Chapter 6

“What’s wrong?” Caiden asked.

“Nothing.” She shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Come on, Elizabeth, spill it. What’s bothering you?”

She pulled away, moving to sit at the far end of the bench, just looking at him for a moment. “It’s about my mother. I know you went to see her again today. She called to tell me.”

“Why?” he replied, surprised.

“She likes you, John. And she likes you with me. I think she’s trying to use you to get back in my life again, but it’s not going to work. She…” Elizabeth paused, apparently trying to think of the words she needed to explain. “If I tell you something, will you promise not to get angry?”

He smiled at her. “I promise.”

“All right. But first I have a question for you. Does she want you to be her, well I guess, her protégé?”

“She offered to help me if I decide to run for the City Council seat, yes. Why?”

She scanned his face for a moment. “And she wants something from you in return. Right?”