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  “Um, the one next Friday night at the Estes Ranch?”

  “Yeah. I was hoping you would be there and might lend me some sister-bitch support.”

  “Oh, sorry, no. Sean already asked me to go with him, but I’ve got plans that night with Sunni.” She looked truly remorseful, knowing how nervous I was about all the political stuff. “Hey, I have an idea, though. Why don’t you wrangle a guest/donor list from Texanne? We can go over it together and maybe do some homework to avoid any awkward moments or surprises? My dad can be pretty insightful about that stuff,” she added.

  “That would be great. I’ll get the list and we can do lunch on Thursday?”

  “It’s a date,” she sang out as she left my office.

  Chapter Five

  S torm clouds rolled and lightening flashed, illuminating the great room as if it was mid-day. I stood shivering, watching the storm through the large windows as I waited for Masen’s sitter to show up. Liam had called from Whelan in San Antonio, alerting me he wouldn’t have time to come home before the fundraiser and he would have to meet me there. Liam was fretting. Scott was with Liam’s parents, and another bodyguard had been hired to stay with Liam and travel with him back and forth from San Antonio to Austin. That left me unprotected.

  I’d already fed Masen his supper, and was quite proud of the fact I’d managed the mashed peas and carrots without having to take another shower. Masen began to fuss in his play saucer, so I went to fetch a bottle from the fridge to feed him before the sitter arrived. Taking a seat in the rocker by the fireplace, I cuddled him close, wishing I could spend the evening here with our precious boy rather than at the large gathering of rich Texans I knew I would face in less than an hour. He played with my hair as he nursed from the bottle, releasing his lips from the nipple now and again to grin up at me. I knew the time was nearing to wean him from the bottle and introduce a sippy cup, but I got emotional thinking about it. I wanted to keep him a baby as long as I could. It seemed I dreaded his firsts, because Dana wasn’t here to see them. I smiled at the thought of what she would say about tonight. “Kelly-cat, we clean up as pretty as those rich South Texas snobs. Go in there and kick some cat-ass!”

  My phone buzzed in my clutch, so I rose and placed Masen in his pack-n-play and then retrieved it. Liam’s number flashed on the front.

  “Hey, I’m ready…I’m waiting on the sitter,” I answered on the first ring.

  “That’s good, Baby. But I want you to wait and come with Sean. He’s running a bit late, but he will come and get you. I don’t want you driving alone.”

  “No! Liam, I’ll be fine. The focus is on you, anyway. And then you can drive me on the way back, and your man can follow us. I do NOT want to be late to this first event – it would be too awkward! I already feel at a disadvantage,” I said. I knew I sounded a bit panicked, and I’d already promised myself I wasn’t going to do that to Liam. I shut my eyes and took a deep breath.

  He hesitated, and then came back on the line, letting out an audible sigh. “Okay, I know. Just be careful, and I’ll see you there. I’ll call Sean back and tell him to come straight here. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Senator. God, how I love saying that,” I giggled nervously.

  “Hum.” I heard him chuckle. “I love hearing it. I mean it, drive safely. Don’t speed,” he warned.

  “Okay, bossy. Bye,” I said, hanging the phone up.

  I moved to the front hallway, recognizing Miranda’s form through the leaded-glass panes.

  When I opened the door, she bounded in, breathless. Miranda was the daughter of Angela De La Garza, a woman who had worked for Liam’s mother since Liam was in grade school. Miranda was nineteen and a freshman at UT.

  “Sorry I’m a little late. I’m tutoring in Spanish on campus and my session ran over,” she apologized

  “It’s fine, only by ten minutes,” I assured her. “I’ll still be there thirty minutes before this thing starts.”

  She followed me down the hallway into the great room. “Wow, you look gorgeous,” she said, her eyes widening at my dress. My heart fluttered at her comment. I was still a bit nervous about the dress showing a bit too much of my back and neckline. But Texanne had said “red carpet” showy, and the girls at the boutique had assured me this dress fit the bill.

  “You don’t think it’s too much?” I asked.

  “No! It’s beautiful, I love it,” she said, sincere.

