to confronting that asshole. Maybe more like knocking him out with one punch.”
“It won’t help,” Jameson said.
“No, I know. He knows that. The thing is, J.D., you and mom are worried about everyone else. Cooper is our little brother; you know? You don’t do that. We might have our moments. We do have each other’s back no matter what. And, to be honest, none of us like anyone messing with our parents.”
The protectiveness in Michelle’s voice made Jameson smile. “I know.”
“You’d like to deck him too,” Michelle grinned.
“I’d like to kick his sorry ass into next Tuesday,” Jameson confessed. “Your mother would kick mine if I did.”
“That’s for sure.”
“How are Jonah and Laura?” Jameson asked. “I haven’t talked to him yet.”
“Pissed, like I said. I don’t understand how an asshole like Lawson Klein can have such a great kid. I mean, seriously. Laura is nothing like him.”
“No, she’s not. It’s still got to hurt her.”
Michelle decided to turn the conversation. “How is Coop? Marianne said he was a little scared last night?”
“He’s okay. Worried about his mom, I think. He fell asleep with her last night. He barely groaned when I picked him up to leave. He’s got Spence there today. That should take his mind off of it. He drew your mom like ten pictures of Genie to keep her safe.”
“Man, he loves that Genie.”
“He sure does,” Jameson said. “I think it’s the magic thing.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think he sees Genie as someone who can be a friend and protect him.”
“From what?”
“From being alone,” Jameson said sadly. “He’s lost everyone he ever cared about, Shell. He might be little, but that much he understands.”
Michelle sighed. “People suck sometimes.”
“Only a few,” Jameson said. “It’s like Froggie. He just needs something to help him believe we won’t leave him—any of us.”
“I’d like to pummel Laura’s father.”
“Stand in line,” Jameson said.
“Are you going to watch it?” Michelle wanted to know. “The interview?”
“Nope. I’ll leave that to Dana.”
“You know Mom will want…”
“She promised me that she would let it go until we were home.”
Michelle snickered. “You do know that the car will constitute home, right? The minute she’s out of this place, she’s going to want to jump in.”
Jameson nodded. “Yeah. Still ready to pull the emergency Mom Squad together?”
“At your service,” Michelle promised.
“Good. I have a feeling I will be calling 9-1-1 for your help sooner than I’d like.”
Michelle broke into laughter. “We should get T-shirts made now.”
Jameson began to chuckle. “Thanks, Shell.”
“No problem. You really do need that coffee, though. Otherwise, someone’s apt to try and send you to the morgue.”
Jameson rolled her eyes. “And, your mother calls me a lunatic.”
***
“Tell us, Ms. Cosgrove, your daughter ran away from home?”
“At fifteen. She didn’t like the rules, ya’ know? Wanted to be with those friends of hers.”
“Friends you didn’t approve of I am guessing?”
“Running with a wild bunch. She came back once. Started again right off, ya’ know? Ended up, well, she ended up in a bad way.”
“A bad way?” Dana spat at the television screen.
Jessica chuckled caustically. “Not the words she used to me,” Jessica offered.
“And, she ran away again?”
“Sure did. Didn’t like the rules. Never knew where she was. Didn’t call. At some point, what do you do? She was almost eighteen by then. She had the right to go.”
“And, when did you learn about Cooper?”
“Never met the boy,” Cooper’s grandmother answered. “Sad. Only family I got left.”
Jessica laughed. “Can’t imagine how many times they rehearsed that sob story.”
“You’re laughing?” Dana looked at Jessica as if Jessica had lost her mind.
“What do you want me to do? Break the screen?” Jessica returned.
Dana’s gaze grew harsh. Dana was not Jessica Stearns’ biggest fan. Jessica had created a massive upheaval for Candace’s career. Her infidelity was splashed across the news media which made life for Candace more than difficult for nearly six months. Worse, her affair had broken Candace’s spirit in a way that only those closest to the then-senator understood.
Jessica sighed. “Still haven’t forgiven me.”
“What I think doesn’t matter,” Dana said flatly.
“Dana, I fucked up with Candy. I know that. She knows that. We all know that, okay? You think that because I am laughing, I don’t want to eviscerate Lawson Klein and this woman? I do. Trust me on that. I do. That’s not going to help Candy. You and I both know she’s donning her battle gear now.”
Dana huffed. “I’ve got some counter-press lined up. Most people will see through this. It’s still going to leave an impression, though. It always does.”
“You think Candy wants to run for higher office?” Jessica asked.
“After this? I really don’t know,” Dana said. “When I talked to J.D. this morning…. Well, Candy is still Candy. She loves this. She’ll say she doesn’t aspire to more. She always has. It’s in her DNA.”
“Yes, I know.”
Dana nodded. “Yeah, but Candy is also different now.”
“So I noticed,” Jessica replied.
“You still love her,” Dana surmised.
