In Name Only (Pine Falls #2) - Jennifer Peel Page 0,81
she have suspicions about me? Or was her father shielding her from those?
“Yes, I’ve read about the foundation Dani started. What a wonderful program. I know you have spoken many times about the need for more funding for the foster care system and for those who have aged out of the system. If you’re elected, will your brother and sister-in-law play a role in structuring the child advocacy bill you’re hoping to present before Congress?”
For the briefest moment, I saw a hint of sadness in Brant’s eyes. I knew what he was giving up—for me. I wanted to yell at him not to do it because I knew what good he could do and wanted to do. Yet, I didn’t want to see him tied to such miserable people as the Copelands. Just looking at Jill trying to keep her face in a state of adoration all while fighting off the glower that kept appearing every time my name was mentioned made me cringe. Brant didn’t deserve a lifetime of hell with that woman.
“Absolutely,” Brant answered. “I can’t think of two people more capable or more passionate about the needs of all children in this country.”
“I’ll be championing that bill too,” Jill jumped in without being asked. “In fact, my employer, Jameson and Jameson, just donated several thousand dollars to after-school programs in Maryland.”
“How benevolent of that multibillion-dollar conglomerate she works for,” Sheridan spat. “I guarantee she had no say in it. They have a charitable outreach coordinator that has nothing to do with Jill’s department.”
I had never seen Sheridan so fired up. I liked it. “How does Jill get all this time off to be with Brant?”
“Like everyone else, her company loves the exposure interviews like this give them. She’s worth more sitting on that couch than in her office making deals.”
Laurie Summers gave Jill a placating smile. “You talk as if Brant has already won. Are you confident in your fiancé’s ability to beat the incumbent, Senator Richard Wadsworth, who has had high approval ratings during his last two terms?”
Jill leaned into Brant. “Of course. Brant has the drive and fresh new ideas Colorado and our nation need.” She fluttered her eyes at him. “And the two of us together are an unstoppable team. I’m going to be with him every step of the way.”
I pretended to stick my finger down my throat and gag. Sheridan laughed at me.
“Speaking of that . . . When are we going to hear wedding bells for the two of you?”
Brant’s face turned a shade of red, which came off as blushing, so that was good. Jill, though, was happy to take that question and run with it. “We were hoping for a Christmas wedding. Unfortunately, the venue we wanted was booked, so we had to push it off until March.”
“Right,” Sheridan snorted. “Their wedding coordinator quit because Jill’s mother is as friendly as Godzilla. She made so many demands that the venue canceled on them. Even refunded their money—they just wanted to be done with them. I heard this all from my friend Carol, who knows all the best gossip in DC.”
“Does she have any on Edward?”
“Edward is careful. I’m sure he had words with his wife about her carelessness. It’s all about image. Obviously, they have the perfect spin for it and probably paid off the venue to keep their mouths shut. But no one is invincible. If Brant says he knows something, I believe him. The question is, Will it be enough to save my son? People like Edward don’t just go away.”
I shivered despite the warmth of the house. “I know.”
We tuned back to hear Jill blathering on about a wedding that I hoped never happened. I think Laurie Summers got tired of it, too, as she abruptly switched gears and directed her next question to Brant. “Tell me, how do you respond to critics who say you are too privileged to understand the plight of the average citizen?” That was a fair question after Jill’s faux pas of speaking in such detail about their star-studded would-be wedding.
Brant nodded and leaned forward, engaging Laurie. “I understand that concern. Absolutely. The truth is, I was born to a wealthy family and was given opportunities most people don’t have access to. However, I was also born into a family that believes in helping others whenever we have the opportunity. My father taught us that we should never go to the store without opening the door for someone and giving them