Chapter 10
Toby paused as he placed his hand on the doorknob. This was going to be a difficult conversation and he wasn't particularly looking forward to it. But he had promised both Kelsey and
C.J. that he would handle this detail before any engagement announcement was made to the Press. Taking a deep breath, Toby turned the knob and walked into the office.
The secretary looked up as he entered the room and flashed him a smile.
"The Congresswoman is expecting you, Mr. Ziegler. Please go right in."
"Thank you, Janie."
Toby knocked on the door and waited for an answer before entering the office.
"Well, hello, stranger. Long time, no see," Andrea Wyatt commented as her ex-husband walked into her office.
"I'm sorry about that. But you know how busy things are on my side of town."
"I know. Please, sit down. Can I have Janie get you something to drink?"
"That won't be necessary."
He sat down on the leather sofa while Andrea took a seat in a chair across from him.
"So, what brings you here?" inquired Andi, curiously.
"Andi, we need to talk."
"About?'
"About…things."
"What things?"
Toby just stared at her in silence, not knowing where or even how to begin this conversation. Finally he decided to jump in with both feet.
"You know that I'm dating someone."
"I've heard rumors," she replied. "Who is she?"
"Kelsey Saufl," he answered quietly.
"Really?! I understand she's very intelligent."
"She is, among other things."
Andrea was caught off guard by Toby's remark. He had once said the same thing about her, back when they had first become serious about each other.
"Is it serious?"
"Yes."
"Oh…well…" she paused, unsure of her feelings on the matter.
How could he be in love with someone else? Toby was supposed to be in love with her. She knew that they could never be married again, but at least he was always there for her. A new
woman in his life would change that and Andrea wasn't certain she could handle it. She searched his face for answers and found none. There was only an expression that spoke volumes as
to how much he cared about this Kelsey Saufl. Her eyes traveled from Toby's gaze down to his lips. She remembered all the words that had been spoken, the promises made, the feel of
his lips on hers.
She forced herself to look down at his left hand. If the ring was still there, maybe there was still hope for them. He had dated other women since the divorce, but the ring had always
remained on his finger. It was his way of warning others that he was taken.
It was gone!
"Are you all right?" Toby asked.
Andrea looked up and saw the concern written on his face. She nodded her head, afraid to speak. Taking a deep breath, she offered up a silent prayer of help to hold her emotions in check.
"So, how serious is this relationship?"
"Well… I've asked Kelsey to marry me."
There it was, the reason for Toby coming to her office. She didn't know how to respond to this latest revelation. It was one thing when he was just dating this other woman. She could
handle that. There was always hope that they would break up and Toby would come back to her. But marriage? That was an entirely different thing. Andi knew that Toby took marriage
seriously. And he wouldn't be asking another woman to marry him, if he didn't intend to spend the rest of his life with her.
"I suppose congratulations are in order."
"Thank you."
"Is that why you came here today?" she asked, trying not to sound bitter.
"I wanted you to know about the engagement before C.J. announces it," he explained.
"And when is that?"
"This afternoon."
"Well, thank you for telling me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a committee meeting to get ready for."
"All right," he answered and rose from his seat. "I'll talk to you later."
Toby had just placed his hand on the doorknob when Andi spoke up.
"Are you happy, Toby?"
He turned to face his ex-wife.
"Yes, I am."
"I'm glad."
Toby walked over and placed a small kiss on Andi's cheek.
"Thank you."
Andrea waited until Toby had shut the door to her office before she allowed the tears to fall.