By Design by J. A. Armstrong Page A

interested in your plans,” Candace said.
    “Oh really? Which would she like to see more of;
the Roman statuary or the bird watching motif?”
    Candace laughed. “I think you could leave out the
well-endowed Romans,” she said. “So, I’ll assume she will agree with me on the
other as well. Seems my daughter, and I
have similar tastes.”
    “Apple didn’t fall far from the tree, as they
say?”
    “Not that apple it appears.”
    Jameson laughed. “Did you know?”
    “That Shell was a lesbian?”
    “Yeah.”
    “I knew. I was beginning to wonder if she did
though,” Candace chuckled.
    “You sound like my mother when I finally told her.
How is it mothers seem to know these things before we do? Is it a hormone or
something?”
    Candace laughed at the genuine curiosity in
Jameson’s voice. “If it is, I am unaware of it. I think it’s just that we have
years to observe; everything . That’s what
mothers do the most; you know? Observe. I’m sure my children would disagree,
but it’s true. You only advise based on what you’ve come to understand. In my
experience, it’s easier most times for an outsider to see things objectively.”
    “Sounds like motherhood was good preparation for
the congress ,” Jameson interjected.
    “I think it was,” Candace replied honestly. The
conversation seemed to come abruptly to a
halt; neither woman certain of what to say next. “So; when are you heading
back?” Candace asked.
    “Not sure yet,” Jameson replied. “You?”
    “Shell is leaving late afternoon tomorrow. I fly
back to D.C. Monday. Tomorrow will be a quiet day for us.”
    “Chinese food?” Jameson suggested.
    “Perhaps….Listen, sorry if I interrupted your….”
    “You can interrupt me any time ,” Jameson said.
    Candace took a shaky breath. “Travel safely.”
    “Don’t worry. I promised to obey all the signs on
the way here. I’ll behave on the way home. I am, after all, working for a lawmaker . Wouldn’t be prudent to start breaking
them.”
    “I suppose not,” Candace agreed. “I’ll see you
soon.”
    “I hope so.” Jameson took a deep breath.
“Candace?”
    “Yes?”
    “I’m glad you called. I was getting bored with no
one to torture.”
    Candace smiled. “Glad I could be your willing
victim,” she said. “I’ll look forward to seeing what you devise for future
torment.” Jameson laughed. “Good night, Jameson.”
    “Night, Senator.”
    ***
    Jameson felt her heart begin to thunder in her
chest as she pulled her car into the long, narrow driveway that led to Candace
Fletcher’s home. She glanced across to the passenger seat at the large paper
bag that sat beside her. “Well, look at it this way,” she said aloud. “If no
one is home, you won’t have to grocery shop for a week.”
    “Mom?” Candace made her way to the sound of
Michelle’s voice. “There’s a car headed up the driveway.” Candace peered out
the window with her daughter. The moment she saw Jameson’s car, she began to
smile. Michelle looked at her mother and fought to conceal her knowing smirk.
“Let me guess; Jameson?”
    Candace nodded and headed for the front door just
as Jameson was exiting her car. She stood on the front step, smiling at the
approaching architect. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
    “Didn’t you request Chinese food?” Jameson held up
the bag.
    Candace bit her lip gently as Jameson stepped up
to her. “You’re a lunatic; you know that?” she asked. Jameson just winked. “You
drove all the way back here from Ithaca to deliver Chinese food?”
    “Maybe I just missed you,” Jameson said without
thinking. Candace stared at the woman before her as her heart rate instantly
increased. “Besides, Pearl would never forgive me if you drank wine on an empty
stomach,” Jameson pointed out. “Are you going to let me in?” she asked
playfully.
    “ Depends ,”
Candace said.
    “On?”
    “How many fortune cookies are in that bag?”
    “I don’t need a cookie to predict