Tracie Peterson Page 6

  Cara held her temper in check and drew a deep breath. “You have exactly”—she looked at her watch—“ten minutes to wrap this thing up. I’ve had about as much as I’m going to take for one evening.”

  Kerns smiled in his patient annoying manner. “I’m certain this must be a surprise for you, but as I said, I’ve done my homework and you have a great deal to offer this state. You have a recognizable name out west with your father’s terms in the statehouse. People respect his name, as well as that of Kessler for a variety of reasons. You know how the political scene works, at least from a small district approach. I can’t imagine a stronger, more beneficial team for Kansas than Kerns and Kessler.”

  With perfect timing, Russell pulled out the makeshift banner and held it up for Cara to see.

  “You can’t be serious!” Cara gasped. “You want me to be your running mate?”

  “That’s the general idea here,” Kerns said rather snidely.

  “Forget it,” Cara said, quickly getting to her feet. “Politics is a dirty nasty business and I want nothing to do with it. Being the district representative nearly killed my father. The work wasn’t the hard part, either. It was the messiness of the game surrounding the job. I don’t ever want to subject my loved ones to that kind of ordeal, and if you had made yourself clear the other day, I would have said no then, just as I’m saying no today.”

  Instead of making a move to leave Cara’s apartment, Kerns eased back into the plush cushioning of the couch and crossed his legs defiantly. “I think you should hear me out.”

  Cara felt as though hands were around her throat strangling out any reply. Robert Kerns somehow made her feel helpless to deny his demands. Feeling like a trapped animal, Cara moved toward the front door.

  “I want you both to leave. Now.”

  “Cara, just listen to us,” Russell said in a soothing tone, coming to her side. “You have a chance here to reach a lot of kids. I thought your ministry was to better the youth of Kansas.”

  “Exactly,” Cara replied, “and I can’t do that from an office in the Capitol.”

  “You can’t do it if HEARTBEAT folds, either,” Kerns said flatly.

  Cara turned. “What are you saying?” She felt her pulse speeding and her breath coming at a quickened pace. Everything in her told her to get as far away from this man as possible. Robert Kerns represented a very serious danger.

  Perhaps Kerns sensed he was losing her with his railroading tactics. Perhaps he read the fear in her eyes and worried that the scene would become unpleasant. For whatever reason, he seemed to change his approach right before her eyes.

  “I need you, Cara Kessler. You represent the traditional morals and family ethics that I value. People know you for those principles and they respect you. I want to do great things for this state, and I believe with the right partner we can make Kansas the best state in the union.”

  Cara relaxed a bit. “I want Kansas to be the best state in the union as well, but I’m no politician. I’m not even remotely interested in government, and I certainly have no desire to find myself answering to a legislative body, or to you. I answer to God and my direction comes from Him. Believe me, I’d know if He were leading me in this direction, and I would act on it. But He isn’t, and therefore, I have no other recourse but to say no to you and your plans.”

  Kerns continued as though Cara had never spoken a word. “I’m a family man with two great kids and a beautiful wife. We’re a close-knit group, but we aren’t as widely recognizable as you are. Together, you and I would virtually reach every voting taxpayer in Kansas. We would—”

  “You are not listening to me, Mr. Kerns!” Cara shouted above his speech. “I am not interested. End of subject. Period!”

  Kerns motioned Owens. “I believe we have something here that might help you to change your mind.”

  Owens handed Kerns a briefcase. The snap of the latches echoed in the uneasy silence. Cara felt she was becoming an unwilling participant in a very bad theatrical production. What could he possibly have that would change her mind?

  Bob Kerns held up a thick folder. “This might be of interest to you.” Cara stared at him, uncertain what she should do. “Take it. You will find it self-explanatory.”

  Stepping forward hesitantly, Cara reached out for the papers. Her gaze never left his face. “Why don’t you just tell me what’s in here?” she asked.

  “I’d rather you see for yourself. Go on, open the folder.”

