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“Bernice! He could be your grandson.”
“But he’s not, Erma, is he? I’m not dead yet.”
Ally homed in on the two older women standing next to a nearby table where a newspaper lay open. “I suppose you’re right. He’s going to be a wonderful senator. They sure make a striking couple. Who is that woman, though? She’s a pretty thing, isn’t she? And so tall…”
“Call who?” Bernice asked.
“Not call, Bernice, tall,” her companion shouted. “I said the woman is tall.”
“Oh…she sure is. It’s partly because of those shoes. Those are real beauts, Jimmy Chows, probably. Do you think I could pull off a pair of shoes like that?”
“Not without aggravating your gout.”
Behind the counter, Molly giggled, and said, “I think it’s Choo, Jimmy Choos.”
“I know they’re shoes, sweetie, that’s what we’re talking about.”
They continued discussing the topic of Tag and his beautiful companion and her shoes while one of them paid and the other took the box of donuts. Finally they left the bakery, bickering all the way. It would have been cute if Ally hadn’t felt compelled to see that paper. Standing, she walked over to the table and then stared down at the nightmare plastered across the page.
The photo was big and bright and clear and featured a truly stunning shot of Tag looking elegant and perfect in a tux and so out of Ally’s league it made her heart ache with equal parts pride and anguish.
He was looking at a gorgeous blonde, right into her eyes, their faces only inches apart. A mile of leg stretched from beneath her tight dress, ending at feet encased in a pair of tall, sexy heels. Ally had never worn heels in her life.
“She probably has bunion s the size of Denali,” she muttered. But the thought didn’t give her much satisfaction because it was the way they were standing that had her regretting that third donut. Hot frosting burned like acid in her stomach as she stared at the image. One of the woman’s arms was twisted tightly through Tag’s, the other stretched across his chest to playfully tug on his lapel. Snuggling was the word that came to mind, and only in a way that someone who knew him very, very well would do.
The first few lines of the article jumped out at her:
Alaska’s newest political power couple? Local businessman Tag James, of Copper Crossing Air Transport, with companion, attorney Kendall Meade, at the Wayfarer Political Fundraising dinner in Juneau. Sources say this hot couple used to be a regular sight around Juneau as recently as a year ago. With rumors flying about the handsome pilot’s entrance into the upcoming Alaska state senate race, and Ms. Meade’s connections, one can’t help but wonder if we’re seeing the beginning (continuation?) of a beautiful friendship?
Ally flinched as the phone now gripped in her hand chimed again. She looked at the screen, where three messages from Flynn seemed to pulse and vibrate. Swiping the screen, she read:
Have you seen the newspaper today?
Call me.
Where are you?
With trembling fingers, she tapped out an answer. Yes. Help. On my way home.
I’ll be there as soon as I can.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“KENDALL MEADE SUPPORTING your campaign? Score. What type of role is she going to take?” Bering asked Sunday morning while he and Tag sipped coffee in a restaurant in downtown Juneau. They were waiting for their breakfast companions to arrive, Sally and Tom Meade and daughter, Kendall.
“Consultant or adviser. Not sure yet.” Tag didn’t want Kendall taking any role at all, but how could he refuse? She was a perfect asset—intelligent, wealthy, connected, personality galore. And, if last night was any indication, she also believed in him. Which should make him happy but instead left him feeling unsettled.
Bering had also set up meetings with officials from a number of outdoor organizations. The two of them were headed out to talk with them after this chat with the Meades. Time to start soliciting contributions, a chore Tag already knew he was going to find uncomfortable, if not distasteful. He reminded himself that no one ever said running for office was easy.
“What do you think of the campaign manager candidates so far?”
