Solid Foundation Read Online Free Page A

“We’d only been together six months.”
    “This
from the woman who buys an engagement ring the week after she sleeps with
someone for the first time,” Candace laughed.
    “Good
point. Remind me never to debate you.”
    Candace
laughed again. “Does anyone know?”
    “That
I bought the ring?” Jameson asked. “No. What do you think the kids will say?”
    “I
doubt they will be surprised. What about your family?”
    Jameson
rolled her eyes. “My mother will be delirious. Not only is her daughter getting
married but she’s marrying a Democrat, who happens to be a senator. She’ll probably want a red, white, and blue themed
wedding,” she laughed.
    “What
about you?” Candace wondered. “You said you fell asleep thinking about
weddings. What were you thinking?”
    “Me?
That’s your department. You handle my mother, and Dana and the kids,” Jameson said. “As long as you show up, it
doesn’t matter to me. Whatever you want is fine. I just want to marry you. It
could be us at City Hall for all I care.”
    “No
wedding fantasies?”
    “I
didn’t say that,” Jameson winked.
    “You’re
impossible,” Candace laughed.
    “What
do you want to do? When do you want to? Not that I am pushing. I don’t want you
to think…”
    “Jameson,
relax. I would marry you today,” Candace said. She sighed thoughtfully.
    “But?”
    “There’s
no but,” Candace said.
    “Uh-huh.”
    “There’s
not. There are realities. Some that I don’t like,” Candace explained. “The
press will grab onto this. We have to decide how we want to handle that. Do we
try and do it quietly or do we just put it out there?” she continued. “If I
decide to run…well, they will want to make it a publicity plus,” she said with
a groan.
    Jameson
shrugged. “Will it help you? If you run, I mean.”
    “Probably,”
Candace admitted.
    “Okay.”
    “Okay?” Candace questioned.
    “Yeah. God knows I have no other way to help you.”
    “That’s not true,” Candace said flatly. “This is our life, Jameson. I don’t want you to
think our marriage is a publicity stunt.”
    “You worry too much about me,” Jameson said. “I don’t
care what people think, Candace. They can all still believe you hate cats. I
know the truth.”
    Candace rolled her eyes. “I still don’t know what I
want to do,” she said honestly.
    “About running or about a wedding?”
    Candace smiled. “I would like to do that here,”
Candace said.
    “The wedding?” Candace nodded. “And?” Jameson asked.
    “And, I would like it simple and small. You, me, the
kids, your family…maybe a few close friends. No politicos, no press, no
dignitaries,” Candace said. “As far as when; I guess I would say when it is a
little warmer. When Marianne and Rick can be here with Spencer.”
      “So much for
all is quiet on the home front. When do you want to tell them?” Jameson asked.
    “How about now?” Candace suggested.
    “Now?” Jameson coughed.
    “No time like the present,” Candace said. Jameson
turned pale. “I thought you didn’t care what people thought.”
    “Your kids aren’t people,” Jameson said. Candace
raised an eyebrow. “You know what I mean!”
    “Okay. How about we start with the easy ones. Why don’t we see if Shell and your
parents are available for dinner tomorrow?”
    Jameson took a deep breath. “They’re going to think
something is up.”
    “Something is up,” Candace laughed. “Second thoughts?”
    “No. Can’t we just go to Vegas and then tell them? It
worked for Kelly Ripa and Bette Midler.”
    Candace shook her head. “Kelly Ripa and Bette Midler?
Do I want to know how you know that?”
    “I don’t need tabloids. Melanie is like E! on steroids.”
    “I see. Well, I don’t think those are the best models
for us.”
    “I was afraid you would say that.”
    “Would you feel better if Pearl came tomorrow?”
Candace asked knowingly. Jameson nodded. “Your protector,” she chuckled.
    “Pearl is