Midnight Diamonds (20 page)

As she approached their table, she noticed a young man sitting with her mother. Her breath caught when he turned and stood, pulling out her chair. He was very possibly one of the most handsome men she’d ever seen. Next to a certain cowboy.

“Silver, this is Jefferson Hatcher, the image consultant I told you about earlier. Jefferson, this is my daughter, Silver Madison.”

“Very nice to meet you, Silver. Please, call me Jeffrey.”

She shook his extended hand, aware of the soft skin. The thought of Justin’s strong hands went through her mind. “Nice to meet you, too.”

He pushed her chair in until she was settled. Jeffrey resumed his conversation with Amelia, and Silver examined the image expert. His stylish, sandy blond hair screamed expensive, and his dark blue Armani suit framed his broad shoulders superbly. The blue shirt and tie were well chosen assets to set off his tanned skin and hazel eyes. He smiled at something Amelia said and his teeth glistened white.

Picture perfect for an image consultant.

“Silver, did you hear Jefferson?”

Blinking, Silver glanced at her mother then back to the man sitting beside her. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” She noticed a house salad had been placed on the table to replace the Caesar salad she wouldn’t eat.

Score one for Team Silver.

Jeffrey smiled at her. “Your mother mentioned you teach, and I asked how long you’d been there. My aunt is a teacher in Ohio and calls it her passion in life.”

Silver picked up a fork and smiled back. “Five years, and I think I’d like your aunt.”

“No doubt. She’s quite a woman.” He turned to her, giving her his full attention. “Silver, I’m sorry for what you’ve been through, but we’re going to move beyond the past few days to a better future. I want to help you in any way possible.” He placed his hand over hers. “From this moment on, you can count on me for whatever you need.”

His words soothed like a balm over her wounded soul. “Thank you.”

Jeffrey reached into his pocket when a phone rang. “I’m sorry, I need to take this. Excuse me.” He stood up and left the table, speaking softly as he walked to the restaurant lobby. Silver gave her mother a knowing look.

“Well-timed foil, Amelia Madison. Thank you for the salad.”

Amelia smiled smugly, then picked up her fork and resumed eating.

* * *

Justin pasted a smile on his face as he listened to Danielle Bailey’s incessant chatter. He almost wished the woman hadn’t found him. Since she’d arrived early this morning, she hadn’t stopped talking, and the sound of her nasal-toned blathering grated on his nerves. She probably had a nice appearance if she washed away the pound of makeup and got rid of the teased up, bleached hair with the green stripe down one side, gaudy jewelry, pink sequined halter top, mini skirt, and black platform shoes. And that god-awful perfume that she must have bathed in. He’d ridden filthy horses that smelled better.

But he really didn’t want to find out what she looked like underneath it all. Justin was very glad he had no memory of his night with her.

He leaned back against his chair. The entire day had been spent behind closed doors with his mother and her attorneys, trying to determine how to best end this nuptial disaster. Dani, as she liked to be called, was having second thoughts about terminating the marriage. She thought it might be best if she and Justin got to know each other better.

It had been an intensely frustrating and embarrassing meeting. Frustrating because she kept saying that she liked being married to a man who wasn’t around. Embarrassing because she liked to share intimate details, things he didn’t want to recall about their twenty-four hours together.

When Justin said that he didn’t love her as a man should love his wife, Dani winked at him and replied, “Well, sugar, you loved me pretty good that night. At least five or six times.” Then she stood up and gyrated in a way that made his mother’s mouth drop open. It took a lot to shock Connie Rivers, but Dani had succeeded.

One of the lawyers had finally suggested that Justin take Dani to dinner and try to see what she really wanted out of this situation. Justin suspected she wanted her fifteen minutes of fame as his wife and a nicely padded bank account. Balancing his glass of Riesling between two fingers, Justin hoped no one recognized him. He’d chosen this restaurant specifically because it wasn’t one of his family’s places and, frankly, because he was mortified to be seen with Dani.

Wearing the darkest sunglasses he owned, he didn’t want to see how people reacted to her or him. The past few days had been a media feeding frenzy about his life. Headlines had been vulgar and degrading.

If he were really honest, he disgusted himself to have taken up with a woman like this. Being numbed with alcohol at the time was a poor excuse.