  Kerns waited for her to obey, and Cara felt no other choice but to do exactly as he commanded. Opening the folder, she stared down at crisp white bond paper. Obviously typed in the legal jargon of which Kerns was most comfortable, Cara read, “State of Kansas verses HEARTBEAT Ministries.

  “I don’t understand,” Cara said, looking back up to catch Kerns’ stoic expression.

  “It’s really quite simple. You come on board as my running mate, willingly, happily, and of course, offering your utmost support for my candidacy, and HEARTBEAT will continue to thrive. In fact, it will probably blossom into everything you ever dreamed it could be. Reject my proposal, however, and HEARTBEAT Ministries will be tied up in lawsuits from now until that God of yours calls you to kingdom come.”

  “But HEARTBEAT has done nothing wrong,” Cara said softly. She closed the folder, knowing even before Kerns answered that the truth didn’t matter. She had attracted the attention of the very powerful, and now she was going to pay dearly.

  “It will take years to prove otherwise, and by that time all of your resources will be exhausted and the ministry will die. And believe me, it won’t be a quiet death. No, Cara, I will personally see to it that the battle is ugly and vicious and very, very public.”

  Cara felt as though someone had knocked the air out of her. Nearly stumbling, she fell into her chair again and hugged the folder to her chest. “Why are you doing this? I’ve done nothing to you. You don’t even know me.”

  “I know enough,” Kerns said with frightening certainty. “I know you don’t need the money generated by HEARTBEAT for your living. Your husband’s life insurance and the award from his wrongful death suit have left you and your daughter financially solid.” Cara’s mouth dropped open in shock. “But your friend Joe Milken is not as fortunate. He desperately needs this job to help subsidize his meager earnings as a youth pastor.”

  “And you don’t care that an innocent man and his wife will be ruined if you carry out your plans?”

  Kerns eyed her with contempt. “I leave caring about such things to big-hearted people like you, Mrs. Kessler. What Milken does with his future is of little interest to me, but you should know one other thing.”

  “And what’s that?” Cara questioned warily. What more could he possibly throw her way?

  “Milken’s wife is expecting a baby. She just found out today.”

  Cara stared in disbelief. “Joe said nothing to me about it.”

  “It’s my understanding they are keeping it to themselves. You see, Mrs. Milken has suffered through two miscarriages. I guess they’re a little afraid to get their hopes up.”

  Cara looked at Russell Owens as if expecting him to deny the truth of Kerns’ words.

  “It’s all true, Cara,” he said, seeming to read her mind.

  “How can you know these things?” Cara asked, turning her attention back to Kerns.

  “I learn what I need to know when and where I need to know it most. Remember that. There will be no secrets between us.”

  Ten

  Cara looked across her desk to find Joe Milken’s puzzled expression most disturbing. She couldn’t help but recall what Kerns had said in regard to Suzanne and the pregnancy, but because Joe hadn’t volunteered any information, Cara hadn’t brought up the subject. What she had brought up was her resignation.

  “I don’t understand,” Joe said again. “Just a few days ago you assured me that leaving HEARTBEAT was the furthest thing from your mind. If you don’t mind my asking, what changed?”

&nbs
p; Cara bit her lip. There was no way to explain that she had to leave because an overbearing tyrant with secrets and power beyond her imagination was forcing her. She tried to smile at Joe, but it was a poor attempt. “I can’t begin to give you all the details,” she said, “but another project, of sorts, has come up.”

  “Something that means more to you than HEARTBEAT?”

  “No, not really,” Cara replied. She knew the conversation was headed in the wrong direction. If she continued along these lines, she’d soon be spilling the truth of Kerns’ threats, and that was something she was determined not to do. She couldn’t add stress to Joe’s life. Especially not if Suzanne needed to remain calm in order to bring her child to term. Cara couldn’t do anything that might risk that happiness. “It’s just something I feel I must do,” she said, knowing that it wasn’t a lie.

  “I see.”

  Joe sounded so dejected that Cara immediately pushed the conversation forward. “It will be a tremendous financial benefit for you, Joe. And as director of HEARTBEAT you will be able to take the ministry in the direction you have felt it should go.”

