Secret Love - Brenda Jackson [55]
“I want to start using my married name, Jacob,” she said at last. “But I’d understand if you’d prefer that I didn’t.”
Jake stared down at her before pulling her back into the shelter of his arms. “Oh, sweetheart, why wouldn’t I want you to use my name? I’m touched that you would even consider doing so. I know you didn’t with your last marriage.”
The tension she had felt all that day in discussing this topic with him vanished. “I never thought about using Samuel’s name for some reason. But that’s all I’ve been thinking about since we decided to go public with our marriage. I am proud to be your wife.”
“And I’m proud to be your husband.” A smile tugged at the corners of Jake’s mouth. “Just think. By this time tomorrow, our secret will be out and our troubles will be over.”
Diamond shook her head and thought of how they would have to deal with the media. Or our troubles will be just beginning, she couldn’t help but think to herself.
One thing that everyone who knew Jake Madaris would agree on was that whenever he got the inclination to throw a party, he knew how to throw a darn good one. Since it had been a long time since he had given one, everyone decided the long wait had been well worth it. And since most of the people in attendance were family, they felt his delay in throwing one could be forgiven. After all, being the youngest of the seven Madaris brothers—Laverne Madaris’s baby boy—he could be forgiven for just about anything.
Almost.
Jake discovered that “almost” as he walked around and conversed with his family then suddenly found himself cornered by three of his nephews, Jonathan’s sons—Justin, Dex and Clayton. He wasn’t surprised that Clayton, the youngest and most talkative of the three, had appointed himself a spokesman for the group.
“I hope you’re ready to come clean, Jake, and tell us what’s been going on with you for the past year or so.”
He met the gazes of the three men, who almost equaled him in both height and weight. “I’m surprised you of all people noticed, Clayton, since you’re still a newlywed and all.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed. We all have.” Clayton’s voice then softened. “And we’re concerned.”
Jake nodded. He appreciated their concern. “There’s nothing to be concerned about. I promise to explain things in a little while. Trust me on this one, guys,” he said before walking off.
The three nephews watched as he crossed the room to talk to his friend, movie actor Sterling Hamilton, and his very pregnant wife, Colby.
“So what do you think?” Justin Madaris asked his two brothers.
“I think whatever it is, it has to do with a woman,” Clayton said, smiling,
“You would think so,” Dex Madaris said, shaking his head.
Clayton grinned. “Yeah, I would, wouldn’t I?”
Justin and Dex doubted that a woman was the reason their uncle had been acting strange for the past year or so. It had been years—over twenty—since a woman had played any part in Jake’s life. As far as they were concerned, the most important thing to him was the ranch. Although they were certain he didn’t live a totally celibate life, you couldn’t convince them their uncle would have found the time to get wrapped up in anything other than Whispering Pines.
“What makes you think it has anything to do with a woman?” Justin asked his youngest brother curiously.
Clayton shrugged. “Obvious sign.”
Dex raised a brow. “What obvious sign?”
“His walk.”
“His walk? What about his walk?” Dex wanted to know.
“Did either of you notice it?”
Justin frowned. “Walked like he’s always walked to me. I don’t see a difference.”
Clayton shook his head, smiling. “That’s why I’m the attorney in the family. I notice a lot of things the two of you don’t. I’m more observant. It’s ingrained into my makeup to notice detail. Besides, having recently turned in my player’s card, I fully understand all the complexities of the single man. Especially all the physical signs.”
“Really,” Dex said, glaring at his brother. “So tell us, Mr. Know-It-All, what do you see in Jake’s walk?”
Clayton crossed his arms over his chest