Beauty Queen (10 page)

His smile broadened. I meant before this campaign.

Gawd. I, ah... I was living in Dallas until a few months ago, and since Ive been in Austin, and... hmm ... well, Ive been settling in. Grayson chose that moment to poke his head under her arm. She pulled him around to stand in front of her and tried to smooth his hair as Matt stood there, hands on waist, being very cool and curious in his silk blue suit.

So what did you in Dallas?

Why did everyone ask her that? What, was she the only person in all of America who had not worked before the age of thirty? I suppose you want to know if I have any campaign experience, she said, trying to sound pleasantly unconcerned. Well, no, I dont.

Ouch, Mom! Grayson cried, swatting at her hand on the top of his head; Rebecca realized she was unconsciously twisting his unruly hair and immediately let go. Sorry, she murmured, and quickly finished, In Dallas, I was a stay-at-home mom to Grayson.

Uh-uh, Grayson piped up. Lucy was my mom in Dallas.

Well, didnt that just shoot a little dagger through her heart, thank you, child of my womb. Even Matt looked a little nonplussed; now he probably thought she boozed it up all day. Which she might have done on rare occasion, thanks to Ruth, her ex-best friend and consummate socialite booze hound.

Rebecca forced a laugh. Nanny, she whispered above Graysons head, patting it a little too hard as she forced a smile.

Ah, said Matt. So you didn t run a natural habitat for birds and dogs and salamanders?

Of all the

Joke, he said, lifting a hand in response to her expression, Just a joke.

Well, well. Mr. Big Pants had what might almost pass as a sense of humor, generously speaking. Very funny, she said, unable to keep a small smile from her lips. As a matter of fact, Im sure youll be ecstatic to know that I have reconsidered my position on strip mining.

Have you? he asked, nodding approvingly.

It doesnt appear to be the best campaign topic, she added, and as he moved even a bit closer, she felt her face burning at full fireplug red.

No? The team will be so disappointed.

Not to worry. I have another idea, she said (and what was with the sweaty palms all of a sudden?).

Fantastic! So I am waiting with bated breath whats the idea? he asked as she surreptitiously wiped her palms on Graysons shoulders.

Im not going to tell you its a surprise. A surprise 9 Since when ?

Gawd, I dont think I can take another of your surprises, he said amicably, taking one last step so that he was standing just before her and Grayson, his gray eyes gleaming.

You cant? How strange I would think you could take quite a lot. I mean, any lawyer worth his tort claims should be able to handle a surprise now and then

True. But even lawyers have a limit of how many surprises per person they can take.

Now that he was standing so close, too closethat gleam looked almost devilish, and it made her wonder, insanely, how many women must have seen that gleam and felt as hot under the collar as she did. So, what are you saying? Cant take a little surprise now and then? she half croaked.

Matt chuckled, his gaze dipping to her lips. Well now, I guess that depends on what you have up your, ah ... sleeve, he said as his eyes dropped lower.

Youll have to wait and see, she said with a stiff shrug,

and toyed with the idea of hurling herself through the window just to get some air.

Promises, promises, he said with a sly wink.

Rebecca suddenly wanted someone (anyone, actually janitor, delivery guy, policeman) to join them, and looked away, pushed her hair behind her ears, cleared her throat, and asked, So where is the meeting?

Back room. You should probably wait up here until someone comes to get your son. Grayson, right? he asked, flashing a smile at Gray.

The deep flush beneath her skin began to recede as Rebecca looked at Grayson, then at Matt. No one is coming to get him. Hes here with me.

A look of confusion passed over Marts face. He cant hang out while were working.

Why not? Hes very well-mannered.

My teacher says I have good cizinship, Grayson reported.

Thats great! Matt said to him, but then to Rebecca, Its really not a good idea. Weve got a lot of ground to cover today.

Well, here was a shocker Matt didnt think her idea was a good one. Yes, I understand why you might be concerned. I mean, hes only five, she said, and Grayson helpfully held up five fingers. But the thing is, Im a volunteer. Which means no one is paying me. So theres no one paying a babysitter, either, and Im spending time here that I would normally spend with my son. Therefore, hes here with me.

