Harlequin Historical May 2021--Box Set 2 of 2

by Elizabeth Rolls

  “This is a very serious matter, one that does need attention, immediate attention. I assure you that I have put this on the top of my list of things that need to be addressed before the end of the congressional session.” The senator piled the stack of letters he’d been given atop his notepad. “I will read each and every one of these letters and I will encourage my colleagues to do the same. If I discover I need anything in writing from the three of you, I will contact Mr. McCormick.”

  Connor nodded and stood, understanding the meeting was over. He held Jenny’s chair as she stood, and then followed suit for Tina, and Rachel, who was holding Annie. The baby had slept peacefully through the entire hearing.

  They each thanked the senator, and shook his hand, before Connor guided the women toward the door.

  “Mr. McCormick, I’d like a word with you, please,” Brent Hughes said, standing at the table.

  Connor gave a nod, and then asked Tina and Rachel, “Can you find your way back to your room?”

  “Yes,” Tina answered.

  Keeping his hand on Jenny’s back, he said, “Jenny and I will meet you there shortly.”

  She looked at him.

  He smiled. This was her fight, he was merely an avenue for her, whatever the senator had to say, she could hear.

  He opened the door for Tina and Rachel to exit, then closed it and escorted Jenny back to the table.

  Senator Hughes didn’t say anything, but his eyes held a question.

  Connor granted the man a smile and waited for him to speak.

  With a nod, the senator said, “I’m sure you are aware that my phone has rung nonstop, both at the office and at home, the past few days.”

  “Is that a problem?” Connor asked. His mother and George had both followed through on their promises. So had his uncles and other family members. On Sunday, he’d paid a visit to one of his uncles. Mick’s wedding had made him realize just how rarely he saw his extended family. He’d spent a lot of time on the road, selling phone lines the past few years, and had shown up when needed, usually with a girl on his arm so everyone would think he was doing fine, going on with life, but he hadn’t been. He hadn’t been fine and he hadn’t been getting on with life. Finding Jenny made him want to change all that. He’d not only told his uncle about Jenny’s crusade, and had asked him to contact Senator Hughes, he’d asked what he could do to become part of the family business again.

  Turned out, there was a seat waiting for him on the board. After his father had died, Mick had worked with his uncles to implement a restructuring of the business, including seats for both of them on the board. Connor hadn’t been interested then. Now, he was ready to put all the pieces of his life back in place and really live again. This time there would be no lying to himself that he loved his life, either. He was going to truly love it.

  “No, that’s not a problem,” the senator said. “I always enjoy hearing from constituents. I was happy to engage in each and every phone call and will continue to.” He glanced briefly at Jenny.

  Connor held his gaze on the senator and his hand on Jenny’s back. “Then what is the problem?”

  “I’m not saying there is a problem, per se. The issue you’ve brought me has been brought up before and it definitely needs to be addressed. This time, because of your due diligence, I’m convinced I have enough support from colleagues on both sides for a bill to pass the senate and the house.” Hughes paused, briefly, before asking, “I’m curious to know if you and your family know that Governor Smith is about to throw his hat into the ring to become the democratic choice for president in next year’s race?”

  Not a fan of the governor, Connor asked, “What makes him believe he’ll win this time?”

  “He’s wet,” the senator replied. “He’s never hidden the fact that he’s against prohibition, and he believes it’s time for it to end.”

  “I know a lot of wet people,” Connor replied. “They’ve been against prohibition since its conception.” He knew a lot of politicians, too, and hated the way they talked in circles and flipped sides to suit their own agendas.

  “That’s true, but the Midwest is dry. They still believe in prohibition. The only thing Governor Smith has in common with the Bible Belt is his devotion to the church.”

  Connor began to see the light of where the senator was going. “And a large number of homes for unwed mothers are run by religious organizations.”

  Senator Hughes sighed as he nodded. “The governor may not sign off on legislation that opposes the actions of any religious group.”

  Understanding the full impact of that, Connor shook his head. “That would mean two years would go by before anything could be done.”

  “I will push it through as far and fast as I can, so will my colleagues.” With a shrug, the senator continued, “There is a party tonight, here at the hotel, in the governor’s honor. He’s going to announce his bid to seek the nomination, and request support.”

  “Invitation only?”

  Hughes pulled an envelope out of his pocket and held it out. “Yes.”

  Connor took the envelope. “We’ll be there.”

  Jenny didn’t say a word until they were in the hallway, then bleakly, she asked, “This has all been for naught, hasn’t it? The governor will never sign the bill into law.”

  He held up the envelope. “It’s not over yet.”

  “What will an invitation to a party do for us?” she asked as they walked toward the elevator.

  “A chance to talk to the governor.”

  “At his own party?”

  “Yes, that’s how politics works, and might be our only chance.” They stopped to wait for the elevator to open. “It’s up to you.”

  She let out a sigh, and then shrugged as she stepped into the elevator. “We didn’t come this far to give up now, did we?”

  “No, we didn’t.” He followed her in. “We will go check on Rachel and Tina and then go shopping.”

  “Shopping? What for?”

