The gently curving driveway spilled out among yet more trees, and suddenly we could see the Grove Park Inn.
The setting in the hills was lovely, but the building helped make it lovely. It was all stone and sort of pseudo-Bavarian, as if men in eighteenth-century clothing should come striding into view with dogs and servants. It should have looked overdone, or silly, but it didnt.
The inn looked like it had sprung up from the rocks and trees around it, perfect in its setting, organic and right.
Ive loved this place since my parents brought us here for Mothers Day when I was seven.
I see why you want to stay here, I said, and I did.
The window between the driver and Chuck and us whirred down. Chuck turned and said, You saw the media out front. There is no way they will let you explain, or believe, who you really are. If you go in there, it will be all over the news that Keith Summerland is cheating on his fiance days before the wedding.
What did the publicist want us to do about that? I said, and my voice wasnt friendly when I said it.
Chucks eyes flicked to me, then back to Jason. If you would change hotels, wed pay for your stay as long as you are in town.
I can pay for my own hotel, Jason said.
I can see that, but you see the problem from our end, right?
Jason sighed, and settled back in the seat.
Look, I said, we need to check into the hotel and get to the hospital today.
How about if we drive you to the hospital? Well wait outside. You visit with your dad, and well drive you back to the airport. That way theres no confusion with the media.
The limo had stopped a little short of the front of the building, where more well-dressed valets waited. We idled at the side of the parking lot.
I stared at him. Are you telling us to get out of town?
No, Chuck said, but his eyes were all on Jason.
Im not sure one hospital visit will do the job, Chuck, I said, getting angry and not caring that it showed.
Mr. Schuyler, Chuck said, voice soft, almost deferential.
Jason shook his head. No, Im sorry; tell the governor that I dont want to be a problem. But I havent seen my dad in three years. Were estranged, thats why he wouldnt let them tell me sooner. Now he has weeks to live and Ive got to try and make up with him. Hes a bastard, and always has been, and Ive got a few days to try to get that Hallmark moment. He looked at Chuck. Tell the governor Im sorry, but one hospital visit wont get the job done.
Will you change hotels then? Chuck asked.
No, Jason said, Ive earned the right to be here. Not because my daddy paid for it, but because I earned it. Im not going to slink away because Keith Summerland is a dick. Talk to your publicist, try to figure out a way to do damage control that doesnt include me being hidden away at some cheap motel.
You could stay with your family, Chuck said.
No, Jason said, I couldnt.
Chucks eyes hardened. Just a flash of a look, but it was one Id seen before. He had just put Jason in the problem box. A box that men like Chuck usually took care of in unpleasant ways. Maybe I was overreacting, buTHE just made my bad-guy radar go off too loud to ignore.
I had to repeat Chucks name twice to get him to look at me. Even then it was a dismissive look. He, like most of the guys in college, was looking at the physical package and making assumptions.
Chuck, lets be very clear with each other. We will do our best to stay out of your hair, and the wedding, but Jason needs to see his dad. Its bad timing that it happened on the same week as this wedding, but that is not our bad.
You are going to give them fodder to trash Governor Summerlands family in the media.
Well do our best not to, but if it happens, then Summerland is paying people to do damage control. Let them do their jobs.
She always this pushy? Chuck asked.
I hated it when men did that. Asked the men I was with why I was such a pushy broad.