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Setting the tubs on the table, Daisy took a moment to look out over the lawn. Jack was holding onto Jenna, making sure she was ready for him to let her go so she could soar the four feet over the ground that the zip line provided. Nothing death-defying, but certainly enough to give them a thrill.
“Ready?” he asked. Jenna nodded, and in a second she was sliding, her face one of pure joy and triumph.
Daisy met Jack’s gaze and her heart thumped hard in her chest.
It would be easy to get swallowed up in the emotions she felt for this man, emotions that grew each and every day.
Emotions that terrified her, knowing the pain and heartache she’d be in for if some day, for whatever reason, he wasn’t there.
Chapter Fifteen
Late Tuesday afternoon, Jack was reviewing the initial draft of a proposed state budget he hoped to deliver in the first couple of months of his tenure. Ambitious, but it resonated with his values and what he saw for the state.
He reread the third paragraph down, still not satisfied. “I want to rework this one, too,” he said, crossing out the troublesome line and jotting some notes.
Instead of the usual argument, however, Stuart was preoccupied with his cell phone.
“Stuart?” Jack repeated.
Stuart glanced up, a look crossing his face that told Jack that something was up. He set the pen down and leaned back in his chair, waiting.
“It’s probably nothing. But it looks like Aaron Leary is stepping up his public profile. He’s slated to speak at three regional party conferences in the next few months and has created an official exploratory committee to look into his run for next year’s gubernatorial race.”
“Nothing new. We knew it was just a matter of time,” Jack said cautiously.
“But it’s a good reminder that we’re going to need to step up our own efforts as well, do more to get out there in the public eye. And not just reach the usual political savvy voters who keep updated with this kind of stuff. We need to reach an untapped segment of voters, those who are more likely to read People and US Weekly than the Congressional Quarterly.”
Jack grinned. “Said every political committee for the past few decades. I think that’s a little tougher than you make it sound. But if you have a magical solution, I’m all ears.”
Stuart paused. “Well, I think you said it yourself last week. Everyone loves a fairy tale, and what better way to sell one than to capitalize on your and Daisy’s engagement. Just think of it. A tasteful story in Utah Brides magazine—maybe even a cover spread if we’re lucky—of the soon-to-be bride. Maybe a few interviews with the two of you out front and personal, letting everyone see how much you two are in love. And I don’t know if Daisy has an interest, but if she were to create a blog that details the little behind-the-scene type of things, like choosing a florist, hiring a band, you two having a wedding cake tasting event, that sort of thing. Heck, maybe even if she didn’t, we could hire someone who could do that for her.”
Sometimes Jack wondered if Stuart was even tethered to reality at times. “Stuart, you do remember that up until about a week and a half ago, Daisy and I hadn’t even met, right? We’re on new ground right now, both of us getting used to being in a relationship and enjoying the little things that being with someone you care about brings. We are far from being ready to set a date, let alone record a history of our engagement plans.”
“Then make it a long engagement, Jack. Hell, you could set the date for eighteen months from now. But it’s just a matter of keeping the two of you front and center, in the minds of all the potential voters next year who will see your name along with Aaron Leary’s and any number of other party candidates in the spring, and later, if we’re lucky, in the fall elections, and say with confidence that they like you. They want you to represent them for the next four years.”
A long engagement. That didn’t sound necessarily like such a bad idea. Especially since he knew in his heart, just as he had all those years ago when he’d first met Lara, that his feelings for Daisy—not to mention Jenna, Natalie, and Paul—were only going to continue to grow. He only hoped that hers did for him and Lily, too.
“I’m not committing to anything right now, Stuart. Let’s first see if Governor Pratchett gets the confirmation vote before we count our eggs.”
Stuart grinned. “Well, if yesterday’s vote in the committee to recommend the governor for the cabinet position is any indication, the senate’s official vote in the next few days should be just a matter of form.”
“Until I hear it and the governor’s officially ready to resign his position and I’m sworn in, I think we can table this discussion a little longer.”
His phone buzzed on his desk and he picked it up.
It was a text from Daisy. A text and a photo, actually.
He smiled at the bank’s letter confirming her small business loan had been preapproved and the next steps she needed to take in the process. Jack made a mental note to contact his accountant to see if he could get started on some of the paperwork, and to try and set up an appointment as early as possible to finalize everything.
He knew this bakery meant the world to Daisy, and he wanted to make sure the road was paved as well as he could manage.
Jack typed a quick congratulations, and that he couldn’t wait to see her and the kids later when they came over for dinner and swimming.
Life had a funny way of working out like it did sometimes. Who would have thought a few months ago that he was finally about to get everything he could have possibly wanted?
It was difficult to suppress his smile as he glanced up at Stuart, who was waiting patiently for him to finish. “Sorry. Okay, let’s get back to business.”
…
