Grant scratched his head and pretended to be confused. 'Who were you then?'
'Alice!'
'Alice, but she was a pretty little girl and you're so huge. How could you be Alice?'
'I am not huge,' Megan protested with a grin. 'Uncle' Harvey was a big tease and she knew he was fooling.
When Megan's dessert arrived, Tim's father suggested that the men retire to the patio for a breath of fresh air.
'This business with Harold Travis is awful,' said William, who never brought up unpleasant subjects at the dinner table.
'Jon Dupre has always been off. You have no idea what he put his parents through,' said Burton Rommel, who was trim and athletic, with hair that, at fifty-two, was still jet-black.
'You know them well?' Tim asked.
'Well enough to know how much they've suffered.'
'Everyone is shocked,' Harvey Grant said.
'I hear that the governor is appointing Peter Coulter to Harold's seat.' William said.
'Isn't he a little old?' Tim asked.
'That's the point, Tim,' William answered. 'He's going to warm that seat, not fill it. It's payback for faithful service to the party. Pete will be a U.S. senator for a year, then he'll step down. He's safe, he won't do anything crazy, and it'll look great in his obituary.'
Burton Rommel looked directly at Tim. 'Listen, I asked your father to invite me tonight. What happened to Harold is a tragedy, but we can't dwell on that. We've lost a presidential candidate, we don't want to lose a senate seat, too. The party needs someone with impeccable credentials to run next year.'
It took a moment for Tim to catch on.
'You want me to run for the Senate?' Kerrigan asked incredulously.
'You'd be surprised at the support you have.'
'I'm flattered, Burt. I don't know what to say.'
'No one expects you to commit tonight. The election is a year away. Think about it. Talk it over with Cindy. Then give me a call.'
To Tim's relief, Harvey Grant changed the subject to U. of O. football, and Rommel and Tim's father lit cigars. When they decided that they had deserted the ladies long enough, Rommel and Grant went back inside. Tim started to follow them.
'Tim, wait a minute,' William said. Tim turned toward his father. 'You don't want to turn down an opportunity like this. You've chosen a career in public service. What greater way to serve than Congress?'
'I don't know a thing about politics, Dad. I'd be in over my head.'
'You'd learn.'
'I'd be in Washington most of the year, away from Megan.'
'Don't be silly. They'd move with you. Cindy and Megan will love Washington. This is a golden opportunity, Tim. Don't squander it.'
Left unsaid was 'like all of your other opportunities.'
'I'll give it serious thought,' Tim answered to placate his father. 'It's just a big step, that's all.'
'Of course. And something that won't come again if you reject it.'
Father and son were quiet for a moment. Then William placed his hand lightly on his son's shoulder. The uncharacteristic show of affection surprised Tim.
'We haven't always gotten along,' William said, 'but I've always wanted the best for you. If you decide to run, I'll use every contact I have to get you elected, and I'll make certain that you have the money you need.'
Tim was overwhelmed. It had been a long time since his father had shown this much warmth.
'I appreciate that.'
'You're my son.' Tim's throat tightened. 'Seize this opportunity. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do something great for your country. You'll make a mark, Tim. I know what you're made of. You'll make your mark.'
Tim was hanging up his clothes when Cindy returned to the bedroom after tucking Megan in.
'Do you have anything to tell me?' she asked with a mischievous smile.
'About what?'
'When you boys were on the patio, Lucy Rommel told me that Burt was going to talk to you about something important.'
'Burt asked me to run for Harold Travis's seat.'
Cindy's face lit up.
'Oh, Tim! That's fantastic!'
'Yeah, well, I don't know . . .'
