Eternally Yours Read Free Page A

that received national attention, I thought the only reason the child was returned to its natural parents was because the natural fathers had not given their consent.”
    “True, but in our case the consent was given. However, the biological mother claims that at the age of fifteen, she’d been too young to know her own mind and had been coerced by her parents to give up her child. She contends the contract was between her parents and the Jamisons, and that she wasn’t a part of it. How’s that for a new angle?”
    Clayton shuddered at the thought of a fifteen-year-old giving birth. “You’re right. That is a new angle.”
    Syneda leaned back in her seat. “As far as I’m concerned, the real issue is not why she gave up the child. No one seems concerned with what’s best for Kasey. She’s being snatched from the only parents she’s ever known and is being given to a stranger. That’s cruel punishment for any child, especially a five-year-old.”
    Clayton nodded. “Hopefully things will work out. But you can’t allow what’s happened to get you depressed.”
    “I know I shouldn’t but at times I can’t help wondering if what I do really makes a difference.”
    “Of course it does.”
    Syneda smiled. “Do you know this is the first time we’ve been able to talk about a case and not take opposing sides?”
    Clayton chuckled as he rested back comfortably in his seat. “Just because I didn’t oppose anything you said doesn’t mean I fully agree. Tonight you needed someone to just listen to your thoughts and feelings, and not force theirs on you. I gave you what I thought you needed. But what I really think you need is a vacation.”
    “I took a vacation earlier this year.”
    “I mean a real vacation. You usually use your vacation time to mess around here and not go anywhere. You need a real vacation to get away, relax and do nothing. I’m sure you can take time off from your job if you need it, so what’s the problem?”
    Syneda shrugged. “There isn’t a problem. I just never thought about it.”
    “Well, I’m giving you something to think about. What about going someplace with that guy you’re seeing?”
    “Marcus and I are no longer seeing each other,” she said slowly. “We decided it was for the best.”
    “Mmm. Could it be you’re also suffering from a broken heart?”
    Syneda frowned. “Not hardly.”
    Suddenly Clayton sat up straight. His eyes gleamed bright with an idea. Before checking out of the hotel, he had phoned his parents and asked their permission to spend a week at their time-share condo in Florida. They had given him the okay. “I have a wonderful idea,” he said.
    “What?”
    “My parents have a condo in Saint Augustine, Florida. It’s right on the ocean. I’m leaving next Sunday and will be there for a week. Come with me.”
    Syneda’s brows arched in surprise. “Excuse me? Did I hear you correctly? You want me to go on vacation with you?”
    A wide grin broke across Clayton’s face “Sure. Why not? You need a rest and I think it’s a wonderful idea.”
    She shook her head. “Clayton, get real. You know I can’t go on vacation with you.”
    “Why not?”
    “For a number of reasons.”
    “Name one.”
    “My work. I’ve appealed the Jamison case.”
    “So. It’ll be a while before the courts review it. If you ask me, you need a vacation to deal with what you’ll be up against when they do.”
    “True, but I still can’t go anywhere with you.”
    “Why?”
    Syneda refused to believe the man was so overlooking the obvious. It was rumored that no woman spent too many hours alone with Clayton Madaris and managed to keep her reputation clean. She considered herself a modern woman—and in some people’s opinion she carried her fight for sexual equality too far—but she was cautious by nature in some things, although impetuous and aggressive in others. In this case, she needed to carefully weigh Clayton’s invitation.
    “What will people think,