The Senator's Secret Page 11

  To his surprise, Gary laid his hand over Sam’s and laced their fingers together. “I know you’re thinking about Hartsell and his crowd, but don’t let him spoil your weekend, okay?” His green eyes were warm. “And besides, your lunch is getting cold.”

  “Good point.” Sam peered at their still-joined hands. “Although I may find it easier to eat if you give me my hand back.” He smirked and Gary rolled his eyes.

  “I can’t think why,” Gary remarked dryly. “You clearly have no control over it. You can’t even hit your mouth accurately.” He wet his finger and then reached across to rub it at the corner of Sam’s mouth. “But then, it’s difficult to get the hang of eating gravy without spilling some, right?” His eyes danced with amusement as he took Sam’s napkin and wiped it where he’d applied his finger. “There. All gone.”

  Sam gave him a look that he hoped promised retribution later. They went back to the business of eating, and thankfully his mom let them.

  Sam knew it wasn’t the end of the inquisition, merely a reprieve.

  “GARY, can I see your ring, please?”

  Gary flashed Sam a glance before holding out his left hand.

  Mom peered at the ring. “I noticed it during lunch, but all I could tell was it was an older ring.” She frowned and gazed at Sam. “Where did you get this? And why is Gary wearing it on the wrong finger?”

  Sam’s expression was one he hoped Gary could clearly read—I told you so—but then he schooled his features. “It was Granddad’s ring,” he explained. “The one he left to me?”

  Mom gave him a superior look. “Have we never heard of resizing?” She let go of Gary’s hand and went back to her task of clearing the dishes from the table.

  “We agreed not to do that because it was his ring,” Sam said. “I felt it was important to leave it as it was.”

  She nodded. “Yes, I can understand that. It’s not like it will matter once you’re married, anyway. Then you can buy him a ring. One that fits, hopefully.”

  “Yes, Mom.” Sam suppressed his own eye roll, because they tended to get him a smack upside the head.

  “And speaking of which….”

  Sam’s belly churned. He’d known it was coming, of course, and that it couldn’t be avoided—that would have been like trying to get out of the path of a tidal wave—but all the same, now that the topic was out there in the open, he was doing his best not to hyperventilate. Mom would see that in a heartbeat.

  “Have you set a date yet?”

  Gary laughed. “We haven’t even given it a thought. Sam has much more important things that take precedence, such as winning an election, for one thing.” He arched his eyebrows and grinned. “Right, babe?”

  Sam was going to give him such a hug when they got back to Raleigh. “Right. We’re not in any hurry.” That much was true.

  Mom patted Gary on the back. “Gary, thanks for the help cleaning up. I’m going to put your fiancé to work in the kitchen, making the coffee. We’ll join you and Marshall in a moment.”

  “Sure.” Gary gave Sam a smile that warmed him inside and went to join his dad in the dining room.

  Sam followed his mom into the kitchen, his heart quaking. He knew the signs. She wanted to have A Talk. When she pushed the door until it was almost closed, his heart sank.

  God, I hate being right.

  “If I close it all the way, your father will only get suspicious and come barging in here, and I don’t want us to be interrupted,” she said in a low voice. “And as for taking this conversation outside?” She huffed. “Even more suspicious.”

  “Why all the cloak-and-dagger, Mom?” Sam struggled to keep his cool. Then he winced when she whacked him on the arm, hard. “Hey, what was that for?”

  “That was for smoking. Filthy habit.” She hit him again. “And that was for trying to keep it a secret from us.”

  “Will you stop hitting me, please?” Sam growled out in a low voice. Lord, and she wonders why I think she’s scary.

  “Why didn’t you tell us about Gary?” she demanded. “Did you not think we’d want to know that you’d found someone? Even if that someone turned out to be a man? And what about that, hmm? You didn’t tell us you were gay.” He couldn’t miss the hurt in her voice.

  “Mom….” He searched for the right words. He’d been mentally preparing for this ever since they’d spoken on the phone, and he thought he’d gotten a handle on it, but now they were finally there, talking about it? Everything he’d prepared flew out of his head. There was only one way to go, and that was with the truth. “Mom, I love you dearly, but you scare the shit out of me. I just wasn’t ready to tell you.”

