Once You'Ve Touched the Heart

by Iris Bolling

  Tracy was silent for a minute as everyone said hello. “Jeffrey, pick up the telephone for a moment, please.”

  JD complied. The guys in the room watched JD’s facial expression go from pure amusement to unrequited lust. He put the phone back on speaker.

  “What can I do for you gentlemen?” Tracy asked in the sweetest voice one can imagine.

  JD cleared his throat. “Babe, the question is on the floor, are we running for attorney general?”

  “Hmm,” Tracy sighed, “Jeffrey, you have five very intelligent, honest men in that room with you. I believe each of them has your best interests at heart. Whatever they advise should take precedence over my opinion. I take it your hesitation in committing is because of me. You are concerned that I may not be able to handle a political campaign. That cannot be your deciding factor. Your factor should be do you believe you can do something to help the people of Virginia? If you tell me you believe that, I will be with you at every stop across the state, shaking hands and kissing babies.”

  Roth smiled at the response. “Tracy,” James said, “you do realize that information regarding your family will surface and questions will be asked?”

  “Yeah, then we answer the questions. Jeffrey is the one people will need to be able to accept in this position, not me. Now when he runs for president, then we will have to be concerned with my background.”

  Roth laughed. “I like that girl.”

  “I don’t know how much exploring you guys have done, but you do realize you will have to collect thousands of signatures to get Jeffrey on the ballot before June and you have to talk to Gavin about all of this. To help you along, Mrs. Gonzalez has collected two thousand signatures; Pastor Smith has another three thousand. Magna hit several places in Northern Virginia last week and collected a little over a thousand. Dan collected two thousand in Roanoke. So you have an additional two thousand to collect.”

  JD was stunned. “When did you get all of that done?”

  Tracy sucked her teeth. “We got that started the first time you and I discussed the possibility of you running for office. It didn’t make sense to discuss it without knowing if there was any interest from the public. If we went through any political committee, there was a chance of you thinking about running getting out. So I turned to some friends who I knew would get the job done without leaks. All the data on the regional breakdown of the state is on your computer. As soon as you get your political action committee set up, you have several people ready to send in contributions and Mrs. Gonzalez is putting together a team of volunteers.” Tracy yawned. “Now, with all of that said, gentlemen, for the next few weeks each one of you belongs to me. And Mr. Harrison, I want uninterrupted time for the next month. We have to get through the holidays and the wedding. Senator?”

  Roth laughed. “Okay, Tracy, I understand. Nothing will take place before the wedding.”

  “Good. Babe, I’m going to sleep now. Wake me when you get home.”

  JD shook his head. Tracy never ceased to amaze him.

  “I’ll be home in 10 minutes.” JD disconnected the call.

  “Maybe I was wrong,” James smiled, “she may actually be better than Carolyn. No offense, Senator.”

  “None taken.”

  Douglas stood. “I think we have been talking to the wrong Harrison. From this point on, let’s get Tracy in on these conversations a little earlier.”

  Chapter 40

  During the week that followed, JD decided to talk with Gavin personally to get his honest feelings on him joining the ticket. Gavin invited JD to his house for the discussion. “JD, you have always been opposed to the political machine. What’s changed?” Gavin asked.

  “Tracy,” JD replied. “For some reason she believes I can help people. Tracy knows I love the law, everything about it. Protecting those laws and making them work the way they were meant to is important to me. Always has been. If I stay in the DA position, you know me, Gavin, I will be just as involved with cases as I was under you.” JD exhaled. “Being that involved in cases could put Tracy and our future family at risk, just as it did in September. I don’t want to go through that again.”

  Gavin had wondered how JD dealt with the shooting and the attack on Tracy. Other than the first night Tracy was in the hospital, JD showed no emotions about the incident. Now he could tell how deeply it all affected him. “It’s only natural to want to protect someone you love, but you are entering into a lifestyle with politics, JD. It’s not just a change of career path. It’s just as you always said. There is a lot of compromise and still not getting shit done. There will be times when you will have to be around people you know are dirty, but you have to keep face. You can never let them know what you are really thinking.” Gavin laughed. “You have never been able to keep your mouth shut when someone is not on point with you.”

