Tender Touch (39 page)

“And just think. We still have the Finance
Committee to face.” Jade felt her nerves stretch tight at the very
thought of having Finance Committee Chairman Senator Baham take aim
at her.

“Let’s fasten our seatbelts, babe. It’s
going to be a bumpy ride,” Shaena muttered low so as not to be
overheard by those surrounding them.

“Thanks for coming. I know have other things
to do.” Jade gave her a look of profound gratitude. She had not
protested when Shaena announced she would accompany her.

“Hey, most of the grunt work is being done
by the baby sharks now.” Shaena referred to the pool of young
attorneys fresh out of law school who were subordinates. “I
wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

“Hi there.” A tall woman with red hair and
pale white skin stood over them, wearing a smug expression.

“Hello, Zelda,” Jade said with a slight
frown. The woman had been antagonistic Jade had been promoted ahead
of her four years earlier. This day was going south fast.

“Smart move, bringing a lawyer. From what I
read in the papers, you might need one soon.” Zelda moved away
before Jade could respond.

“Sheesh, you’d think with that hairdo she’d
at least try for Miss Congeniality,” Shaena called out in a raised
voice. Several snickers came from onlookers. Zelda shot back a
poisonous look then dropped down in a seat on the last row.

“That was so immature,” Jade said. She
giggled with delight.

“Yeah, but it felt good.” Shaena grinned
back at her. “They’re about to start. Bill and Mike just slithered
in,” she whispered close to Jade’s ear.

Jade looked around to find Bill Lang
watching her steadily as he made his way down the center aisle. He
nodded to her with a curt dip of his head but passed by before she
could acknowledge the greeting. They took their places at the
table, apparently knowing they would be first.

The chairman, Senator Thibodeaux, announced
the agenda in a voice with a Cajun lilt. “Now before we get
started, Senator Raymond has some opening remarks.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman.” Senator Raymond
cleared his throat—a signal that the conservative from north
Louisiana was about to pin someone to the wall.

After the first few sentences deploring the
waste of the taxpayers’ money, Jade tuned him out. This was a
familiar thread with the humorless crusader. Jade felt an urge to
glance around. Damon stepped through the double doors, closing them
behind him just as she turned. He did not see her and moved to
stand against the wall since all seats were taken. This was the
first time she’d seen him in almost a month now. She wanted to look
back again but resisted. Shaena leaned an inch closer.

“Raymond is out for blood,” Shaena mumbled.
“And he looks like he expects a full course meal of raw meat to go
with it.”

Jade’s mind was full of memories that had
nothing to do with work. She glanced back to find Damon gazing at
her. He smiled and her heart turned over.

“What? Did you say something?” Shaena
followed her gaze. “It’s about time. He’s probably been just as
miserable as you. I hope you two—” She broke off when Bill spoke
into the microphone.

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First just let me
say that we have provided each of you with the final report of
Inspector General Dumaine. Many of your questions, Senator Raymond,
have been answered.” Bill spoke in an even tone. He was the picture
of calm. He delivered a bold offensive strike by anticipating the
most difficult issues and addressing them first.

Jade could not help but admire his audacity.
It was a risk, but one that seemed to be paying off. Many of the
committee members’ frowns were replaced with expressions of
attentive thoughtfulness. But she also recognized in his words the
escape clauses should wrongdoing be proven. Bill was careful to
remind them that he relied on top staff for day-to-day operations.
He expressed full confidence in their actions.

“I will do everything I can to solve the
Medicaid crisis.” Bill wore the serene look of a man with nothing
to hide.

“Mr. Lang, I have some specific questions,”
Senator Raymond rumbled in his best statesman voice. It was obvious
he wasn’t impressed with Bill’s performance.

Much as he tried, Jade could not keep her
attention on the proceedings. Just knowing Damon was in the room
acted as a magnetic force, drawing her away from everything else.
Why was he here? To see me? Her heart rate increased. Something
Bill said caught her attention. He was referring to the grant
funds. The grant to Grade Street Center is why he’s here. Besides,
he would have called if he wanted to see me. Jade pressed her lips
together. She would not make a fool of herself running after the
man. He and Rachelle Balleaux Knight deserved each other!

