Chapter 10

Holly's plane landed right on time. Unlike the imposing 747 bearing the presidential seal that usually shepherded her around, this aircraft was an unadorned Gulfstream G-800.

The aircraft taxied to an open hangar, where it was then towed inside. Everyone remained on board until the hangar doors were closed.

Stone had tagged along with the Secret Service detail assigned to pick her up. When Holly deplaned, she walked right into his open arms.

"Welcome to Santa Fe," he said and gave her a long kiss.

"I didn't expect to see you until I reached the house."

"And why would I waste a minute of valuable time?"

"I've always liked the way you think." She kissed him again.

They left the hangar in a black Suburban with tinted windows, flanked by identical vehicles, and were at the Lees' in no time.

The front door swung open as they walked up. Kate stood just inside, holding a margarita in each hand.

"Thirsty?"

Holly smiled. "It's like you were reading my mind."

Kate handed one to her and the other to Stone, then leaned in and hugged Holly.

"Where's Will?" Holly asked.

"Giving Billy a bath. We won't be eating until seven, so why don't you settle in. I'm sure Stone wouldn't mind showing you where you're staying."

He smiled. "It would be my pleasure."

Less than a minute after they were alone, Stone and Holly were under the sheets, their clothes scattered across the floor.

Having been lovers for years, they instinctively knew what the other wanted. Their kisses and caresses and nibbles building each other's pleasure to a shared crescendo, leaving them both gasping.

"God, I miss that," Holly said as she rolled onto her back. "Maybe we should reconsider you moving into the White House. You wouldn't mind being confined to the bedroom, would you? I could probably trot you out for a state dinner now and then."

"You make it sound so attractive."

"It would mean unlimited sex."

"Sold!"

Holly nuzzled his shoulder. "Or we could just stay here."

"Something tells me your absence would be noticed."

She nudged his chest. "I have enough devil's advocates in Washington. Your job is to agree with whatever I say."

"My mistake. Let's stay here."

"That's more like it." She tilted her head so she could see him. "I have another idea, too."

"You do?"

"This one I know you'll like."

She pulled him on top of her.

She was right. He did like it.

Dinner was carne asada, sautéed asparagus, frijoles de la olla, and homemade tortillas, served at the table by the pool. To complement this, Will uncorked a bottle of Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino.

It wasn't until they'd finished, and Will had split the last of a second bottle among them, that Kate said, "I heard Sam talked to you."

Holly smirked. "I was wondering when you were going to bring that up."

"I take it that he also told you he'd already talked to us."

"He did."

"Don't be upset with him for that," Will said. "He just wanted advice."

"I'm not upset. If I were him, I would have done the same."

Kate picked up her glass. "Is he still planning to announce his departure next week?"

Holly nodded.

"Any thoughts on who you might replace him with?"

"Do you think your son would be interested?"

"I can say with confidence, he would be open to the idea." Kate's elder son was the junior senator from New York.

"I actually meant Billy."

"There might be an age requirement problem," Stone said.

Will nodded regretfully. "Plus, you'd have to work around his nap time."

"And don't forget about the attention span problem," Kate said. "Seriously, though, I think Peter would do a marvelous job."

"I'll be honest. He is the first person I thought of."

"Would you like me to discuss it with him? Off the record, of course."

"Do that. But don't make any promises yet."

"Understood."

Will leaned forward. "Sam's situation does bring up another issue."

Holly sighed. "I know what you're going to say. The election."

"That I was."

Stone took Holly's hand and gave it a squeeze. She acknowledged the support with a wan smile, then said, "I'm listening."

Will and Kate made their case for Holly running again.

When they finished, Will said, "We're not saying you need to make a decision tonight."

"Good," Holly said. "Because that's not happening."

"But you do need to decide soon."

"I realize that."

Kate pushed her chair back. "We've badgered you enough for one evening. And we have an early flight in the morning."

She and Will stood.

"Enjoy your stay. And even though we might be half a world away, we'll make ourselves available anytime you'd like to talk."

"You didn't seem surprised by the conversation," Holly said after she and Stone were back in their room.

"They gave me the heads-up this afternoon."

"I suppose you're now going to tell me all the reasons I should run again."

"Not at all. I'm a neutral observer."

"You have no opinion?"

"My opinion isn't the important one. The only thing you need to know is that I'll be waiting for you whenever you leave office." He pulled her into his arms. "You remember what I told you in Los Angeles, when you first talked about possibly not running again?"

"You mean when you bought that Malibu house I liked."

He smiled. He had purchased the house and told her that if she decided not to run again, he would give it to her once she left office. And that if she did run, he'd donate the purchase price to a PAC supporting her reelection.

"My offer still stands."

"But I only get the house if I don't run again?"

"Are you trying to negotiate with me?"

"A question has been asked, Counselor. Your response?"

He kissed her cheek. "What would I do with a house in Malibu? I have too many houses as it is."

"You could sell it."

"Get rid of your dream home? I don't think so."

"Then it's mine either way?"

"It is."

"That's what I wanted to hear." She pulled his face to hers. "Enough talking."

Later, as they lay in the afterglow, sleep tugging at them, Holly whispered, "If I do run again and win, that'll mean another four years of this. Do you promise you'll still be there for me at the end?"

"Since it would be illegal for you to serve a third term, I could probably manage it."

"Probably?" she teased, then tweaked his nipple.

He pulled her close so she couldn't do it again. "Do you really think it would be that easy to get rid of me?"

"You think another four years of this would be easy?"

"Compared to what we've been through until now, it'll be a walk in the park."

She snuggled into him.

"Besides, I have a feeling you've already made up your mind." He brushed a strand of hair from her face. When she didn't respond, he asked, "Am I right?"

But Holly was already asleep.