Star of His Heart - Brenda Jackson [42]
“Yes. I heard on the news this morning that the flights are back to normal now. He should make it in about noon.”
Netherland stood. “Well, I’m going to take a shower and—”
“Can we talk for a few minutes?”
Netherland studied her brother. She had heard the tightness in his voice again. Something was definitely on his mind, and she had a good idea it concerned Jada. “What do you want to talk to me about?”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Jada?”
Netherland eased back into her chair. “Because it was private. You’re my brother, but Jada is my employee, Rome. I decided if she wanted you to know, then she would tell you. It was not my place to tell you anything. Besides, it would not have changed a thing if you really cared about her. And you do care about her, don’t you?”
Rome met his sister’s gaze. “I’m in love with her, Nettie,” he said simply, truthfully.
Netherland’s surprise reflected in her face.
“You love her? Rome, you just met her a week ago.”
“It doesn’t matter.” He smiled. “I’m my mother’s son. She met and fell in love with Dad in the same night. And if you recall, I met and fell in love with Kimmy in a short period of time. I’m not like you, Nettie. I can recognize love when I see it.”
Netherland folded her arms beneath her breasts, lifted her chin and glared at her brother. “For your information, I can recognize love, too. It just takes me a little longer, that’s all.”
Rome studied his sister. “Meaning?”
Netherland sighed deeply. “Meaning that I admitted to myself last night that I’m in love with Ashton.”
“It’s about time.” He leaned back in his chair. “You do know that if there continue to be problems in Jordan, chances are Ashton will be going over there.”
She stiffened slightly at what Rome had just said. Then suddenly a calm fell on her. She smiled at her brother. “That doesn’t matter. I’ll be here waiting for him to return.”
Rome nodded. “And what if he asks you to move around the globe with him?”
“Then I’ll do it, Rome. Ashton once said that home is where the heart is, and at the time I didn’t understand what he meant. Now I do. It doesn’t matter where I am as long as it’s with him. I love him just that much.”
Rome reached across the table and captured her hand in his. “I’m happy for you, Nettie. He’s a good man who loves you.”
Netherland smiled. “I hope he still does.”
Rome lifted twin dark brows. “Why wouldn’t he?”
She shrugged. “I’ve been rather difficult.”
“But you won’t be anymore?”
Netherland’s smile widened. “No, not anymore. When I see Ashton again he won’t have a reason to doubt ever again just how much I care.”
As Jada walked the short distance from her apartment to Sisters she knew her first investment would be to get a car. The one she had owned with Tony had gotten repossessed, and she was working hard with the credit bureau to get her good credit rating restored.
Jada’s thoughts then shifted to Rome. She still got goose bumps all over her whenever she thought about how he had held her in his arms and how he had kissed her tears away. They had kissed for a full twenty minutes with neither one of them getting enough. Then they had brought their rampant passions under control long enough for him to tell her about the sadness he’d once had in his life. She had sat beside him while he had told her about his fiancée’s death and how hard he had taken it. And then, surprisingly, she had comforted him, which had led to more kisses. Not too long after that he had reluctantly left before things got too far out of hand.
Jada smiled. Rome had another two weeks to spend in Houston before leaving for Camp Pendleton in California. He had asked if they could spend the remaining time together, getting to know each other better. And he also wanted them to stay in contact after he left. Jada