Private Indiscretions by Susan Crosby

force himself on her in the woods a month later, the day before graduation. Sam wouldn’t have been there in time to help her if he hadn’t gone specifically to see her, violating her father’s order. She never knew that, however.
    Now he could see Mr. Cleary was right. Her possibilities had been endless. If something more had developed between them, he could’ve held her back. But the pain of her father’s rejection had sucked the joy out of the evening. He had a hard time talking with her after that, and he knew she was confused by how he’d backed away. He couldn’t explain it, though, without telling her what Mr. Cleary hadsaid. She was the lucky one. She had parents who cared enough to make sure their daughter didn’t get hurt.
    An awkward end to the evening had followed. She’d waited expectantly, but he wasn’t sure if it was for a kiss. Maybe he should have taken advantage of his one opportunity to kiss her, but he couldn’t do that. It would be like a lie. Instead, he’d stepped backward down the porch stairs, muttering his thanks. The next day she approached him hesitantly and said she’d had a wonderful time, but he turned from her, leaving her to wonder what happened.
    Sam rolled onto his side and pulled the sheet over his shoulder. He’d hurt her, still she’d seemed to forgive him. What kind of woman was that?

Five
    D ana handled the most critical issues her staff threw at her the next morning then met privately with her chief of staff, Abe Atwater. At age sixty-two he’d been with Randall from his first days as a member of the House and had stuck with Dana during the transition and beyond. He moved like a tornado, pulling problems into the whirlwind surrounding him and spitting them back out, solved. She couldn’t have survived without him. Period. He was also the only person on her staff who knew she wasn’t running for reelection.
    Dana passed him the threat she’d received, having finally decided she shouldn’t attempt to handle it alone.
    He puzzled over the note. “‘If you run for reelection, I’ll make public everything I know about your saintly late husband.’ How’d you get this? It couldn’t have come through this office.”
    â€œAt home. In the mail. I had no idea what was inside or I would’ve handled it more carefully. I’ve probably wiped out any fingerprints that might have been there.”
    Abe ran a hand over his bald head. “We’ve come a long way from the days when people cut letters out of newspapers and magazines and glued them on a piece of paper.” His smile was wry. “Computer generated, don’t you think? Some fancy typeface.”
    â€œA calligraphy font,” Dana said, agreeing, relaxing because he smiled. “I thought at first it was a wedding invitation. What do you think, Abe? Serious?”
    â€œIt came to your house not your office. Then there’s the timing.”
    She nodded. “Who would’ve thought my nonannouncement to run would cause such a stir. Obviously someone doesn’t want me to be reelected, but what could they have on Randall?”
    â€œNothing that I know of.” He paced her office, staring at the piece of paper as if something else would appear on it.
    â€œAre you sure?” she asked. “Doesn’t everyone have something in their past they wouldn’t want revealed?”
    â€œDo you, Senator?”
    â€œNothing morally reprehensible, but certainly embarrassing things I wouldn’t want everyone to know. How do I protect Randall’s reputation when he’s not here to counter any accusation?”
    He rubbed his chin. “I don’t think we can turn this over to the staff, much as I’d like to.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause I have a sense that it will need to be handled privately and quietly. The fewer people involved, the better.” He snapped his