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different. She had always been available when he called or Skyped her, and she sent letters. Every week he’d received a love letter from his woman detailing what they’d do as soon as he got home.
    When he’d arrived home, trying to surprise his woman—the love of his life—the surprise had been on him. Hillary had been in bed with another man, screaming out his name while she rode him with zeal and zest. Passion that he’d thought had been reserved for him. Devastated and heartbroken, Jackson had to leave before he snapped. He went to the VA hospital seeking help. He felt as if the war had robbed him of everything. That’s where he’d met Daniel. Before his second tour and the injury. The injury that removed him from active duty and branded him a hero. In some of his darkest days, Jackson had wished he’d died that day. It was because of Daniel that he’d been able to work through his posttraumatic stress and not swallow a gun.
    â€œJackson,” Teresa asked. “Are you listening?”
    â€œI was thinking,” he said. “I’ve had some dark times and some people might look at that as a weakness.”
    â€œGetting help and turning around to help others is what makes you strong,” she said. “Is that why you thought you should throw in withMontgomery? Anyone that he’s ever helped, it was because of money. He’s what’s wrong with Raleigh. That’s not the man we need to hand this district over to.”
    An hour later, Jackson and Teresa had hammered out the talking points of his campaign. The one thing Teresa told him to do at the breakfast was to be himself. “Don’t be slick and polished like I’m sure Robert will be.”
    Jackson snorted. “I wouldn’t know how to do that if I tried.” As he drove home, he couldn’t shake Hillary from his thoughts. He hadn’t thought about her in years. Of course she’d probably be interested now that he was doing something that would put him in the spotlight.
    The next morning, as Jackson waited at the restaurant where the meeting was to take place, he wasn’t surprised to see Robert arriving with three people in tow. It was the woman who caught his eye. He’d seen her somewhere before. Yes, at Amelie’s. Liza Palmer. Glancing at her curvaceous figure stirred something inside him. Damn, he’s lucky if that’s his wife , he thought as he watched the shapely sister cross over to the table where Jackson was already seated. I guess this explains why I couldn’t win her vote with a handshake. She sparkled in a polished, supermodel way, and a part of him wondered what she’d look like stripped bare. Hair down, face scrubbed free of makeup, and barefoot. Stop lusting after this man’s wife, Jackson admonished as he rose to his feet. “Good morning,” he said. “I’m Jackson Franklin.” He extended his hand to Robert, who turned his nose up at him.
    â€œI know who you are,” Robert said. Liza stepped between them and took Jackson’s hand.
    â€œLiza Palmer,” she said, flashing Jackson a smile that sent chills down his spine.
    â€œNice to meet you, again.”
    â€œI have to say,” she began, “thank you for your service, but why do you think you’re ready to serve in office?”
    Bold question. “I think fighting in Iraq has prepared me for everything. What makes your husband ready?”
    Liza’s laughter filled the air. “My husband? I guess you think that a woman’s place is behind a man?”
    â€œLiza,” Nic said, shaking his head. “This isn’t the time.” Robert shot her a look that quieted her right away.
    â€œWe’re just here to meet with donors and maybe even sway Mr. Jackson to our side,” Nic said with a plastic smile.
    â€œSergeant Franklin,” Jackson corrected. You pompous jackass .
    â€œSorry about that,” Nic said