  “But why? Did you think I wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret?”

  Sam couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing. “Seriously? Mom, I watched you when you worked in the store. You knew everybody. And guess what? You still know everybody and you still talk to everybody. Telling you would be like taking out a full-page ad in the News & Observer.”

  She gasped and clutched her pearls. “I’m not that bad.”

  Sam merely lifted his eyebrows and she huffed.

  “Not listening to this. But that wasn’t the main reason I dragged you out here.” She locked gazes with him. “You and Gary have not been together for a year.”

  His heartbeat raced and his chest tightened, but he bluffed it out. “I keep forgetting, you know everything too. Well, that’s all you know.”

  She nodded slowly. “Uh-uh. Call it a mom’s intuition. Something just feels slightly… off. I can’t put my finger on it, but I know when I’m being sold something. And then there’s the whole ‘getting engaged at Christmas’ part.” She arched her thinning eyebrows. “Well?”

  Sam sighed and dove headfirst into his lie. “I proposed to him after I’d spent the holidays with you. We just said that because it sounded good for the press—a Christmas engagement, you know, romantic….” He held his breath and waited.

  Mom pursed her lips. “Okay, I’ll buy that. Good publicity and all that. But I’m still not convinced about the length of time you say you’ve been a couple.”

  He opened his mouth to speak, to deny it, but she held up her hand.

  “Now listen. That being said, you’re obviously a good fit.”

  “Excuse me?” Sam’s head spun.

  “I’ve been watching you all afternoon—the way you look at each other, react to each other. Gary’s good for you.” She snickered. “If I’m being honest here? He’s taken years off you. I used to worry that you were growing old before your time, but now? Not so much. Maybe that cougar idea isn’t such a bad one. You think your father would object if I traded him in for a younger model?” She grinned mischievously.

  “Mom!” Lord, the things she comes out with sometimes.

  Mom cackled, but then her expression grew more sober. “Seriously, though? I meant what I said. He’s a good choice.”

  “I’m glad you approve.” It was all he could manage. “But that still doesn’t alter the fact that—”

  “Sam? Sweetheart?” She tilted her head. “I can see the two of you being together for many years to come.”

  What the hell?

  “Is that your intuition talking?” His mind was still reeling from her statement.

  She nodded again. “So you two need to work on your act, because it’s missing something. You might have fooled your dad, but one, he doesn’t have my super powers,” she said with a grin, “and two, he’s on your side. There are going to be others out there who are not, and they will be watching you as closely as I was, if not closer.” Mom reached up and patted his cheek. “The main thing is? I like him, son. I really do.”

  “Yeah?” Sam had no idea why that statement filled him with quiet contentment, but it surged through him in a slow wave from his head to his toes.

  She nodded once more. “So let’s make coffee, and then I’ll go spend some more time with my future son-in-law.” Her eyes twinkled. “And I was right: he is cute.”


  “Mom!”

  GARY was recounting the story of how they’d ditched Steven in Biltmore Village, and both his parents were laughing their asses off. Not that Sam was really listening. He was too busy watching Gary. He really liked the way Gary focused on his parents’ faces while he talked, the way he nodded enthusiastically and responded to them. And damn it, his mom was right—Gary was cute.

  They sat next to each other on the couch, their hands entwined on Sam’s thigh. It felt like the most natural thing in all the world to be doing, and Sam couldn’t help marveling at how his life had changed in less than one week.

  Last Sunday evening I was driving to Raleigh, no thought in my head that come Tuesday, I’d be engaged. The situation still had a surreal quality to it.

  “Oh my, you didn’t.” Mom was staring at Gary open-mouthed as he recounted letting the air out of Steven’s tires. She giggled. “You know, I could see myself doing something like that.”

  “I could see it too,” both Sam and his dad muttered simultaneously, which had everyone laughing.

  It had turned out to be a very pleasant afternoon. Except all good things had to come to an end.

