'How long have you known the senator was your father?'
'Are any of your brothers his kid, too?'
'Are you asking the family for money?”
'Do you expect a cabinet position if the senator wins the election?'
Dani froze, stunned by the dozen or so people standing on her front lawn. Her inability to answer any of them didn't seem to stop the bombardment of questions.
They called out to her, took her picture and seemed to be waiting for something. A reaction, maybe? They were going to have to accept wide-eyed amazement, because that's all she had in her.
'Go away,' she managed at last and started toward her car.
Reporters surrounded her, pushing tape recorders in her face and shouting out more questions.
'What does Mrs. Canfield think about you being her husband's daughter by another woman?'
'Are you going to change your name to Canfield?'
Dani made it to her car and managed to squeeze inside. She started the engine and shifted into Reverse, but the reporters continued to huddle around her car. Not knowing what else to do, she eased her foot off the brake and let the car start moving. At last the reporters withdrew.
Her relief was short-lived. As she backed onto the street, several of them ran to their cars. She blinked. There was no way they were going to follow her, were they?
It was like something out of a movie, only this was real and she didn't know how to deal with it.
Her first thought was that she couldn't go to Penny's. Not with a parade of reporters behind her. She grabbed her cell phone and used speed dial to call Walker. The former Marine would know what to do.
The call went through to voice mail.
Dani swore. She drove through her quiet neighborhood, a six-car escort right behind her. She managed to lose two at the first light and three more at the second. Encouraged by that, she headed for a congested intersection, faked going straight, turned left on the yellow light and zipped around another corner. When she was sure she'd lost everyone, she pulled to the side of the road and called her other two brothers.
And got no one. Apparently they were all busy with their own lives. She stared at her cell for a second, then called information.
'Campaign headquarters for Senator Mark Canfield, please.'
Thirty minutes later, Dani was in a back booth at the Totem Lake Shad's. She barely had time to order coffee before Alex entered the restaurant. He looked good as he walked purposefully toward her. Despite the trauma of her morning, she could appreciate the broad shoulders and long legs. If nothing else, he was a distraction.
As he slid in across from her, he passed her the morning paper.
'You didn't see this?' he asked.
She scanned the headline and groaned. 'No. I don't read the paper or listen to the news in the morning. It's too depressing. I guess I have to change that.' She quickly read the article. 'How did this happen? I didn't tell them. I swear.'
'I know it wasn't you.' He explained about Bailey and the reporter and the puppy.
She stiffened in outrage. 'That's horrible. Who is the guy? I have a former Marine brother who would be happy to beat the crap out of him.'
'I already did that,' Alex told her.
The waitress arrived with Dani's coffee. He ordered a second cup for himself. Dani used those few seconds to try to gather her thoughts and return to the real and rational world.
She held up one hand. 'What did you say? You hit a reporter?'
He shrugged. 'Nobody screws with my family.'
'Don't get me wrong-I'm not complaining. I would have done it if I could have, but it's still a surprise.' She would have thought Alex would be one of those totally controlled guys who never let emotion get the best of him.
One corner of his mouth turned up. 'Tell me about it.'
'It's impressive.' So there was a lot of passion lurking inside the tailored suit.
'I'm tough.'
He was joking, but Dani thought there was plenty of truth in the statement. He was tough and basically a good guy. She couldn't complain about him defending his sister. Which meant he was good-looking
'Can you do that?' she asked. 'Hit a reporter? I mean I know you can. Obviously. You did it. But is it a good idea?'
Alex's expression tightened. 'It depends on whether or not the guy files charges. If he does, I'm looking at an interesting change in my future.'
Dani didn't know what to say. Alex was a lawyer. Weren't they supposed to uphold the law or something?
She leaned back in the booth. 'Okay, this is all crazy and happening way too fast. Let's start at the beginning. Some sleazebucket coerced Bailey into telling him about me. So the press knows and the story is out. What now?'
'Now we deal. You're going to be hounded by the press, at least for a while.'
She'd been afraid that was what he was going to say. 'Can we define both 'hounded' and 'a while’? Are we talking days, weeks or do I need to move to Borneo?'
'Moving isn't required, but it could take a while for the story to die down. Do you live in a house?'
She nodded. 'A rental. Nothing flashy.'
'It's not going to offer enough protection. You might want to think about staying with a friend until all this is over. Preferably one who lives in a secure building.'
She didn't know anyone who fit that description. 'I hate the thought of being forced to leave my home because of a story in the paper.'
His gaze was steady. 'There's having principles and there's reality. The press can make your life hell, at least in the short term.'
'And I'm not even Paris Hilton '
'Who?'
She laughed. 'You're such a guy.'
'Good thing. Otherwise,
'An interesting headline. Senator's Oldest Son Secretly a Woman. That would be a complication.'
His gaze dropped to her mouth. 'In more ways than one'
Was it her or had it just gotten hot in here? She shifted on her seat.
'I'm sorry' she said. 'I never meant to make a mess of everything. I didn't want to hurt anyone. I just wanted to find my father.'
He reached across the table and took her hand. 'This isn't your fault. You didn't do anything wrong.'
His fingers were warm. She was sure he meant his touch to be comforting, so she couldn't blame him if she wanted to stretch and purr and have him stroke her all over.
'So you don't hate me anymore?' she asked.
'I never hated you.'
'You came really close. There was a little hate in your heart.'
'I didn't trust you. There's a difference.'
'And now?'
'Now I think you're who you say you are.'
'What changed your mind? My sparkling personality?'
He released her hand. One corner of his mouth turned up. 'What else could it be?'
Before she could answer, she caught sight of her watch and groaned. 'I’m late,' she said. She tossed five dollars on the table as she slid out of the booth. 'Thanks for coming to talk to me.'
He picked up the money and tucked it into her jacket pocket. 'I’m always up for a good rescue.'
Dani opened Penny's front door without knocking and burst into the house.