  “But we were going to decide those things together. You and me. This is your baby. I can’t just take it over.”

  The word “baby” stabbed at Cara. She desperately tried to convince herself that she was doing the right thing. “The baby has grown up and needs a man with vision at the helm. I’m just starting to move forward in my life. You agreed that I needed a little change.”

  “A little change, yes,” Joe admitted. “But you’ve already done more than a little with the plan to move to Misty Glen. Changing jobs is another matter entirely.”

  Cara nodded. “I know this comes as a shock to you, but it will be a good thing. I know you and Suzanne can use the extra money.”

  “Well, that’s true enough. We’ve got a few extra bills coming our way in the future, but even so, I wouldn’t want you to think you had to do this on my account.”

  Cara sighed. If you only knew, she thought. She was doing this on everyone’s account. Everyone’s but her own. No, that was a lie. She was doing this for herself as well. She didn’t want to see HEARTBEAT ruined. She’d worked too hard at making it a great organization. It was her dream. It had been Jack’s dream, too.

  “I’m doing this because it’s the right thing to do,” Cara finally said in a sobering tone. “I’ve prayed and I just think it’s the best way.”

  Joe leaned back in his seat. His face clearly showed he was still stunned by the news. “I just can’t imagine the place without you.”

  “Well, I won’t be totally removed. I’ll stay on for a while, and after that I’ll still drop in from time to time to see how things are going. Besides, we’ll always be friends, and you and Suzanne are welcome to come by the apartment anytime. Especially after—” She shut her mouth with an abruptness that caused Joe to raise his brows in question. She’d almost mentioned the baby.

  “After what?”

  Cara stammered, “Well . . . after . . . I mean—” She stopped to collect her thoughts. “After the November election.”

  Joe laughed. “What in the world does the November election have to do with anything?”

  “It relates to my other project,” Cara said, fidgeting with her pencil. “You see, Robert Kerns has asked me to be his running mate in the gubernatorial race.”

  Joe stopped laughing and his mouth formed a silent O. “This is a joke, right?”

  “No, it’s not,” Cara answered very seriously. “I can do a lot of good for the kids in this state if I should become the next lieutenant governor. Just think of the influence I’ll have and the opportunity to be a positive role model.”

  “But, Cara, you hate politics. You’ve said so a million times. Now you’re telling me that you plan to run for lieutenant governor of Kansas?”

  “That’s about the long and the short of it. Do I get your vote?” asked Cara with a nervous grin.

  “You’re serious. You’re really going to leave HEARTBEAT to get involved with politics. I can’t believe this. Are you on some kind of publicity kick?”

  Cara winced at the accusing tone. “I just think I can be of more help to the ministry if I work with Kerns as lieutenant governor.” It wasn’t a lie, that was for sure. Cara bore the burden of knowing what would happen to HEARTBEAT—and Joe—if she didn’t do exactly as Kerns wanted.

  “Are you sure this is what God wants?”

  Cara wondered that herself. She’d prayed and asked for a direction out, but God’s silence was almost deafening in her ears. She had no peace in her heart when she thought about rejecting Kerns and battling through the threats. There was a chance he was bluffing about his lawsuits, but could she take that chance and risk everything? No, this was the only answer.

  “I feel confident,” Cara said softly, “that I’m doing the right thing.”

  Joe got up and stuffed his hands deep into his jeans pockets. “I guess this will take some getting used to.”

  “But you’ll take the directorship, right? You’ll see that HEARTBEAT makes the changes to keep it a strong ministry for God?”

  Joe nodded. “I’ll talk to Suzanne, but I’m pretty sure she’ll agree with me. Running HEARTBEAT is a dream I’ve always had.”

  Cara could finally smile from the heart. “Good. Maybe you should bring Suzanne on board as your partner. After all, HEARTBEAT was always intended to be a husband and wife ministry.”

  Joe seemed to perk up at this thought. “She’d love it, and I know having her here would make me happy.”