  Sam looked at the clock above the fireplace and let out a sigh. “Mom, Dad, we’re going to have to leave. We’ve got to drive back to Raleigh tonight, and that means nearly four hours on the road.” Their bags were already in the trunk.

  Mom sighed. “If you must. Although while I think about it, next weekend happens to be a very important date. Can’t think what it is, exactly, but….”

  Sam laughed and turned to Gary to explain, but to his surprise, Gary was way ahead of him. “Oh, right, it’s your thirty-fifth wedding anniversary, isn’t it?”

  Mom beamed. “Yes, dear. And you and Sam are going to join us for the festivities.”

  “Festivities?” Sam glanced at his dad, who simply sighed. “Mom, what are you planning?”

  “A party!” She grinned. “I’ve invited your aunts and uncles, your cousins, some of our closest friends, my friend Charlotte, who was my maid of honor….” She gave him a hard stare. “And you are going to be here. I know it’s short notice, but to be honest, I only had the idea this past week.”

  Sam put two and two together. “Would that be since you found out your only son, the senator, is now engaged?”

  “Exactly! So I want you two here so I can show you off. And I want you on your best behavior.”

  Sam made a supreme effort not to snort, but damn, it was a close one. “Fine,” he said resignedly, and turned to Gary. “Apparently there’s this party we have to attend next weekend.”

  Gary’s eyes sparkled. “Can’t wait.”

  Sam had the feeling the week was going to speed by.

  “Son? Can I ask you something?”

  Sam gazed at his dad. “Sure.”

  Dad shifted in his armchair, crossing and uncrossing his ankles. His face was tight. “I haven’t said anything so far today because I was waiting for you to say something first. But seeing as that hasn’t happened, I can’t let you leave without getting something off my chest.” He glanced at Mom. “I’m sure your mom has already had words. If she hasn’t, then someone had better inform the media, because the world might just be about to end.” He ignored Mom’s gasp and fixed his gaze on Sam. “Why didn’t you tell your mom and me that you were gay? And don’t you think we deserved to learn that about our son in a conversation, rather than hearing it on TV in a press conference?”

  There was suddenly a lump in this throat. “Sir, I….”

  “Sam was afraid of disappointing you both, Marshall,” Gary blurted out, his hand tightening around Sam’s. He gave Sam a warm look, full of compassion. “He didn’t want you to look at him with different eyes,” he said softly. “I can understand that. He loves you both so much that he couldn’t bear the thought of your disapproval.”

  Sam’s heart quaked. Fuck. He sees me.

  Then his dad cleared his throat and the moment was lost.

  Dad’s expression softened. “Sam, we don’t love you any less because you’re gay. But it isn’t something you should have hidden.” His eyes glistened. “Never be ashamed for who you are. And if there are people out there who can’t love you for that? Well, they don’t deserve to be in your life.”

  Mom was quiet, but she nodded, her eyes moist.

  It took Sam a moment or two to find his voice. “Thank you. I’m sorry it took me so long.”

  “Better late than never,” Mom said with a smile.

  Sam glanced across at Gary, their hands still entwined. “There’s another reason why I kept quiet, you know.”

  “Oh?” Gary’s gaze was focused on Sam’s face.

  Sam nodded. “I was afraid of what my constituents would say if they knew. But to be fair, no one ever caught my eye before, so it wasn’t worth taking the chance.”

  “Have I caught your eye, Senator?” The words were uttered softly, as if only for Sam’s ears. Sam knew it was an act for his parents’ benefit, but damn, the light in Gary’s eyes, that expression on his face, as if no one else existed for him in that bubble of time but Sam….

  Mom broke the spell. “Now, you two need to go.”

  Sam looked toward her, and she smiled as though she knew exactly what he’d been thinking in that precious moment.

  “It’s not like we have to wait too long until we see you again, is it?” she said practically. “Next weekend will be here before you know it. The party is on Saturday night, and you can stay over. I’ll put you both in Sam’s old room.”

  She rose, and Dad did too. It was time for good-byes.

