“Good morning. You must be Annie Merriman. Kip Porter. Welcome.”
Annie extended her hand. “Thank you, but I believe we’ve met.”
Kip noticed the disdain on her face and chuckled, hoping to ease the tension. “Yes, I realize that now. I’m very sorry for the mix-up. Please, forgive me.” He placed his other hand over their clasped palms, refusing to let her go until he saw some kind of absolution. “If I’d had some warning you would be there I never would have made that mistake. Can we just forget about it and start again?”
He watched Annie’s eyes trail down to her imprisoned hand and then glance back up. “Perhaps that’s best.” Her face remained implacable and Kip knew he had his work cut out for him if he was going to work his magic on this much-needed ally.
“Well then,” he said as he released her hand, “please come in and meet the rest of the team. I, for one, am very excited to have you on board. I’d like to talk about the campaign and your ideas. Perhaps we could get a cup of coffee after the meeting?”
“Coffee won’t be necessary, but I do have several ideas I’d like to run past you.” Annie brushed past him and entered the conference room, where Tom made introductions. Kip raked his hand through his thick hair and laughed. Damned if this little charade of theirs wouldn’t be interesting, he thought, as a huge smile spread across his face.
Twenty minutes into the meeting, Kip couldn’t resist casting glances at Annie, whose leg crossed over her knee gave him a small glimpse at her lower thigh. He was having difficulty concentrating on his staff assistant’s list of phone calls and letters that needed his attention, until Annie spoke up.
“Is there a reason why this woman continues to call and send letters?” she asked.
Kip cleared his throat and joined the discussion. “I’m sorry, who did you say called on Friday?”
“Martha Mahan. She called again to complain about the smell coming from the chicken farm next door,” said his assistant.
While the entire table, including Kip, chuckled and mumbled disparaging comments, Annie murmured to herself, “Well, I guess some constituents just aren’t to be taken seriously.” She pointedly stacked and restacked the collection of papers in front of her.
“Annie, did you have a question?” Tom asked.
Annie shifted in her chair, glancing at the twenty blank faces surrounding the table. The silence in the room seemed to echo around her. She cleared her throat and looked at Tom then Kip. “I’m sorry, it’s just that maybe someone on your staff should call her back. I mean…maybe she has a legitimate gripe.”
Kip leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and looked at Annie’s big brown eyes. How could he deny her earnest suggestion? “Well, okay. Maybe you’re right. I’ll put a call into Martha Mahan as soon as we’re finished here.”
The staff meeting ended ninety minutes later and Kip caught up to Annie as she walked out. “Annie, would you join me in my office, please?”
“Of course.”
Kip led the way into his office and offered Annie a seat in front of his desk. “I thought you might like to be here when I call Martha Mahan.” He flashed his most charming grin and noticed her brushing her hands across her skirt.
“It’s really not necessary, but if you’d like me to be here, that’s fine.”
Kip tapped in Martha Mahan’s number and put the call on speaker phone, continuing to smile at Annie across the desk.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Mahan, this is Kip Porter, your congressman,” he said in a cheery voice.
“Finally. I was starting to wonder if you’d ever call me back.”
“I apologize, Ms. Mahan. You can imagine how busy my job is representing the fine folks of the 9th District.”
Martha Mahan snickered. “Okay, sure. Well, the reason for my numerous calls and letters is because the chicken farm a half mile down the road from my house is polluting the air around here. Everyone within a three-mile radius can smell it. There’s something not right about that place. I’ve lived here my whole life and…”
While Martha continued to vent her frustrations over the chicken farm and the county’s lack of response, Kip kept his eyes trained on Annie, who was looking intently at the phone. Surely Annie could tell this woman was crazy. She had a screeching voice and Kip could hear cats meowing in the background. Annie looked at Kip suddenly; he gave her a shrug and a playful smile. He watched Annie reach across his desk, pick up a Post-It note and pen, and write the words you need to go see her and the farm. Kip knew this was a wild goose chase, but he would do anything to be in Annie’s good graces.
He interrupted Martha’s rant. “Ex—excus-excuse me, Ms. Mahan? Sorry to interrupt. I think your problem is worth investigating. How about I contact the department of agriculture and come out there with one of their inspectors? Oh, and do you mind if I bring along one of my staff members? She would be very interested in this.” He winked at Annie and watched as her face turned to stone.
After a few more minutes of Martha Mahan reiterating the problem, Kip was able to hang up, feeling very satisfied with his plan.
“I hope you don’t mind me including you on this little jaunt, since you seem so concerned with Ms. Mahan’s dilemma,” Kip said as he came around the desk, extending his hand to help Annie out of her chair.
Annie’s expression was inscrutable. “Not at all. I think it would be helpful for me to see you in action.”
She picked up her leather bag and as she traversed the office, he couldn’t help but whisper to himself, “This is going to be fun.”
A few minutes later Tom burst through Kip’s office door. “Bro, you have got to stop pissing that girl off.”
Kip dropped the report he had been reading and tilted back in his leather chair. “What are you talking about?”
“I just passed Annie in the hall and could practically see steam coming out of her ears. What happened?”
