Page 30 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

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. Heisthe 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 youdoneed 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?”

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