Camilla had stopped by earlier to check on things. “Looks like everything is going well.” She had circled her arm through Savannah’s as Savannah led her through the house.
“It is,” Savannah stated. “The caterer you suggested is phenomenal, and the party planner has been helping set the stage for the dinner.”
Camilla smiled. “Excellent. And your dress for the evening?” She’d suggested a local designer for Savannah, someone who could help outfit her with a number that would not only befit the occasion but complement her figure and give Savannah her own style.
“He’s a magician,” Savannah said with a smile. “After sending my measurements, he arrived yesterday with a bucketload of dresses, and I actually chose several—one for tonight and several others for other events I might need to attend.”
“Excellent.” Camilla patted her arm. “And my son? Where is the man of the hour?”
“He’s busy at campaign headquarters.”
Camilla must have detected the strain in her voice because she stopped walking and turned Savannah to face her. “Is everything all right, my dear, between you and Caden?”
“Everything’s fine.”
Camilla’s eyebrows arched in disapproval. “Fine is not a good answer. Have you had a falling out?”
“You could say that.”
“Ah.” Camilla chuckled. “Happens in marriage. You’ll get over it, but you mustn’t let it show tonight. Everyone will be watching you. Act as if you don’t have a care in the world.”
“I understand.”
“Good.” Camilla patted her hand. Savannah was surprised because it was an act of affection she hadn’t expected from Caden’s mother. “Well then, I’ll see you tonight.” She started for the door but then stopped. “Chin up.” She lifted hers in acknowledgment.
Savannah could only hope tonight would go without a hitch. Otherwise, all her efforts to be the best wife would be in vain.
Caden felt uneasy about tonight as he dressed for the evening and began tying his tie. First, he wasn’t used to having people in his home, his sanctuary, but this dinner was important to Savannah, so he’d agreed. That was before their relationship had hit a roadblock.
Since the argument about his leaving the baseball game, he and Savannah had barely spoken. Sure, they were civil with each other when they were around Liam, making polite conversation about their day, but in private, it was the cold war. They spoke to each other only if absolutely necessary. There were no shared laughs or jokes. And sex? Well, they might share a bed, but they hadn’t been intimate for a few weeks.
Caden understood he’d been to blame for Liam’s meltdown at the game. He knew he’d failed to deliver on a promise he’d made, and he was regretful for agreeing to meet Gerald Lewis, who agreed to endorse him. Consequently, Caden had seen a spike in his numbers. So while he might be climbing to new heights in the polls, his marriage was taking a nosedive.
Caden didn’t know how to stop it or whether he should. Since his and Savannah’s stalemate, his head had been clear to focus on the task at hand: become governor of Maryland. On the other hand, he missed the easy camaraderie he and Savannah had shared, having someone to come home to at night who genuinely cared about him and wanted what was best for him. It was a heady feeling, but it also scared him in its intensity.
In truth, Caden hadn’t felt this way, well, since West Point, when he’d taken one look at Savannah and fell head first into love with the feisty Afro-Latina. He wasn’t sure he could go back to being that naïve, giving young man who thought love conquered all because that man had been destroyed when he found the love he’d had with Savannah had been built on sand.
Just then, she appeared in the doorway of the master bath and all the air in his lungs left. Her chestnut and honey-blond hair had been styled into Marilyn Monroe waves and swept to one side. Her body was swathed in a sleek, green jersey silk dress with spaghetti straps. The front was demure with a sweetheart neckline, but when Savannah turned, her entire back was bare to her waist.
Caden swallowed. “Savannah?”
She arched a brow. “Do you need some assistance?” She glanced down at his tie, which somehow he hadn’t finished when he’d begun thinking about the state of their marriage.
“Uh … sure.”
She sauntered toward him and without looking at him began efficiently knotting the tie and sliding it up his neck. When she was finished, she glanced up at him and red-hot attraction arced between them. He saw it in her eyes because they had a tendency to change from hazel to green when she was turned on.
“I had better get downstairs,” she said with a rasp, stepping away from him. “Make sure everything is going according to plan.” Picking up her dress, she swiftly rushed out of the bathroom like her dress was on fire.
Hadn’t it been?
If she hadn’t moved away, he would have hauled her to him, hiked up her dress, and thrust himself home, ending the détente between them. He let her go because he just determined that later tonight he would make love to his wife.
What’s wrong with me?
She’d almost given in to temptation and kissed Caden, ending the miserable state she’d been in the last few weeks. But fortunately, she’d stopped and not thrown herself at him even though she suspected he might not have pushed her away. There had been an answering hunger in those midnight eyes of his, but Savannah refused to be the first one to break.
Caden was in the wrong. He’d broken a promise, and instead of rectifying the situation, he was acting like a petulant child. So she’d treated him as such, but tonight she would put their differences aside and join him in giving the best acting performance of their lives as the happy newlyweds.