* * *

Damon could sense the pull between them even
across the room packed with people. More than once the voices of
Bill Lang and the committee members faded to a distant hum as he
stared at Jade. Even the smallest things, like the way her hair
moved when she turned her head, ignited a glowing ember in his
lower body. He wanted to make this crowd vanish so he could be with
her. They had much to talk about. Yet he could sense resistance
from her, too. Was it because she was angry about Rachelle? Then he
would talk to her and make her see Rachelle meant nothing to him.
Or was Nick firmly back in her life and heart? Maybe Rachelle was
right. He tried to remember every expression, every nuance of
Jade’s voice when she had talked about him. Could Jade still be in
love with Nick? Stop driving yourself crazy with these questions!
Damn, let’s get this thing over. Damon knew he should be
concentrating on the hearing since the future of Gracie Street
Center could hang in the balance. But all he could think of was
getting to Jade.

“Damon, I’m so glad to see you.”

Damon blinked back to his surroundings to
find himself being addressed. He glanced around. “Mrs. Wilson, so
nice to see you.”

“Now look here. You’re just the one we need
on our task force to fight these budget cuts.” Mrs. Wilson launched
into a whispered description of her latest crusade. The
sixty-something social activist was in her element, taking aim at
the powers that be.

“If there is nothing further, we’ll adjourn
until Friday afternoon at two-thirty.” The chairman dismissed the
hearing.

“Let me call you after I check my calendar,”
Damon said. “I’ll be in touch.” He glanced to see Jade still seated
behind Bill Lang. If only Mrs. Wilson would stop talking he could
go to her.

“Wait a minute, let me tell you this.” Mrs.
Wilson put a hand on his arm.

Damon suppressed a groan of despair. The
woman rattled on while he tried not to make his impatience too
obvious. Even more exasperating, the crowd lingered to discuss the
interesting exchange between Bill and Senator Raymond. Damon was
tempted to shout her name when Jade began moving in the opposite
direction to the doors at the other end of the hearing room. Surely
she must see him.

* * *

“You ought to go over there,” Shaena mumbled
to Jade so Bill Lang and Mike Testor could not hear. “Talk to the
man and sort this thing out.”

“Did you forget what I told you? She was
coming out of his office swinging her hips and acting like she
owned the place.” Jade the cold memory of Rachelle doused the fire
Damon’s presence had started.

“Her uncle’s marketing firm is tops with
black businesses in a four-state area.” Shaena tucked her brown
leather portfolio under her arm. “Even I believe it was just
business. And, honey, you know how suspicious I am.”

“He sure hasn’t come looking for me in the
last four weeks.” Jade made it a point to keep her back to where
Damon stood. She headed for the doors at the other end of the
hearing room.

Shaena grabbed her arm. “Come back here,
you. I’m tired of this mess. You’re going to talk to that man
today, or I’m going to whip both your butts for acting crazy.”

Before they moved Bill approached. Worry
lines etched furrows in his forehead. “Jade, we need to get back to
the office. Might as well plan on a late night. Thanks to Senator
Raymond, we have more documents to gather for the next hearing.

“Sure, Bill.” Jade shot an irritated look at
Shaena. She yanked free of Shaena’s hidden grasp on her arm to
follow him.

For the rest of the day, Jade’s emotions
swung crazily. She went from supreme satisfaction that she had not
given in to the desire to approach Damon to crushing uncertainty.
Had she made the right choice? He looked so fine in his navy blue
suit. If she closed her eyes, she could smell his brand of cologne.
The rows of cream-colored file folders faded before her. Jade stood
just outside Bill’s office where anyone looking would think she was
intent on searching for something she needed. In fact she was
several miles and days away, back in Damon’s apartment.

“Jade, get me the file on Care Systems,
Inc.” Bill’s voice cut through her musings.

“Okay.” Jade was so startled, she jumped.
She shut the file drawer and started down the hall.

