My mouth fell open. “What the—how doesIsaacknow about our financial situation, and I don’t? How doyouknow?”
Minnie made a face. “Because, unlike you,Iwant you to win. I gave Isaac a kiss, and he basically combusted, and I milked him for information.” She smiled. “Boys are so dumb.”
“I can’t tell if I’m proud or angry,” I said after a moment of confounded silence.
“Be angry!” Rose insisted. “Go demand that Hunter give you all of our financial information.”
“You’re right! I am!” I said, standing up then taking another sandwich for fortification. “I’m going over to his house right now.”
“He’s at his campaign headquarters,” Minnie corrected.
“Hunter has a campaign headquarters?”
* * *
“See?”Minnie said after we had made our way down Main Street.
Hunter had set up a state-of-the-art campaign office in one of the historic buildings near the town square. It was bursting with his brothers as they unpacked brand-new high-end furniture, laptops, and the swag and signs that had already been produced.
His teenage brothers stood outside, clearly bored, as they halfheartedly passed out key chains and bumper stickers to passersby. They perked up when they noticed Minnie and Rose. Isaac could barely speak when my sisters and I crossed the street.
“Hi, Minnie,” he finally stammered out. “Do you want a pen? It has a ruler in it.”
She took it from him. “Oh, five inches? So it’s just right for you!” she said brightly.
“Minnie,” I chastised while Isaac took a minute for his brain to catch up.
His brothers doubled over laughing.
The door swung open, and Hunter loomed in the doorway. “You are supposed to be working.”
“Seems like you don’t have things as under control as you want people to believe,” I said.
Hunter took a deep breath. “My brothers are allowed to pass out campaign paraphernalia. I checked the local ordinances.”
“Are they also allowed to make out with my sisters?” I demanded. “Where were you? How could you let that happen?”
Hunter’s eyes went cold, and he grabbed Isaac.
“Inside!” he barked. “You’re grounded.”
“Meg,” Minnie exclaimed, “I was trying to—”
“Shh!” Rose hissed.
“And you,” I said to Hunter. He backed up into the office as I advanced on him.
“You thought I wasn’t going to find out about all the things you were hiding from me?”
His eyes shifted. “What things?”
“You’re still lying to me. I’m shocked.” I crossed my arms. “I want all the information you have on Barry’s finances, and I want it now.”
“I’ll assemble it for you,” he said smoothly.
“Now,” I ordered.
“I don’t have it here.” He made a frustrated gesture. “Obviously. You see what kind of operation this is.”
