Page 29 of Accepted Precedent
“No, ma’am, I’m not. The polls close soon, so we’re reaching out to residents to remind them their votes matter.”
“I can’t believe I’m speaking to the wife of our Senator! I’m sorry I thought you were a robot before. You know, I don’t think my husband mailed in his ballot. I’d take him to drop his off, but this weather is wretched.”
Wretched? I glance outside and it’s barely sprinkling…
She continues, “I liked what that Yates woman was blabbering on about the price of prescription medication being too high, and truth be told, I didn’t think your husband gave a damn about us.”
It hurts my heart to hear, but Andy hasn’t been polling well with suburban women. I’m in part to blame—I should’ve been leading book clubs or knitting circles, anything to bring in votes for Andrew. “Well, no matter who wins, I hope you continue to have the same spirit in holding elected officials accountable. We need more women like you.”
“One second, hun.” She pauses for a moment, then shouts away from the phone, “Bert, wake up! You didn’t mail in your ballot, did you? Get your ass off the damn couch. We have thirty minutes to drop it off… Yes! Sign and seal it!”
“Ma’am, is everything okay?”
“Yes, dear, everything’s fine. I’m trying to ensure my husband does his fu—” She clears her throat. “Does hisjob. I don’t care who he votes for, so long as he votes.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” I chuckle, my heart feeling lighter with every second I speak to her.
“Have you ever sat outside in a rainstorm, Ms. Adams?”
The question takes me by surprise. “No, I can’t say that I have.”
“You’re a good woman calling me in the last hour before the polls close to help your husband. But it means the man representing my state doesn’t have faith that he’ll win.” She’s not entirely wrong, and I’m unsure what to say. “Be careful out there—a storm’s a-brewin’. When life gets hard, stand outside in a rainstorm, and let Mother Nature handle the rest.”
Either this woman is a witch, or she’s onto something. Today has been a whirlwind, and the election isn’t entirely to blame. Regardless, her husband statistically should be a vote for Andy. “So… let the water wash away our sins?” I dare to ask, unsure where she’s going with her advice.
“No, dear. Let the water bring you peace… clarity. The answer is always right in front of you.”
Without another word, she hangs up. My weather app shows it’s clear, and I chuckle at the eccentric woman’s premonition. The levity is cut short as Mickey’s caramel-smooth timbre purrs beside my ear, “What are you doing, angel?”
With him this close, my voice comes out squeaky. “Trying to call a few more voters before the polls close.”
“We have volunteers for that, you know.”
“I do.” After the call with the witchy woman and my conversation with Andrew, part of me wants to see what Mickey thinks about having a secret affair. Unable to help myself, I pivot to face him. “What are you doing later?”
“Once we secure the states we need, I’m getting a good night’s sleep. Why?”
As I’m about to answer, thunder booms overhead, followed by a heavy shower of rain pelting the roof. I gasp and leap out of my seat to rush outside. Gertrude is definitely some sort of witch. Though if she had stayed on the phone, she may have tried to sell me a supplement or moon water.
Once I’m out in the elements, I let the rain soak my hair and clothes. Mick follows but after a moment insists, “You should come back inside.”
“I should,” I agree, not moving an inch.
“It’s cold and thunderin’, love. Come inside.”
“It’s safe. The thunder was seven seconds after the flash, Mick.” With nothing other than an elderly woman’s premonition as motivation, I step farther into the rain, arms wide as I let it give me what was promised. “Join me in finding… clarity.”
He closes the distance, but I still don’t move. “I don’t need a storm to find clarity.”
Mickey brushes the fresh droplets off my cheek, then leans in, our lips a breath apart. He doesn’t budge—neither do I. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want him. I can’t rationalize it. Something happened the night we spent together and it forever changed me.
Still, if anyone ever found out, the past year will have been for nothing.
“I’m sorry. We can’t…”
“I know, angel. But I hope you know, I’ll always be yours.”
Chapter 16
