Follow Your Heart--A Novel

by Brenda Jackson

  “You can stop holding your breath now, Lyric.”

  She glanced over at him and chuckled. “How did you know I was holding my breath?”

  “I could tell.”

  She decided not to ask how, when his attention hadn’t been on her—at least she’d thought so since he hadn’t been looking at her. What she decided to do was find out more information about him. It didn’t matter that today would be one and done—she still wanted to know him. “Tell me about you, Tanner.”

  Glancing at her, her asked, “What is it you want to know?”

  “Anything you want to tell me.”

  Tanner didn’t say anything for a moment, and she wondered if he would tell her that there wasn’t anything about him that she needed to know. Instead, he began talking and said, “The Jamison family is a large one. My parents have been married for over forty years and are from Dallas. I have two older brothers and two older sisters.”

  “So you’re the youngest?”

  “Yes, and they like to remind me of it.” He smiled. “They think I had it made growing up, a lot more freedom than they had. My great-grandfather started a funeral business over sixty years ago. I’m the only Jamison not taking an active role in the company.”

  “Why?”

  “I decided before I left for college I would major in finance and not in handling dead bodies. I convinced my family I would be better at growing the family fortune. They took a chance on me and haven’t regretted it now.” He glanced over at her. “What about you? I met your younger sister, Liza. Any others?”

  “Yes. I have an older brother. Liam is five years older and operates an Evans’s Gym on the west coast in San Diego. The one we have in New Orleans is small beans compared to the huge facility Liam and his wife, Paula, operate.”

  There was no need to tell him that she’d learned all the secrets of single men from Liam, who’d once been a devout bachelor. She knew the pickup lines men used and what asses some guys could be. Liam had shared a lot with her because, as he put it, he didn’t want her to ever get tangled up with some smooth-talking, no-good dude. Too bad he hadn’t been around to spare her from Westley.

  “Do you have any hobbies?” she asked him.

  Tanner shot her a look that gave her an idea of what she figured one of his favorite hobbies would be. “Besides chasing women.”

  He smiled. “Umm, let me think. Believe it or not, I’m active in a number of community causes.”

  She stared at him, wondering if he was pulling her leg. “Community causes like what?”

  “I volunteer at the homeless shelter. I’m also big brother to a number of boys, and on the board of Habitat for Humanity.” He paused a moment and then said, “My partners and I also build and donate a house to a single mother at Christmas every year.” He then added, “And I participate in the cancer walk each year.”

  “You actually find time to volunteer for all of that?”

  He chuckled. “Yes, they are things I enjoy doing, so I make time. The cancer walk has a lot of meaning for the Jamison family.”

  “Why?”

  “The walk is named for my grandfather, who died of cancer ten years ago. He was well known in the city and involved in a number of charities.”

  Lyric didn’t say anything because she also was involved in a number of community causes. Although she spent a lot of her time helping out at her family’s gym, she still worked at the soup kitchen every other Wednesday after work. On the first Tuesday of every month, she taught fire prevention to senior community centers and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Then every Thursday night she went to the children’s hospital to read bedtime stories to the kids.

  What he’d shared with her had definitely given her another perspective of him, one she not only hadn’t expected, but also hadn’t been ready for. It was kind of enlightening to discover there was more to Tanner Jamison than his philandering ways.

  “A car will be waiting for us at the Galveston airport when we land. The drive to Crystal River is less than thirty minutes,” he said, looking over at her. “I’ve told you some things about me, now tell me something about you that I don’t know.”

  There was no need to tell him about all her community involvements, so she told him something she figured he would never guess about her. “While in high school and college, I used to compete in the national jigsaw-puzzle tournament each year.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes. I was state champ twice but never made national. Most of the puzzles were five hundred pieces and my time was usually less than hour.”

  “I’m impressed.”

  “Thanks.”

  As if deciding they’d shared enough personal information, they then kept the topics of conversation general. The weather, politics, entertainment, the economy. They even talked about foods they liked to eat, and he claimed that he was pretty good in the kitchen.

  “Get ready. We’re about to land.”

  Time had gone by fast and she was glad their conversation had taken her mind off the flight. She looked out the window and felt the butterflies going off in her stomach at the thought of what today had in store.

  Moments later, when he’d landed the plane, she looked over at him and said, “That was a nice flight, Tanner. I enjoyed it.”

  He reached out and caressed her cheek. “And I intend for you to enjoy today, as well, Lyric Evans.”

  * * *

  “YOUR BEACH HOUSE is beautiful, Tanner,” Lyric said the moment he opened the door to his home on Crystal Beach and she walked inside.

  “I’m glad you like the place,” he said, walking through and opening the window blinds to reveal a beautiful view of the Gulf. The sand appeared a crystal white and the water a shimmering blue.

  She’d been impressed the moment she’d seen the marker indicating they had arrived at Crystal Beach. And when he continued driving to a section of town where beach cottages were located, she’d been even more impressed. His home and the two others in the private cul-de-sac were two-story Mediterranean style.