  JD laughed. “I guess they will have to get used to me.”

  Gavin smiled. “How are you going to handle the situation with Al Day?”

  “I’m still working on that one. I hate the thought of taking Tracy through all that publicity.”

  “Well, that she is going to have to deal with. This will not be the last time controversy will be coming your way. Understand that up front, and you will be okay.”

  “How is Carolyn going to handle all of this?” JD asked.

  Gavin walked across the room and fixed a drink. Gavin and JD had always been able to talk to each other about personal issues. Most times, it was JD listening to Gavin’s advice on staying unattached. When JD started with Tracy, there was an understandable barrier. JD wanted to protect Tracy from Gavin or anyone else that may want to do her harm. Then there was Carolyn. Gavin had known Carolyn was seeing JD, but he also knew JD was not serious about her. Unfortunately for Gavin, he fell in love with Carolyn almost the moment he met her. Carolyn only began to show attention to him when it appeared he was going after the governor’s seat. Even with that, Carolyn did not commit to Gavin until she knew for sure JD was going to marry Tracy. At that point, Carolyn did not completely become his. She began to play around with his political analyst behind his back. Gavin had reached his point of patience with Carolyn.

  “I’m not sure, nor am I concerned with how Carolyn is going to handle this. The truth of the matter is, JD, you and I have always made an invincible force as a team. We had a hell of a winning streak going. Why not take that to the highest state level.”

  JD walked over to the bar, poured a drink and sat next to Gavin. “What’s happened with Carolyn?”

  Gavin smiled. “You know Carolyn; she likes to play games.”

  JD knew that very well. “Yes, she does, and plays them well. But you two are good together. I can see the two of you in the mansion. The thing Carolyn has not realized is eventually one gets frustrated with the game and wants something real.”

  Gavin nodded. “You’re right, and I have reached that point.”

  JD frowned. “Gavin, don’t give up on her.”

  Gavin put his drink down. “I’m not giving up completely. Carolyn and I will be in the mansion as husband and wife, but it will be in name only. At some point every man has to go into self-preservation mode. I’m there. I can’t allow her to cause any more damage.”

  “That’s going to lead to a pretty lonely life,” JD said.

  “Not for me; I have moved on in that department.”

  JD shook his head. “Do you think that is wise with the campaign coming up?”

  Gavin smiled. JD is finally on board and that winning attitude is in check, he thought. “It won’t be a problem.”

  Carolyn walked into the kitchen from the garage. Surprised to see JD and Gavin at the bar in the family room, she took a moment to gather herself. Carolyn smiled and walked into the room.

  “Well, good evening,” she said as she kissed Gavin.

  “Hello, Carolyn,” JD said. Carolyn stood there beside Gavin with her arms around his shoulders. She tensed for a moment, not knowing how Gavin was going to respond. Gavi
n had not touched or attempted to be with her since the night they set the wedding date. The gesture did not go unnoticed by JD or Gavin. Not wanting Carolyn to lose face, Gavin put his arm around her waist.

  “How have you been, JD?” Carolyn asked, relieved.

  “I’m good. I can see you are doing well,” he replied.

  “Gavin makes sure I’m happy.” She smiled.

  “As it should be.”

  “JD is here to discuss joining the ticket as the candidate for the AG spot,” Gavin said to Carolyn.

  Carolyn looked at Gavin, then back to JD. “Well, isn’t that just wonderful.” She hesitated for a moment, and then smiled. “I always told you politics was your destiny. What made you come to that conclusion now?”

  JD swallowed his drink. “It’s a long story, for another time,” he said as he got up to leave. “Gavin, I will not be making any announcements until after the wedding.”

  “JD, when you announce is not important. The fact that you are joining me is. I’m glad to have you on board.”

  JD shook Gavin’s hand. “Thanks, man. I’ll talk to you later.”

