Eternally Yours - Brenda Jackson [75]
He thought about the portion of Celeste’s telephone conversation he had overheard. Evidently she was trying to figure out what part, if any, Syneda Walters played in the senator’s life.
For some reason, Braxter had a feeling when the answer came to light, all hell would break lose.
“I hope my unexpected visit won’t throw the Madaris family schedule off balance,” Syneda said jokingly as she entered the spacious and elegant ranch-style home of Justin and Lorren Madaris.
“Of course not,” Lorren replied, giving her best friend a hug. “Your visits never throw anything off balance. Justin and the kids will be glad to see you. Just leave your bags here. Justin went to Dallas and should be returning any minute. He’ll take care of them when he gets back.”
“Where are the kids?”
“They went with him so you came just in time. I was dying of boredom. Besides, it’s about time you paid us a visit.”
Syneda smiled. “I know and just look at you.” She placed her hand on Lorren’s stomach. “You’re showing more now than you did at Whispering Pines last month. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks.” Lorren led them into the huge family room that was off the foyer. Syneda sat down on the sofa and Lorren sat across from her in a wing chair. “So, how have things been going with you, Syneda?”
“Fine,” Syneda said flatly. “Work is lightening up somewhat, and I take the Jamison case back to court in a couple of weeks.”
Lorren studied her friend who had been a pillar of strength for her during her divorce from her first husband, and later when her relationship with Justin was at a delicate point. She had known Syneda long enough to know when something was bothering her. “I wasn’t asking about work, I was referring to your personal life.”
“My personal life? Why, everything’s great!” Syneda replied enthusiastically, and at the same time she tried to stop the quick rush of emotional tears she felt filling her eyes. She swallowed hard and tried blinking them away, but the gesture was too late. Lorren had seen them and had immediately come over and sat next to her.
“What is it, Syneda?” she asked softly. “You know you can talk to me about anything. I may not have any answers but I promise to be a good listener. We haven’t had a chance to really talk in a long time. Does what’s bothering you have something to do with Clayton?”
Syneda nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
“Do you want to talk about it now?”
“No, not now,” Syneda replied brokenly. “But I will later.”
“All right, we’ll talk later.”
Hours later after taking a shower and changing into a pair of slacks and white blouse, Syneda walked down the stairs to where everyone was. Justin and the kids were in the pool playing a game of volleyball, and Lorren was sitting in a chair nearby.
“I thought you were going to take a nap,” Lorren called out to her.
“I was but decided not to. I’m ready to talk now.”
Lorren nodded and stood. “Let’s take a walk. You haven’t been here since Justin had the airstrip installed for the Cessna that he, Dex and Clayton purchased together.”
She then turned toward the pool. “I’ll be right back. I need to let Justin know where we’re going.”
A few minutes later the two women were walking side by side along a narrow path that led to a clearing. Syneda spoke up. “It’s over between Clayton and me.”
Lorren sighed. Although she had never asked, she had been fairly certain Syneda was the mystery woman in Clayton’s life. Apparently things had stretched beyond that one lone weekend Syneda had planned for them to have. Lorren loved both her brother-in-law and her best friend dearly, but she had felt their involvement with each other had been headed for trouble from the very beginning. Evidently, Syneda had taken the affair more seriously than Clayton had. She could feel her friend’s pain.
“It lasted longer than I thought it would. I tried to warn you about him.”
Syneda stopped walking