Look to the Rainbow Read online

  Look To The Rainbow

  by Lynn Murphy

  Copyright by Lynn Murphy 2012

  All rights reserved. No portion of this work may be copied or reprinted without permission from the author except for a brief quote to be used in a review.

  For Pat, even though he refuses to be a cover model.

  Chapter One

  “Am I the only person who never saw this coming?” Kelly O’Brien turned away from the window of his study. Occupying the space were his best friend and brother in-law John Lansing, his brother Ross and close friend Evan Jones. Over the years most of the important conversations he’d had with all of them had at least started in this room. The last important conversation, before the one that was about to begin, had been about his decision to run for the office of President of the United States. And now, in the middle of that campaign, his daughter Janet had dropped a bombshell.

  “Did you really think Janet would never grow up and decide to get married?” This question came from Ross.

  “Of course I thought she’d get married one day. And I realize she’s grown up.” Kel started to pace the room, a familiar sign to the others that this was a situation that was going to take some contemplation to accept.

  Evan said, “So the problem is that it’s Alan she wants to marry?” He glanced at John, who so far hadn’t said anything, even though Alan Lansing was his younger brother.

  “This is going to sound terrible, but yes. Yes. Janet just announces over dinner that she’s in love with Alan and they want to get married and we’re all supposed to just toast them with champagne and not have any questions or reservations?”

  John spoke up for the first time since Janet had shocked them all between the dinner and dessert courses. “I’m not exactly sure what your reservations are, at least not so far as the potential groom being Alan. If you consider this from any other parent’s position, he’s a good looking surgeon from a wealthy family who apparently loves your daughter. And also apparently, your daughter has fallen in love with him.”

  “Alan is sixteen years older than she is.”

  Evan said “So you’d object to anyone who was older than she is?”

  Kel sighed. “The whole thing doesn’t seem…awkward to anyone else? The age difference does bother me, but what bothers me more is that Alan is like a younger brother to me and now my daughter wants to marry him. And I didn’t have a clue she was even dating him.”

  “So what is really the problem? That you didn’t know she was seeing anyone or that the person is Alan, which makes you feel like your daughter wants to marry your brother?”

  “Evan, listen to how that sounds,” Kel said.

  Evan laughed. “Even the tabloids would have a tough time making a story out of that Kel. Maybe it does feel strange, given your relationship with Alan. But at least you have the advantage of knowing who your daughter would be marrying. And the issue of age should be irrelevant. Would you object if she fell in love with a stranger who was older than she was? Would it be a big deal, say, if you happened to fall for someone who was much younger than you are?”

  “Since I have no intention of ‘falling’ for someone, I can’t answer that.” Kel had been single for the last fifteen years since his troubled marriage had ended with his wife’s unexpected death in a plane crash. By all accounts he had done a more than admirable job raising his two children, Janet and her brother Jim, on his own while serving as the senator from Rhode Island. The movie star handsome senator could easily have had his choice of women who would love to be the second Mrs. Kelly O’Brien. But Kel’s once idealistic view of marriage had been shattered by his wife’s infidelity. He’d dated some, but kept those relationships casual. Added to the memory of his broken heart was the issue of his health; Kel had been a type I diabetic for years. Since Alise’s reaction to the disease had been profoundly negative Kel was hesitant to let anyone know about his condition. He was even more adamant about keeping it quiet since his bid for the Presidency had begun. There had been several incidences in the past that had been alarming, even a coma, but for the last several years the disease had been under control. Evan was considered an expert on the disease, having been leading research on diabetic comas during the time Kel had fallen into one. By chance he had been on call when Kel had been brought in. He had formed a friendship with John and Ross as they waited for Kel to wake up. The friendship had continued for years, elevating Evan and his wife Mary Katherine to honorary family status. Kel trusted Evan to be confidential about his illness, he trusted him as a friend even more.

  “I don’t think I want to talk about this anymore right now,” Kel said. ”I’ve suddenly got more than the campaign on my mind. Let’s go see what the rest of the family is doing instead.”

  “You can’t avoid this forever, Kel,” John said.

  “But I can at least until tomorrow.” Kel shook his head and left the room.

  Evan was the first to stand. “Interesting.”

  Ross said, “Alan and Janet or Kel’s reaction?”

  Evan considered that question. “Both, actually, Dr. O’Brien.” He turned to John. “Did you know Alan was dating Janet?”

  “No,” John said, “ but then I’ve been on the campaign trail with Kel. I don’t think anyone knew. Not even my mother.”

  “Even more interesting,” Evan said as the three of them walked out of the study.

  Janet sat on the terrace with her cousins Casey Lansing and Sara O’Brien. The three of them made quite an arresting sight, as they were all beautiful. Janet had inherited her grandmother Fiona’s Titian colored hair and the startling O’Brien blue eyes. Sara also had those same blue eyes that James O’Brien had once had, and the jet black hair the rest of the O’Brien children had been born with. Casey was the exception. She and her brother Seamus had been adopted, but Seamus was as dark haired and blue eyed as if he’d been their mother’s natural child. Casey stood out in the O’Brien ranks with her honey colored tresses and jade green eyes, often to her dismay, but she was as lovely as the others even if she didn’t look like them.

