He passed a folder across the table to her, and she stopped herself from asking if it was a “Welcome to the Richardson Campaign” packet. “I’ll do that; thank you.”
As she flipped through the pages, she found advisory team member information, the basics of Ford’s platform, a schedule of upcoming events, and a list of talking points. “Are these pre-written tweets?”
Robert cleared his throat. “Yes. Our social media intern prepared them. If you have an opportunity, we’d love for you to try to use any or all of them. It will be helpful in reaching the younger voters that we tend to lose to Democrats.”
“I doubt that eighteen-year-olds are swayed by political tweets.”
“It’s just one of a many-pronged approach. It can’t hurt.” Robert shrugged. The reach for voters who traditionally identified as Democrats clearly wasn’t a top priority. Lily assumed the Tea Party candidate was the real threat to Ford’s re-election chances.
“Sure, I’m happy to help in any way that I can. And is it safe to assume that these are the events I’ll need to attend?” She pointed out the highlighted entries on Ford’s schedule.
“That’s right. We would love to see you there, but so far none of them will require you to address the group or anything. That’s really more for earlier in the election, so next time we might call on you.” Next time? If everything went according to plan, she’d be Ford’s wife the next time he ran for office. “And now, unfortunately, there is the unsavory business of our chief competitor’s attack on your relationship.” Charlie pulled out a tablet and brought up one example after another of Sam Coldwell sound bites, each one questioning their relationship or outright accusing the Richardson campaign of orchestrating the engagement to distract voters from the issues. Though it was true, Lily wondered what issues their engagement was distracting voters from. As far as she could tell, the only issue facing the campaign was created by Coldwell himself, who made Ford’s bachelor status something to talk about.
“We haven’t responded one way or another yet,” Caroline said, interrupting her thoughts. “We have to do something, though; we can’t simply allow this rhetoric to continue. Reacting too quickly has never been wise, so we’re taking a moment to formulate our plan.”
Ford leaned back in his chair, and Lily was amazed at how he could appear so unaffected in the face of this campaign crisis. He’d had more experience with the pressures of running for office, so maybe this wasn’t the worst he’d experienced. “The way I see it, we either go on the offensive and push back, or we make a quick statement about the engagement and put more effort into showing our happy faces in public. I’m sure we could get a mushy statement about how very much in love we are, etcetera, etcetera, put together relatively quickly.”
Hearing him address the matter so devoid of emotion made Lily glad she’d kept a bit of her desire to herself and never forgotten that this was all an elaborate agreement. In the cold light of the crisis, he didn’t seem to mirror the complex development of emotions she’d struggled with. They had a good relationship, and they clearly liked each other, but the fact was that he needed this engagement. He wouldn’t have proposed if his campaign hadn’t depended on it. It was too easy to get caught up in the emotions their chemistry inspired, but they’d never agreed to anything more than an engagement. Not love. This was a strategy meeting, nothing more, and if she wanted to protect her heart she’d keep that in mind.
“The best bet is probably a combination of both—you know, hit it from every angle,” Robert said, then paused to drain his takeout coffee cup and toss it into an overflowing garbage can full of similar cups. “You two will need to be seen together a lot while Ford’s in town, both in candid situations and at planned events. Lily, if you could spare the time to accompany him to D.C., that would be even better. We’ll put the word out and make sure that the press picks up on every appearance you make, even if it’s nothing more than grabbing your morning coffee together or picking out your china pattern.” He snapped his fingers. “Especially if it’s picking out your china pattern. I’ll bet we could get a wedding feature in D Magazine or Texas Monthly, and maybe one of those bridal magazines, and have them cover you planning the wedding. People eat that stuff up.” She could practically see the gears turning in his mind as his plan took shape.
“Hey, that could work. I knew I hired you for a reason.” Ford teased, drumming his fingers on the table as his mind went to work. Lily felt invisible, like the sliver of emotion that had cropped up between them was lost in the calculations happening in the conference room.
“That’s why you pay me the big bucks.” Robert sat back with a satisfied grin.
Lily had made no promises beyond the November election, but the engagement was starting to become more of a commitment than she’d agreed to. Ford had given her the impression that until Election Day, her only obligation was to keep up appearances. Now they had to start their bridal registry? Putting their wedding preparations in writing, and in magazines, and on television, documented for anyone interested in them, made everything much more difficult to back away from. How could she quietly end the engagement if that was her choice? She’d have to dismantle wedding registries, return early gifts, and broadcast the news that they’d broken up much wider than before. If they asked her to go ahead with wedding dress shopping, she’d have to put a stop to the runaway engagement train. If they had their way, she’d be chatting with a lifestyle reporter while she got her dress fitted. Her nonreturnable wedding dress.
“Excuse me, but would you prefer that I answer questions or not? The reporter this morning certainly had no trouble finding me, so there’s no reason to think it won’t happen again.” Lily figured that if she was stuck following the team’s approach, she might as well get with the program and put herself back in the discussion. Maybe they’d stop talking about her and her imaginary wedding like she wasn’t in the room.