“Sugar, aren’t you hungry?” Dani asked.

With a tight smile, he shook his head. “Not really. But please finish your dinner. I’m in no hurry.”

Batting her fake eyelashes, she cooed, “I sort of had a hankering for lobster and steak. All this drippy butter on the lobster is simply scrumptious. And this steak is to die for. Are you sure you don’t want some? Yum!”

Justin never thought he could be physically repulsed by someone, but he changed his mind when he heard her smacking her lips. Right now he’d give her anything she wanted short of a wedding ring if she’d leave and go back to Vegas.

Someone walking across the room behind Dani caught his eye and Justin’s breath caught as if a fist punched him in the gut. The woman’s long blonde hair brushed lightly against a dark blue dress and her hips moved gracefully as she walked.

Silver.

Dani started yapping again, but Justin focused as Silver stopped at a table, then he saw her mother Amelia talking with someone. Leaning slightly to the right, he stretched to see who it was.

Jeffrey Hatcher, image consultant for the wealthy and socially visible. Justin recognized him because the guy moved in the same polite circles as his mother. The one time he’d met Jeffrey, he seemed like a decent guy, genuine about what he did for a living. In fact, Justin had considered using the firm to beef up his own image a bit.

Now Jeffrey stood and smiled at Silver, shaking hands with her and helping with her chair.

What the hell was that? Had he put his hand on the small of her back?

Justin leaned out further and accidentally butted his head into a passing waiter. After muttering an apology, he straightened in his chair. Dani chomped away at the last bite of her steak, oblivious to everything else.

“Oh my, I am so full, it feels like my gut is about to bust wide open,” she declared as she rubbed her stomach. “Do we get dessert?” she asked with a wide smile that showed a bit of gristle caught in her slightly yellow teeth.

When his stomach heaved, Justin decided that he’d had enough. “I couldn’t possibly eat another bite.” He raised his hand to signal the waiter for his check.

“But you didn’t eat,” she protested.

Justin tapped his fingers on the table until the waiter came to the table. He slipped some bills into the folder to cover the meal plus a tip and stood. Dani frowned at him in confusion but picked up her rhinestone studded, orange purse, then stood up and put a hand on his chest.

“I think I’ll run to the little girls’ room and take a quick tinkle. Meet you in front and then we’ll get our own private party going.” She ground her hips twice against his leg, then wiggled off to the restroom.

“I’m in hell paying for my sins,” he groaned as he mapped out his escape to avoid Silver’s table. Navigating between tables and dodging waiters, he slowly made his way to the front lobby area where he tried to hide beside a fichus tree. Come on, Dani, he silently urged, pretending to study a picture of rustic Tuscany, Italy.

“Justin Rivers? Jeffry Hatcher.”

Turning, Jeffrey was putting his phone away and walking toward him with an outstretched hand. Great. Now he had no choice but to shake hands with the man.

“Good to see you again, Jeffrey. How’s business?”

“Doing well, thanks. Talking with some new clients over dinner.”

“So I see.” No use playing coy at this point.

Jeffrey took a step forward, still wearing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I sincerely hope my client won’t have to worry about any further embarrassment from you.”

Justin’s jaw worked against the flare of emotion and his hands folded into fists. Breathing deeply, he took his time answering. “Trust me when I say it was never my intention to cause anyone trouble or embarrassment. Least of all Silver.”

“I want to make sure we understand one another. I don’t like surprises.”

“Then I hope you have a dictionary handy.” Justin had the satisfaction of seeing the man’s confusion.

“Ready, my little cuddle bunny. Let’s get it on.” Dani wiggled up beside Justin, causing Jeffrey’s eyes to widen with amusement as he put out his hand.

“Jeffrey Hatcher. And you are…?”

“Well, now, aren’t you a looker? Dani Rivers, his wife. Good to meet ya, hon.” She pumped his hand several times then dropped it.

“Right. Justin, great to see you again, and Dani, good to meet you.” Jeffrey left, shaking his head with laughter.

“Woo, he was a cutie! Come on, husband, let’s go.” Dani slapped his butt then pushed open one of the doors and pointed outside.