  JD looked at Carolyn; he could tell she was fuming inside. “Carolyn, I’m happy for you and Gavin. I believe the two of you are going to make a formidable force in the mansion.”

  After JD left, Carolyn turned to Gavin. “Are you comfortable with this?”

  Gavin grabbed his coat. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’ve worked with JD for years. I know he’s a winner. With him on the ticket, the mansion is a guarantee,” Gavin said as he kissed her forehead.

  “Where are you going?” Carolyn asked.

  Gavin turned and raised an eyebrow. “Out.”

  Carolyn did not like the game Gavin was playing. “You asked me to play the role of the loving spouse?” she asked while folding her arms across her chest.

  Gavin stepped back into the room. “It’s strange that a month ago you were eager for me to go; you never wanted me around unless there was a function we had to attend in public. Now you are concerned with where I’m going.” He laughed as he put his coat on. “I’m getting a little confused here, Carolyn. You made it clear you did not love me. Your words; not mine. What difference does it make where I’m going, as long as I am not interrupting anything you want to do?”

  “I’m not trying to keep tabs on you or anything like that. It’s just that the party is Saturday and we should be seen as the happy couple, don’t you think?” Carolyn answered with a tad bit of sarcasm.

  “That’s just for the public, isn’t it?” Gavin looked around. “I don’t see anyone here; we don’t have to pretend when we are alone, Carolyn.”

  Carolyn exhaled. “That’s just it, Gavin; I seem to be here alone quite frequently, while you are out doing whatever you do,” she said as she poured a drink.

  Gavin made a sad face. “Aw, is little Carolyn lonely? Don’t you have some party details to attend to, or where’s Jackie?”

  Carolyn swallowed; at least she had his attention for a moment. “Jackie’s out with Calvin, doing Christmas stuff.”

  Gavin nodded his head up and down. “The normal things real couples do this time of the year.”

  Carolyn closed her eyes and bit her lip. She did not want to lose her cool with Gavin right now, but she was tired of going to bed alone every night. “Maybe we should be doing those things,” she said.

  “Let me get this straight. You want to go Christmas shopping with me?”

  Carolyn looked up with a smile. “If that’s where you are going.” She looked sideways at him. “Are you shopping for me?”

  Gavin put his gloves on. “No,” he said.

  Carolyn threw her hands up in the air. “I give up, Gavin. I just give up. I don’t know what you want from me. I’m doing everything in my power to make sure you get into the mansion. You ask me to change, to adapt to what a first lady should be; I did. You ask me to stop my indiscretions; okay, I did. Now you don’t want to spend any time with me. What more is it you want from me?” Carolyn asked, forcefully putting her hands on her hips.

  Gavin stood there looking at Carolyn. Is she really that clueless? All he wanted from her was love. He shook his head. “You know, JD never thought about doing the one thing he was born to do until he found Tracy. She gave him the one thing that completed him. You could learn a lot from her,” Gavin said and walked out the door.

  Carolyn threw the glass at the wall as Gavin closed the door.

  ♥

  Gavin and Carolyn’s engagement party was the last thing Tracy wanted to attend. However, she was there for JD; at least that’s what she kept repeating to herself. This is important for Jeffrey. Gavin was now a partner, of sorts, to Jeffrey. There were going to be many occasions the four of them would have to be together.

  While at the party, Tracy and Ashley were exploring the house and just happened to walk up on Cynthia and Gavin. “This is a formality. You know what I am dealing with here,” Gavin said to Cynthia.

  Cynthia straightened Gavin’s bow tie and smiled. “You have a good night. I’m a big girl. I can handle this. You do what you have to do to make this work.” Gavin kissed Cynthia gently on the lips, then walked out of a door on the other side of the room.

  That night Ashley wanted to approach Cynthia, but Tracy stopped her. “Now is not the time,” she said, “Gavin and Carolyn are about to make their entrance.”