When she arrived downstairs, she found that the planner had everything on track. Then the doorbell rang, signaling their first guests.
Savannah took a deep breath. She was prepared for this. She’d been coached by Camilla Mitchell, socialite extraordinaire. She could do this. Plastering a smile on her face, she headed to the foyer to greet her guests. Just as she did, she noticed Caden walking down the stairs.
Her husband made for a handsome figure in a dark bespoke suit tailored to fit his athletic physique. His smoldering dark eyes landed on hers for a second before he turned to greet Missy Summers and her husband, their first guests. Missy was on the board of Johns Hopkins and was a big mover and shaker in town.
“Missy, thank you so much for coming,” Caden said. “This is my wife, Savannah.”
Mrs. Summers leaned forward and blew air kisses at Savannah. “Thank you for the invite. Yours is one of the best we received for Saturday evening.”
“Well, I certainly hope you enjoy yourself,” Savannah said to the older blonde woman. She watched as the couple made their way to the living room, where a liveried waiter was serving canapés.
The next hour continued in much the same vein, with Savannah and Caden greeting their guests, who were influential CEOs and members of Baltimore commerce. Once everyone arrived, Caden gave a short speech, thanking them for attending. With Camilla’s help, Savannah arranged for evening entertainment in both the main living area and on the patio. A renowned pianist played softly in the background, giving the atmosphere a laidback feel. Since it was such a lovely evening, a guitarist who also happened to have an amazing voice sang outside on the patio.
“You’ve outdone yourself, Savannah,” Camilla said when she and her husband, Cal, approached her and Caden by the fireplace mantel in the living room. “The party is magnificent.”
They shared a knowing smile because Savannah couldn’t have done it without Camilla’s help. “Thank you. It really is an art putting together an event such as this.”
“I agree,” Caden’s grandfather Carter said as he joined their circle. “Hats off to you.”
Savannah wasn’t used to receiving compliments, especially from the p
atriarch in the family. She beamed with pride.
“And who did you bring with you, Cam?” Caden asked from her side. That’s when she noticed his brother standing nearby with a petite but gorgeous woman.
Cameron and his date moved toward them. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Monae Williams, my girlfriend.” From the way he looked at Monae, everyone could see that he was madly in love.
“Girlfriend?” Camilla’s interest was piqued.
“Yes, ma’am,” Monae said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.” She smiled at everyone in the circle.
“I’m glad to see you’re finally settling down, like Caden here,” Carter said. “I thought young rascals wanted to stay footloose and fancy free.”
Cameron laughed. “Not this rascal.” He wrapped his arm around Monae’s shoulder. “My partying days are over because Monae and I are in love.”
“That’s wonderful, son.” His father shook his free hand.
It was so fantastic to see young love, and it reminded Savannah of what she and Caden had once shared—what she’d hoped they might share in the future before she’d bungled it.
Just then, she noticed the party planner signaling her. “Excuse me for a moment.”
Stepping away from the group, she headed toward the planner and they spoke briefly about how well things were going. Minutes later, Savannah began looking for Caden, who had left his conversation with his brother and other family members. She found him and Jack whispering in the foyer. “What is she doing here?” She heard Caden’s shocked voice.
“I don’t know,” Jack said. “I’m sure Savannah wouldn’t have invited her.”
“Make her disappear.”
“And create a scene?” Jack said. “No can do. We’ll just have to deal with it.”
Savannah watched as a stunning young woman stepped in front of her. She had creamy tapioca skin with perfect makeup highlighting her cheekbones, long, straight black hair sleeked back to her shoulders, and a sequined black pantsuit with a deep V-neck and five-inch stilettos.
“Ah, you must be Savannah, Caden’s wife.” She extended a hand.
“Yes, I am.” Savannah accepted the proffered hand. “And I’m sorry, I’m at a loss. You are?”
“Natalee Pierce, a good friend of Caden’s.” Natalee turned to stare at Caden and Jack. “I assumed since my parents were invited to tonight’s soiree you wouldn’t mind another guest.”
Savannah knew exactly who she was. Her mind went back to the terrace when she’d heard this very woman sneer about her and say that she had trapped Caden into marriage. Why was she here? To cause trouble? But what could she do? If she made a scene, Savannah would make Natalee right about the notion that she wasn’t the right woman for Caden. So instead of saying what she wanted to say, she said, “Of course. Please come in.”
She watched as Caden and Jack reluctantly followed behind them, but from the look on Caden’s face, she could tell that she had made a critical error.
Caden fumed at Savannah’s side once they were in the living room. He watched Natalee walk over to her parents, who were as surprised to see her as he was. Why in the hell would Natalee show up here knowing Savannah is hosting? he thought. To start trouble. She was deliberately trying to get a rise out of him, but he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.
