He raised his head and smiled down at her as if he could read her thoughts.
Longafter the last slice of lemon cheesecake disappeared from the rose-bordered platter, the family sat around the table and talked. Rosaline had offered to move into another room, but Valerie insisted that the dining room chair was more comfortable for her hip than anything else. The guests of honor, Wade Snyder and his wife Kristen, along with Wade’s campaign manager, Evan Strickland, had come in town today and readily accepted the dinner invitation.
A week ago, neo-Nazis had attacked Wade in his hotel room, shooting and killing a staff member and wounding five, including Alex. Jon had been on the phone with Alex when it happened, so he immediately responded. He and his brothers made a scary and harrowing trip to Indianapolis to reach her side in the wake of the shooting.
Daisy’s gaze roamed over Alex’s face. She’d refused pain medicine in the wake of her surgery because of the baby. Daisy knew she had some rough nights in the hospital but already looked so much better. Jon brought her home this weekend. She and Valerie had taken turns with Rosaline, keeping her company in between their work schedules.
She returned her attention to Wade and found her place in the story he told about starting as a freshman when he was twenty-one.
“How did you get a scholarship?” Valerie asked. “You weren’t exactly playing high school ball then.”
“I was playing on a community team. A scout happened to be going by the court and saw me. Took him months to convince me to go to his college. I was working part-time at a grocery store and had just registered for online classes.”
Kristin put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed, then ran her hand across his back. “Good thing, too,” she said, her teeth bright white against her chocolate-colored skin. “We met at Freshmen orientation. He grabbed my coffee shop order instead of his. You ever see someone’s face when they take a sip of caramel macchiato when they expected green tea?” She put a hand on her chest and laughed. “It still cracks me up.”
“I’m glad I could be such a continual source of amusement,” he replied dryly.
She turned her gaze to her husband. “And then you invited me to Bible study. You had my heart right then, Senator.”
He wound one of her frosted curls around his finger. “Good thing, too, or I’d never have made Senator.”
“Well,” Evan interrupted, “you did have me. I mean, I’m not as good a kisser or anything.”
Wade shook his head, “Not nearly as good looking, either.”
Everyone at the table laughed. Ken slipped his arm over her shoulder and leaned in. “You good?” he asked low.
She turned her head close to his. “Yeah. You?”
He brushed a kiss over her temple and nodded.
Kristen stood abruptly and held up her phone. “My new assistant.” For a moment, she paused. Daisy knew her assistant had died in the attack in Wade’s hotel room. “She has the kids. Excuse me.”
As she left the room, Alex asked, “How’s she doing?”
“She’s scared.” Wade sat back and ran his hand over his head. “We knew there would be racial issues when we started our run. We had a few issues during my senatorial campaign in Alabama. It was something we specifically prayed about before I accepted the nomination. I just don’t think either one of us expected the violence to actually enter our midst. I think we were arrogant in thinking that humanity was above that these days.”
Even the tips of Evan’s ears turned red. Daisy could feel the rage vibrating off of him. “Sometimes, I wish the shooters hadn’t died in the attack so they could face justice.”
Phillip cleared his throat. “I’m sure they’ve been receiving their due for a little over a week now.”
Daisy gasped, realizing what he meant. Ken shrugged and squeezed her thigh, conveying understanding. Kristen walked back into the room then and said to Wade, “Kennedy wanted help with her speech.”
Wade interjected. “Kennedy will be speaking at tomorrow’s fundraising dinner.”
Alex grinned. “Oh, she’s so funny.” She looked around the table. “She’s nine, but I’ve never met a more precocious child. She’ll be a hoot.”
Kristen returned to her seat. “She asked about you.”
“That makes me happy.” She picked up her teacup. “I miss those two.”
Wade narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re still planning to come back?”
“Just as soon as I can walk unaided. I pray that’s before election day.”
“We join you in that prayer.”
Evan looked at his watch. “I’m afraid I need to be a bad guy and break us up. We’re just under four weeks before election day. Wade has a lot more work to do tonight before I let him clock out.”