  The entrance was nothing short of majestic. Between Carolyn and Cynthia, the engagement party was what dreams were made of. After the introduction, Gavin bent on one knee and presented Carolyn with a ring made of emeralds (her birthstone) and diamonds that seemed to light up the room. If any of that was planned, it did not show on Carolyn’s face. She seemed to be as overwhelmed as everyone else in the room. Tears actually filled her eyes. Cameras went off in every direction. As they walked down the staircase, the dance floor cleared. As soon as their feet touched the floor the music started playing. As they began to dance, people gathered around, admiring the couple. They were breathtaking together dancing. Yes, it was easy to imagine this gentle giant Gavin and the stunning Carolyn taking this dance into the mansion.

  At this point one would think that the parents of the couple would join them on the dance floor. Not at a Carolyn Roth function. Anything and everything Carolyn did, including her engagement party, was geared towards winning the mansion next November. Carolyn instructed the hostesses to ask JD and Tracy to join them on the dance floor on the second song. Tracy was taken back a little as JD led her to the dance floor. He pulled Tracy close and whispered, “Don’t worry about the people. I’m here with you.” He smiled down at her. Tracy smiled back, closed her eyes and danced with her soon-to-be husband. The audience applause and cheers were so loud, it brought a huge smile to Carolyn’s and Gavin’s faces.

  The political crowd was seeing a preview of the year to come. A year from now, most of the guests were praying the two couples on the dance floor would be dancing at the next inauguration. Some of the guests—Republicans—were taking notes; they would have to find a way to prevent this from becoming a reality. The political power base in the room this night alone would be undefeatable. As the song ended, an upbeat tune began to play. Carolyn had selected the music well. It was important to make sure people understood: this was a young, vibrant ticket in the upcoming election. From experience, Carolyn knew neither JD nor Tracy would shy away from good music. They did not disappoint her; they began dancing and so did Gavin and Carolyn. Others began to join the couples on the dance floor. Soon the party was in full swing.

  As expected, the engagement party was on the front page in the Flair section of the Sunday paper. Gavin and Carolyn were center stage, with a quarter-page spread, as it should be. Smaller pictures on the same page showed well-known politicians from across the state that had attended the celebration. Further down was a picture of JD and Tracy, with a reminder of the wedding scheduled for New Year’s Eve. A larger picture at the bottom of the page showed Gavin and Carolyn, along w
ith JD and Tracy, dancing. The caption read, “The Future of Virginia.” Tracy gave the page to JD, who was reading the sports section.

  “We look good, babe,” JD said.

  Tracy relaxed on the sofa and put her legs across JD’s lap. “I saw something last night I’m sure we should not have seen.”

  JD looked at her from the paper. “What?”

  Tracy studied JD for a moment, not sure for so many reasons if this should be spoken of or not. Cynthia was her friend and Gavin was running for governor and marrying JD’s ex-girlfriend, but her first priority was to Jeffrey. JD sensed her hesitation. He kissed the top of her foot. “Tell me your secret or I’m coming up your leg.”

  Tracy made a sound with her lips. “That’s easy—come on up my leg.” She laughed. JD pulled her down the sofa to him. Tracy laughed. “Okay, okay, okay, I’ll tell you.”

  JD ran his hands under her boxers. “Too late. I don’t want to know now.” He kissed her navel. “What gives?”

  Tracy’s smile faded a little. “I saw Gavin and Cynthia in one of the rooms last night. They were a little close.”

  JD raised his head from her stomach. “What?” he said in a surprised voice. Then he asked, “How close?”

  Tracy frowned. “Kissing close.”

  “Get out,” JD said. “Did they see you?”

  Tracy shook her head. “No. We stepped back so they would not see us.”

  “We who?”

  “Ashley and I.” Tracy watched JD intensely. “What do you think of that?”

  JD rubbed Tracy’s calf. “I don’t know, babe. What do you think? You witnessed it. Do you think there’s something going on there?”

  “Yeah, I do.” JD wondered if that was what Gavin meant the other day when he said he had moved on. “What are you thinking?” Tracy asked.

  “Gavin had alluded to something not being right with him and Carolyn the other day when we talked. But I didn’t know what he was referring to then. This could cause a problem if Gavin does not handle it right.”