Almost as soon as Brady walked away, Savannah took his place. “How are you holding up? I heard what those people were saying.” Her brown eyes were large and concerned.

“I’m all right. Just frustrated.”

“I don’t think most people actually believe the media.”

“Someone has to or they wouldn’t latch on to it,” Liz said.

“They’ll find something else to talk about soon. You and Brady are the real deal. I’ve never seen him happier,” Savannah said, glancing at her brother. “Others will see that too.”

“I hope so. What about you? Are you and Easton still hanging out?”

Savannah tried to hide her own smile. “Yeah. We’ve been together all summer. He’s really great.”

“But?” Liz prompted.

“I didn’t say but.”

“Yeah, but I know you.”

Savannah sighed. “I invited him to Hilton Head with us.”

“And?” Liz had a feeling she knew where this was going.

“Lucas is going to be there.”

“Do you think something will happen between you and Lucas?”

Savannah shrugged. “I don’t know. No. He’s been home all summer and we’ve been hanging out again. I just get mixed signals from him. Nothing has happened since Fourth of July two years ago, but it’s just weird between us. Or maybe it’s weird how normal it is. I can’t keep it straight.”

“It’ll work itself out, just like this media bullshit,” Liz said. “You really don’t need a guy who hasn’t made a move in two years. I made that mistake. Hayden was only interested in me once Brady and I had already started dating. I swear, it’s like a beacon for guys.”

Savannah laughed. “An ‘unavailable’ beacon. It screams, ‘I’m dating someone else, so come hit on me.’ ”

Both girls started laughing. There was really nothing else to do at that point. No matter what happened in life there were always going to be problems. It was finding out how to deal with them that determined character.

Brady was walking up to the podium to give his Fourth of July speech with his father. Liz moved over to the side of the podium so that she could watch him. Marilyn strode over a moment later, just as Jeff began speaking.

“You know, dear,” Marilyn said, not taking her eyes from her husband, “love blooms in the most unlikely of places. It flourishes in the most difficult circumstances. And it lasts despite all reasons it shouldn’t.”

Liz felt tears prick the corners of her eyes. That one piece of advice grounded her. She and Brady hadn’t said that it would be without difficulty. They had said it was worth it. And it was.

“Thank you,” Liz whispered.

“I have been in your shoes. It’s not without its moments of hardship. When I met Jeff, he was in business school at Chapel Hill while I was in college. I had no idea what I was getting into, knowing that he wanted to be a politician like his father. I’ve not regretted a moment. Sometimes you have to fight through the bad times to get to the best moments of your life.”

Marilyn reached out and grasped Liz’s hand.

“Yours are before you. Of that I’m sure,” Marilyn assured her.

They stood like that together with the weight of mutual understanding between them as they watched the men they loved deliver speeches. It might have been only a handful of times for Liz, but it had been a lifetime of speeches for Marilyn. And she still gazed up at her husband with utter admiration for the work he was doing and the man that he had remained during their marriage.

“Thank you so much for having me out today. Looking forward to another two years. Happy Fourth of July!” Brady called from the stage at the close of his speech.

The crowd applauded, and then father and son descended the stairs. Jeff clapped his hands together. He had a big smile on his face that showed how much he was looking forward to this trip. “Couple minutes with the press and then get out of here?” he asked.

Brady agreed and they wandered off to the media area. Liz and Marilyn trailed behind them to listen in on what was going on and to smile for the cameras. Two years ago Liz had stolen Brady away for five minutes to tell him how he had won her vote. They had ended up in an argument and then he had skipped the first day of his vacation to stay home with her. She was glad that this year they were able to vacation together.

Liz immediately noticed the flaming red hair in the crowd of reporters. Calleigh Hollingsworth. And she was walking right toward Brady. The bitch had nerve, continuing to badger Brady. She must think that since he was the story that got her the promotion she was craving, that he might be able to provide her with more juice to go even further, or maybe to another paper.

At the same time, it felt personal. If she was looking for another promotion, then why would she put so much effort into taking pictures of Liz and Hayden and then selling them to the tabloids without attaching her name to the photos? She was up to something. Liz wasn’t sure what it was, but she sure wanted to find out.

Without thinking twice, she excused herself from Marilyn’s company and walked right up to Calleigh. “Miss Hollingsworth, what a pleasure,” Liz said, her voice sweet as molasses.

Calleigh turned to Liz, and Liz wanted to do a little dance when she saw the surprise on her face. She quickly recovered, but it was clear that she hadn’t expected Liz to ever talk to her again.

“Miss Dougherty, how are you?” Calleigh said, trying for similar pleasantries.

“Amazing. I’ve never been better, really.”

“Even without your New York Times reporting position?” she asked smoothly.

“I think I’ve finally found the right career move for me, but I don’t think I would ever really be happy without the man I love. I couldn’t imagine going through life pining over someone who doesn’t want me.”

Calleigh’s jaw clenched at the jab. “What is this new career exactly? Following around your boyfriend to campaign events and mooching off of his money?”

Liz took a deep breath. Calleigh was baiting her because she was pissed that Liz had made a stab at the fact that Hayden didn’t want her. She needed to keep a level head. “That’s so nice of you to say. How is your boyfriend?”

“I’m not currently dating anyone,” she said flatly.