Page 40 of Campaign Season
“Don’t ask,” Jameson advised.
Melanie reached into Avery’s candy bag, pulled out a candy bar, and popped it into her mouth.
Michelle grabbed the bag and looked inside. It was filled with empty wrappers. “How many of those have you eaten?”
Melanie shrugged.
“Mel?”
“What? I’m a hungry hippo.”
Jameson burst out laughing. “This family is nuts.”
Arlington, Virginia
Being at Alex and Cassidy’s reminded Candace of Schoharie: constant motion, kids darting underfoot, coffee brewing at all hours, and a bottle of wine waiting in the fridge.
“How many kids do you expect?” Candace asked.
“Only six for Kenzie’s soirée,” Cassidy replied. “Plus Kenzie and Coop. Claire and El took Ian and Eva down the street to a couple of houses. Alex and Claire set up a party for the little ones in the living room. I have a feeling that one might get a bit more animated.”
“You know, you didn’t need to invite Shell.”
Cassidy shrugged. “Why not? Fallon loves playing with Amanda. And it’ll be good for Ian to have Brody here. Apparently, Claire and Alex came up with some games.”
“Do I want to know?”
“Don’t ask me,” Cassidy said. “Something about horns. That’s all I heard.”
The kitchen door swung open, and in marched Cooper and Mackenzie, shoulders squared as if stepping onto a stage.
Cooper tipped his fedora with an exaggerated flourish, a leather satchel slung across his chest, and a toy whip coiled at his side. Beside him, Mackenzie adjusted the oversized goggles on her head, her bomber jacket and white scarf unmistakable.
Candace and Cassidy exchanged a smile.
The kids had been secretive about their costumes. Candace wasn’t sure what she’d expected—superheroes, pirates, maybe monsters. But Indiana Jones and Amelia Earhart? It was perfect.
“I figured if I got lost like Amelia, Coop could find me and rewrite history,” Mackenzie declared.
“How did you put that together?” Cassidy asked.
“We had help,” Cooper replied.
Cassidy’s eldest, Dylan, came in from the basement. “I was drafted.”
“And where’s your costume?” Candace asked.
Dylan pointed to his T-shirt. A map was printed across the front, with a red circle marked in the middle of the ocean. “I’m the map to the treasure.”
“He means me,” Mackenzie said, grinning.
Candace laughed, the sound escaping her before she could hold it back. For a moment, as she watched her family, she forgot the weight of Washington, the upcoming election, and even Jonathan's declining strength. All she saw was her son and his best friend—creative, clever, and full of life.
In an instant, the kitchen was filled with a flurry of voices and footsteps. Jameson entered, her hippo head tucked under one arm, followed closely by Shell, Melanie, and their three kids. Claire and Elena trailed behind, expertly guiding Ian and Eva through the doorway.
Before Candace or Cassidy could finish greeting them, Alex appeared with Fallon, Connor, and Abby in tow, herding them toward the counter like ducklings.
Mackenzie rolled her eyes at the sudden crowding and tugged on Cooper’s hand. “Come on. Let’s get to the door before this turns into a zoo.”