  “My partners, Blade and Wyatt, own the other two houses on this street.”

  “That’s what I call picking your neighbors,” she said, grinning.

  “Yes, that’s true. Come on and let me give you a tour,” he said, taking her hand. Lyric thought that this wasn’t the first time he’d done that. He’d also held her hand when they’d walked off the tarmac from his plane. Each time they touched, it seemed her body’s most primal reaction kicked in with a vengeance.

  This house had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an eat-in kitchen and a dining room downstairs, with a bonus room that he said that he used as a game and theater room on the top floor. Also, the second floor had a guest bedroom with a bathroom and balcony.

  As they walked back down the stairs, he said, “I’ve already ordered lunch. I just need to call to let them know to deliver it.”

  “All right.”

  He placed the call and when he put his phone back in his pocket, he took hold of her hand again. “Let me show you the spot where we will have our picnic.”

  Tanner led her through the kitchen to an outside patio overlooking the beach. He pointed to an area that reminded her of a tropical paradise. “Blade, Wyatt and I tossed coins to see who would get this house because that lagoon came with it. Isn’t it beautiful?”

  “Yes, it most certainly is.” And she agreed that it would be the perfect spot for a picnic.

  “By the time we gather everything we need, lunch will be here.”

  She followed him back inside, where he pulled a little red wagon from one of the closets. “It will be easier to transport everything out in this.”

  Tanner and Lyric moved around the kitchen gathering plates, eating utensils, napkins, wineglasses and a bottle of wine. Then they went to a linen closet and Tanner pulled out a blanket. It was a nice da
y outside and because the beach was private except for the three houses on the cul-de-sac, this section was empty.

  “Your friends won’t be using their places today?”

  “No. Blade and his wife, Samari, are visiting her parents in New York this weekend, and there’s no telling where Wyatt is. His folks live in San Antonio, so he might be spending the holiday with them. That means we have this entire beach to ourselves.”

  Lovely, she thought, not sure that was such a good idea. Too late to start having second thoughts about being here alone with him. Last night she’d been certain that engaging in casual sex would be no big deal and worth all the pleasure she could derive from it. Now she was having misgivings.

  She jumped when fingers snapped in her face. She glanced over and saw Tanner smiling. “You zoned out on me for a minute,” he said.

  “Sorry, I was thinking about something.”

  He chuckled. “Must have been deep. You seemed miles away.”

  At that moment the doorbell sounded. “That’s probably our lunch.”

  Tanner headed for the door.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “DID YOU ENJOY BRUNCH?”

  Victoria leaned back in her chair and smiled across the table at Roman. After making love, it had been too late for breakfast so they’d settled for brunch. “Yes, everything was delicious, as usual. I see this place is packed with locals and a lot of tourists in town for today’s Labor Day festivities.”

  Later today there would be a boat parade. Several vendors had set up along the pier selling all sorts of items, from seafood dinners to T-shirts. Roman had promised that when they left here, they would stop by the ice cream shop the Ellorans owned for a bowl of ice cream.

  She looked over at him. “You said we needed to talk about something,” she said, recalling when he had said it there had been an intense look on his face. She had an idea what he wanted to discuss with her and decided to make things easy for him.

  “I think I know what you’re going to say, Roman.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Do you?”

  She nodded. “Yes. You have a little more than a week left in Catalina Cove and you’re concerned I’ve gotten clingy and won’t know how to let go when the time comes.”

  She saw the surprise in his eyes. Had she thought wrong, or was he surprised she had guessed correctly? He leaned back in his chair and then said, “No, just the opposite. My time with you has been special, Victoria, and more than anything I want to continue to see you after I leave here.”

  His words gave her pause. The thought that he wanted them to continue seeing each other after he left Catalina Cove was something she hadn’t even considered.

  “My time has been special with you, as well, Roman. But I’m not sure continuing what we started here is a good idea.”

  “Why? Because of your involvement with Tanner Jamison?”

  “Tanner? What does he have to do with anything?”

  “You’re promised to him, so the way I see it, he has a lot to do with everything.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Well, he doesn’t. I’ve already shared my reasons with you. Nothing has changed. Spending time with you here was one thing, being seen together where I become part of your world is another. I know I wouldn’t like it.”

  “How do you know if you’ve never tried it?”

  Although she didn’t want to admit it, he’d raised a good question. In fact, she was unable to provide him with an answer. Before she could think of one, he pressed on and said, “You know I could have thought the same thing about your profession. I don’t like the media most of the time, either, and you’re a part of it.”

  She lifted her chin. “Yes, but I’m not a part of the media that you need to be concerned with, Roman, and it would not have been fair to group me with those who annoy you.”

  “I feel the same way, Victoria. It’s not fair of you to group me with all politicians. Namely the corrupt ones. I believe I have strong ethics and outstanding integrity.”

