A knot formed in Cade’s stomach, rising into the center of his chest until he couldn’t breathe. He hadn’t had an anxiety attack in years, not since attempting the bar.
He forced oxygen into his lungs, but his vision blurred.
Dad tossed a stray paper clip into the wire holder near his monitor. “I know this puts a little extra load on your shoulders with all the fundraising going on.”
No kidding.
What was that grounding technique Cade used to do? List something he could smell, something he could see, and something he could hear. He desperately scanned the room.
Dad continued. “I know you’re up for the task…”
Lemon-scented air freshener.
The unwrapped, multicolored pack of sticky notes near the desk lamp.
Birds chirping outside the office window.
“But I think it best to keep our plan a secret a while longer.” Dad gestured between himself and Cade, seemingly still oblivious to the bomb he’d tossed. “Your mother knows, of course, but let’s keep it to that.”
Wait.
Cade sucked in a full breath. “So, no campaign?” His vision cleared.
“Not yet. Re-election isn’t until November, so there’s plenty of time to get past Magnolia Days first.”
He could breathe again. Cade tried to school his features into a casual expression, as he fished in his pocket for Tic Tacs.
His father steepled his fingers atop his desk calendar. “I wanted you to be prepared to shift in that direction the moment the fundraiser is over. Besides, even if we don’t start campaigning until mid-July, it seems prudent to start training you as soon as possible.”
“Right.” Cade dumped several mints into his hand and popped them into his mouth.
Dad’s eyes shone. “I’m so glad you’re on board with this.”
And Cade was so glad his father got that impression from the past two minutes. Apparently Cade’s acting skills were better than he realized. He popped another mint and mumbled around it. “Of course.”
What was he going to do? His own job was overwhelming enough—his father had a huge responsibility to the people that Cade didn’t want. All these years, Dad had managed to be charismaticandcapable with the town. Firmandkind. Authoritativeandapproachable.
Cade wasn’t a mixture of those things. Cade was the good guy, the friendly face, the fundraiser. The go-between. When his father didn’t approve something, Cade didn’t take the heat for it. He could pass the buck upward and still be liked. He didn’t want to be the ultimate decision maker.
He just wanted to help the town he loved and have everyone love him back.
“You know something?” Dad offered a wide smile. “I think this is finally what you’ve been working toward since leaving Yale.”
A mint lodged in Cade’s throat. He coughed, nodding, even as his eyes welled. His father believed Cade had simply changed his mind about law to come home and pursue a career in small-town politics.
He didn’t know Cade had failed the bar. Failed the family name. Now he was expected to take this on? Carry the Landry legacy into another generation of glory?
What if he failed again?
No pressure.
“Here.” Dad tossed a bottle of water over the desk. “You okay?”
Cade managed to nod as he caught the bottle. He drank, chugging even after the mint had long left his throat. He needed to think. Why hadn’t he seen this coming?
“I have to say, I’m relieved.” Dad relaxed in his chair. “It’s much easier making this change when I know who is filling my shoes. I think you’re tailor-made for this position, son.”
Oh no. The approval in his eyes had shifted into pride.