As he followed her out the door, Justin felt flames around his ears as his personal hell threatened to incinerate him. He almost wished it would. When he walked outside, he was stunned to see dozens of reporters waiting for him. Dani scooted next to him and looped her arm through his, smiling at the press and blowing kisses.

“Justin Rivers, how does it feel to be reunited with your wife?”

Dani squealed loud enough to puncture his ear drum and turned him around for a disgusting, openmouthed kiss. He pushed her away so he could think without trying to keep from being sick.

“Any comment, Justin?”

Dani stepped forward to answer but Justin pulled her back and shook his head at her.

“If you’ll excuse us, we’re on our way to a meeting.”

Pulling Dani along with him as she preened for the press, he smiled for the photographers as they walked away. Helping her into the truck then climbing into the driver’s side, the ache inside of him grew.

“Aren’t you excited, sugar? We’re famous!” Dani asked him, bouncing up and down on her seat as he pulled out of the parking lot. “Where’s this meeting we’re going to?”

Justin didn’t answer her. He should be planning his next strategy for how to convince Dani to let it go.

Instead, all he could think about was Jefferson Hatcher’s hand on the small of Silver’s back.

Chapter Thirteen

Justin knocked on the door. He knew it was risky, and she’d probably throw him out on his backside, but he had to try. After the last two weeks with no luck in getting rid of Dani, desperation made him appeal to Becky, a woman he trusted to get things done. When the door opened, he heard her gasp before she tried to slam the door closed. He stopped it with his hand.

“Would you hear me out, please?”

“I have nothing to say to you, cowboy. Get lost.”

“Give me five minutes and I’ll give you the full story on me, Justin Rivers. A story you won’t get anywhere else.”

She narrowed her eyes at him then stepped back to let him inside. Slamming the door behind him, she stood with her arms crossed over her chest in a defiant stance.

“Five minutes, cowboy. Go.”

Justin glanced around the living room and cringed at the mixed decorating styles but said nothing. Oranges and purples warred with yellow and fuchsia. When he saw her wary expression, he knew he’d better talk fast. “Want me to stand here, or can we sit down?”

Becky pointed toward two chairs done in a strange swirl pattern that made him slightly off balance. He waited until they were both seated then started talking when she pointed to a nonexistent watch on her wrist.

“Two years ago when my dad died, it was my fault.” She opened her mouth to say something to him then stopped and closed it. Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, he continued. “My dad was an amazing, motivated, successful man. He loved people, loved making them happy, and cared about his family. For most of my growing up years, my dad was my best friend. He’d been trying to get me to take more of an interest in the family restaurant business, but the only thing I cared about was singing. And drinking.”

He stopped for a moment. It had been a long time since he’d talked with anyone other than family about this part of his life. Pain filled his chest, but he kept talking. “One night we argued. It was the worst fight we’d ever had, yelling at each other and saying things that a father and son should never say. I ended up screaming that I hated him and I wished he’d die so I wouldn’t have to listen to his constant nagging. Then I stormed out of the house. An hour later, he was dead from a heart attack.”

Becky put a hand over her stomach. “Oh, Justin.”

“Yeah,” he said softly. “That guilt trip sent me off the deep end for six months. I showed up drunk at his funeral and Mom sent me home in a cab. I did nothing but drink myself into oblivion every day. Kade and I were at odds because of the way I treated the family, but Mom had the patience of a saint until I got my act together. Hunter… Well, he was always there, but Grandpa Slade…” He paused to swallow against the thickness in his throat. “Grandpa and Grandma Ginny kept reaching out, no matter how many times I pushed them away.”

“Justin, your father’s death wasn’t your fault. Surely you know that.”

“I do now, but the guilt nearly destroyed me. Anyway, one weekend during what I call my months of insanity, I decided to take a trip to Vegas. I lost badly at a blackjack table, and this woman sits down beside me. You know that joke about a country song titled, ‘I Never Went to Bed with An Ugly Woman, But I Sure Woke Up with A Few?’ Yeah, well, I’m married to the woman in that song.

“Becky, I didn’t remember her or what she looked like. Hell, I barely remember where I stayed or if I even put on clothes to go out in public. When I got back to town, Mom pleaded with me to stop. I realized I needed help. Now I need help again. Your help.”