Senator Lansing was pleased with the turnout. As usual, Jake Madaris had outdone himself. He glanced around the room and caught Braxter Montgomery’s eye and smiled at him and the lovely young lady he was with. He had been introduced to her earlier. He was glad Braxter had finally gotten interested in someone. He thought the young man worked a tad too hard at times.
The senator’s smile faded when, for the second time that night, he noticed the attractive young woman in a teal-colored gown making her way around the crowded room. He couldn’t put his finger on it but there was something oddly familiar about her. There was something about her that captured his attention, not in a sexual way, but in a way he couldn’t explain. It had something to do with her smile, her mannerisms, and the way she tilted her head when talking to someone.
He continued to regard her with interest. She reminded him of someone. But who?
Only a man as close to the senator as Braxter could have picked up on the senator’s troubled expression, even from across a crowded room. “Celeste, please excuse me for a second.”
He walked over to the senator. “Sir? Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know,” Senator Lansing said, his words barely a thread of a sound. He continued looking at the young woman across the room. “That woman, the one in the teal-colored gown. Do you know her?”
Braxter followed the senator’s gaze. “Not personally, but I know who she is. She’s Lorren Madaris’s best friend.”
“Lorren Madaris? Justin Madaris’s wife?”
“Yes.”
“What’s her name?”
“Syneda. Syneda Walters.”
Shakily the senator reached out to steady himself with a hand on the edge of an oak table. “Did you say Wal…Walters?”
Braxton frowned, clearly worried by the shocked expression on the senator’s face. “Yes, Walters. Sir? Are you all right?”
“I need to get out of here for a moment, Braxter. I’m going up to my room for a while. Please make the necessary excuses.”
Before Braxter could respond, Senator Lansing turned and went up the stairs.
Celeste stood on the other side of the room, grateful she had taken a lip reading class as an elective in college. She took a quick glance at the woman who had made the senator lose some of his color.
The attractive woman appeared to be around her age. Was she someone with whom the senator had once had an affair? Well, whoever she was, the sight of her had shaken up the old man. She smiled. She would have to find out the woman’s name, and more about her. There might be something about the senator’s reaction to the woman that was worth checking into.
C
layton glanced around the crowded room, his gaze seeking out Syneda. He saw her dancing again, this time it was with his uncle Jake.
He relaxed, not concerned about competition from his uncle, who was the youngest of the seven Madaris brothers. Although Jacob Madaris was still a strikingly handsome man at the age of forty-four, everyone knew Jake was married to the Whispering Pines ranch. While in his early twenties, he’d married a woman who had left him after less than a year. She had been a city girl who had hated the rural life Jake loved.
“Where have you been?”
Clayton turned toward the sound of the familiar voice, and came face-to-face with his brother Dex. “I’ve been around.”
Dex Madaris shook his head. “No, I don’t mean tonight. I mean where have you been for the past couple of weeks? Caitlin and I haven’t seen you since that weekend you kept Jordan for us. And you’ve been missing Sunday dinners at Mom’s. It’s not like you to pass up a free meal.” Dex flashed him a grin. “Although with you not being there, there’s more food to go around.”
“Funny, Dex. Real funny. You’re turning into a regular comedian,” Clayton said, grabbing a handful of mixed nuts from the table.
“So, where have you been?”
Clayton frowned slightly. “Why is it that everyone wants to get in my business?”
Dex smiled. “Because you’re usually in everyone else’s.”
“You can’t deny that, Clayton,” Justin said, coming to join them.
Clayton stopped munching for a moment and looked at the two brothers he loved and respected. But at the moment they were annoying. “Your opinions of me are touching,” he said drily.
Before the brothers could respond, an old acquaintance of Justin’s walked up. Introductions were made and conversations began. But Clayton tuned out all the talk around him, although he forced a smile and nodded his head occasionally. His real interest was in the woman across the room. The dance had ended and she stood talking to Caitlin, Lorren and Corinthians Avery, a woman who was the head geologist for Remington Oil.
“I see she has caught your interest, as well.”
“Who?” Clayton asked the man standing beside him who had been engaged in a conversation with Justin and Dex moments earlier.
“The woman in the teal gown. She’s gorgeous. I’ve had my eyes on her all night.”
Clayton tried to keep his features expressionless. “Really?” He searched his memory for the name of the man Justin had introduced him to just minutes ago. Ahh, yes, his name was Bernard Wilson, and according to Justin he owned a large pharmaceutical company in Waco.
Clayton balled his fists at his side. A part of him wanted to smash the man’s face for even noticing Syneda.
“So what do you think of her?” Bernard Wilson asked.
On a long breath, Clayton fought back the anger consuming him. As nonchalantly as he could, he simply said, “She looks all right.”