  It wasn’t until they were in the car and pulling out of the driveway that Sam got the feeling he’d missed something. His mind went back over the last few minutes of conversation. Something about next Saturday….

  Gary and I will be sharing a room? No. That wasn’t it. Then it hit him.

  We’ll be sharing a bed.

  Oh Lord.

  Chapter Eleven

  Monday, Monday….

  SAM switched off the engine and huffed out a breath.

  Beside him, Gary chuckled. “The day hasn’t even started yet and already you seem out of sorts. What’s up?”

  Sam didn’t want to share what was uppermost in his mind—that their weekend was over, the dream was shattered, and that reality was banging on his door, demanding to be let in. Spending time with Gary had been wonderful, and Sam was surprised to realize he didn’t want it to come to an end.

  “I suppose it’s that Monday morning feeling we all get,” he said at last. “Senators aren’t immune, after all.”

  “I know what you mean.” Gary expelled a sigh. “I have a couple hours here on the phones, and then it’s off to classes.”

  “I thought you weren’t going to work the phones anymore?”

  Gary snorted. “No, Josh said I wasn’t going to work the phones anymore. Look, I know we’ve got a couple of talk shows lined up for the end of the week, but I am not going to sit around on my a—chair, waiting to be photographed, interviewed, poked, etc. I need to keep busy.” He smiled. “And besides, working the phones makes me feel like I’m doing something practical to help you win this election. It’s just a good thing the people at the other end won’t know it’s your fiancé they’re talking to. I’d never get off the damn thing.” He reached out and stroked Sam’s thigh. “It’s not going to be easy, though. I’ve sort of gotten used to you being around.” His expression grew gloomy. “But this is real life, I guess. We’ve got to get used to it.”

  No, we damn well don’t.

  “Says who?” Sam demanded. When Gary arched his eyebrows, Sam continued. “You think I’m going to go home this evening and sit in my log cabin, wondering what you’re up to? Uh-uh.”

  “What did you have in mind, Senator?” Gary’s eyes gleamed.

  “Josh suggested you stay with me as much as possible, so let’s make the man happy. How about you meet me here when your classes are done and you co
me home with me? I’ll cook us dinner, and you can spend the night. If you want to, of course.”

  “If I want to,” Gary echoed with a chuckle. “For a supposedly intelligent man, you sure say some dumb things sometimes. Of course I want to. I’m picking up my car from the shop after my shift, so I’ll drive back and leave it here tonight.” He leaned forward and kissed the tip of Sam’s nose. “Great idea.”

  The gesture sent a ripple of warmth through Sam. “And you can join me for coffee before you leave here. Come on up to the office and I’ll take a break.”

  “You’re on.” Gary grinned. “Of course, what I’m dying to know is if things have changed in there.” He nodded toward the house.

  “What do you mean?”

  “The last time I worked a shift on the phones, I was plain old Gary Mason. Now I’m the senator’s fiancé. It will be interesting to see their reactions.” Sam frowned, and Gary quickly laid a hand on his thigh. “Hey, I don’t anticipate any problems—these guys love you, remember?—but I’m expecting some playful banter and any amount of teasing.”

  Sam snorted. “Sucks to be you.” They got out of the car, Sam locked it, and they walked into the house. The sound of lively chatter was already audible from the phones room. Sam patted Gary on the arm and headed for the stairs, but Gary stopped him.

  “You’re out and proud now, Senator Dalton,” he said with a smile. “And that means you get to leave your fiancé with a kiss.” He tapped his cheek with his index finger. “Right here will do.”

  Sam laughed. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” He moved closer and kissed Gary on the cheek, his skin scratchy with stubble. Sam grinned. “You need a shave, mister.”

  Gary waggled his eyebrows. “In answer to your question? Oh yeah, I’m loving every minute of this.” He leaned up and returned the kiss. “See you at coffee time.” And with that he disappeared into the phones room.

  Sam shook his head, unable to wipe the smile from his face. He was still smiling when he walked through the door into his office. “Good morning, Becky. Coffee, please.”