Intentions - SF9 Read Free

that I'll sponsor much, if any, legislation, but I'll still need to conduct a lot of research. I need people that I can trust, who don't have an agenda to foster."
    "That's good. At least you'll know someone."
    He gave her a look of incredulity, amazed that she would even think that associates of the firm could make up for the loss of his family. "I regret agreeing to do this," he said softly, staring at the carpet.
    "Really? I would have thought that this would be quite beneficial for the firm."
    "It is," he said somberly, his eyes boring into hers. "Sometimes the firm isn't the biggest consideration, Catherine."
    Since when? she wanted to say, but bit her tongue since they were trying to be civil.
    He saw the look of doubt in her eyes and added, "I'm learning-for the first time-that my life can't be fulfilling if it's centered around work. It's just not enough."
    She cocked her head again and gazed at him for a moment, trying to gauge his sincerity. "I'm sorry that you had to learn that the hard way, Jim, but it's a valuable lesson."
    "Yeah," he mumbled. "As though it matters now."
    "It will still be good to know, Jim. I know you're upset now, but you will go on. I hope you enter your future relationships with that perspective."
    "I don't want future relationships, Catherine," he said earnestly. "I want us back."
    "You can't have that, Jim. I'm sorry." She actually did look sorry, but she also looked completely determined, and he knew that he didn't have a chance.
    "Does Jamie know?" he asked tentatively.
    "Not in so many words," she admitted. "I don't tell her much about us. It's not good for any of us."
    "You've always been the more mature one," he commented, drawing a knowing glance of agreement from his wife. "Will you tell your friends?"
    "Again, no. I don't want to tell a soul until we decide what we're doing, Jim. I don't want to feed the rumor mill one minute earlier than I must."
    He nodded, knowing that his wife hated gossip. "I won't tell anyone either, Catherine. I'll just tell my staff that you have too many commitments to join me in Washington."
    "That's not that odd, anyway, Dear," she said, unconsciously reverting to her usual term for him. "Many senators live alone in hotels and apartment buildings in Washington."
    He laughed bitterly, admitting, "That's because most of them are about the caliber of husband that I am. If you really love your spouse, you go with them."
    She nodded, knowing that he was probably correct. "I'm sure you'll do fine there, Jim. You've never backed off from a challenge."
    "I've never been so ill-prepared emotionally to face one, either," he said softly, his hair falling into his eyes as his head dropped again.
    She fought the urge to push the errant strands back into order, and instead gave him a small smile. "You'll get through this. It will just take a while to adjust."
    He sighed and stood, looking awkward as he loomed over her. "I've spent years trying to have my own life-apart from you and Jamie. It always made me feel safer to have something that was mine alone." He shook his head as he admitted, "Well, I've got it now." He turned and walked towards the door, pausing when his hand grasped the knob. "It stinks." Without turning back, he walked out the door, their wedding portrait nestled securely against his chest.
     
    Ryan was riding down to Palo Alto with the team, so Jamie decided to go down early to spend the afternoon with her mother, and she arrived just after noon. For a change, she used her key to enter, feeling more comfortable at her family home than she had since she left for college three years previously.
    She strolled around the first floor, poking her head into the kitchen and seeing a stranger standing near the sink. "Hello?" she said tentatively.
    The woman turned quickly and blinked at her. "Miss Evans?" she asked warily, wondering how many more of the family members she would meet that day.
    "Yes. Jamie, please," she said immediately, extending a hand.
    The