  Although she hadn’t had a reason to keep up with his career in the senate, she supported his views on a lot of things. Besides that, her uncle Jake supported him a 100 percent and was one of Roman’s biggest contributors. That fundraiser Jake and Diamond held last year was proof of that. And when it came to people, her uncle Jake was a good judge of character.

  “I know you do, Roman, and I’m sorry if I made you feel that you don’t.” She reached across the table to touch his hand. “I honestly believe that you are one of the good guys, and I see the point you’re trying to make and concur it’s a valid one. However, there’s the other issue that will bother me. You’re always on some reporter’s radar and any woman you’re involved with will be, as well.”

  He nodded. “Yes, I know of your fear of being in the limelight.”

  “I don’t fear it. I’d just prefer avoiding it.”

  He didn’t say anything for a minute and then said, “So you mean to tell me that if your boss came to you and said there’s a television station in New York that wanted you as part of their team, and taking the job could make you a household name, you would turn it down?”

  She frowned. “Of course not. I would be crazy not to grab that opportunity.”

  “Even if, subsequently, you’d become the next Oprah and be cast in the limelight?”

  She didn’t say anything for a minute because she didn’t have to. He had cornered her into admitting that she was capable of being flexible about things when it suited her.

  “I’ve told you what I want regarding our relationship, Victoria. But you have to want the same thing. I believe we owe it to each other to see what, if anything, can become of us. Things might have started off between us as mere friends, but I believe it’s more than that now.”

  She had to agree with him. “Yes, it’s more than that,” she said, although she refused to define just what their relationship was. The one thing she did know was that she didn’t sleep with her friends.

  “So will you at least think about it?”

  Sighing deeply, she nodded. “Yes, I will think about it.”

  “Thanks. Another thing I’d like you to think about is your involvement with Tanner Jamison. If we agree to continue to see each other after I leave here, I can’t help but wonder what will happen if Tanner gets his act together and wants to claim you as his.”

  Victoria drew in a deep breath knowing there was a possibility that might happen since Mama Laverne hadn’t failed in matching up couples yet.

  Even if her great-grandmother was certain Tanner was the person for her, Victoria wasn’t convinced. He didn’t love her, she didn’t love him and she refused to sit around and wait for him to make a move. She might have thought she was capable of playing the waiting game for Tanner, but that was before Roman. Before spending time with him, sleeping in his arms and making love with him.

  Drawing in another deep breath, she said, “You’re right. I have a lot to think about.”

  “Will you give me your answer before I leave here?”

  She nibbled on her bottom lip for a moment and then said, “Yes.”

  Her response brought a smile to his lips. “And another thing. If we decide to continue to see each other, there’s a ball at the Kennedy Center next month. I’d love to invite you as my date.”

  “Whoa,” she said, holding up her hands. “Not sure I’d be ready for something like that so soon, Roman.”

  “I hope you will, Victoria. I have no problem being seen with you and hope you don’t have a problem being seen with me. Things have been pretty low-key here, but I think the best way to deal with everything once I leave here is to be transparent. Once people see we’re nothing more than a couple dating, the media will eventually leave us alone.”

  She wondered if he really believed that. “I wish I could be as certain about that as you are.”

 
“Have faith.” He glanced at his watch. “Do you still want to make a pit stop at the ice-cream shop?”

  She shook her head. “No. I want to go back to the boat with you.”

  She needed him to hold her and make love to her. Including today they had eleven days left to be together in Catalina Cove. That would be all they had if she decided not to agree to continue to see him after he left.

  He stood and held his hand out to her. “Then let’s return to the boat.”

  * * *

  ROMAN AND VICTORIA walked out of the café not aware they were being watched. The man who’d been seated at the table across from theirs pulled his cell phone from his shirt pocket and clicked in a number. A huge smile was on his face. “It’s me. I’m sending over a lot more pictures. There’s also something else that might interest you. It seems the senator and the woman are having a secret affair. I didn’t clearly hear all of their conversation, but enough to know she’s already involved with someone else, might even be engaged to someone named Tanner Jamison. Sounds like the senator might be involved in a love triangle with this woman. I think that’s definitely news the tabloids would love getting their hands on.”

  * * *

  AUDRIA ENDED THE call with her private investigator, a smile spreading across her lips. Now she didn’t feel as hopeless as she had when she’d received that packet on Friday revealing the woman’s identity. She wasn’t the nobody Audria had assumed she was. Victoria Madaris was part of the wealthy Madaris family and would have been strong competition since the Madarises and Malones had family ties that went back years. On top of that, additional pictures had shown that Victoria Madaris could clean up nicely—too nicely. But still, Audria felt Victoria had a long way to go to best her. The woman looked okay, but she had no refined features, which she would need one day to be a president’s wife. Her hair coloring was awful, and she definitely needed a new stylist. She looked like a girl next door instead of one rolling in dough. What a waste of wealth. Why was she even working with the last name of Madaris?