Look to the Rainbow (8 page)

     “Everyone loves Lily. When do I get to read what you’ve written?”

     “
Newsworthy
will feature my first article next week and start running one every two weeks after that.”

     “I’ll get one as soon as they hit the racks. Take care darling.”

     Annapolis was another city Tara had not visited before and she found it beautiful and loved that it was so old and so well preserved without looking like a tourist destination. They walked past the harbor and Evan told her that he and Molly used to spend hours there watching the sailboats come in and the stars come out at night. Skip shared stories of sailing out of Annapolis on Evan’s sailboat. They had made one trip from Annapolis to Key West and back. The Naval Academy, where the town meeting was being held, was a short walk away and as they walked Evan pointed out the older buildings in town, acting as the unofficial tour guide.  When they walked inside the gates of the academy grounds, Evan turned left and strolled toward the officers’ quarters and  the others followed along as the meeting was being set up outside in the courtyard. He stopped in front of a house and said to Tara, “That’s where we lived. And Molly lived on the right.” Mary Katherine stepped closer to him and took his hand.

     “That was a long time ago,” he said and turned away and led the way to where Kel would talk to the people who had gathered with their questions and to hear him speak.

     Tara watched Kel and loved how at ease he seemed with the people as he answered their questions. He was dressed more casually today, in khakis and a blue shirt that matched his eyes and a black cashmere sport coat. Every now and then he would look up and catch her eye and smile and she felt again each time he looked at her that deep attraction between them. What she really wanted was to be alone with him and kiss him again.

     After nearly two hours, Kel shook the last hand and walked across the courtyard and placed a quick kiss on her cheek. She felt the color rush to her face as he said, “That was more civil than last night, at least.”

     “It was a nice respectful crowd,” she agreed. “And they all seemed to be well informed and interested in real issues.”

     “I deliberately didn’t watch the morning news. Skip was going to get some of the papers to see what they reported. I never watch the after commentary so I have no idea what they said.”

    “I didn’t see it last night either,” she said.

     “I wonder why.”

     She blushed again and he leaned close. “Have dinner with me tonight.”

     Skip and John were walking toward them. “Okay, I’d love to.”

     They parted company with the Joneses and the rest of them went back to Baltimore. Tara spent most of the time talking to Kimberly and John and Kel discussed the newspaper reports . The main story, as they had anticipated was Kel’s health. When they arrived back at the hotel, Tara went to write her story and the others went to continue their discussion on how to deal with the repercussions of last night’s debate. The front desk had a package for her and when she opened it in her room she found and advance copy of next week’s
Newsworthy
, which featured her first article about Kel on the cover. She kicked off her shoes and sat in the armchair and admired Mary Katherine’s arresting cover photo before turning to the article while was spread out over four glossy pages and had six equally beautiful photographs scattered throughout, the largest of which was a shot of Tara and Kel dancing the night they met. As she read her article she knew she had done her job. At least everywoman in America would be in love with him after they read it.

     Just like she was.

     Kel knocked on her door at seven-thirty that evening. Instead of leaving the hotel, they went back to his suite, where a candle light dinner for two had been set up and soft music played in the background. Champagne was on ice and a bouquet of roses graced the table.  “You went to a lot of trouble.”

     “It’s nothing for a man who is- how did that go again- ‘
a romantic Renaissance man with smoldering sapphire colored eyes.’
”

     “You got an advance copy too.”

     “Bobby actually sent it to John. Nice photograph by the way.”

     She knew exactly which one he referred to. “This is very nice. You didn’t have to go to this much trouble. We could have gone out somewhere.”

     “But then I would have had to share you with other people.”

     He pulled out a chair and she sat and he poured them champagne and sat opposite her. “We’ve talked a lot about me. Tonight I want to know more about you.”

     “What did you want to know?”

     “Everything.  Books you’ve read, artists you like. How you spent your summer vacations, your best friend, how you celebrate the holidays, your favorite ice cream flavor. Anything you want to tell me.”

     The conversation flowed between them and continued long after the dinner was over. The music continued to play in the background and Tara remarked that she had always enjoyed Broadway melodies. Kel stood and pulled her to her feet and held her close as they danced to the song that was currently playing.

