in line while you’re tromping all over Pennsylvania, right?”
“I guess so.”
“Did you forget that I grew up in Bucks County?”
“It may have crossed my mind.”
“You know Jenny’s going to run. As soon as you suggested it she got that spark in her eye. And that means I’ll become your chief of staff because God knows no one else will put up with you. And therefore that also means I will be required to accompany you on every major trip to make sure you don’t say anything stupid.”
She had plenty of competent staffers who could keep her out of trouble, but none were as entertaining as Kathleen. “Probably.”
“And you and I both know that I had to mention it first before you worked up the chutzpah to ask me to do it, right?”
Caroline laughed. “Right.”
“You’re stuck with me, Gerard. Sorry to break it to you.”
“I was afraid to ask you to tag along with me. You know how I handle rejection.”
“Poorly. Yes, I know.”
“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Caroline said. “I’m sure Jack’s campaign can find someone to keep me in check.”
“I want to. No one else can deal with you the way I can. And I can guarantee some Republican lackey won’t be nearly as amusing as me.”
“Katie, I don’t expect anything from you after the election. You’ve got a life here in D.C. and I’m not going to disrupt it.”
Kathleen waved her off. “Don’t even think about that now. Jack has to win first. And I’ll make sure that his wife wins him votes.”
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.”
“Speaking of Jack, shouldn’t he get you over to the Capitol building so that all those photographers and reporters can fall all over themselves trying to get to you?”
What a joy. “I guess so.” Caroline stood up and straightened her suit.
Kathleen gave her a big hug. “You’re making the right choice, Caroline. Even if you struggle with it a little. I’m sorry I threw my phone across the room the first time you told me.”
“I knew it,” Caroline said.
“It was more of a toss, really. A love pat to my electronics.”
It was hard to break their embrace. “I do like you, Katie. An awful lot.”
“That’s only because we’re so much alike.” Kathleen grinned at her. The serious moment had passed. “And deep down inside you’re in love with me, I know it. I also know this decision wasn’t easy for you.”
“It is hard,” Caroline said. “It’s a lot to give up. I can’t explain it. It’s just something I need to do.”
“That you and Jack need to do,” Kathleen emphasized. “Better start tuning up your language. See why you need me around?”
Caroline leaned in for another hug. “I love you. Thanks for forcing me to hire you.”
“You bet. Go knock ‘em dead, boss.”
Chapter Eleven
The Past
The Speaker’s staff asked Caroline to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the day’s session. It was terribly embarrassing. She hadn’t been told beforehand, probably so she wouldn’t be able to back out. Her voice came close to breaking when she got to the end, and she almost stumbled over the last words. Liberty and justice for all. Sometimes she was a little too guileless when it came to her ideals.
Bob stepped down from the podium and hugged her afterwards, which wasn’t embarrassing. Not in the slightest. Neither were all the looks she received when she marched to his office once things started to calm down on the House floor. She had a pressing matter to discuss with him and hoped the conversation would go smoothly. Maybe it would help her forget all the reporters still trailing her every move. Thankfully, his administrative assistant instantly waved her into his office.
He smiled, looking unsurprised to see her. “Don’t you have some representing to do?”
“Don’t you have some speakering to do?” she responded. “I’ve been told your Whip is being an asshole already.”
He laughed. The GOP wasn’t wasting any time in trying to wrangle its moderate members to support some controversial legislation. “Did McIntyre spill the beans?”
He’d bitched about it in the car and her phone still buzzed nonstop with angry texts. “Many emojis were involved. I shall spare you the details.”
“Did you stop in just to criticize the Republican leadership?”
Caroline sank into one of the large leather armchairs facing his desk. “I’d be happy to share my opinion if you really want to hear it, but you’re a busy man and it’ll take too long. I needed to ask you