Fearless Hero

As I shook people’s hands, I glanced around the crowd, spotting Ms. Peters toward the front. She smiled warmly and waved at me, and I waved back.

I then began looking around at the various signs being held into the air. The signs were always my favorite part. Dad’s supporters were full of creativity and often came up with great slogans to show their support. I had mentioned to him before that if he secured the nomination, he should consider asking supporters to help come up with a campaign slogan.

My heart stopped at the sight of one sign though. I stared, wondering if I was seeing correctly. It wasn’t a sign for my father. Instead, it read: Autumn For My Heart.

I looked at the person holding the sign.

It was none other than Brady.

Tears welled in my eyes, and in that instant, I knew I had been stupid for all the wrong reasons.

I knew I shouldn’t have believed it when he claimed he wanted nothing but a professional relationship with me. We had made too strong of a connection for that.

Smiling and laughing through my tears, the instant I made it across the stage and close enough for him, I dove right into his arms.

Loud cheers erupted all around us as our lips met.

CHAPTER 18

Autumn

I couldn’t have planned it better, but the last few months had been pure bliss.

I had even passed the BAR exam. I couldn’t put into words how much of a weight off my shoulder that was.

Needless to say, there was a lot to celebrate.

I turned my head sideways, smiling at Brady in the driver’s seat. Perhaps sensing my gaze, a slow smirk spread across his handsome f

ace. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” I said. “I’m just…happy. Everything worked out in the long-run.”

“As I told you it would,” he said.

“Even your cocky attitude has been restored.”

He laughed. “So, your dad is meeting us at the pub, right?”

“Yes. He might even be there already.”

“Or he might stand us up in favor of celebrating a night in with Peggy. Maybe you’ll wind up becoming a big sister.”

“Okay, stop it. That’s just gross.”

Brady laughed, pulling into the parking lot of the pub. He gave a low whistle, glancing around at the parked cars. “Looks like quite a crowd.”

“Yeah…” I said, growing slightly apprehensive.

“Well, it’s not like you’ve got much to worry about, right?” He glanced into the rearview mirror at the secret service agents in the car behind us.

“I guess you’ve got a point,” I said. “That’s certainly going to take some time getting used to.”

“You’ve had a lot of practice already. First with me trailing your every move, and then Wallace.”

“Yeah, but this is different.”

“I guess,” Brady said. He cut off the car engine. “Ready?”