"You could have been elected," Martha said carrying the laundry basket with her. "I make a better den mother than a city father," Carolyn called after her, turning back to the paper. Feeling vastly contented, she was pleased to see the Captain appear beside her as soon as Martha entered the laundry room. She hadn't seen him since late the previous evening. It had been just after sunset, when they had been standing alone on the balcony. He had been the one to suggest the happiest solution would be for her to leave politics, to withdraw from the race, since Claymore had acquiesced to all of the women's demands.
Looking over at him, she smiled, recalling the joyous look of amazement on his face when she told him she had already come to the same conclusion, that even though she felt she had a good chance of winning, there were more important things, and infinitely better ways for her to spend her time at home.
"I wholeheartedly agree with that madam," he said in a slightly suggestive tone, but she noticed he couldn't keep the twinkle out of his eye as he continued, "I'm glad that you agree men are better in politics than women are."
"Not at all," Carolyn paused to give him the illusion she was agreeing with him. "I just feel that men have done such a bad job, they deserve another chance."
"Women, stubborn to the end!" he responded enjoying the humor.
Despite the taunting words, it was the warm and gentle smiles shared, that communicated all that needed to be said between the two. During that memorable evening talk, much had been expressed that brought them to their current happy understanding.
Last evening, once he had recovered from the pleasant shock of her turning down a political life, she had been surprised at his own admission. "M'dear," he had said in a halting, emotional tone, "I am not so ancient as to think you don't need other people, other experiences in your life." Looking toward him, she was confused that he was speaking toward the railing, not meeting her gaze. "In fact," he continued, "during the recent – shall we say unpleasantness between us, my only goal was to make sure a truly superior man, one worthy of you would be the recipient of your affections. None of those louts came close to deserving your attention, your . . ." He paused, as if he couldn't go on, dropping his head with a sigh. Rolling her eyes, Carolyn finally stepped in front of him, and with a firmly arched eyebrow, cleared her throat.
At last, he looked up at her, with the saddest expression she had even seen. Only the sound of the waves filled the air as they studied each other, and as Carolyn gathered courage to speak. "That doesn't surprise me at all," she began, "but surely you realize, that in all honesty, the only person who would ever be able to fit that description is you, don't you?" "Truly?" he said, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice. "Truly," she promised, leaning into their first kiss of the evening.
Sitting quietly at the kitchen table, they both knew it would be a long while until their relationship would be known and understood by the whole family. Yet they were completely prepared and ready as their love and appreciation for each other grew and became more real every day.