“I called her bluff,” he said with a slightly sinister chuckle. “She wanted me to deal with the Martha Mahan situation and I did, but I told Ms. Mahan one of my staff was coming along to check out the chicken stink. I’m not sure our dear Ms. Cooper appreciated that.”
“Shit, man, you’re supposed to be ingratiating yourself, not starting World War III. We need to get Senator Cooper on our side with this pipeline bill. And it’s Ms. Merriman these days—she doesn’t know we know who she is, and for now I think it should stay that way.”
“Okay, okay.” Kip began rocking in his chair, drumming his fingers on the desk. “What do you want me to do?”
“Tomorrow is the Women’s Club luncheon at the Hay Adams. I’ll tell Annie I can’t go, and that she has to be there instead. And you, my friend, turn on the charm and get this girl to ask you to Sunday dinner with the family. Don’t blow it this time.”
Six
Annie stood beside Kip at the entrance to the ballroom, where a monthly luncheon hosted by the Greater Washington Women’s Club was being held. The cream colored walls, yellow tablecloths, and soft chandelier lighting gave a golden glow to the room. Dozens of well-groomed women mingled among their important guests. Mainly politicians, diplomats, and heads of departments were gathered in twos and threes, engrossed in conversation with these ladies whose husbands were some of the most powerful in the country. Today’s luncheon agenda focused on music education in public schools and the guest speaker was a world renowned violinist.
“Congressman Porter, so delighted to have you here.” An attractive older woman rushed toward Kip, her manicured fingertips wiggling at the end of her outstretched arms, causing her collection of gold bangles to clatter on her wrist. “So happy you could come and how disappointing that Tom got tied up in all those meetings.” She air-kissed Kip on each cheek and then turned her nipped-and-tucked face toward Annie. “Who do we have here?”
“This is my new campaign manager, Annie Merriman. Annie, I’d like to introduce you to Amelia Wentworth.”
The two women shook hands
as Kip continued. “Mrs. Wentworth is very interested in improving our public education system and is a big supporter of the arts.”
Feigning embarrassment, Amelia chortled, “Oh, I just try to do my small part. Annie, it is so nice to meet you. Kip is such a darling—he’ll make your job so easy. Who wouldn’t want to vote for that handsome face?”
That same handsome face had turned red. “Thank you so much, Amelia. That’s very kind of you.”
While Amelia and Kip continued to laud one another, Annie kept a broad smile plastered on her face. Really? She thinks my job is going to be easy? If the first three days were any indication, she was going to have her work cut out for her. To put up with Kip’s smug, annoying “perfection” for the next five months was going to be torture. Thank God there was a light at the end of the tunnel: Election Day.
“Do you mind if I steal your handsome boss away for a few minutes? I have someone he must meet,” Amelia said.
“Oh, be my guest, please,” Annie answered with a gracious smile.
She watched them walk away, Amelia’s arm tucked tightly inside Kip’s, their heads pressed together in quiet conversation. They stopped only a few feet away near the bar and Annie watched Amelia’s face grow red with each word Kip murmured. She was fairly blushing and Annie wondered what he could possibly be saying to her to make her act like a school girl.
Such is the behavior of every politician, she guessed. Annie picked up a glass of iced tea from a passing waiter and leaned against a marbled column. Charm the wealthy and you can rest assured re-election is in your future. It appeared Kip Porter had learned that lesson as he continued flattering Mrs. Wentworth. She wondered how far that Hollywood smile would get him.
“Annie, sweetheart, what are you doing here?” Annie jumped, disrupting her observations. She turned and found her mother coming toward her with outstretched arms.
“Hey, Mom,” Annie said as she hugged her mother.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” Marjorie Cooper said, brushing Annie’s curls away from her face.
“I’m here with my new boss.” Annie froze as she realized her mother was standing beside her…and Kip didn’t know Cooper was her last name. She turned and pulled her mother through the doorway into the foyer. “Mom, listen, you can’t let on to my boss that I’m your daughter.”
“Why? What are you up to?”
“Look, when I met his chief of staff I told him my name was Annie Merriman. They don’t know I’m a senator’s daughter.”
“Why did you do that?”
“I can’t talk about this now.”
“Does your father know? What’s this all about?”
“Mom, please…no, he doesn’t know. For once I just want to be my own person.”
“I don’t understand.” Her mother took a quick sip of her cocktail. “You’re not making sense.”
“I’m tired of the expectations—the assumptions—that go along with being Senator George Cooper’s daughter from the great state of North Carolina.” Annie whispered his name, making sure no one around them heard. “And, I’m tired of his meddling.”
“Well, you don’t have to act like it’s a curse or something.”
“It is a curse.”
“That’s not very nice, Ann. Your father is a wonderful man and cares deeply for your happiness and success.”
Annie cocked her head and put a hand on her hip. “Really? Seriously? Mom, please, do you hear yourself?”
“Things have been wonderful between your father and me for several months. If you’d come to brunch once in a while you’d see that.”
