A Lasting Love Read Free Page B

black shoes with a wry
smile.
    Reid's lips curled into a good-natured grin.
"This is my monkey suit, reserved especially for these
dressy Washing ton affairs. Believe me, young lady, if
you weren't among the guests here tonight, I wouldn't
be here either."
    Loren eased gracefully into the chair and
waited until he sat next to her at the large round
table set for six. She, too, privately hoped no one
joined them. "I see your father is here tonight, Reid.
In fact, Senator Mecina is at the honored guests'
table. Why aren’t you there?"
    "I manage only my father's office and
campaigns. I do not attend every function he does. I
stopped being in fatuated with all these beautiful
people long ago."
    "Why, to see you tonight, Reid, I thought you
were one of them," Loren teased. She couldn't help
admiring the way the tuxedo fit his lean
form.
    Reid nodded for the waiter to bring them wine.
"Be cause my father has been in politics for as long as
I can remember, I'm accustomed to these events. I can
shoot the bull with any crowd, and I know which fork to use
when there are more than one. But, I'll admit, I
prefer to be in my jeans and boots."
    "I can tell."
    "Is it that obvious?"
    "Oh, it's not that you look out of place. It's
just that you have a casual, western look, like that
jacket is in your way and you might be shedding it any
minute."
    He laughed aloud. "It has crossed my mind, but
I won't embarrass you, Loren." He waited until the
waiter had poured their wine, then lifted the crystal
glass to toast Loren. "To a lovely lady."
    "Thank you," she murmured. Their eyes met over
the wineglasses, mesmerized by the silent magic
weaving be tween them.
    Finally, reluctantly, Loren initiated the
conversation. "Tell me, what was it like to grow up in
a political family in Arizona?"
    He shrugged. "Just about like it was for you, I
guess. Only my father was gone from home quite a bit.
When he was there, life was chaotic, but fun. There were always
people in and around our house. Some were guests, others there for
business. Something always going on. When we didn't
have a full house, we had invitations to just about everything that
came to town. We always had tickets to the circus, ice show,
ballgames, things that kids love. I finally outgrew
the freebies and left the social events to my father.
Sometimes I went along to the political speeches to hand out brochures or simply to read the crowds. Later Dad
and I discussed their reactions, moods, that sort of thing."
    Loren laughed delightedly. "Yes, I've done
those things for my father too." They had more in
common than she thought. Somehow it was a small
assurance.
    They were joined by two other couples at the
table, and Loren tried to mask her disappointment. She
would have to share Reid. Still, she felt close to him tonight.
Just the two of them, attuned only to each other,
alone in a crowd of four hundred. During the course of
dinner Reid enchanted them all with tales of living in Arizona.
Loren listened, almost charmed, certainly intrigued. There was
nothing to relate this engaging man to the menacing one who had followed her. By the end of dinner it didn't matter that he had made brash claims about making love to her. In fact, it was hard to believe Reid was that
same arrogant man. Maybe she just didn't want to
believe it.
    Afterward they danced again. Loren floated in
Reid's arms, her blue eyes meeting his in an unspoken
agreement.
    "How about coffee? Someplace private?"
    She agreed, never doubting the prudence of
going with him. "I know a wonderful little Bohemian spot in
George town."
    "Great, I've been wanting to get you alone all
night."
    "We have been—" The words slipped out before
she could stop them.
    "You know, you're right." He held her, even
though the music had stopped. Their eyes locked, and
Loren knew he felt the magic, too, even if neither
understood.
    "There is so much more I want to know about
you, Loren."
    "There is so much I want to say . . ."
    By the end of the evening,