The President's Daughter - Mariah Stewart [130]
“How will your wife feel about losing an opportunity to be the First Lady?”
“She’ll be one hundred percent behind my decision. She understands me, knows me well enough to know that I can’t stand in front of the press and say things I don’t mean. Besides, I’d like to see if, over time, you and I could get to know each other. I don’t know how possible that would be if I were living in the White House.” He looked up and smiled. “Some roads are better off not traveled, Dina. This feels like one of them.”
“Not many people would be so honorable. I admire that you’re willing to stand behind your convictions. It can’t be easy.”
“And not many people would give up a chance for fame and fortune—after all, for the rest of your life, you’d be known as the daughter of a President. Who knows? They could end up making a movie about your life.”
“Ugh.” Dina grimaced, and they both laughed. “But if we are going to get to know each other, I guess that mutual respect is a good place to start.”
The door opened and a young boy with dark hair and darker eyes stuck his head in.
“Oops. Sorry, Dad.” He backed away.
“It’s all right, Son. Come in. I’d like you to meet Dina. She’s . . . a friend. . . .”
How’d it go? Simon mouthed the words as Dina and Gray returned to the patio area where Norton was talking about the book that he and Simon had collaborated on.
Very promising, she mouthed back as she joined the group seated around a low table of glass and bamboo.
“. . . and so I’m not certain what the future of the book will be,” Norton concluded.
“Why is its future uncertain, if I might ask?” Dina stood behind Simon’s chair, her hand resting on his shoulder.
“Well, the intent of the book was to lay the foundation for Gray’s run for the presidency,” Norton reminded her. “Should Gray choose not to run, we might have to reconsider whether or not to go forward with it.”
“Now I hope that wasn’t an attempt to influence my decision,” Gray said.
“Not at all, son. It’s not just a matter of economics. A book such as this would generate greater interest, greater sales, if Gray were running,” Norton told them. “But there’s also the matter of not appearing to capitalize on the current situation. Some might feel it’s insensitive to publish such a book immediately on the heels of Sarah’s death. For some that might not be an issue. However, for me, given my long association with this family . . . well, let’s just say I’m in no hurry right now.”
“If you’ll excuse me—I think the caterer is here.” Jen looked towards the drive and the van that had just pulled in. “I thought I’d have dinner brought in tonight, rather than cook, so that I could devote my time to my company. I’ll just show them where to set up.”
Jen disappeared through the gate.
“Simon, can I get you another beer?” Gray asked.
“No, thanks.” Simon stood. “But I do think I’d like to share that view of the sea with Dina before dinner.”
Simon took Dina’s hand and, with a backward glance at the bar where Philip was scooping ice into his glass, turned her toward the vast lawn that lay between the patio and the sea.
When they were out of earshot of the patio, Simon asked, “So all went well? You’re okay being here?”
“Well, I admit that I felt intimidated at first, but Gray has been incredibly kind. He gave me a wonderful photograph of Graham. He’s a most extraordinary man, Gray is. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like him.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Gray is exceptional. I’ve never known anyone like him, either.”
“I think in time we could be friends. I want to be his friend.” Dina thought about it for a moment, then said, “Maybe someday I could even think of him as my brother. Maybe.”
“I’m glad that it went well for you.” Simon draped an arm over her shoulder. “How do you think Jude will feel about that?”
“This is hard for her, but she will need to adjust. I think she’ll come around. She really only wants the best for me. I know in my heart that that’s all she ever wanted.”
“I’m sure it’s difficult for her, as your mother, to deal