“You seem out of it. Want to talk about
what’s troubling you?” Bill eyed her with speculation.

“Just tired from reading page after page of
tiny black print. I’m fine.” She spoke over her shoulder before
continuing on.

For once Bill’s clipped instructions that
kept her occupied all day were a welcome distraction. Never mind
that he was probably using mountains of paper to bury her while
clearing an escape route for himself—which brought her back with a
jerk to her predicament. In the last few days, she had not seen any
direct evidence Bill had singled her out to take the blame, yet gut
instinct told her to beware. Despite the odd moments when he seemed
poised to confide in her, Jade sensed something wrong. She
continued to gather her own set of files as protection she hoped
she would not need.

Jade had been a sincere admirer of Bill
Lang—another disappointment that stung. Add to that the difficult
family therapy she and her parents had begun as part of Lanessa’s
treatment, Jade felt a desperate need to have someone she could
turn to right now. The file room became blurred before her. Jade
swiped at the tears before they trailed down her face.

“Bill wants me to run up to legal for
something. I’ll be back in a minute. One of the student workers
will get the phones.” Aline stood in the open door.

“All right.” Jade sniffed. She kept her face
away from her.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Aline
stepped in the room. “I mean...” She glanced over her shoulder. “I
know where some other papers are that might help you.”

“I’ve got all I need. Thanks.”

“Yeah, but you really need to see these are
folders on Health Tech.” Aline spoke each word with emphasis.

Jade turned around to look at her. Something
in Aline’s eyes made her know that she was giving her some kind of
message. “Really?”

Aline closed the door behind her. She pulled
out a sheaf of photocopies folded and held against her side. “I’ve
been trying for days to slip you these. I’ll deny it if you tell
where you got them.”

“I won’t. Never.” Jade gave her hand a
squeeze. “Thanks Aline.”

“Watch your back.” Aline winked.

Jade nodded to her. She turned her back to
scan the pages when she was alone again. “Thank you very much,” she
murmured.

* * *

“Hello, Mother,” Damon said in a stiff
voice.

He had never felt this uncomfortable in his
parents’ home. The revelations from his father had placed his
parents in a whole new light. Oliver had always been the driven
entrepreneur, his mother the graceful, socially well-connected wife
of a successful man. He had never thought of them as having
frustrated passions or dark secrets. Like most children, he’d seen
them only in terms of himself. Their outward appearance seemed all
there was to see. An appearance he would have sworn was real. Of
course now he knew different. Oliver Knight, gruff workaholic, had
once been a young man caught in a tragic love affair worthy of
Shakespearean play. Marlene Cormier Knight was so desperate to have
him that she had married Oliver despite knowing he loved another
woman. Damon clenched his jaw. Still Marlene had no excuse for
adultery.

Marlene patted her hair with a nervous
motion. “Hello, Damon. Have you eaten yet? I could fix you
something.” She started to leave the den.

“No, thank you. I had something right after
I left the office.”

“Oh.” Marlene, eager to please, was
disappointed.

Damon let the awkward silence lengthen. He
searched for something to say. “Where’s Dad?”

“He’s out with his friends. I... I wanted to
talk to you alone.” Marlene got up from the chair. She twisted her
hands. “Oliver and I have had our problems, but we never allowed
them to affect you or Trent. You’ve always had our love and
support. You always will.”

“Okay.”

“We have things to work out.” She rubbed her
forehead.

“I’m sure,” was Damon’s terse reply. He wore
a frown of censure as though he were the parent of a wayward
daughter.

Marlene did not miss the message. She spun
to face him. “How dare you pass judgment on me. I’m still your
mother.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Damon put all the sarcasm he
could muster in his reply. He sat stone-faced, not looking at
her.

“You look so much like your father, with
that unforgiving scowl.” Marlene’s voice shook. “Oliver shut me out
of his heart and a big part of his life. I married him thinking
somehow I could make his feelings toward me change. Some days he’d
look at me with a distant cold as ice expression; the way you’re
looking at me now.”