Secret Love - Brenda Jackson [72]
Diamond saw his expression and immediately became concerned. “What is it, Jacob?” She touched his arm. “What’s wrong?”
“Clayton just called. He thinks it would be a good idea for us to hold a press conference tomorrow.”
Diamond’s heart slowed for one tiny millimeter of a second. “A press conference?”
“Yes. We need to either confirm or deny what everyone has been reading in the papers for the last two days. Since we’ve had this phone number changed and Sheriff McCoy is doing a good job at keeping reporters away, the media are in a frenzy. There are a lot of questions on everyone’s mind. You disappeared seemingly off the face of the earth, right after that incident in California. Your multitudes of adoring fans are concerned. Now they read in the papers, two weeks later, that you’re married to me, who just happens to be a very close friend of Sterling Hamilton’s, the man who’s been your alleged lover for the past two years.” Jake couldn’t help but chuckle. “To some people, all of that is more interesting than the most top-rated soap opera.”
Diamond nodded. “There’s something else, too, isn’t there? What aren’t you telling me, Jacob?”
Jake took a deep breath and captured Diamond’s hand in his. “It seems that when some of my family returned to Houston they found reporters camped out on their lawns.”
He felt Diamond tremble and tightened his hold on her hand.
“Oh, Jacob, I’m sorry. This is what I didn’t want to—”
“Shh, baby. It’s okay. My family knows how to handle this. They dealt with the media before with that incident involving Syneda.”
“But I wanted to protect all of them from this. I wanted to protect you.”
“Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. Like I said, the Madarises can handle the heat, trust me. But I think you and I need to officially announce our marriage so people can stop guessing and stop hunting for answers.”
Diamond nodded, knowing he was right. “I’ll contact Robin and let her set up things.” Robin Weston was her publicist. “Do you have a preference as to where you want to hold the press conference?”
“Let’s hold the first one in Houston. Then we’ll fly out to California and hold another one there the following day.’
Diamond’s shoulders sagged. “But that will take you away from the ranch.”
Jake shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Getting this done is more important.”
She nodded as she reached up and slipped her arms around his neck and gazed adoringly into his eyes. “You’re a wonderful man. Do you know that?”
He pulled her into his arms. “Only because you’re constantly telling me that I am. You, Mrs. Madaris, are pretty good medicine for my ego.”
She smiled. “And you, Mr. Madaris, are fantastic medicine for anything and everything that ails me.”
“I think you’re making a very wise decision, Diamond,” Robin was saying over the telephone. “I didn’t want to call and bother you about what’s been happening here, but it’s been crazy ever since the story of your marriage broke. Reporters are calling every three seconds. I spoke with Edward Stewart, Sterling’s attorney, and he said things are just as crazy over there. It’s a good thing Sterling is at his home in the North Carolina mountains so the reporters can’t get through to him.”
Diamond nodded. “I’ll give Sterling a call to give him a heads-up as to what Jacob and I will be doing. Make all the arrangements, Robin. Jacob and I want to hold the first press conference in Houston.”
“Got it. I’ll call you back after everything is set and ready to roll.”
“Thanks, Robin.”
“And Diamond?”
“Yes?”
“For all it’s worth, I think it’s about time you let the world know about that gorgeous hunk of Texan you’ve been hiding. The two of you make a beautiful couple. Every time I’m around you and Jacob, I feel so much love radiating between you two. You are a very blessed woman. And I’m sure everyone who sees you two together, especially all of your adoring fans, will be happy for