Bernard Wilson raised a brow. “I think she looks better than all right. I love the color of her hair, and the color of her eyes is so sexy. And look at the size of her waistline. I just love slender, well-built women.” He then turned to Justin. “I understand she’s a good friend of your wife, Justin. You’ll have to introduce us.”
Justin flicked a quick glance at Clayton, then back to Bernard and said, “Sure.”
Clayton looked at his brother in disbelief, ignoring Justin’s “what else could I say” expression. He then decided to take matters into his owns hands. If Wilson thought he was interested in Syneda, he may as well get disinterested.
“You like slender, well-built women, huh? Then you may want to think twice about asking Justin for an introduction.”
Bernard Wilson frowned in confusion. “Why?”
“Because less than six months ago, Syneda was almost a hundred pounds heavier.”
Dex, who had been quietly listening, and who had just taken a sip of wine, nearly choked when he heard Clayton’s blatant lie. He coughed a few times to clear his throat.
Clayton gave Dex a few whacks on the back. “You shouldn’t drink your wine so fast, Dex,” he said calmly, as Dex tried to regain his composure.
“She used to weigh over a hundred pounds more?” Bernard asked incredulously.
So as not to get caught in the middle of Clayton’s lie, Justin simply shrugged and said nothing.
When Dex started to deny it, the look Clayton gave him clearly said he’d better keep his mouth shut.
“Yes, it’s hard to believe, isn’t it,” Clayton answered smoothly. “I understand she went on one of those quick-weight-loss programs. She was determined to get in that particular dress tonight. And you’re right, she does look good in it. But you know what they say.”
“What?” Bernard, Justin and Dex all asked simultaneously. Bernard asked out of curiosity. Justin asked because he was eager to see just how far Clayton would go with this farce. And Dex asked because he was clearly in the dark and didn’t have a clue as to what was going on. He cast Justin a curious glance, and all he got was a shrug for an answer.
“They say it never stays off when you get rid of it that fast. In a few months she’ll be looking like her old self again. Plump.”
Justin thought Clayton had gone a little bit too far and decided to step in. “There’s more to a person than looks, Clayton.”
“Yeah,” Dex agreed, still clearly lost.
“I agree. And I’m sure Syneda feels her colored eye contacts will—”
“Colored eye contacts?” Dex asked, not believing what he was hearing. Clayton knew green was Syneda’s real eye color.
“But I thought they were hers,” Bernard said, his frown deepening.
“They are,” Clayton answered him. “She bought them didn’t she?”
Dex took a huge gulp of Jack Daniels from the glass he held in his hand. Justin suddenly became preoccupied with brushing off a nonexistent speck of lint from his suit.
“And her hair color?” Bernard asked drily. His interest in Syneda was clearly fading.
“From a bottle.” Seeing Bernard’s sullen expression Clayton added, “With all the enhancements available to women these days, you never know what’s real and what’s not.”
Bernard nodded. “Thanks for leveling with me, man.”
Clayton smiled. “Hey, don’t mention it. We players have to stick together.” He put his arm around Bernard’s shoulder. “Don’t look so down. I think there’s a woman here tonight that’s probably just what you’re looking for. And I do believe you’re just her type.”
Bernard’s mood brightened some. “Really? Where?”
“She’s around here someplace. Her name is Felicia Laverne Evans. You’ll know her when you see her. She’s dressed in a leopard outfit.”
Bernard smiled. “Hey, thanks, you’re an all right guy.” He turned to Justin. “Forget about that introduction, Justin. I’ll see you guys later.” Then he walked off.
“I don’t know why you did what you just did,” Dex said, glaring at his brother. “And maybe it’s best that I don’t know. All I have to say is that when Syneda finds out about those lies you just told Wilson, she’s gonna give you hell.”
Clayton smiled and calmly resumed eating his nuts. “Won’t be the first time she’s given me hell about something.”
“No man should look that good,” Kattie Madaris Barnes said to the other women standing with her. They were all staring at the man across the room, Sterling Hamilton. He and Diamond Swain were talking to Oprah.
“Don’t forget you’re a married woman,” Lorren Madaris teased.
“I’m married, but I’m not blind,” Kattie replied, grinning.
“I heard he and Diamond Swain are secretly married,” Caitlin Madaris said.
“She’s not wearing a ring. I’ve already checked that out,” Traci replied.
Syneda hid her smile as she reached for a cracker covered with cheese. She had to admit Sterling Hamilton was indeed a very handsome man. But then, so was Clayton, she thought to herself. She could have pointed that out to Traci and Kattie, but they might get curious as to why she even thought so. As Clayton’s sisters, they wouldn’t see their brother through the eyes of another woman.
