Follow Your Heart--A Novel

by Brenda Jackson

  “Yes. I checked out the place on my laptop last night and saw they opened as early as five in the morning.”

  “And you went and got them?”

  “Yes, I went and got them, along with coffee.”

  “Now aren’t you a sweetheart,” she said as he handed her a cup of coffee.

  He chuckled. “I do my best. Come on. We can eat below before we take off. The Witherspoons were also kind enough to prepare us a box lunch.”

  “Hey, you thought of everything,” she said, following him down the stairs. “So you got to meet the Witherspoons?”

  “Yes, even with my less-than-polished look, the owner recognized me but promised not to make a big deal of my presence in the cove.”

  “That was nice of him, but since moving to town I’ve discovered the Witherspoons are nice people. Their daughter, Bryce, got married earlier this year. She’s the local Realtor and the one who found the rental property for me.”

  When they reached the main cabin, she glanced around. He could tell from the look on her face that she was impressed. “Nice yacht, Roman. I love the setup.”

  “Thanks. I think I’ll keep Mint around after all.”

  “Your political manager?”

  “Yes.”

  “You were actually thinking of firing the guy?”

  Seeing her serious expression, he wanted to assure her that wasn’t the case. “Not hardly. Mint Stover and I have been a team since our college days at Harvard. He always said if I ever ran for public office that he would be my campaign manager. Mint does a great job, although sometimes he does get carried away with how he wants to direct my future.”

  She nodded as she followed him to the table. Glancing over his shoulder at her, their gazes met. He couldn’t stop the electrical current that passed through him. He figured she had to have felt it, too. They could either ignore it or address it. It seemed she planned to ignore it, so he thought it would be best to follow her lead.

  The last thing he needed was to become involved with a woman, no matter what advice the senate majority leader had given him. When he’d met with Senator Lansing, he’d pretty much agreed with Roman. When and if he ever decided to marry it should be for love and not politics. Roman was glad his mentor felt that way because he wasn’t in a hurry to make any woman the future Mrs. Roman Malone.

  However, he would admit there was something going on with him and Victoria. There was an attraction—he knew that, but he wasn’t sure that was all there was. But then what more could there be? Hadn’t she told him yesterday that she was promised to someone? He’d heard about her great-grandmother’s matchmaking schemes from her brothers and cousins.

  It just so happened that Felicia Laverne Madaris was also good friends with his father’s sister, his aunt Nora. It seemed the old lady had a pretty good track record for getting people together. He wondered what kind of man she had chosen for Victoria.

  “Thanks for breakfast, Roman.”

  He slid into the chair across from her. How could a woman who was about to spend the day fishing smell so good? “It’s the least I could do since you might have a disappointing day.”

  She cocked an eyebrow. “You don’t think I’ll be able to catch anything?”

  A smile touched his lips. “I’m keeping my opinions to myself.”

  “That might be best,” she said, smiling back.

  He tried not to stare when she bit into her muffin and then used her tongue to lick a crumb off her top lip. Hearing her moan afterward didn’t help, either. “This muffin is so good.”

  Roman forced his heart rate to slow. Otherwise he might have a heart attack. She was affecting him just that much. He had to get a grip. He wasn’t a man who lost his focus for any reason. But then there was a reason—a real good reason—and she was sitting across from him. “Glad you like it.”

  “Like it? I love it.”

  He wondered what else she loved. For some reason he was goaded into finding out. “Tell me about this guy you’re ‘promised’ to. How does he feel about it?”

  The sound of her chuckle seemed to float across him like he figured the caress of her hand would have done. “He doesn’t know it yet. But then again, he might have figured things out, which is why he hasn’t called for our rain check.”

  “Your rain check?”

  “Yes, we ran in to each other over a week ago. He asked me to dinner, but I couldn’t go because Christy was in town. He and I agreed on a rain check and exchanged phone numbers. He hasn’t called.”

  In a way Roman was glad he hadn’t. He then pondered what she’d said, which propelled him to ask about it. “You’re promised to a man you don’t know that well?”

  She looked at him. “What gave you that idea?”

  He took a sip of coffee, then shrugged. “You said you ran in to him and the two of you exchanged numbers.”

  “Only because Tanner and I never had a reason to have each other’s phone numbers. Tanner Jamison. Do you know him?”

  Roman shook his head. “No.”

  “I thought maybe you did since he’s a good friend of Blade’s. In fact, Blade, Tanner and Wyatt Bannister are thick as thieves.”

  Nodding, Roman said, “I know Wyatt Bannister very well since he’s Marilyn’s nephew. A lot of summers that I spent in Houston with Jonathan and Marilyn while growing up would often include Wyatt. He also lived in San Antonio, not far from my grandparents’ home. Whenever I visited them, I got to spend time with Wyatt, as well. However, I don’t recall ever meeting any friend of his and Blade’s named Tanner Jamison.”

  Victoria nodded. “Probably because Blade, Wyatt and Tanner became close friends during their college years.”