  “Daddy’s reaction wasn’t quite what I expected,” Janet said.

  “What did you think he’d do?” Sara laughed. “You just sort of tossed it out there-Alan and I have been seeing each other behind everybody’s backs and by the way we want to get married.”

  “That isn’t what I said, Sara. And I expected him to be happy and maybe make a toast or something.”

  “So when he said, ‘you’re not getting married’ and left the table you were surprised?” Casey shook her head. “ Sara and I didn’t even know. You really should have at least told us.”

  “I know. I should have told everyone. But it wasn’t as if we planned on this happening. I agreed to go to one of Lily’s charity events. Daddy was campaigning, Jim was at school. None of our friends were there, so Alan was the only person there I could have a real conversation with. We started dancing and I just suddenly noticed how nice it was to be dancing with him. We went for a walk on The Cliff Walk, and he kissed me in the moonlight…and that was it. We both just fell in love. Is that crazy?”

  “No,” Casey said. “It’s romantic.”

  “But,” Sara said, “ it is a little like marrying a member of your family.”

  All three of them laughed. “But don’t you think it’s hard to date when you’re part of this family?” Casey asked. “You meet a guy you really like, go out a few times, and you’re thinking he could be the one, things are going well. Then he asks the question that kills the romance- ‘When do I get to meet your grandfather?’ Or your uncle. And then once again you realize you’ve been used by someone who wants your family connections, not you. Everyone I go out with just seems to want to Gramps or Kel to furt
her his career. At least Alan’s not interested in your trust fund.”

  “Maybe I’ve just always been in love with him. Sort of like Kim and John. And no one said anything when they got married.”

  “Mother and Daddy were much closer in age than you and Alan,” Casey pointed out. “But I do think it’s possible for you to have been in love with him for a long time and just not known it.”

  Sara said, “Of course you’d think that Case, since you’ve been in love with Evan forever.”

  “Sara. Please don’t go there.” Casey did have romantic feelings for Evan but only Sara and Janet were privy to that information.

  “It’s okay Case. I mean, who wouldn’t have a crush on Evan?” Evan was indeed one of the few men on the planet who could command attention in a room filled with O’Brien men. He rivaled them all in charm, looks, intelligence and athletic ability, no easy feat given their own prowess in all of those areas.

  Janet said, “Hey, can we focus on my relationship here please? What am I going to do?”

  They fell silent, since given Kel’s reaction, no one knew.

  Chapter Two

  Tara Kristin McCaffrey sat outside Bobby O’Brien’s office at Newsworthy magazine in downtown Newport and waited nervously for an interview. She’d fallen into journalism easily as her father was an editor at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, but she’d gotten this opportunity because her mother and Lily Lansing had been childhood friends. Tara wasn’t completely sure of the details, but somehow Lily and George had known her father, Michael McCaffrey, and had introduced him to Julia Harrison. Her mother had left behind the society lifestyle of Newport to be a housewife in Atlanta, but of course had never lost all her ties to the town in which she grew up. Her parents had long since been gone, but Julia still corresponded regularly with Lily and the family had, on a few occasions, visited Newport, but not since Julia had sold the family home several years ago.

  Bobby had started Newsworthy because he wanted to use his journalism degree but no magazine, newspaper or television station felt they could offer an O’Brien a salary or position that wouldn’t be insulting. Ten years into publication it was the most widely read magazine in the country, having just the right mix of news and features. It presented like a combination of the best of other popular magazines, without being gossipy or dry, with plenty of pictures and human interest and excellent writing. Bobby hired only the best writers and photographers and had made the magazine a huge success. According to Lily, Bobby was looking for a short term position for a special project and Lily had recommended her for the job.

  The door to the office opened and Bobby stepped out. He smiled and offered his hand. “Tara Kristin McCaffrey?”

  “Just Tara is fine.” She stood and shook his hand.

  “It’s a fine Irish name, though,” Bobby said. “Come on in. Let’s talk.”

  She followed him into the office and took the chair opposite the one he sat in. She liked that he didn’t sit behind the desk. Julia had told her that the O’Briens were a family that put others at ease. Bobby had certainly already proven that.

  “So, Lily thinks you are the perfect person for this job.” What Bobby didn’t say was that he had already figured out why Lily had put Tara forward as a candidate. He doubted Lily had ever read a word she’d written.

  “I’m glad she does,” Tara said. “I might, as well, if I knew what the job actually involved.”

  Bobby settled back in his chair and looked again at the beautiful woman in the other chair. She had an unusual shade of strawberry blonde hair, a flawless complexion and violet eyes, an arresting combination. “I assume you know that my brother is running for President.”

  “Of course. Senator Kelly O’Brien.”

  “What I need is someone to cover Kel’s campaign, present him to the public as he really is, in other words, sell him as a candidate. There are a lot of people out there who don’t know much about him. And of course, he’s the only candidate without a potential first lady. I want someone who can follow the campaign and give me regular articles that will show America why Kelly O’Brien should be President.”

