“Live with me.”
“In sin?”
He laughed. “What would the Pope have to say about what we’ve been doing so far?”
“Easy thing for an Episcopalian to ask.”
“Well?”
“I don’t know, Frank.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. I’ve just always been able to go back to some place of my own if I needed to. And as I recall, you wanted your key back from me not forty-eight hours ago.”
He looked down. “I recall being told I was a lousy liar — even at the time, you knew I didn’t mean that. I want to be with you.”
“What if you change your mind about that?”
“You think I’m not committed to you? That I’m not serious?”
“No. It’s not that.”
“So?”
“You are persistent.”
“You want to keep living where you are now?”
Throughout the day, in idle moments at work, I had been thinking about this a lot. “No, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to feel safe there again. It makes me madder than hell that it’s come to this, but when I think of being there by myself for even a few minutes — well, anyway, no, I don’t. I’m probably giving up too easily. But it’s just something I don’t want to struggle with. I need to feel safe in my own home.”
“Do you feel safe with me?”
“From everybody but you, and that’s a kind of danger I can live with.”
“You can bring your grandfather’s chair and Cody’s scratching post.”
I laughed. “I’ll think about it. I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Say yes.”
“Maybe. And don’t press your luck.”
He grinned.
I knew that meant he thought he had won. He probably had. But I wasn’t going to let him know that right away.
WE FINISHED our brandies and went into the room where the Montgomery campaign was holding its victory party. Of course, at this point, they were all victory parties. A band played old standards but no one danced. Not many people had shown up yet — still early in the evening.
Gradually, tired campaigners came through the door. I thought Frank would be bored, but being an observer by nature, he kept himself busy watching the various characters and their interactions.
Something about Frank attracts women who are over seventy. I had noticed this before. I suppose they thought he was a gentleman — well, where they were concerned, he certainly was. His manner toward them was always polite and attentive. That night, there were never less than three of them paying court at one time. While he was cornered, I picked up comments from Brady Scott and other members of the campaign.
I called the office every so often and found out that the race was running very close. It was going to be a long night. Why didn’t I pick the races that were decided by eleven o’clock? I looked across the room and saw Julie Montgomery. Well, yes, this campaign was far more interesting than the sure things. I walked over to her.
“How are you doing, Julie?”
“Fine, thank you, Miss Kelly. Glad you’re still speaking to me. I thought everyone on the
“Well, I’m not crazy about your tactics, but I think I understand why you did what you did.”
“Sorry if I got you in trouble.”
“I’m always in trouble anyway. You might want to give Mark Baker a call, though. As for me, don’t worry about it.”
“Thanks.”
“Your dad feel confident about tonight?”
“No. And he’s blaming me. I think I’m going to go home before he finds out one way or the other.”
“I envy you. I’m here or at Henderson’s for the duration.”
“Good night, Miss Kelly. And if you see Jacob, will you please say hello for me?”
“Will do.”
I FINALLY FOUND Monty Montgomery and got an all-purpose quote or two from him. I had a feeling that no one would be conceding in time for the morning edition.
Frank was leaning back in a chair, looking like it was all he could do to stay awake. I sat down next to him.
“Why don’t you go home? At least one of us can get some sleep.”