  She then took a small bite of her muffin and added, “I’m sure Tanner assumed it was a coincidence that we ran in to each other at that bakery last week, but now I know our paths would have crossed eventually.”

  “Why do you think that?”

  She licked a crumb from her lips again before leaning over the table. “Because we’re dealing with my great-grandmother, Felicia Laverne Madaris. She never leaves anything to chance. Tanner told me she suggested he look me up when he got to New Orleans. And then she gave both of us gift cards to Susan’s Bakery, the very place where I happened to run in to him. That’s a clear sign of her handiwork.”

  Roman sipped his coffee. “You’re not bothered that your great-grandmother is doing that? Selecting a man for you?”

  “No. I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Nolan when he called to warn me after finding out I was next on Mama Laverne’s ‘marry off’ list. I have no problem with our great-grandmother finding a husband for me. It frees up my time in doing so because I know Mama Laverne is going to vet him to the nth degree.”

  He leaned back in his seat. “So you’re looking for a husband?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Heck no. A permanent man in my life is the last thing I want now, but if Mama Laverne says I’m next, then I’m not going to buck the idea. She has an astounding track record and I hear about too many women out there who can’t find a good man. I’m happy to let her find one for me.”

  He took another sip of coffee. “Are the people she put together happy?”

  “They’re extremely happy and in love, but believe me when I say that originally, they were upset with how she did things.”

  He didn’t say anything as he thought about what she’d said. He could understand them being upset about it. Who would want their lives manipulated that way, regardless of the outcome?

  He bit into his muffin and instantly decided he liked it. “This is good.”

  “I told you it was.”

  A short while later they cleaned up the trash from the table, and were now ready to get the day started. “I’m going to get the boat moving. You might want to join me. The sun will be coming up shortly.”


  “All right.”

  As he headed up the steps, he was compelled to look back over his shoulder at her. She was sitting at the table, sipping the last of her coffee with what appeared to be a wistful look on her face. Was she thinking about that guy Tanner? Why did it bother him that there was a good possibility that she was?

  “Victoria?”

  She glanced up and met his gaze. “Yes?”

  “I hope Tanner Jamison is worthy of your affections.”

  She nodded. “He is. Mama Laverne would not have chosen him for me if he wasn’t. She hasn’t gone wrong yet.”

  He came close to telling her that there was a first time for everything, but decided not to. It really wasn’t his business and he refused to think about it any longer. Nodding, he turned and went up top.

  * * *

  VICTORIA RELEASED A deep sigh when Roman left. It was hard to ignore the thrumming pulse rushing through her and the flutters that went off in her stomach whenever she was around him. That didn’t make sense. How could she be promised to one man, but attracted to another?

  She stood, then went to one of the portholes and looked out. It was destined to be a beautiful day and she hoped she wasn’t making a mistake by accepting Roman’s invitation to go fishing. She was attracted to him but that couldn’t be helped. He was such a good-looking man. That couldn’t be helped, either, since he looked a lot like his father, and she would have to say Roman Sr. was good-looking, as well.

  She’d heard stories of how much of a ladies’ man Roman’s father used to be before marrying Roman’s mother, Traci, who had been her aunt Marilyn’s best friend while growing up. Did Roman inherit more than his father’s good looks? Did he carry a player card in his wallet like her single brothers and cousins? Like Tanner? What if he did? Didn’t he have every right to do so as long as he wasn’t hurting anyone? He had told her yesterday that he was not looking for romance with anyone.

  She figured any woman he did get serious about would come under close scrutiny with the media, because Roman was a well-respected senator. She’d noted during the television interview that Norma had asked about his future plans; more specifically, if those plans included a bid for the presidency. Instead of evading the question like most politicians would have done, he had given her an honest answer by saying that he had given it some thought, and that if he did such a thing it would be a decade or so away. At present, his main concern was the people of Texas and their welfare.

  She thought the presidency was an awesome goal for him to aspire to and hoped he would be careful in choosing a mate. There would be women out there who’d want to be his wife, just so they could wear the title of first lady.

  The thought of people using others to propel their own agenda made her think of Karl McDowell. He was the guy she’d dated her second year in college. She had loved Karl and he’d been the first guy she’d ever shared a bed with. He was the first and, so far, the last.

  After they’d been seeing each other for about six months, he suggested that she take him home to meet her family over spring break. When she told him she didn’t think that was a good idea, trying to spare him the misery of being interrogated by her brothers if she did such a thing, he got upset. In an angry tirade after downing too many beers, he’d admitted his only purpose for dating her was for her family’s name. He said her last name of Madaris would open doors for him.

  That’s when it had become crystal clear that Karl was a man with high ambitions and saw her as nothing more than a meal ticket. She had gone home during that spring break with a broken heart. When she’d returned to campus, Karl had had the nerve to seek her out and asked for another chance, saying he hadn’t meant what he’d said to her. She refused to believe him and all his begging and pleading for forgiveness hadn’t moved her one iota. Victoria decided then that she wouldn’t be so quick to give her heart to another man, and that she would make sure whatever she got in life was because she earned it, and not because of her last name. That was the main reason why, after finishing school, she’d sought a job some place other than Texas, where her family’s name was well known.