  “An evening gown, unless you brought one with you?”

  “No, I don’t even own an evening gown.”

  * * *

  Hours later, in her hotel room, Jenny stared at herself in the mirror in complete disbelief. She’d chosen the cream-colored gown because the others had been so colorful, so bright and bold, there would be no way to blend in with the crowd wearing one of them.

  Swallowing the lump in her throat, she closed her eyes, blocking her reflection. There would be no way of blending in wearing this one, either. The flowing, chiffon underdress was simple, with a boat neck and full skirt; it was the overdress, and how it fit that made her insides quiver. Sequined with mock, glittering diamonds in flower burst shapes, the overdress fit her as tight as the matching elbow-length gloves fit over her hands and arms.

  The overdress stopped just above her knees and hugged her breasts, her waist, her hips. Opening her eyes, she twisted and peered into the mirror. Dear Lord, yes. It hugged her hind end, too.

  “You look like a movie star,” Tina said.

  “Doesn’t she?” Rachel asked, while adding a headband to Jenny’s outfit and positioning the single white feather to stand up perfectly.

  “I think this dress is too tight,” Jenny said. “It hadn’t seemed so tight at the store.” Probably because she’d just slipped it on and then back off, knowing Connor was waiting on her. He would have waited longer, and not complained, she was sure of that, she just... Oh, for heaven’s sake. She hadn’t wanted to be away from him any longer than necessary. Because of the kiss they’d shared in the car before going into the store.

  It had left her wanting more, just as much as the one they’d shared in the hallway outside her room last night.

  They had agreed on their walk back to the hotel to take it slow, really get to know each other this time, with no pressure or expectations.

&nbs
p; Then, she’d dreamed about him, and her, and Emily, becoming a family. It had been so real, so right, that she’d awakened this morning with optimism. Genuine optimism that Connor was right. It was time to put the past behind them and focus on the future. They’d talked about that again today. She’d even had a fleeting idea about taking a midwife job with George—if the bill passed and she was no longer needed at Gretchen’s.

  There were a lot of ifs, but there was a lot of hope inside her, too.

  “Applesauce! It’s not too tight,” Tina said, handing her a glove. “That’s how it’s supposed to fit. Show off your lovely figure.”

  “I don’t want to show off my figure.” Jenny twisted, looked at how it emphasized her shape again. It was...risqué!

  “Mr. McCormick is going to like it,” Rachel said.

  “And how!” Tina expressed her agreement.

  Jenny pressed a hand to her chest at the skipping of her heart. She’d tried her hardest to not let anyone notice her growing feelings for Connor, and thought she had done an excellent job of not letting the girls think there was anything between him and her.

  “It doesn’t matter if he likes it or not,” she said, pretending to make sure the pins in her hair were secure.

  “Banana oil!” Tina said. “The two of you are crushing. It’s written all over your faces.”

  “No, it’s not,” Jenny argued, pulling on one long glove.

  “And I’m not pregnant,” Tina said.

  Jenny felt her shoulders droop and looked at Rachel. “Is it that evident?”

  Rachel grinned and nodded. “It has been since the day Annie was born.”

  The second glove fell from her fingers. “No.”

  “Yes,” Rachel said.

  “We are all rooting for you,” Tina said while hooking a short strand of tiny mock diamonds around Jenny’s neck.

  A bellhop had delivered the necklace to the room a few moments ago. Said Connor had asked to have it delivered to her.

  Jenny leaned closer to the mirror, looking at how the stones sparkled and reflected miniature rainbows when she turned her neck this way and that. Especially the three larger stones in the center of the necklace. Those on her gown didn’t have the same brilliance. The same warmth. “Rooting for what?” she asked, leaning back.

  From behind her shoulder, Tina smiled in the mirror. “You and Mr. McCormick. Being married to him will be like a fairytale come true.”

  That it would be, but she wasn’t going to put the cart before the horse. She was going to take things slow. Just like they’d said.

  A knock sounded on the door.

  “He’s here!” Tina announced, giggling with glee.

  Jenny felt gleeful, too, and suddenly hoped that Connor did like the dress as she quickly pulled on the second glove.

  While Rachel collected the sleeping Annie off the bed, Tina opened the door, and then both girls, still giggling, bid good-night and left the room.

  Without saying a word, Connor walked in, and using one foot, closed the door behind him. He looked magnificent in his black tuxedo, but it was his face, his eyes, that held her attention as he continued to cross the room, never looking anywhere but at her.

  Jenny had to remind herself to breathe.

  He stopped within inches from her, and she pressed her heels hard against the floor to keep from toppling forward, into him.

  “They sounded happy,” he said, eyes still locked with hers.

  It was a moment before his words filtered through the pounding of her pulse echoing in her ears. “They are.”

  “The question is, are you?”

  As if she had no choice in the matter, a smile instantly pulled her lips wide. “Yes.”

  He slid one hand behind her neck and brought his face closer. “That’s my girl.”

  His girl. He’d used to call her that, and she’d loved it. They were both different people now, had learned from their mistakes, but he was still the man of her dreams.

