Page 12 of Campaign Season
Jameson chuckled. “Camping or fishing?”
“Either.”
“She’s not opposed. She grew up with two brothers, too. I think it’s the bugs that deter her more than the bait or the dirt.”
Aubrey nodded thoughtfully.
“Does that surprise you?” Jameson asked.
“No. I’ve never met President Reid. I suppose I’m curious.”
“About the president or about Candace?”
“Is there a difference?” Aubrey asked.
Jameson drew a slow breath as she cast her line again, the lure plunking into the current with a satisfying splash. “I’m not sure how to answer that.”
“Truthfully?”
“It’s not about truth,” Jameson said. “Candaceisthe president. But the presidency demands things of her that no one can fully understand until they’ve taken the oath.”
“Do you wish she’d stayed governor?”
“No.”
“Really?”
Jameson smiled at her. “Really. It isn’t easy… living in the mouse house.”
“The mouse house?” Aubrey chuckled.
“My description, not hers.”
“You mean it’s like living in a cage.”
“Sometimes it is. A little.” Jameson adjusted her grip on the rod. “Kind of ironic, isn’t it? The leader of the free world doesn’t enjoy much freedom.”
“Yeah. I can see that. I don’t think I’d want that job.”
“No?”
“No. I can’t imagine running for anything beyond this congressional seat.”
Jameson nodded, studying the way Aubrey’s line drifted across the current. The young woman wasn’t just making small talk; she meant it.
“I’m serious,” Aubrey said.
“I believe you.”
“But?”
“No ‘but,’” Jameson said. “I watched you earlier. People connect with you—not just with what you’re saying, but withyou.That can’t be taught.”
“You sound like a campaign manager.”
Jameson laughed. “Hardly. I never had any interest in politics. I read the paper. I voted. But beinginpolitics? No, thank you.”
“How’d that work out for you?” Aubrey teased.