Matt opened his mouth to say something, but they both heard the front door open at that moment and turned expectantly toward the door. Grayson took the opportunity to wriggle from her grip on his shoulders.

Rebecca! Tom boomed the moment he laid eyes on her from the doorway. Behind him was Gilbert, crowding in to peek over Toms shoulder. Who is this young man? Tom exclaimed, walking into the room with Gilbert practically on his back. No, dont tell me he looks exactly like Bud!

Oh, vomit. This is Grayson, Rebecca said. Grayson, say hello to Senator Masters.

Hello, Grayson repeated, the darling little cherub.

Dude! Gilbert said. Give me five! He squatted down, held up his hand; Grayson happily wound up and shot across the floor to slap Gilberts hand with all the strength in his stocky little body. Gilbert rocked back on his sandals for a moment, and then rolled over onto his back, playing dead, much to Graysons delight, and that, of course, was all Gilbert had to do. to make a friend. Grayson was instantly laughing and climbing over his dead body, until Gilbert suddenly shot up and hoisted Grayson onto his shoulders to take him for a ride.

In the meantime, Tom came strolling forward, looking around at the things Rebecca had put on the walls. The place looks great! he exclaimed. Did you do this, Matt? he asked, and paused to laugh at his own jest before throwing his arm around Rebeccas shoulder and squeezing tight. Rebecca, you are perfect! This is perfect! he said, gesturing to the wall adornments. And then he abruptly let go, pivoted about and started for the back room. I want flags like these in every office! he boomed.

His enthusiastic response had put some wind back into her alter ego sails, and Rebecca followed him, walking past Matt, chin lifted. Already done, she said pertly.

I am so not surprised, Matt said behind her.

They gathered in the back when Angie (in gold streaks) and Pat (in standard-issue gray) arrived, laden with paper bags full of sodas, chips, and salsa, around which they all gathered in the back room. I love chips and salsa, Tom proclaimed. They ought to make it a law or something.

You are they, Pat reminded him, to which Tom nodded thoughtfully, as if that notion had just occurred to him.

Matt (who had taken a seat right next to Rebecca, naturally, for what better place from which to torment her?) did not partake of the chips and salsa. He sat so close that she could smell his cologne, absently drumming his hand on

the table in front of her. While the others chatted about unfamiliar people and events, Rebecca couldnt help noticing his strong, capable hand. It was huge. Which naturally reminded her of what Robin often said Big hands, big dick. They ve done scientific studies, you know. And that Rachel often disputed that fact. Its the FEET, not the hands. Always check the feet first! A surreptitious peek below the table confirmed that Matt had it covered on both fronts.

Too heavy on the visualization front had Rebeccas face flushing hot again, but damn it, she could not stop looking at his hand.

Fortunately, Matt didnt notice; he was too busy leaning across her to squint at the motivational poster she had pinned up on the wall. Building the Perfect Team: No one person can perform a task to the highest standards, he thoughtfully read aloud, then glanced around the table. Id say weve pretty much proven that in spades. He looked back at the poster. Yet a team can contain experts in many fields. He looked at Rebecca. Like decorating?

Jealous, she muttered, looking straight ahead.

Oh, I dont think so, he said. Im a lot of things right now, but jealous isnt one of them. Would you like to know what I am?

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He smiled that deadly lopsided smile again. No, thank you, she said primly.

Fortunately, Pat saved any conversation about which things, exactly, he was, by asking Tom, Can we get started? Ive got a school board meeting tonight.

Rebecca was grateful for her intervention Grayson was beginning to tire, and was, at present, hanging over her lap like a limp rag. Juggling his weight, she pulled from her new briefcase the papers she had printed from her computer, spread them neatly before her, lined them up in proper order, fished out a pen, and placed it carefully to the side, in case she needed to take notes.

This time, Matt looked at her with a hint of a frown;

Rebecca just sat a little straighter and scooched to the edge of her seat.

Okay, Tom sighed, clearly unhappy that Pat had ended the good time. Id like to get a list together of what groups we need to target immediately. I also need to get reports on where we are with the mailers.

