Read Online When Chemistry Wins (The Dark Horse Trilogy Book 1) by Cynthia Dane - Free Book Online

so loudly that the evening news made fun of him.
    “Tell me, why does the son of Terrence Hall want to talk to me in private?” Joshua sat on a pullout sofa and gestured for Hunter to take an adjacent chair. “I’m certainly no threat to him.”
    Hunter sat up straight before leaning his elbows against his knees. “My father doesn’t know I’m here. In fact, I have no interest in my father’s campaign.”
    Joshua raised his eyebrows. “Go on.”
    “I don’t believe that my father is cutout to be the governor of this state. I think he has a lot of passion for what he does, and he did an admirable job as a representative, but he’s not someone I would want to be governor. For everything we agree on, there is something I do not agree with. Honestly, in this whole election, the only person I think who comes even close to being the right candidate… is you.”
    “Oh, good.” Joshua relaxed into the sofa with a practiced smile on his face. “For a moment there I thought you were going to say you liked Raymond Mitchell.”
    Only his daughter. Hunter could display a practiced smile as well. Like now. “I don’t let others decide my politics for me, Mr. Payne,” he said. “Quite the contrary. I’m a fan of making my own decisions. And my mind has led me to you.”
    They spent a few minutes discussing the politics facing their state. Joshua was a native of the land. He amazed Hunter with his observations when it came to helping farmers stay afloat while keeping costs down and toxic chemicals out of the food supply. He agreed that the highways and state roads outside of the cities were dreadfully maintained, especially some of the biggest bridges that hadn’t been repaired in years. On social matters they agreed as well: health care, minority rights, social aid… Joshua may have been at least fifteen years older than Hunter, but he felt like his equal in a debate. If I’ve doubted my political convictions until now, this would change everything. Instead Hunter felt like a kid talking to his favorite celebrity.
    The high had to come down at some point, however. Halfway between discussing the holdup in the state senate and what to do about Veteran’s affairs, Joshua pulled back his good humor and put on the face he used in his low-budget commercials. “As flattered as I am that you are such a fan of mine, Mr. Hall, I have to remind you that my chances are slim. I am a distant third to both your father and Governor Mitchell when it comes to the polls. I went into this knowing that I would likely lose. But I still had to do it.”
    “Of course.” Hunter cleared his throat. “The Independent ticket rarely gets far.”
    “Then you’ll understand if I’m still confused over this outpouring of support.”
    “I would like to make a contribution to your campaign.”
    “Ah.” Joshua chuckled. “Again, I am flattered. But I’m afraid it may not be enough.”
    “No, but it’s something. Besides, I have another idea that may help you.”
    The candidate suppressed a grin. “I’m listening.”
    “My father thinks he’s going to win. Governor Mitchell thinks he’s going to win. But these campaigns are precarious, and one bad piece of information could ruin either of theirs.”
    Silence filled the trailer. Within a moment, Joshua snorted, his face contorting in a strange smile that pulled at his youthful skin. “You may not support your father, but you are obviously the father of a politician. Tell me, do you know what a dark horse is?”
    Hunter nodded. “Of course I do. The competitor that comes out of nowhere and wins.”
    “Ha, yes.” Joshua flicked his fingers as if he were ridding himself of bad luck. “When it comes to politics, there are only a few dark horses. Rarely do they get there on their own merit. You may be a bit young to remember this, but Ross Perot was perhaps one of the biggest third party candidates in recent history. But the people who actually win? They were usually because something