She glanced across the room where Clayton, Dex and Justin were involved in what appeared to be a deep conversation. In her opinion, and she knew Lorren and Caitlin would agree with her, the three Madaris brothers were three
fine
men. They gave true meaning to the words tall, dark and handsome. And although they were different in personality and temperament, she didn’t know any men more loving, considerate and loyal to their families.
She glanced at her watch. It was getting late. She had hoped to have gotten the opportunity to meet Senator Lansing by now.
During most of the evening, he’d been constantly surrounded by people, and now she didn’t see him anywhere.
“Syneda, are you all right? You haven’t had much to say all night,” Kattie said with concern in her voice.
Syneda smiled. “I’m fine, just kind of tired. I’ve been keeping late nights working on a case I’m appealing. I think I’ll turn in early tonight.”
“All of us should turn in early. Especially you two,” Traci said to Lorren and Caitlin. “Although it’s been a long time since I was pregnant, the one thing I do remember is needing plenty of rest.” She grinned. “And don’t forget Gramma Madaris expects all of us in church tomorrow, bright and early, beginning with Sunday school.”
“Sunday school starts at nine o’clock,” Kattie said. “Boy, is she asking for a lot.”
Traci smiled. “I know, but with tomorrow being her birthday, I guess she feels she can ask her children, grandchildren and great-grands for anything.”
“Where will her birthday party be held?” Syneda asked.
“It will be right after the services tomorrow in the church dining room. Gramma Madaris has been a member of that church for over sixty years. In fact, she and Grampa got married there when she was seventeen.”
“Good evening, ladies,” Justin said, coming over to join the group with Dex and Clayton with him. “I think you ladies are the most gorgeous ones here tonight. Don’t you agree, Dex?” he asked, placing a soft kiss on Lorren’s lips.
“Absolutely,” Dex said, smiling. His arms went around Caitlin protectively, gently pulling her against him. “All Madaris women are beautiful, and they’re all Madaris women.”
Syneda smiled. It was on the tip of her tongue to remind Dex she wasn’t a Madaris but thought better of it. Like everyone else, Dex considered her as part of the family.
She liked Justin and Dex. Justin had been there for Lorren when she had needed someone to help her through a difficult time in her life. And for that reason he was very special to her. With Dex, there was such tenderness in him, as well as stubbornness and pride. He was the type of man who protected his own. Last year Caitlin’s life had been threatened, and Dex had made it clear that no one messed with his wife unless they were willing to face his wrath.
Her gaze went to Clayton. He took another sip of his wine, watching her with dark eyes. A part of her came to life under his steady gaze. It was silently reaching out to her, touching her, making her want him and bringing forth memories she could never forget. Not being able to handle his gaze any longer, she looked down.
“Clayton, you’ve been scarce lately. I’ve heard you’ve been taking quite a few trips out of town. Any reason why?” Kattie asked, her dark eyes twinkling.
Clayton’s eyes narrowed. His gaze went first to Kattie and then to Traci. “What I do does not concern the two of you. Remember that.”
Syneda’s stomach was in knots.
Had Kattie and Traci figured out what was going on between her and Clayton? Did they suspect anything?
Clayton glanced at Syneda and couldn’t help but see the worried look in her eyes. He wanted to go to her and take her in his arms and wipe away that look. He decided to do the next best thing when he heard Freddie Jackson step to the microphone to sing. “Syneda, could I speak to you for a minute?”
“I hope the two of you aren’t going to start arguing about anything,” Caitlin said, smiling.
“Not tonight. I just want to dance.” He knew that dancing provided a socially acceptable way to be close to her. And he desperately needed to hold Syneda in his arms.
Not giving Syneda a chance to refuse, he reached out and took her hand in his and led her to the area where people were dancing. He took her in his arms as Freddie began singing, “You Are My Lady.”
Clayton’s arm tightened around Syneda and he whispered, “I missed you.”
Syneda relaxed in Clayton’s arm. She knew the members of his family wouldn’t think anything of them dancing together. They usually danced together at all the family functions. His family had commented several times on how well they danced together. “And I missed you, too,” she said truthfully.
“I’m coming to your room tonight, Syneda.”
She looked into his eyes. “No. Don’t. Someone might see you.”
“I’ll make sure I’m not seen, but I’m coming, so don’t ask me not to. I have to come. I want you so much I can barely stand it.”
She lifted her face upward seemingly to invite the kiss he wanted to give her, but both knew he couldn’t. “Don’t tempt me, Syneda.”
Syneda smiled and placed her head against his chest. Clayton pulled her closer to him. He wondered if she was listening to the words Freddie was singing. Syneda was indeed “his lady” and he would never let her go.
She is my lady,
he whispered in his heart.
She is everything I need and more.