Caroline tapped her pen against the table, narrowing her eyes as she decided. “You know, I think we should address any further questions head on. Dodging the reporters makes it look like there’s a story there, and we’d prefer that there’s nothing for them to grab on to. You know what I mean? Keep it simple, though, and don’t get caught explaining yourself or giving too many details. Something quick and breezy, like ‘we’re very happy together, thank you’ should suffice.”
“That’s the truth,” Ford added, lacing his fingers through hers and kissing her hand. “There’s nothing more to the story than a simple engagement.”
He wasn’t even letting his team in on the discussions they’d had about his need for a fiancée. As far as they knew, she hadn’t agreed to the engagement for his campaign; she’d said yes because they were in love.
Chapter Seven
Ford’s parents loved throwing cocktail parties in their home: his father to socialize, network, and bring the kids together, his mother primarily to show off the family’s art collection and excellent taste in expensive wine. When she entertained, she was in her element, buzzing through her home full of guests like the queen bee that she was. His engagement combined with the upcoming election was the perfect excuse for them to invite everyone who was anyone to celebrate, and their home was filled with laughter and animated conversation. Most men would probably introduce their fiancées to their parents during an intimate family dinner, but Ford knew better. After the awkward reception they’d received from Lily’s parents, he was convinced that the more people around, the better. They’d do what they had to do, but the tension would be pleasantly diffused with the atmosphere and alcohol. Mother would certainly make her opinion, whatever it was, known, but at least with such a large audience, he wouldn’t have to hear much about it tonight. The excellent wine and hors d’oeuvres were a bonus.
With a gentle hand on her arm above her elbow, Ford leaned down to whisper. “Nobody but Mother knows that the advisory team wanted me to get engaged. She may hint at it, but she won’t tell my brothers or her friends.”
&nb
sp; “What about your dad?”
“I don’t know if she’s told him or not. He won’t let it slip if she did, though. Just remember that as far as everyone else knows, this is a normal engagement.”
“Got it.” When she tilted her face toward him to answer, the light perfume she wore drifted up.
Ford’s youngest brother, Grant, was in town from medical school for the party. He attended University of Texas in Austin, so he could make the quick trip home for the occasional family get-together as necessary. He was pouring a frothy beer from the keg behind the bar when he noticed Ford and waved them over.
“Hey!” Grant rounded the bar and pulled Ford into a bear hug, pounding him on the back a few times for good measure. “Dad said you were engaged, so I decided to finally come to one of these snoozefests and see for myself.”
“I see. You’ll make the drive to drink Dad’s beer and meet a pretty girl, but not to help me get through any of the excruciating dinners they’ve been throwing for me lately.” Ford kidded his brother and punched him on the shoulder.
“Hey, you know I’d love nothing more than to watch you talk about the same policies and political issues over and over again, but I kind of need to concentrate on school.” Grant took a big drink of his beer.
“I guess I’ll let you off the hook. I’d hate to be the reason you’re not smart enough to avoid a malpractice suit someday.”
Ford introduced Lily to his brother and enjoyed the way Grant’s eyes widened in appreciation. Lily was stunning, and the more time he spent with her, the easier it was to forget what a shock it could be to meet her. His middle brother, Lincoln, was sipping his own beer and chatting with his long-time girlfriend across the room. Grant called to him over the humming conversation, apparently unfettered with the basic manners their mother had worked so hard to instill in them.
Grant and his girlfriend joined the group, and introductions were made. Ford took a moment to enjoy the ease with which Lily fit into the family. His brothers were easygoing and agreeable, but it couldn’t be easy to meet everyone in the family all at once.
Lincoln’s girlfriend, Serena, had finished her master’s degree in social work earlier that year and had recently started a new job. “That’s so cool that you’ll have your own agency,” she said to Lily. “The place where I work is having trouble paying the bills, and they are laying people off left and right. I work for a program that’s funded by the government, so I’m not at quite as much at risk, but they pull those state dollars all the time apparently. I might come begging you for a job if they let me go.”
“I’m sure we’d love to have you once we’re up and running. We should get in touch when I actually know what kinds of positions we’ll have available.”
Serena and Lincoln had been together since college, so she might as well be a part of the family. She was the daughter of one of Mother’s best friends and definitely didn’t need to worry about money if she got laid off. It was nice to see the women in their lives networking and getting along so easily, though.
“So, Lily, have you met the parents yet?” Mischief sparkled in Grant’s eyes.
“Not yet. Any tips?” Lily looked like she knew there was a joke she wasn’t quite in on.
“Wear a jacket.” Serena took an innocent sip from her straw and fluttered her eyelids at Lincoln. “What? Your mother can be a bit chilly.”
Lincoln put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. To Lily, he tried to be reassuring. “You have to meet her, but you don’t have to prolong it. Get in, get out, and save yourself.”
Serena added, “I wish I could say he was kidding.”
The group laughed, but nobody was really joking. It wasn’t going to be an easy, warm reception and Ford knew it. The sooner he introduced Lily to his parents, the sooner it would be over. His father was entertaining a small group of friends, so Ford excused himself and Lily to join them. Holding hands, they casually joined the intimate circle. After the group’s laughter at Dad’s joke died down, Ford made use of the opening.
