Page 62 of Campaign Season
Jameson just winked.I might.
Cooper and Spencer burst through the back door, each holding a horseshoe like a prized treasure.
“Nana!” Cooper shouted.
Candace startled, her hand pausing mid-reach for the mixing bowl.
Michelle and Marianne both giggled.
“Look, Mom!” Cooper said breathlessly. “We found a bunch of real horseshoes in the barn!”
“I see,” Candace said, smiling at his excitement. “We used to play horseshoes with those when I was about your age.”
“You threw actual horseshoes?” Marianne asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jameson followed the boys in, brushing dust from her hands. “That’s how the game got its name,” she said dryly.
“Cute, JD,” Marianne teased.
“We never played with real ones,” Jonah added, tugging off his jacket.
Candace shrugged. “Your father bought a lighter set when Marianne was about eight. They were orange and green—I can still picture them.”
Marianne chuckled. “I remember that. We dragged that set out for years.”
Jameson tipped her chin at Jonah. “See? History.”
Jonah rolled his eyes but smiled.
“Spence,” Marianne said, shifting into mom mode, “you and Cooper should go upstairs and wash up. Nana’s about to start making pancakes.”
“Okay,” Spencer replied, already tugging at Cooper’s sleeve.
“Your cousins are in the family room watching a movie,” Marianne added. “Scott and Mel are setting up a folding table so you can eat in there.”
“Come on, Coop,” Spencer said. “I hope they aren’t watchingAladdinagain.”
Cooper groaned.
Jameson exchanged a glance with Candace, shaking her head with a grin. “How things change.”
Candace chuckled softly.
“God,” Michelle said, laughing, “Coop is groaning? Do you know how many times I watchedAladdinwith him? Every time I came over—for six months straight! And now Brody’s obsessed with Genie. Maybe it’s hereditary.”
Candace bit back a smile. Cooper wasn’t biologically related to any of them, a fact easily forgotten in the comfort of family ties. Michelle’s offhand remark carried more truth in its affection than she realized.
“Is Dad still sleeping?” Jonah asked, his tone quieter.
“Yeah,” Marianne said. “I thought I’d let him rest. He was up late. He’s been sleeping more during the day lately.”
Jonah nodded, his expression tightening. “I know. He fell asleep mid-conversation with me the other day.”
Candace’s hands stilled on the mixing spoon.
The chatter in the kitchen continued, but for a brief moment, the weight of his absence filled the room.
"I'll help Dad get ready for breakfast," Marianne offered.