  “Then it’s settled. We’ll draw up the papers tomorrow.”

  “If you’re sure,” Joe said, standing in the doorway. “It’s not too late to tell me you’ve changed your mind.”

  “I’m sure about this, Joe.”

  Cara waited until she heard Joe close the door to his own office before picking up the telephone. She could tell by the lighted second line that Joe was probably already calling Suzanne with the news. Dialing the number Kerns had given her, Cara wasn’t surprised when Russell Owens answered the telephone.

  “Kerns for governor, this is Russell Owens.”

  “Mr. Owens, this is Cara Kessler.” She felt her mouth go dry and wondered if she could go through with it.

  “Well, it’s good to finally hear from you.” He didn’t sound at all surprised that she was calling. “What can I do for you?”

  Cara hated playing the game but knew it would be only the first of many to come. “I’m calling to let you know that I’ll run with Bob Kerns.” She could imagine the smug smile of satisfaction on the man’s face at that moment.

  “Cara, that’s great news. I know Bob will be pleased. Why don’t you plan to come over to the office, say around four. We’ll need to plan the press release.”

  “Very well,” Cara said rather formally and hung up the phone without saying good-bye. She felt like a prisoner being led to the gallows. The finality of it all seemed to wash over her in waves of despair. What if Kerns actually won the election? What if she actually became the next lieutenant governor of Kansas? The entire thing was too much to consider as a possibility. From that moment on, it became Cara’s fervent hope and prayer that Kerns would suffer a terrible defeat at the polls and she would be allowed to go about her business.

  But after today, what would her business be? She was turning HEARTBEAT over to the Milkens. She couldn’t just take it back when the election failed to put her into office. With a heavy sigh, she looked at the photograph of Brianna. It stood in the place of the old family photo and gave her a sense of encouragement. There were too many unanswered questions, but one thing was certain: Brianna needed her, and little else mattered. She would concern herself with the uncertain future when the time and place demanded it. To struggle with it before then seemed to deny that God was in control of her life.

  To deny that would be giving in to utter despair.

  Eleven

  Making her way across the parking lot of th
e finest hotel in Topeka, Cara dreaded this evening like no other. Inside, the press and public waited for her to join Kerns in announcing her candidacy for lieutenant governor.

  She looked down at her sedate blue suit and hoped she’d remember everything Kerns had told her to say. The only way Cara could make it through this nightmarish evening was to remember the ultimate goal. She had to protect HEARTBEAT and those she loved.

  Entering through the glass doors, Cara was immediately besieged by reporters and bright lights. Camera crews from seven major television stations around the state shoved microphones in her face and attacked her with questions.

  “Mrs. Kessler, will you tell us how you came to be Robert Kerns’ running mate?”

  “Mrs. Kessler, who will head up HEARTBEAT now that you’re running for lieutenant governor?”

  “Mrs. Kessler . . .”

  The noise was overwhelming and Cara immediately began to look for some sign of Kerns or Owens. She didn’t want this kind of attention. It was nothing like the quiet affairs of her ministry work. It wasn’t even the mild pandemonium of her father’s district campaigns. This was a hideous monster out of control.

  “Ah, there you are,” Bob Kerns said, coming to stand beside Cara. He took hold of her elbow with one hand and maneuvered her expertly through the crowd. “Are you ready?” he managed to whisper against her ear.

  “No.”

  “You’ll do just fine.” His grip tightened on her arm as he led her toward the ballroom where they would make their formal announcement.

  Kerns, too, wore a blue suit and made a striking match at Cara’s side. His dark hair was combed straight back, while Cara’s shoulder-length coif was parted on the side and delicately curled under at the ends. They appeared to be the all-American couple—polished and shined to perfection, no visible blemish to mar their image.

  Cara allowed Kerns to take her through the onslaught of reporters to the ballroom where friends and supporters were gathered. Kerns had wanted her to bring Brianna, but Cara had flatly refused. There would be enough disruptions in her daughter’s life later, especially if the election went their way. Cara could see no reason to put Brianna through any more than was absolutely necessary.