An Irresistible Bachelor (An Unforgettable Lady #2)(94)

She felt Grace reach out and stroke her hair, but she couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes at that moment.

“We’re family, Callie. Which means we’re going to stick together.”

Family.

When Callie finally spoke, it was hoarsely. “He was so ashamed of me. He could barely look at me most of the time. While he was alive, I lived in fear of the truth getting out because I was terrified it would drive him further away. And after I met you, I was afraid I would lose you.”

Grace’s voice was strong. “That’s not going to happen. I’m not going anywhere.”

Callie slowly opened her eyes and saw her sister’s tears through her own.

“Listen to me, Callie. We’re not going to let our father rule us from the grave anymore. The time for hidden truths is over.”





25


JACK PARKED his car under One Financial Center and took the elevator up to the Walker Fund’s offices. As an electronic chime marked the passing floors, he had about as much interest in his candidacy as he did in any other part of his life. There were phone calls to return, documents to be reviewed, the deal with the McKays to finalize—he couldn’t have cared less about any of it.

He was worn-out and not because he’d stayed up all night.

When he’d walked away from Callie’s locked door, he’d figured he was taking his first steps to accepting a life without her and he’d convinced himself that eventually he’d be back to normal. But driving into town, he realized he hadn’t banked on the length of the road ahead of him. He wasn’t going to get over her in a night, or a day. Or a month. He had an awful suspicion it was going to take a long time.

Like maybe forever.

Which was ridiculous, he told himself. There was no forever with this kind of thing. There were four—no, five steps to grief, right? And he seemed to have zoomed right past denial, given how terrible he felt.

Four more to go and then maybe he’d feel halfway decent again.

The elevator doors opened and he walked up to the receptionist who covered weekends. “There are some ladies and gentlemen coming to see me. An invitation list should have been left for you. Will you please show them down to the big conference room?”

“Of course, Mr. Walker. And I’ve had breakfast set up for you all.”

“Good thinking, Latasha. Thanks. And we’ll be in there through lunch, too.”

He headed down the hall and waved to a couple of his people who were behind their desks, working in sweaters and khakis. When he got to the conference room, he pushed the double doors open. For confidentiality purposes, the only windows in the room faced out of the building and he went over and looked at the view.

He tried to imagine how he would feel in a year. Would he still be thinking of her?

Gray arrived next and then the members of the committee began to file in.

When everyone was seated around the glossy table, Gray leaned over to him and whispered, “Are you going to make your announcement first?”

Jack looked at the assembled group. The men and women in the room were culled from all sectors of Massachusetts political life and there were two with national ties to help strategize about the long term. It was a powerful crew and fully capable of helping him get where he wanted to go.

Funny, how he’d been prepared to give it all up and never look back.

“Jack?” Gray prompted. “Are you ready?”

He nodded, forcing himself to get on with the rest of his life.

He was standing up when there was a commotion out in the hall and the door was cracked open.

“Excuse me! I don’t believe you are a part of this meeting!” Latasha hissed.

Jack was about to demand what the hell was going on when Callie burst into the room. She stopped short as all the attention around the table focused on her.

Oddly enough, his first thought was that her hair was down, just the way he liked it. And then he did himself a favor by remembering that what she looked like was no longer his concern.

Although where she was mattered if she was on his property.

“This is a private meeting,” he said, trying not to look into her eyes. He had no interest in seeing that particular shade of blue again.

“I’ll call security,” Latasha muttered while reaching for a phone.

“That’s all right. I’m sure Ms. Burke is just passing through.”

“Actually, I’m not.”

He cocked an eyebrow, not really in a big hurry to indulge her. But as she put her hands on her hips, he had a feeling she was not going to leave unless she was dragged out or she had a chance to say her piece.

Jack shrugged. He wasn’t about to sic a security guard on her. And there was no reason for the two of them to have it out in front of three judges, a senator, the Speaker of the House, a DA, four CEOs, and a clergyman.

Although maybe Father Linehan would make a good referee.

“Ladies and gentlemen, would you give us a moment?”

Gray shot him an amused look as he left the room with everyone else.

When they were alone, she clasped her hands together and took a deep breath.

“So,” he drawled, “what’s on your mind?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but this is really important. I have to talk to you.”

“You want to sit?”