“Dad, I’d like you to meet Lily Ashton, my fiancée.” Ford held his breath as he scanned the room, looking for Mother. His father would love anyone he brought home, would be charming and agreeable no matter what he actually thought of her, and Ford didn’t worry for a second that Lily would feel right at home. Growing up with Buck Richardson as his example was where Ford learned how to charm people no matter the situation, to bring them to his way of thinking. It had been perhaps his most powerful asset in his campaign. Buck never met a stranger, and he had a way of loosening purse strings when it came to campaigns he cared about. His mother, on the other hand, had laid the sweetness in her voice on a little too thick to be believable when they spoke on the phone earlier, so he knew he was in for a tough time.
His father shook Lily’s hand, beaming down at her warmly. “We’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to meet you, dear.” He was practiced at making people comfortable, and he put his charms to work on Lily right away. “I’m only sorry that Ford took so long to bring you home. Where has he been hiding you?”
Lily was clearly flattered by his attention. “Thank you for having me, Mr. Richardson. You have a gorgeous home.” A bit of tension left Ford’s shoulders. Lily was a natural in social settings and could hold her own; he shouldn’t have worried. Between his father’s practiced social graces and Lily’s natural charisma, he could likely leave them alone and confront his mother head on.
“Call me Buck, honey. You’re family now. Where are my manners? Let’s get you a drink.” His father flagged down a passing waiter and pulled two glasses of red wine from the tray and handed one to Lily. “I hope you like red, because this is one of my favorites. Jessica and I discovered this fantastic winery in Napa on vacation last year. Ever since our trip, we’ve been sure to always have it on hand. Now, I’d like to propose a toast.” Ford took another glass from the tray and raised it in anticipation as several guests joined the loosely formed circle.
“Thank you to everyone, our dearest friends and colleagues, who came to celebrate tonight. We are so proud of Ford and all he’s accomplished, and now we’re thrilled to add his beautiful fiancée to the family.” Dad raised his glass and smiled at Lily, sincere welcome in his eyes. “To Ford and Lily, a beautiful couple with a bright future. I look forward to dancing at your wedding.” Everyone tipped their glasses and drank to them, murmuring their well wishes. Ford accepted the group’s congratulations but kept an eye out for his mother.
Her entrance was timed perfectly to ensure maximum impact. She sauntered toward them in a cloud of condescension and expensive perfume, her eyes focused on the trio. “Buck, why didn’t you tell me our guest of honor was here?” She turned and swiped a glass from the waiter’s tray. “You must be Lily. Welcome to our home; I’m Jessica Richardson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” His brother was right; Lily should’ve worn a jacket.
Lily shook Mother’s hand and looked her in the eye with a confidence he rarely saw in the women he introduced to his family. Either she didn’t realize who she was dealing with or didn’t care, because she didn’t shrink away or flinch from the acid cloaked in sugar in Mother’s tone. Whichever it was, standing beside a woman who didn’t wither under Mother’s gaze was a novel experience, one Ford hadn’t realized he’d enjoy quite so much.
“Mrs. Richardson, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” Lily’s smile appeared to be genuine, likely the result of many years’ worth of practice. Being a professional model was coming in handy. He waited for Mother to insist that Lily call her Jessica, or at least pretend she accepted that Lily was joining the family.
“I’m afraid Rutherford hasn’t told us much about you, but you look awfully familiar. What is it that you do?” Jessica Richardson sipped her wine, never breaking eye contact with Lily as she waited for the answer.
Of course Mother knew Lily was a model. She was likely asking so she could gauge Lily’s reaction as she looked down her nose at her, to see how ea
sy it was to shrink her with a single look. Mother never said anything by accident.
Lily took a sip from her glass. “I’m a model. You’ve probably seen one of my ads or something.” Ford silently dared Lily to talk about Soldier On, to watch Mother try not to choke on her drink at the thought of a liberal marrying into the family, but no such luck. Serena got a pass from Mother because of her family. As long as she came from good stock, her job was irrelevant.
Mother looked decidedly disappointed when Lily neither withered under her gaze nor looked apologetic about her profession. “Perhaps that’s it, but you do seem awfully familiar.”
Mother drained her glass and set it on a table, likely certain that it would be collected by the catering staff before anyone noticed it was there. “Perhaps you have a familiar face, then. You kids enjoy the party. Be sure to try the shrimp tartlets; I hear they are positively divine.” She waved to a woman Ford recognized from the garden club, the diamonds in her tennis bracelet catching the light with every movement. Before he had a chance to register relief that the encounter had been so quick and painless, Mother laid her hand on his forearm. “Ford, dear, don’t leave before I give you the check the Carmichaels sent over for your campaign.”
“I’ve got it in the study, actually,” Ford’s father chimed in. “They send their regrets for missing the party tonight. Let me go ahead and give it to you now so we don’t forget.”
With his hand engulfing hers, Ford led Lily through the crowded great room toward the hallway leading to his father’s study. He watched her eyes flick across the family’s home, appraising the sumptuous furnishings and artwork. As well-traveled as she was, Lily had an eye for good art and would probably enjoy lingering at some of the family’s nicer pieces.
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