  That’s why she had no problem with Mama Laverne finding her a husband. At least he would be vetted thoroughly, and she wouldn’t have to worry about future heartbreaks caused by guys like Karl.

  She knew Tanner’s family—the Jamisons—had just as much money as the Madarises, although they weren’t as well-known. Like her uncle Jake, Tanner was in charge of growing his family’s wealth through investments, and from what she’d heard, he was good at it.

  Not wanting to think of Tanner anymore, her thoughts returned to Roman. She had enjoyed sharing both dinner and breakfast with him, and discovered he was someone she could talk to easily. While waiting for Tanner to come around, it would be nice to have objectivity from a male’s perspective, and hopefully, Roman could give her that.

  Although she was close to her brothers, she dared not ask them anything—especially any advice regarding a relationship with a man. The less they knew, the better. However, she had felt comfortable enough with Roman to tell him about Mama Laverne’s matchmaking plans for her and Tanner. It had been good talking to someone about it other than Christy.

  But then who would give her advice regarding Roman when she knew she was attracted to him? What kind of advice did she really need? She understood the principles of nature. Women were attracted to men and men were attracted to women for different reasons. Roman had a lot of sex appeal, along with a ton of charisma, which made a deadly combination. All she had to do was recall that day when all her female coworkers had surrounded the monitor and drooled.

  She decided that if she got to know him better, the attraction would eventually wear off and she would think of him as another big brother.

  Victoria glanced at her watch. She had hung back long enough. It was time to go up top. She hoped she would be able to keep the attraction she felt for Roman at bay until it wore off. And she was certain that it would.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  FOR THE UMPTEENTH time that day Roman forced his gaze away from Victoria. Had she noticed him staring, she probably would have seen both admiration and attraction in his eyes. Admiration for how well she could handle a fishing rod and bait a hook. She’d caught just as many fish as he had.

  Then there was the attraction. He wasn’t sure what had gotten to him most—her looks, her smiles, her movements or her talent for conversation, which showed how well-versed she was in a number of subjects. For someone who didn’t like politicians, she knew a lot about their world, both domestically and internationally. He actually enjoyed being around her.

  Over lunch, she brought him up-to-date on Jonathan and Marilyn’s sons and daughters. Although they lived in different cities, while growing up, their sons—Justin, Dex and Clayton, who were also his godbrothers—had been role models for him. Okay, Clayton, maybe not so much since he’d been known as the womanizer in the group. Roman had always liked Justin’s easygoing approach to things and Dex’s serious side. Dex had a way of letting people know how far to push and if pushed too far that he would push back.

  “How are you doing over there? You haven’t reeled in anything lately?” she said.

  Victoria’s question made him glance over and smile. “I don’t see how you can talk when I’ve caught more than you so far.”

  She rolled her eyes. “The key words are so far. Today is still young.”

  Young? She had to be kidding. It was well past lunch and they’d been out here for close to eight hours. In another couple of hours, it would be time to head back to the pier.

  “I meant to tell you earlier, that’s a nice fishing rod,” Roman said.

  She smiled at his compliment. “Thanks. It belonged to my dad, but when he got a new one he gave this to me. He brought it to me when they came to visit a few months ago.”

  “They come to visit you often?”


  She shrugged. “Often enough. Like my brothers, they weren’t crazy about me moving away for a job when there are plenty of television stations in Texas. But then I heard the same thing when I left to attend college in Oklahoma—plenty of good schools in Texas. Thankfully, Aunt Marilyn came to my rescue and convinced them they’d been raising boys for so long and how different things were with girls.”

  He chuckled. “Marilyn’s good at that. Forever being a peacemaker and diplomat. I think Justin got that from her.”

  “I do, too.”

  At that moment there was a tug on her fishing rod and he knew she’d caught something. Whatever was pulling was big. “What did you have on your hook as bait?”

  She glanced at him while balancing her stance to hold tight to her pole. “Shrimp. A large one.”

  He nodded. He’d had shrimp, worms and minnows, and knew she’d preferred the shrimp. It was obvious this wasn’t her first rodeo and he admired her skill as she stood firm and held tight, regardless of the pull on her fishing rod. But then, he couldn’t help noticing how she arched her back and balanced her hips, determined not to let her catch get away. Why, at this moment, did he think she looked indisputably sexy as hell? Unmistakably and unequivocally.

  When she let out an expletive, he blinked. “Need help reeling it in?” he asked her, placing his own rod aside in case she needed assistance.

  “I don’t know what I got, Roman, but it’s big. It probably made a meal of all those fish you threw back.”

  “Whatever,” he said, moving toward her as she began playing the fish toward the boat. She hadn’t said she wanted his help, but he intended to give it to her. It was obvious whatever was on her line would be a challenge.

  “I’ve never caught anything this size before,” she finally said. He heard the amazement in her voice.

  “You’re doing a great job. You didn’t play him too long, so he won’t be dying from exhaustion.”