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“I have to talk to your mom for a moment,” she told Asher quietly. “I’ll
be back.”
Inside the room, the low rumble of voices through the open back doors drew her gaze. Her heart skipped at the sight of Loyal talking with the governor. Just then, the Torrezes walked past on their way to the ballroom, and his mother gave her a wide smile.
“Roxanna, I’m so glad you came.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” she said as the woman who was more like a mother to her than her own pulled her into a warm hug. Roxanna squeezed her eyes shut as her chest tightened. She really had found family when she found Asher.
“How are you doing after the fire?” She ran a soothing hand down Roxanna’s hair before stepping back. “Do you need anything?”
“No, thank you, I’m fine. You’ve already done more than enough with that amazing gift basket. It’s been a huge help with just the right things. I loved everything.”
The gift cards had been exceedingly generous and helped her fill in her new clearance wardrobe with clothes from places she wouldn’t normally have been able to afford.
“I’m glad. I felt so bad I couldn’t bring it over myself, what with the campaign being so busy.” She stuck one hand on her slim hip. “I trust Loyal behaved himself? He had strict orders to be nice.”
“He was fine.” More than fine. Heat climbed her neck as she shot a pointed glance toward the door, where things looked to be getting heated between him and his father. “Is everything okay out there?”
Janine frowned in their direction before turning away with a sigh and shake of her head. “Mark has offered Grayson money for a veteran’s foundation, but only if Loyal steps in as the CFO.”
“Ah.” And given the way Loyal felt about his surprise brother, clearly, it wasn’t going over well.
“My husband seems to think forcing the two of them to work together will help them get over their animosity toward each other,” Janine continued. “But they’re both so darn stubborn. In truth, all three of them are stubborn.”
“You’d almost think they were related or something,” Roxanna joked.
“Right?” His mother smiled, but it fell away when a loud bang revealed Loyal shoving through an outside exit, and Mark turned toward them with his jaw clenched as tight as his fists. He gave a quick head shake as he returned to the room.
His expression cleared to a subdued smile as Roxanna stepped forward to give him a hug hello. The energy around him revealed his frustration with his son tangled with a deep fear of losing him. She wished she could reassure him it would be okay, but without knowing what had just transpired between the two, she had to focus on the reason they were all there in the first place.
“I’m looking forward to your victory speech later.” As she said the words, she couldn’t help a glance toward the door Loyal had left through.
“Do you know something we don’t?” the governor asked.
“No, no. I’m simply being optimistic.”
“Well then, let’s hope we get enough votes that you get to hear the speech.”
Roxanna smiled her agreement, but noticing Janine and Mark exchange a long glance, she took her cue. “I’ll leave you two be. Again, thank you so much for the basket, and good luck tonight.”
When she exited the room, she saw the gathering near the doors had somewhat dispersed, so she gave Honor a smile and wave and continued to the bar for a glass of wine. While she waited, she couldn’t help but think of Loyal outside.
Upset. Alone.
When the bartender set her Riesling in front of her, she ordered a double Black Maple Hill whiskey, then took both glasses out the back where Loyal had disappeared. Of course, she knew full well seeking him out was not the way to build up immunity to the man, but she couldn’t seem to stop her feet from moving.
He’d slept on the couch to make sure she was okay the night she’d been drunk. The least she could do now as return the favor.
She’d simply check to see if he was okay, give him the drink, and leave.
Chapter 18
Loyal wished he smoked so he’d have something to dull the edge of his anger. Better yet, he was going to start keeping a bottle in his truck. A couple of shots of whiskey would be welcome right now. Smashing the empty bottle against the brick wall would be even better.
The sound of the door had him whirling around for round two with his dad. The sight of Roxanna in a blue hippie dress and her combat boots stopped his heart for a few seconds before jolting it back to life at breakneck speed. Her creamy shoulders were bare, that long glorious hair loose, and though the overhead light cast her face in shadow, he could feel her gaze trained directly on him.
“Hey,” she greeted casually. Then she lifted her hand, and the light above the door revealed a glass three-quarters full of amber liquid. “I thought you might need this.”