  I swallowed the large wad of nausea in my throat, determined I was going to conquer this stage fright and self-doubt tonight. “Okay, then…I made the right choice.”

  I grabbed my clutch, cell and keys from the island in the kitchen.

  “There’s my Masen,” she gushed as she moved to pick him up.

  “He’s already had his supper and finished a bottle. He’ll take another one when he’s ready to go down for the night…usually around nine. Sometimes, if he’s fussy, I feed him a jar of peaches or apricots. They’re in the cabinet above the mixer.”

  “I remember—I’ve got this. Just go, and have a good time,” she assured me. “Mase and I are going to read some Dr. Seuss, aren’t we?” She returned to the great room, the baby tucked on her hip and book in hand. I knew he was in good hands tonight.

  As I sped down the Interstate, I went over and over the guest list in my head…and the photos Tana and Sunni had printed for me off the internet to match the names. I had them memorized in twenty-four hours, and could match them with the companies they owned and their political interests. This wasn’t that much different than the gala I’d planned in the spring, when Liam and I first started dating. It had been a big success, hadn’t it? And I’d had to play some politics in the seating arrangements and entertainment for that. This shouldn’t be any different. I began to relax, my confidence rising a bit. And I had the knowledge Liam’s mother and Chelsea would be there to lend their support. I was overthinking this.

  Following the commands from my GPS, I finally pulled through the large stone and iron gates of Estes Ranch. Large was an understatement. The entrance to the Palace of Versailles was large. This was gargantuan. Who were these people?

  My heart rate sped up. Then it raced when the drive curved through some large oaks and circled in front of the sprawling limestone and stucco ranch house. Parking attendants hustled back and forth, parking the limos, Lexus, and luxury SUV’s in the gated pasture next to the drive. Small fundraiser at the ranch, my ass!

  I slipped my heels back on and jumped out, handing my keys to a young parking attendant. He looked my small SUV over and then took appraisal of me, his eyes landing on mine. “Your invitation?” he asked.

  “What?” I was taken by surprise. No one mentioned I would need one.

  “You can’t come past here without your table reservation,” he stated, sounding rehearsed.

  I glanced worriedly over at an older couple as they made their way from their vehicle up the walk into the house. He was, of course, in a tailored suit. She, however, was in a matronly jacket and skirt. I felt a moment of panic as I glanced down at my dress. Then I realized, a matronly jacket and skirt is what a seventy-five-year-old woman would wear to any occasion.

  The parking attendant was still waiting.

  “I don’t think I need one. I’m the Senator’s wife,” I said, a bit more confidence in my voice.

  “Oh, Mrs. Covington, I’m sorry. Of course, go right in,” he said, embarrassed, his glance going once again to my little SUV. He probably thought I would have arrived in a limo, or at least with Liam. I smirked, the awkwardness was on him, not me.

  I paused on the front portico, several guests stood in the doorway waiting to move inside. I could see Texanne’s full mane of blonde hair inside the door, and assumed they’d formed a sort of receiving line. I was twenty minutes early, but many of the guests had already arrived.

  “Excuse me, there’s my wife,” I heard Liam’s voice through the crowd. He brushed past a couple of men in business suits. As they turned, I noted
a surprised look in their eyes. Liam’s own eyes widened as he glanced down at my dress.

  “Um, hey, Kelly. Come in and join us in the receiving line,” he said. I caught a note of hesitation in his posture. He recovered, however, and waived me through, placing his arm around my waist as I joined him by his side. “I want you all to meet my beautiful wife, Kelly Covington.”

  The house was already full. I could see bodies through the main hallway and into a large great room. I guessed maybe one hundred people were already here. I was puzzled, for I thought I was still early.

  And then I caught Ellen’s horrified look.

  She stood across the room with Chelsea. Ellen was dressed in a deep blue silk suit and crisp, white blouse and pumps, Chelsea in a form-fitting sleeveless tan dress and sling-backs. Every woman in the room was dressed the same, in a Jackie-O sort of way. I looked like I’d shown up to a debate tournament in a prom dress. I braved a glance at Texanne, who’d been standing on Liam’s right in the receiving line. She arched an eyebrow, not bothering to hide the smirk tugging at her mouth. Score one for Texanne. And of course, she looked beautiful in a pale grey silk suit. I noticed it almost matched Liam’s. I wanted to cry, my fight or flight instinct kicking in. This was my worst nightmare come true. Poor Liam. I could tell he was embarrassed at my display in the revealing dress. He was probably thinking he’d have to add one more thing to his list on days we had major functions--check my wife’s wardrobe. My mind ran over my options. How could I play this?

