Free Summer Rain (Lightning Strikes Book 3) by Barbara Freethy

never enough time to read everything I have to read."
    "I didn't think anyone in Congress actually read anything."
    "Well, some people do, just not always the elected officials," she said dryly.
    He closed her door and then walked around to his side of the car and got behind the wheel. "Do you want to run for office someday?"
    "I think so. But that's way down the road. Right now, I'm learning as much as I can and paying my dues. When I'm ready to make a move, I'll make it."
    He liked that she could be both humble and ambitious at the same time. She wasn't a person who was looking for a shortcut, and that was refreshing. As a journalist, he'd spent a lot of time talking to people who wanted to make a fast buck or find a quick way up to the top of the ladder. But Dani was willing to work for what she wanted. So was he. They were a good match.
    He smiled to himself, thinking that was the last thing she'd want to hear. "What are you working on?" he asked.
    "I'm reviewing studies on expansion and security concerns at the port in Corpus Christi."
    "Sounds fascinating."
    "Not in the least," she said with a smile. "But it has to be done. It's important to our constituents, which makes it important to us." She paused. "Do you need directions?"
    "I already entered the address into the GPS." For a few moments, he concentrated on getting through the congested city traffic. Once they were on the highway, he turned his attention back to Dani. "Tell me about Joe Gelbman."
    "Do I need to? I'm sure you researched him last night."
    "I did, and I learned a great deal about his professional career. He went to Annapolis, was in the Navy for twelve years and then got into politics. He has worked for half a dozen senators, and a couple of congressman. He's well-respected for his political savvy and his ability to keep politicians out of trouble."
    "Very good, Patrick. Is that it?"
    "Joe apparently has a liking for fishing, cigars, bourbon, and good seafood."
    "Amazing. Did you find out whether he wears boxers or briefs?"
    Patrick grinned. "I wasn't interested in that information."
    "Well, I don't think there's much I can tell you that you don't already know."
    "There's a lot you can tell me. Who is Joe Gelbman the man? What are his strengths, his weaknesses? What button would I need to push to get him to help me? Some people respond to flattery, others to bluntness. What's Joe's soft spot?"
    "His soft spot?" She thought for a moment. "He likes underdogs. But that's not you."
    "What else?"
    "He's good at reading people. That's why he was so great at his job. He could figure out what someone wanted and then give it to them in a way that also benefitted his boss. He loved to come up with ways for everyone to win."
    "I didn't think that was possible in politics."
    "It used to be more possible. The last decade has been rough for any kind of bipartisanship. But Joe was good at working across the aisle. Oh, and he can smell bullshit from a mile away."
    "Got it. No faking it with Joe."
    "He'd see right through that. He's a very smart man. And he still has a lot of his Navy values: patriotism, loyalty, fidelity."
    "Then maybe I can appeal to those instincts."
    "He did tell me that he knew and respected your mother, which was why he was willing to talk to you."
    "That helps."
    "Joe is a good man. He's always been fair. He gave me my first job in the senator's office. I was green as grass, but he took a chance on me."
    Patrick could understand why. He hadn't known Dani that long, but he'd bet on her, too. "I'm sure he saw your potential."
    "I was scared to death at my interview. I wanted so badly to get my foot in the door. He looked at me with his piercing blue eyes, and he said, 'Do you want to work at something or do you want to be something?'" She paused. "I wasn't sure what the right answer was, but there was something about Joe that made it impossible to lie. I told him I wanted to work hard to be someone who made a difference."
    "Good answer."
    "It was