“I’ve been…busy.” Annie glanced over her shoulder at a group of people coming into the foyer. She hadn’t been to her mother’s weekly Sunday brunch in over a month, preferring to avoid her father altogether. The last time she’d been there, he was so ingratiating to her mother, so affectionate...it was infuriating. He’d probably gotten caught red-handed again and was trying to make amends. And worse, Marjorie Cooper was letting him get away with it. Again.
“So, if you’re impersonating someone named Annie Merriman, what will you tell your boss when you introduce us?”
“Technically, I’m not impersonating anyone. Though I can’t introduce you.” Annie tipped her head toward the door, making sure Kip hadn’t seen them talking. She needn’t have worried; Kip was surrounded by Women’s Club members, giving them his undivided attention.
Marjorie craned her neck to get a better view of Kip. “He’s quite handsome, isn’t he?” “Oh, my God, please, Mom. Let me get back to work.”
After the luncheon, Kip drove Annie to her apartment, since she had taken the metro to the hotel. They were silent for several blocks, both seeming deep in thought. Annie couldn’t stop reliving the luncheon, picturing Kip fawning over the club’s members and graciously chatting with various government officials. He could work a room better than the best of them, shaking hands, smiling warmly, doling out compliments. He had regaled them with stories of his football career and years of piano lessons in an attempt to show his interest in music education. If she heard one more middle-aged, strongly-perfumed lady tell her what a marvelous person Kip was, she thought she’d gag. His charming, downright flirtatious demeanor around these women was quite annoying and yet...rather telling.
During the official entertainment portion of the afternoon, Kip had seemed mesmerized by the melodic sound of the violin, his head tilted back and his eyes closed. Annie swallowed a laugh, wondering if he had actually been sleeping. Of course, she knew he hadn’t been, since she caught him covertly looking at her several times.
Mere blocks from her apartment, Kip finally broke the stillness. “Why didn’t you drive to the luncheon?”
“It’s a waste of energy. When I’m in the city, I try to use mass transit.”
Kip nodded once. “But, you’ve got a car.”
“Which I drive when necessary. Besides, it has great gas mileage. Why do you drive a Lexus?”
“It’s a great car, very comfortable.”
“Very expensive.”
“That’s true, but—”
“But what? Tom had me review the office books and I noticed you pay quite a hefty lease payment for this car. Is that the best use of taxpayer funds?” Annie had turned in her seat and drilled Kip with a large-eyed stare.
“It’s a legitimate expense. I’m not breaking any rules. I travel quite a bit for my job and need a comfortable car. I won’t apologize for it.” Kip glared back at her.
“It just doesn’t seem like the right image to portray to your constituents, who are primarily blue collar. I mean, yes, some of the folks in your district are higher income Annapolis and DC commuters, but for the most part your people are living paycheck to paycheck. Shouldn’t you have more of a ‘man of the people’ image?”
Kip didn’t respond, which gave Annie time to notice his shallow breathing and flaring nostrils. Was he bothered by the district from which he came? Meager beginnings were nothing to be ashamed of. She could see that she’d struck a nerve and he was doing his best to control his anger.
“I’ll discuss it with Tom,” he murmured.
“Do you make any decisions without Tom? How does this whole thing work? Who’s the boss?”
“Tom is my chief of staff and closest advisor,” he said, barely containing his rising annoyance. “Of course I’m the boss, but we work more like a team. For example, Tom hired you and you may report directly to him, but ultimately, I’m your boss.”
Annie smiled sweetly. “Point taken. I’ll remember that.”
Again, for several blocks the car was silent but for the steady purr of the engine and Kip’s heavy breathing. A moment later, he pulled his sedan to the curb outside Annie’s building and tapped the console between them.
“Sit right there,” he said before climbing out of the car. He walked around the front fender, buttoning his jacket, then opened Annie’s door while extending his hand. She placed her hand in his and he tightened
his grip, throwing Annie for an unexpected loop when she looked into his crystal blue eyes.
“Thank you,” she said sheepishly. The irritation that seemed to have been seething just beneath the surface during the car ride had completely dissolved, leaving Kip’s face relaxed and…was that a smile?
“It’s been an interesting afternoon. I’d still like to get to know you better and wish you’d reconsider that coffee…or even dinner.”
Kip kept a firm grip on her hand and for some strange reason she couldn’t tear her eyes away. “I’m sure we’ll get to know one another at the office,” she murmured. “You know, as we discuss your campaign strategies.”
“True, but I’d like to get to know you on a more personal level.”
With sheer force of will, Annie drew her hand and eyes away. She ducked around him and stepped deliberately to the sidewalk. “I’m not sure that would be appropriate. I’ve got to go. Thank you.”
As she opened the entry door, she cast a glance over her shoulder and saw Kip leaning against the car, arms crossed over his chest, a smug grin on his face.
When Kip arrived back at the congressional office, Tom was sitting at his desk, staring at the computer screen. He didn’t seem to notice Kip’s return.
“Hey,” Kip shouted, making Tom jump in his seat.
“Damn it, bro, are you trying to give me a heart attack? What the hell’s the matter with you?”
Whatever You Call Me Page 4