Rebecca raised her hand. Pat did not; Pat just started to rattle off a number of the groups Rebecca had so carefully researched. Young Democrats in the metro areas, Junior League in Dallas and Houston, and maybe most importantly, she said, the Texas Democrats for Change.

Lets start with TDC, Tom said as Rebecca frantically looked at her list. So, lets think of

Be aggressive! the alter ego shouted at her. Ah, Tom, excuse me? Rebecca blurted, hand up high. There is one other group Id like to put on the table.

Okay, lets hear it.

She cleared her throat. Well, ah ... Pat covered most of them, she said, flashing a smile at Pat, but there is one other that might be worth a look. The Silver Panthers.

Next to her. Matt sat back, folded his arms loosely across his chest and grinned.

They are a grassroots organization of senior citizens, she explained.

Oh, we know who they are. Tom said. And thank you for mentioning them. We inadvertently forgot them. His response was an enormous relief to Rebecca . . . until he added They are a tough nut to crack , . . but Im sure you know that, right?

Ooh . . . well, they are having their state convention at Lakeway at the end of the month. And I ... I was thinking it might be a good opportunity to introduce you to them.

Rebecca, thats a great idea, Tom declared.

She smiled, relaxing a little. I dont know for a fact if we can get their attention at this late date

Heres a surprise: We cant, Matt interjected amicably.

Without sparing him a glance, Rebecca continued, But I thought, maybe, we could host like a little party or

something, and invite as many conference attendees as we could get.

Perfect! Line it up! Tom said.

Ah, Tom... Matt interrupted. Nothing against a good early fund-raiser. But its really a little early to do more than a friends of Torn deal, dont you think? I mean, dont you want to finish getting your platform together before we meet with any significant groups? We skated through the March primary with the bare bones, but now is the time to focus on getting your message out there. The Panthers might want to hear your stance on any number of issues.

Ah hell, Matt, theyre just a bunch of old folks! Tom said cheerfully.

That might be a little shortsighted, Matt easily continued. These are active folks who will care about more than just health care.

Dude dont worry, be happy! Tom insisted with a winsome grin. Look, weve got plenty of time. I am already working out the last platform issues with the party folks, he assured Matt. So, Rebecca, if you can get us in front of the Silver Panthers, youll be the shining star of this campaign. Okay, lets see what else Angie, I want the phone bank up so we can start making some cold calls next week.

And as Tom began to rattle off a list of tasks for the group to tackle, Rebecca risked a look at Popinjay. He was looking at her, too, calm and expressionless. She smiled tightly, turned back to her papers, and wondered if he was always going to try to rain on her parade.

It was almost as if he heard her Matt slowly leaned over, so close that when he whispered, she felt his breath in her hair. Dont set it up, he said. We need to chat with the party folks first.

He told me to, remember? she whispered back, and straightened again.

Matt scooted closer, leaned over again. I know he told you to, but Im telling you that its premature. He doesnt have enough of the right things to say just yet, and the

party will want to orchestrate it. Dont worry; Ill talk to him when were through here.

Honestly, hunk aside, who did this guy think he was? And anyway, if he knew so much, why wasnt he running for office? FYI, she whispered, you are not the candidate. Tom is.

Now, why am I not surprised to hear you say that? he cheerfully remarked, and straightened in his seat. But then he leaned over again, his eyes on Tom. By the way ... do you always smell so good? he whispered.

There was that goddamn flush again. Youre ridiculous.

The March primaries are over, folks! Tom was bellowing, moving into his pep talk. Weve got our work cut out for us and we need to gear up for the big fight! He slapped both hands down on the scarred metal table. The Republicans are going to try to chew us up and spit us out, so come in each day ready to do the work of two people. Fair enough? Angie will get the offices set up tomorrow and man the front. Parrish, well fine-tune that platform soon, he said with a wink, and abruptly stood up. Okay, gotta roll! Thanks for dropping in, folks. Come on, Angie, lets go check out my office.

Angie immediately jumped up to follow Tom, as did Gilbert, which left only Pat and Matt behind with Rebecca, who was busy getting Grayson off her lap, who was pretending he was dead and was not cooperating.

Pat turned and looked at Matt. Another productive meeting, huh? she asked sarcastically.