  My sinuses burned when the tears threatened to pool in my eyes. The old Kelly fought the urge to slink away. As a new senator’s wife, I had to salvage this fiasco. I closed my eyes, taking a deep cleansing breath. I wasn’t the old Kelly anymore.

  In a moment of clarity, I squared my shoulders, pulled myself together as I winked at Liam’s mother, and announced in my bravest girlfriend voice, “Just wanted to make sure someone noticed me in this ocean of beautiful women. The way the paparazzi hounds me, Sassy-Frass in downtown Austin will sell out of this baby in two hours tomorrow morning,” I said in my best Texas drawl. Chelsea smothered a laugh, and several of the men in the room chuckled openly. I gazed to my left where I could see a library beyond. Tex, Liam’s grandfather, stood tall in the doorway, his hawkish gaze on me. He raised his glass to me and mouthed, “Breeding,” and then turned to join his cronies.

  Liam squeezed my waist, sensing immediately I was embarrassed and trying to cover. It did little to calm me. I was dying inside and I couldn’t wait to get out of the dinner, and the evening had just begun. He continued to greet people coming through the line. I was unnerved, barely focusing on who was introduced to me. I made the appropriate comments when asked a question. It wasn’t too difficult—most people only wanted to congratulate me on our wedding or ask about the honeymoon. A few others asked more intimate questions, having heard about my sister’s murder and our adoption of my nephew. Most women seemed genuine, a few only looking for gossip.

  After thirty minutes or so, Chelsea pressed a glass of sparkling water into my hand, and led me into the great room away from Liam.

  “I’m guessing here, but did Texanne have something to do with you being late?” She smiled as people walked by us, making their way to the patio at the back of the house.

  “I’m late? Texanne called this morning, and said for me to be here about six-thirty. When I pulled in the drive, it was six-thirty-five.”

  “She called Ellen this morning, and told us to be here at six, that she had some VIP contributors coming, and she’d planned a cocktail meet and greet especially for those twenty or so, with everyone else to follow at seven o’clock. We got here before Liam, but he was here around six…about the same time as the large donors. She’s had herself at his elbow the whole time. Some of them even mistook her for you, I think,” she hissed, apparently upset. “She didn’t tell you, did she?”

  “Of course not. She forgot to mention those plans, though she certainly went out of her way to advise me to be ‘red carpet ready’ when I asked her what I should wear,” I replied unhappily.

  “I knew it! That bitch,” she swore under her breath. “I’m sorry. I should have been touching base with you before this thing. These people can be ruthless.”

  “Don’t worry, Chels. Who knew I’d be naïve about attire? I should have known better. She took advantage of the fact I was eager to make a good impression and please Liam, and I played right in to her hands.”

  Ellen approached us, concern evident in her eyes. “Kelly, are you okay?”

  She knew my entrance had been humiliating.

  I put a brave smile on. “I’m fine.”

  “She’ll be better when I pull Texanne bald-headed later. I fought once or twice on the basketball court in high school, you know,” Chelsea said, her eyes sparkling. “Girls fight dirty. I think we could take her.”

  “Girls, please! I think your pregnancy hormones have you both on the crazy-train. And what did Texanne do?”

  “Momma Ellen, let’s just say Kelly’s late entrance and wardrobe tonight were all courtesy of the conniving Miss Estes, and leave it at that? I think she enjoys playing senator’s wife.”

  Ellen’s eyes narrowed, gazing at Texanne across the room. She was stationed once again on Liam’s right, her hand resting on his lapel as she spoke to Liam and Sean.

  “Well, we’ll see about that. Cute save, by the way. You are a spitfire, daughter-in-law of mine,” Ellen said. “Come,” she commanded, taking my hand and motioning Chelsea to follow her. We hurried to a powder room off the great room. She ushered us both in and shut the door.

