An Irresistible Bachelor(94)

He closed the door just as a wave of laughter drifted upstairs. "I don't blame you for wanting some quiet. It's pretty rowdy down there."



He sat beside her and the feel of her hand covering his was like a balm.

"How did today go?" she asked.

"The service was beautiful and incredibly sad. Afterward I went to the hospice center and gave them a check."

"They must have been very grateful."

"Yes, they were." He put her hand on his thigh and began to smooth the skin of her palm.

She opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off.

"I've been talking to Gray." He could feel the tension come into her fingers. "It's time for me to declare what my plans are for the election."

"What are you going to do?" she asked.

He looked into her eyes, as if that would help her understand what he had to say.

"You know, walking through the hospice facility today, I remembered exactly why I want to run." He shook his head. "I'm not saying I had some mystical experience. Actually, it was all very practical. I ended up in the executive director's office poring over P and L spreadsheets, and in the process of going through their numbers, I could see where they could improve their operations so they would have more cash. I knew what needed to be changed. I understood how I could help."

She listened to him with quiet intensity, but there was heartbreak in her eyes.

"My vision for this state is starting to take shape, Callie. My head's been spinning with ways to balance spending and drive revenue. I know where things need to be done differently. I won't be able to accomplish everything I want to, I won't be able to fund every program or save every center or shelter. But I can sure as hell try to help some of them. And I want to try. This is important to me." Her eyes went down to their hands and he intertwined his fingers with hers. "I want to put my hat in the ring because that's the only way to get where I want to go. So I can make a difference."

"I'm happy for you," she said, though she looked dejected. "I truly am."

"And I talked to Gray about your situation."

"You told him everything?" she asked, clearly horrified.

"I had to get his perspective."

"But what I said to you was private. Between you and me." She brushed her hair back from her face impatiently. Nervously, he thought.

"He won't say anything."

"That's not the point. I never expected you to tell him. Or anybody else."

Jack frowned, feeling frustrated.

"Who are you protecting?" When she didn't answer him, he squeezed her hand. "Who? Tell me."

"The only family I have left," she said urgently. "And I'm not at all comfortable with having private conversations broadcast to everyone else on the planet."

"Gray is hardly a stranger."

"Maybe to you, he's not."

Jack steadied himself, trying to get past her defensiveness. He chose his words carefully. "I also told Gray that I might not run."



Shock widened her eyes. "You did?"

He nodded slowly. "Even though I want to be governor, I would walk away from the election in an instant. For you."

Callie hesitated, as if she couldn't believe it was true, and then threw her arms around him. "Oh, Jack—”

He held her back.

"I would give up anything for you, even a shot at leading this state. But I'm not going to do it unless I know the whole truth. I'm not going to turn away from this thing I've spent years preparing for unless you can be real with me. A relationship with only part of you is not worth the sacrifice to me."

She closed her eyes and dropped her hands. "I understand. I totally understand. I just need some time, a little time. I need to... talk with someone."

"My exploratory committee is meeting in secret at my offices this weekend. I want to be able to commit to them one way or the other on Saturday afternoon." Jack stood up, not encouraged by the fact she wasn't meeting his eyes. "Talk to whoever you want to and let me know what you decide. But I have to say this. If you can't trust me, I can't be with you. No matter how much I love you."

She nodded without lifting her head.

He paused. "Nate wanted you to know that dinner's ready. Do you want come down?"

"Tell them I was asleep."