“How nice to see you again, Amalie,” President Knight said, bending low to hug the young woman. “It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, Mr. President, five long years. Congratulations on your second term. It’s good to see you, too. This is a lovely affair. I hope the donations flow freely.”

“I’m sure they will. People are generous when it comes to children. I don’t see Lincoln. Where is he, or did I miss him?”

“I wouldn’t know, Mr. President. I haven’t seen Lincoln since the day I walked away from his house five years ago. I thought you knew that.”

The President recovered quickly from the shock of her words and smiled at a nudge from one of his Secret Service agents that it was time to move to the next table. Amalie was left with a quick greeting by the First Lady. They smiled, touched hands and cheeks. The First Lady leaned close, and whispered, “Just so you know, I’m on your side, my dear.”

And then it was time for Table Four, the Welmed table, to have their picture taken. Smiles, pats on the shoulder, a few personal words. “Countess, I was delighted when I heard you were going to attend this evening. I looked forward to seeing your tiara, but you aren’t wearing it.” The First Lady smiled warmly.

Never bashful no matter whose presence she was in, Annie quipped, “I didn’t want to upstage you this evening.” Both the President and the First Lady laughed out loud.

Annie stood and eyeballed the First Lady. “Now, tell me what I can do to help you with this very worthwhile cause you are so dedicated to.” Soft brown eyes grew moist as the First Lady stared at Annie. “If I give you a phone number, can you remember it without writing it down?” the First Lady asked quietly. Annie nodded as she committed to memory the number the First Lady rattled off.

“Call me next week, and we’ll do lunch. I always wanted to say that for some reason, but the time was never just right. But”—she wagged a finger under Annie’s nose—“promise me you’ll wear your tiara and let me try it on. I’ll even have the White House photographer take a picture of us each wearing it.”

“Deal.” Annie grinned. The two women touched cheeks, then the First Lady moved off. Annie sat down, still grinning.

“What’d she say, what’d she say,” the girls yammered.

“She asked me to lunch next week and told me to wear my tiara and asked if she could try it on.”

“And you said what?” Myra demanded.

“I’m no fool, Myra. I said yes.”

Chapter 22

Chapter 22