When Passion Flares (The Dark Horse Trilogy Book 2) Read Free Page B

God knew she loved anything romantic like that, but not when it was her mother’s idea.
    “So what did you think, dear?” Brenda asked at breakfast. They were alone in the vast dining room, with only the echoes of voices in the other room to keep them company as sunlight streamed through the east facing windows. “I hear Italy is absolutely beautiful in summer. The sooner we get you there, the better.”
    Kerri made the sourest face she could muster. “I don’t want to go to Italy right now.” Like I’m letting you ship me off to be rid of my scandal with Hunter.
    But Brenda wasn’t listening, not that such a thing surprised her daughter. “I’ll make the arrangements today. How does a month in Italy sound? Or how about the rest of the summer? We’ll tell the press you have an important job lead there. Yes, good. You studied Italian in school, right? That will work.”
    “French, Mother. It was French.”
    “Close enough.”
    Kerri excused herself from breakfast after that.
    Not that she had anything good to do. For once she had no appointments with interviewers or photographers. Some young women may have pined for such a life, but Kerri did not appreciate having her mug splashed across every newspaper and local journal talking about “The Essentials Of Women Today.” If only she knew that was how it would be spun! When the interviewer arrived that fateful day, she asked Kerri routine questions: what she studied in college, what she wanted to do in the future, what she looked for in potential partners, and what she thought the state needed the most in terms of policy. Kerri had given her safe, stock answers, posed for some pictures, and went on with her day. Later that same week, she opened a regional magazine to see everything had been spun as if she were saying all women should get married as soon as possible and forget about pursuing careers. “It’s difficult making such important decisions…” she was quoted as saying. “…Husbands… have the right of it.” She had no idea in what context she originally said everything, but that was not it.
    What does this state need? Kerri sat in the den and watched some TV. Better education, better infrastructure, better everything! She wasn’t sure what her father would do about any of that. He would make promises, as always, but he would never deliver. No politician on either side did. Kerri still didn’t know who she was voting for. Maybe she would abstain. At least then she couldn’t say she voted for Terrence Hall if pressed.
    Kerri wasted most of her morning watching TV. It was the same bullshit no matter the channel. Her parents paid for the cable news and debate channels… not that either of them watched them. Instead, they paid interns to watch the news. I wonder how normal that is. The first few dollars Kerri earned in her life were from watching TV for her parents. The thought disgusted her, and she changed the channel to some home improvement show.
    Brenda emerged from the other room an hour later, ripping the eyeglasses off her face as she flopped onto the couch beside her daughter with an exasperated sigh. “I tried, honey!” She patted Kerri’s curled up legs, but not without making a comment about how she needed to shave them. Once a day isn’t good enough? Oh, of course not. Brenda should talk. Kerri got her fast-growing hair genes from her mother’s side of the family. “I found the perfect Italy package for you. One month, three cities. Only the best tour guides and events!”
    “Great.”
    “I know, isn’t it? Sadly, when I went to try and purchase it, I found out we were low on funds in the personal account. I’m steamed! Your father should have told me he was taking out more for his campaign. He took out a chunk two weeks ago and… oh, you don’t want to hear about this.”
    “No, really, I’m riveted.”
    Brenda ignored her daughter’s insubordination. “I’m sorry, honey. Maybe in a couple of weeks we can get it