Tall, Dark_.Westmoreland! - Brenda Jackson [50]
“I know you didn’t,” she said softly.
“Well, the rest of us aren’t so gullible,” Senator Reed snapped.
Duan stepped forward. “Excuse me, Senator, but why are you here? What goes on in this family really doesn’t concern you.”
The man seemed taken aback by Duan’s words. “If it wasn’t for me, those pictures would have been on the front page of today’s paper. I saved your father the embarrassment of this entire town knowing that his daughter is having an affair.”
Terrence’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes as he came to stand beside Duan. “You do mean his grown daughter, don’t you?”
“She is having an affair with him,” Senator Reed said, almost at the top of his voice, pointing at Reggie.
“And what business is it of yours?” Olivia snapped.
“It is my business because I had your father bring you home for me,” Senator Reed snapped back. The entire room got quiet, and the senator realized what he’d said. Five pairs of eyes were staring at him. “What I meant was that I—”
“We know exactly what you meant, Al,” Orin said in a disgusted voice, seeing things clearly now. “And just to set the record straight, I didn’t ask my daughter to come home for you. The only reason I summoned Olivia home was to be here with me for the campaign.”
Seeing he had lost his footing with Orin, Senator Reed said, “Aw, come on, Orin. You know how I spout off at the mouth sometimes. Besides, why are you getting mad at me? She is the one who is sneaking around with your opponent behind your back. She reminds you of your ex-wife, don’t you think?”
Before anyone could blink, Orin struck the senator and practically knocked him to his knees. “Get up and get out, and don’t ever come back. You’re no longer welcome in my home, Al,” Orin said, barely holding back his rage.
The senator staggered to his feet. “Fine, and you can forget my endorsement,” he said heatedly, limping toward the door.
“I don’t need it,” Orin shot back. “I plan to pull out of the race.”
When the door slammed shut, Olivia quickly moved over to her father. “Dad, are you going to pull out because of what I did?” she asked softly.
Orin pushed a strand of hair out of her face. “No, sweetheart. Your old man realizes that he’s not cut out to be a politician. Al had convinced me that running for office was what I needed to do, but it was not truly what I wanted to do. I never really had my heart in it.”
He glanced down at the pictures on his kitchen table and then over at Reggie. “I hope for your sake that you care for my daughter, Westmoreland.”
Reggie smiled as he came to stand beside Olivia. “I do. I’m in love with her, sir,” he said.
Orin’s features eased into a satisfied smile. “And the way she defended you a few moments ago, I can only assume that she’s in love with you, too.”
“I am in love with him,” Olivia affirmed.
“Good.” Orin then looked at his two sons. “It seems our family will be increasing soon. What do you think?”
Duan chuckled. “He loves her. She loves him. It’s all good to me.”
Terrence smiled. “As long as they don’t decide to marry before today’s barbecue. I was looking forward to checking out the single ladies there today.”
Orin rolled his eyes and shook his head. He then offered Reggie his hand. “Welcome to the family, son,” he said.
The barbecue was truly special. Orin made the announcement that he was pulling out of the Senate race, and he gave his endorsement to Reggie. In the next breath, Orin announced that there would be a Jeffries-Westmoreland wedding in the very near future.
With Olivia by his side, Reggie introduced her to all the many Westmorelands in attendance.
“Just how many cousins do you have?” she asked him a short time later.
He smiled. “Quite a number. Just wait until you meet the Denver Westmorelands at the family reunion in a few weeks.”
“Have you met them all?” she asked curiously.
“No, but I’m looking forward to doing so.”
Olivia nodded. So was she. She and Reggie had discussed her move back to the States, and a wedding was planned for next month after the election. She was truly happy.
Reggie held her hand as they walked around