Read Online Tracie Peterson by Entangled - Free Book Online

firmly set and the smile was frozen on his face, but it was eyes the color of steel that held her attention most. They were cold, lifeless, shark’s eyes. Cara could seethat Robert Kerns was the one in charge, and in that moment of revelation she could also see that he knew it as well.
    Almost against her will, Cara sank into the nearest chair. “All right, I’m sitting. What is it that couldn’t wait until Monday?”
    Owens and Kerns exchanged a brief look of satisfaction before Kerns turned back to Cara. “As you know, I’m running for governor.”
    “Yes, both of you’ve made that abundantly clear,” she replied dryly. “And you want the support of HEARTBEAT.”
    “In a way,” Kerns said in a slow hypnotic manner. “In a way. You see, I’m very impressed with the work you’ve done in that organization. You have a great deal to offer this state, including a dynamic personality that will automatically draw people to you.”
    “I don’t see why this has anything—” Cara began, but Kerns quickly silenced her.
    “If you’ll give me a chance to speak, I’ll tell you what it has to do with you.”
    Cara crossed her arms against her chest and waited in obvious irritation.
    “That’s better,” Kerns replied.
    His manner and tone suggested he was a parent dealing with a child rather than a grown woman. His entire demeanor made Cara angry. How dare he come into her house late in the night and order her around! Cara had never felt so helpless, and without even realizing what she was doing, she found herself praying for God’s protection.
    “. . . and that’s why I want you to be my running mate.”
    Cara suddenly realized she hadn’t been paying attention. “I’m sorry, what were you saying?” There was no way he could have said what she’d heard.
    Kerns’ eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “We will be here all night if I am to repeat everything I say. This is a matter of utmost importance, and I’d appreciate it if you would give me your undivided attention.”
    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