“There’s that cynicism I’ve come to know and adore.”

“It’s amazing how many ways your pals in Washington manage to avoid ever speaking the truth.”

She instinctively responded to the light of challenge gleaming in his eyes. “You’re boring me.”

“Spoken like a born and bred politician.”

When politics had come up that night at the campground with Bertis and Charlie, she hadn’t been able to participate, but tonight she could. “Cynicism is easy,” she retorted. “Easy and cheap.”

“It’s also democracy’s best friend.”

“And its biggest enemy. My father raised me to believe that cynicism is nothing more than an excuse for underachievement.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning that it’s easier to criticize others than do your part to fix a tough problem.” She leaned forward, relishing the chance to lock horns with him, especially concerning something she felt so passionately about. “Cynicism gives decent people an out. They can assume a posture of moral superiority without ever getting their hands dirty coming up with real solutions.”

“It’s tough not to be cynical.”

“That’s laziness talking. Pure laziness.”

“Interesting theory.” He smiled. “It’s hard to figure out how such a confirmed do-gooder has survived in Washington for so long.”

“I love Washington. Most of it, anyway.”

“What don’t you love?”

Old habits of privacy began to close around her, but she was tired of her own caution. “I ran away because I burned out. Being First Lady is the worst job in the country. There’s no job description, and everybody has a different idea of what you should be doing. It’s a no-win situation.”

“You seem to have won. Barbara Bush is the only First Lady with approval ratings as high as yours.”

“She got them honestly. I got them by pretending to be something I’m not. But just because I’ve grown to hate being First Lady doesn’t mean I hate politics.” Now that she’d started, she didn’t want to stop. “I know you may find it hard to believe, but I’ve always loved the intrinsic honor of a political life.”

“Honor and politics aren’t words you hear in the same sentence very often.”

She met his skepticism head-on. “It’s an honor to be given the people’s trust. An honor to serve. Every once in a while, I even think about—” Appalled, she broke off.

“Tell me.”

“There’s nothing more to say.”

“Come on. I’ve seen you naked.” He gave her a crooked smile.

“That doesn’t mean you’re going to see into my head.”

He’d always been too perceptive where she was concerned, and a strange alertness came over him. “I’ll be damned. Hillary Clinton’s not the only one. You’re thinking about running for office yourself, aren’t you?”