  When his lips met hers, she wound her arms around his waist and kissed him, letting him know that she was no longer immature, insecure. She was a grown woman now, and was committed to making things work this time.

  So much for taking it slow.

  By the time the kiss ended, she wondered if she had sprouted wings, because she certainly had her head in the clouds. Her entire body was floating somewhere so spectacular she might never touch ground again.

  “Let me get a good look at you,” he said, taking her hand. “I see you got the necklace I bought for you.”

  She touched the mock diamonds around her neck. “I did, thank you.”

  “And the dress...” He let out a low whistle.

  She stepped back, and then still feeling weightless, and overly happy, she performed a perfect pirouette, giving him a glimpse of how the dress hugged her form.

  His eyes were twinkling as brightly as the necklace had in the mirror when she faced him again.

  “Do that again,” he said. “But slower.”

  Laughing, she twirled around again, slowly, twisting her neck one way and then the other to be able to watch him the entire time.

  “I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life,” he said.

  A hint of insecurity formed. “You don’t think it’s too tight?”

  “Tight?”

  She ran her hands down her sides. “Yes. The overdress, does it look too tight?”

  “Can you breathe?”

  “Of course I can breathe.”

  “Then it’s not too tight.” He stepped closer. “In fact, I’ve never seen a dress fit more perfectly.”

  He kissed her again, and Jenny wished they didn’t have to leave the room. But they did, because she really had to get things settled for the girls before she could move on with her own life.

  They left the room a short time later, with Connor explaining that there would be food at the party, but he’d made them reservations in the restaurant instead. Jenny was fine with that, and fine with sitting next to him in the corner booth table rather than across from him.

  He asked her to tell him all about Emily, from her middle name to her favorite activities, and so many things in between that Jenny didn’t know some of the answers. Like if Emily liked cats or dogs better, or if she could live anywhere, where that would be, or what made her laugh the most.

  “I truly don’t know,” she said, laughing at how he pressed for an answer. “She laughs a lot, about a lot of things.”

  “Because you are a wonderful mother, and make life fun for her,” he said, kissing her cheek.

  The touch of his lips made her sigh, wishing she could turn her head so their lips could meet. She could do that, but couldn’t because they were in the restaurant, with others nearby. Someday, that wouldn’t matter, and that was a day she was hoping would come soon. Very soon. “I just want her to be happy,” she said.

  “If you’re happy, she’ll be happy,” he said.

  Melancholy struck like a bell ringing. “It wasn’t that way for my mother,” she said. “I was a real brat. It’s embarrassing to admit that.” For years she’d blamed it all on her mother and Richard, until Connor had said that children want attention and he’d sought it with his phones and by being funny and happy-go-lucky. Then she’d questioned herself, and how she’d behaved. It hadn’t been flattering to remember.

  “You couldn’t have been that bad.”

  “Yes, I was.” She’d acted the same way toward him when she’d thought he’d lied to her.

  He kissed her cheek. “That had to have been before I met you.”

  “No, it wasn’t.” She would have to tell him the truth. The entire truth. It was the only way they could go forward and forget the past.

  He touched the side of her face. “Whether you believe you were a brat or not, your parents shouldn’t
have abandoned you. I know you’d never do that to Emily.”

  She wouldn’t. Emily could never do anything that would make her abandon her daughter. There was shared fault in her past. She had misbehaved, but as a parent, so had her mother.

  Looking at Connor, she nodded. “Once again, you’re right.”

  He chuckled and laid his napkin on the table. They’d finished their meal, as well as a cup of coffee. “It’s time for us to attend that party.”

  Jenny drew in a deep breath for fortification—both for the next hour, and to make a silent vow that she’d tell him about Donald being Emily’s father when they got home.

  That done, she asked, “Do you think the governor will even talk to us? About the changes we’re trying to make?”

  He touched the tip of her nose and then stood. “There’s only one way to find out.”

  She took a hold of his proffered hand, and then wrapped her arm around his as they walked out of the restaurant.

  The party was in the biggest, most grand banquet room she’d ever seen. Sparkling with light, crystal chandeliers hung from a dark-red-painted ceiling. The walls were painted dark red, too, with gold-and-white ornately carved moldings. Thick red-and-gold carpet covered the floor, and there had to have been at least two hundred people, walking, standing or sitting on the chairs surrounding the many tables filling the room.

  Jenny wrapped her arm tighter around Connor’s elbow. She wondered if this was how Cinderella had felt walking into the ball.

  Connor looked at her and winked.

  Jenny grinned. She may not be Cinderella, but he most certainly was Prince Charming.

  “Connor McCormick! What on earth are you doing here?”

  Something about the woman’s voice spiked Jenny’s attention, gave her heart an odd hitch. Connor looked at her with a grin that took up his entire face, before he turned to the blonde woman in an elegant blue gown walking toward them. “Hello. Is Wilbur here?”

  “Of course.” The woman rolled her eyes. “It’s the governor’s party. Heaven forbid we’d ever miss one of those.”

  “You remember...” Connor paused and looked down at her again.

  Confused for a flash of a moment, Jenny looked harder at the woman.