  “Now, let’s see,” she said, taking in the long formal gown. She reached down and lifted the bottom layer. Taking it firmly in both hands, she tugged the seam apart and proceeded to rip the entire layer from the dress, leaving only the top layer which brushed above my knees. After a quick toss of the sheer fabric into the trash can, she turned back to her stunned set of daughters-in law. Next, she swung her jacket from her shoulders and placed it over mine, covering my bare back. Then she removed the belt from Chelsea’s suit and belted her jacket around me, buttoning the buttons to cover the sequins on the bodice of my dress. She motioned with her finger for me to turn. I took in my reflection in the mirror. “There. Now, let’s go eat some political pork,” she said, squaring her shoulders as though she dealt with wardrobe malfunctions every day. Chelsea and I exchanged disbelieving glances. I sighed, falling in love with my new mother-in-law a bit more deeply as we both followed her.

  I felt a bit better at dinner with my more tailored appearance and Liam beside me. He was charming, engaging the wives of some of the older friends of Tex and his father. Most women at our table were much more interested in my work promoting Austin music and local artists, and that left Liam to discuss border issues with the men. My friend from the gala I’d planned for our company, Mrs. Leighton, was at the next table, and sang my praises to the other women. By the time the caramelized bread pudding with bourbon sauce was served, I was feeling better about the evening.

  As the last round of wine and drinks was passed around by the waiters, I drifted out to the edge of the patio to watch the fountains and fire pits around the pool. The ranch was beautiful, although I didn’t see a horse or a longhorn in sight. I figured the Estes Ranch was just a place for the Texas real-estate giant to show-off his own piece of “God’s Country.” As my grandfather would have said, “Estes is all hat and no cattle.”

  “Hey, little lady,” a voice called out in the dark behind me.

  “Sean! It’s good to see you,” I gushed. I was relieved to see a friendly face. “I’m glad you could make it. And I heard you did ask a date, but unfortunately for her, she couldn’t make it.”

  He pulled me in for a quick hug. “This was a great excuse to see Tana again,” he shrugged. “But it didn’t work out as I’d hoped.”

  “Don’t give up on her. She did want to see you again,” I said, winking at him.

  His eye
brow rose, a smile pulling at his lips. “Here’s hoping. Was glad the team is playing at home Sunday so I could be here. I wouldn’t miss it, Liam’s first big night. Never pictured myself at anything like this, you know? But I’d do it every day and twice on Sunday, for Liam.”

  I leaned back and considered him. “Hmm. Yeah, me too. Although, I think I’d better be a bit less eager next time,” I joked, as I looked down at my dress.

  He chuckled and squeezed my shoulders. “I think it fits, you’re Liam’s hellcat. Don’t sweat it, Kel. You’re much more fun to look at than those stuffed dresses. And I do mean stuffed,” he leaned down and whispered in my ear, as the lieutenant-governor’s wife walked by on the patio. She did sort of resemble a stuffed sausage in her suit, with two fat Vienna sausages sticking beneath for legs. “They’re just jealous they can’t pull that off,” he said, motioning to my dress with his glass.

  “Yeah. That’s it, jealousy.”

  “Hey, I’ve got to head out. Liam’s tied up with his grandfather and I’m not going to bother him. Just tell him I’ll see him next week?”

  “Sure thing. Thanks again,” I said, hugging him. I was sad to see him go. Not feeling comfortable on my own, I figured I’d better go find Chelsea and Liam’s mother. I snorted out loud at the silly thought. What else could I do to embarrass myself without their supervision?

  I hurried through the patio doors to the sunroom and around to the dining room to retrieve my purse. As I checked for my cell phone, I caught Texanne’s voice through a doorway.

  “…made a fashion fool of herself tonight. Did you see her dress? Poor Liam! He apologized for her tardiness before she got here. I know he felt he had to apologize again for the way she looks!”

  “I can’t wait to see what she’ll show up in at the next dinner at the Governor’s Mansion, if they are even invited. If the Governor’s wife sees any pictures of her from tonight’s disaster, that invitation will surely get lost in the mail,” another female voice trilled.