  He went on to describe what he envisioned and named a salary that Tara could certainly work with. When he offered her the job after some more conversation, she accepted. A job at Newsworthy, even if only for the duration of the campaign was not one anyone would turn down and this one promised to be interesting.

  “Since you are staying at George and Lily’s house, I assume you’ll be joining us tonight for Kel’s birthday celebration?” Bobby walked her to the door.

  “Is this a work function for me or a social event?” Tara asked.

  “Both at this point. You can meet Kel and see what he’s like in this type of setting. And by the way, Mary Catherine Christenson will be doing all your photos. She’ll be there tonight too.”

  “That’s quite impressive,” Tara said.

  Bobby laughed. “Not really, she’s a family friend. She’s married to Ross’s best friend Evan Jones. But I have to say I don’t mind having an artist of her caliber associated with the magazine.” He paused. “You do have an evening gown with you?”

  Tara said, “My mother hasn’t forgotten that Lily makes even birthdays a black tie event. So yes, I have a dress for this evening. I’m looking forward to it.”

  They said their goodbyes and Tara drove back to the Lansing’s palatial mansion on Newport’s famous “Millionaire’s Row.” She admired the houses and enjoyed the ocean breeze as she drove through town in her Z4 with the top down. She wondered what it would be like to live like this all the time, and realized she’d get a taste of it while she stayed with George and Lily. Her mother had told her stories of her life in Newport for as long as Tara could remember, and of course she remembered her grandparents’ house. Her father had been successful and her mother was wealthy in her own right and while the family home in Lennox Square was large and tastefully appointed, it was nothing like living among the elite in Newport. She wondered if Kelly O’Brien would be aloof or as openly friendly as Bobby had been. She took a few minutes to call her parents and tell them she had the job and then she pulled into the driveway of the Lansing’s house. It was such a beautiful day, she wandered out into the rose garden, which gave way to a beautiful lawn and a view of the ocean and The Cliff Walk.

  “He hired you?” Tara turned to see Lily coming out to join her.

  “Yes. It was hardly an interview at all. You must have really given him the hard sell before I got there.”

  Lily laughed. “I simply told him you would be perfect.”

  “I appreciate that, but you hardly know me.”

  “I know your parents. Your mother would have brought you up perfectly and your father would have taught you to write. You were always adorable as a child and have turned into a beautiful young woman. One whose company I plan to enjoy. I’m certain you and Kel will work well together. Now, let’s eat and get to know each other better.”

  Tara noticed the table was set for lunch. “How lovely. And it’s too pretty a day to eat inside.”

  “You see? We already think alike.”

  “So tell me what you think of the famous Kelly O’Brien.” Tara said, as they put chicken salad and fruit on their plates.

  “My opinion will be completely biased. I adore Kelly O’Brien. All of James and Fiona’s children are like our own for George and I. John and Kel are the same age and grew up together. He is, without question, the most intelligent, articulate and compassionate man you will ever meet. And of course, he is devastatingly handsome.”

  Tara laughed. “I will try not to let that distract me.”

  Lily said, “But it will dear. Wait and see.”

  Hours later Tara descended the marble staircase dressed in a beaded black evening gown and one of her mother’s diamond necklaces. She had debated sweeping her hair up, but at the last minute left it cascading across her shoulders. She crossed the elegant foyer and entered the ballroom that was filled wi
th men in black tie and women in glittering gowns. Her mother had often said that Newport, and particularly a party thrown by Lily in Newport, was a world unto its’ own. She did feel a little like Cinderella as she walked around the perimeter of the marble and gilt room looking for a glimpse of the prince. She saw Lily and George and made her way to where they were standing, talking to a beautiful girl with long red hair.

  “Oh, Tara,” Lily exclaimed. “I was just talking about you. Janet, this is Tara McCaffrey and Tara, this is Janet O’Brien.”

  “The senator’s daughter,” Tara said.

  “Yes. And you are the reporter Bobby’s hired to cover Daddy’s campaign.”

  “I was hoping to meet him tonight. And I’d love to write a story about your perspective of him as a father.”

  Janet said, “I’ll be happy to give you that interview, just not tonight.” A handsome man joined them and kissed Janet on the cheek. Tara noticed that he had the same turquoise eyes as Lily.

  “Tara, my son Alan. Alan, this is Julia’s daughter Tara. She’s going to be staying for us while she writes about Kel’s campaign.” She took George by the arm. “Darling, we really need to greet some of our guests.”

  “Duty calls,” George said and went across the room with Lily.

  “So have you met Kel yet?” Alan asked.

  “No, I just told Janet I was hoping to meet him tonight.”

  Alan looked down at Janet. “I was hoping t have a chat with him myself this evening.”

  Janet blushed and said, “Not tonight Alan. It’s his birthday.”

  “So? As soon as possible I want to win him over to the idea of you and I as a couple.”

  Tara raised an eyebrow and Janet turned back to her. “Okay, awkward, since we just met you. But since you’ll be staying here in close proximity, Alan recently asked me to marry him, but Daddy’s not on board with the idea yet.”

  “This sounds like an interesting story,” Tara said.

  “It is,” Janet said, “but it’s not for publication. I’ll fill you in some time. Oh, there’s Daddy now.”