     “I can’t quite place this song,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder.

     “ It’s ‘Look To The Rainbow’, “ Kel said.

     “Finian’s Rainbow.” Tara said.

     “Always a favorite among the O’Briens,” Kel laughed. “You haven’t experienced what Alise used to call ‘the dreaded sing alongs.’  When everyone is home we have a habit of gathering around the grand piano and singing show tunes. Fortunately we’ve been blessed with decent voices.”

     “Who plays the piano?”

     “Sometimes I do, or Evan, but Jim is the concert artist. He was a child prodigy and plays by ear. He’s at school in Boston, and plays with the symphony there. He isn’t limited to classical music, however. He can play any genre equally well.”

     “And Janet?”

     “Finishing her Master’s degree at Rhode Island School of Design in architecture.”

     Tara said, “She’s following in your footsteps.”

     “She has more talent, but I admit when I’m through with politics I’d like to design houses with my daughter.”

     The song ended and he stopped dancing but held her close. “I shouldn’t be doing this,” he said.

     “Doing what?”

     “Falling for you.”

     And finally she got to spend a few minutes kissing him again.

Chapter Eight

    
Kel  sat across from Skip as they waited for John and Kimberly to join them.  He’d asked his sister and brother-in-law for a few minutes alone with their nephew to see how he was doing. There was no question that he had thrown himself whole heartedly into the position they’d offered him. But Kel wanted to make sure he was okay otherwise.

     “Skip, I don’t know any other way to ask this but to just go ahead. Are you handling everything that’s happened to you? Is there anything we need to do to make things easier?”

     Skip’s eyes met Kel’s and he appreciated the genuine concern he saw there. “I’m so busy right now Kel I hardly think about it during the day and I’m grateful to be that busy. I don’t sleep too well, but I do get a few hours rest every night, so I guess I’m doing the best I can.”

     “Your parents are worried about you.”

     “I know. I talk to them almost every day. Not about Leah, but I talk to them about what we’re doing.”
     “Do you talk to anyone about Leah?”

     “A couple of times with Jim and once with Sara.  I know Evan filled everybody in, so I’m glad I didn’t have to call them myself and explain. I’m sure it’ll get better.”

     “It isn’t easy to see someone you love after they’ve just died. That image, unfortunately stays with you forever. I can still remember seeing Dad on the polo field after his heart attack and George kneeling on the ground beside him. It’s a cliché, but time does make it easier.”

     Skip nodded, fighting back tears.

     “Just don’t try to do this all alone. If you’re really having a bad day, tell us.”

    Skip nodded again. “I will.”

     Kel said, “ I’ve said a lot of prayers on your behalf the last few weeks. I plan on saying a lot more.”

     “Good, because I’m finding that a little difficult right now.”

     “John once told me that it’s okay to let other people do the praying for you until you are able to do it on your own.”

     “He would probably be an expert at that. John is the most spiritual person I know. In a good way.”

     “Just  remember we’re all here for you.”

      “I’ll keep that in mind.”

     John and Kimberly joined them and Skip was glad to focus on the campaign again, although he deeply appreciated the conversation with Kel and his uncle’s concern. At that particular moment it was far easier to concentrate on press conferences, factory tours and town meetings than recent events in his own life.

     Tara answered her cell phone and smiled when she heard Kel’s voice.

     “I had about four minutes and thought I’d spend them with you.”

      She laughed. “Where are you?”

     “Houston. Lots of delegates to win over in Texas, you know.”

     “I’m trying to arrange meeting up with you in Atlanta. That way I can see my parents too. Bobby’s keeping me busy in between my articles about you.”

     “I think you definitely need to do some more research.”

     “Any ideas on what I should concentrate on?”

     “Plenty. But right now I have to go back to work.”

     “Have a good day. I’ll look for you on the news.”

     “You do that.” And he was gone.

     She had been sitting in the sun room that overlooked the terrace at George and Lily’s house working on a feature piece for the magazine. Lily came in carrying a beautiful bouquet.

     “Those are beautiful,” Tara said.

      “They’re for you,” Lily said. “They just arrived.”

      She read the card. “They’re from Kel.”

     “I hoped they were,” Lily said, sitting beside her. “Is there anything you’d like to share?”