“Caden, you mind stepping outside for a walk with me?” his father asked.
“Not at all.” Caden joined in step with his father’s stride until they made it out onto the patio. There was only one other couple milling around, but his father still moved them into the farthest corner, where he assumed they wouldn’t be heard.
“What’s going on between you and Savannah?”
Caden glanced up at him. “Pardon?”
“There’s something wrong, isn’t there? The last time you, she, and Liam came to dinner, I saw progress between you all. You were coming together as a family, but tonight something is off. What gives?”
“It’s nothing.” Caden stared over at the guitarist who was playing one of his favorite songs. Is that Savannah’s doing?
“I’m your father. I know when something is bugging you. You can talk to me about it. Maybe I can help.”
“Can you help make three of me? Because I’ve been failing in juggling being a politician, a father, and a husband.”
His father threw back his head and laughed. “Is that it? Hell, every man faces struggling with work and home life. You’re not the first man to have encountered this.”
“Yeah, well, it feels like it,” Caden snorted. “Savannah is angry with me. Has been for a few weeks.”
“Yet she planned all of this.” His father swept his hand wide.
Caden stared at him. He hadn’t really given the party much thought up till now. He was so used to going to such events that he hadn’t considered the work Savannah must have put into this—yet another fatal flaw.
“Hey.” His father grabbed his shoulder. “I’m not telling you this to beat yourself up. I’m just letting you know that despite how upset she might be with you, your wife cares a great deal about you. She wouldn’t have agreed to allow your mother to help her otherwise.”
Caden frowned. “Mother? What are you talking about?”
Shock registered on his father’s face. “You didn’t know?”
“Know what?” Caden’s voice rose.
“Savannah has been coming to the house and spending time with your mother. She’s been helping her with tips on being a politician’s wife, planning the perfect party.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Savannah wants to please you, Caden. Do right by you. The least you can do is meet her halfway.”
Caden sighed. His father was right. Instead, he’d been on his soapbox waiting for Savannah to come to him. He didn’t hold the high moral ground on this. He had to go to her, make her see he’d been a fool and make things right between them once more.
“Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it.” He hugged his father. “Give me a minute, will you?” He wanted to clear his head before going back into the living room.
“Sure thing.”
Caden was thinking about the best approach when someone tapped his shoulder. He spun around to find Natalee on the patio.
“The man of the hour,” Natalee said.
“What are you doing here, Natalee?”
“I’m here to show my support, of course. I assume my invitation was lost in the mail?”
Caden frowned. “There wasn’t one, and you know it. Yet still you show up. Don’t you see? You’re embarrassing yourself.”
“And don’t you see,” Natalee said, coming closer toward him until she was inches away from his face, “that woman isn’t right for you. Everyone can see how cold and distant you are with each other. Yours is no love story.”
“You shouldn’t have come tonight.”
“And you need to wake up, Caden. You need to find a woman who can bring more to the table than a plucky attitude. I can handle any situation I’m in, and I’ve got contacts to help your career.”
Caden grabbed her arms and pushed her away. “I’m going to say this for the last time, Natalee, and I hope you hear me. You and I,” he said, pointing between them, “that’s never going to happen, and if you continue to show up to my campaign office and my home unannounced, I’m going to have to get a restraining order. Now get out!”
Natalee’s eyes turned dark with fury, and Caden watched her storm back inside. He needed a few minutes to compose himself, otherwise everyone in the room would see how upset he was and he didn’t want anything to ruin this night Savannah had obviously put so much of herself into. He would stay out here until he was calm.
From the other side of the French doors, Savannah watched and listened with horror to their encounter. Obviously, Natalee and Caden knew each other, possibly intimately as far as Savannah kn
ew. She’d watched the body language and how close the other woman had gotten to her husband.
It made Savannah’s stomach roil thinking of the two of them together. Was Natalee the reason Caden was pulling away from her? Had he realized he’d bet on the wrong horse?
Savannah wasn’t sure if she could walk into the dining room where all the other guests had gone now that dinner was ready. How could she go in there when she knew it was all a sham?
“Were you listening?” Natalee asked when she found Savannah on the other side of the door. “Then you know you don’t hold a candle to me.”
Savannah didn’t want to get into an altercation with the woman, so she started toward the foyer, but Natalee rushed toward her, stepping into her path. “You’re not good enough for him,” Natalee spat. “You know it, don’t you? But yet you go to all this trouble, because of what?”
“Leave me alone.” Savannah tried to block out her words, but Natalee didn’t back down.
“Omigod! You love him, don’t you? Well, guess what, sweetheart? He doesn’t love you, and everyone here saw it tonight. Your marriage is one of convenience to help him win the election. You’re nothing more than some Bronx ghetto trash Caden picked up when he was looking for a good time at West Point. But lucky for you, you got yourself knocked up, forever securing your place at the Mitchell table.”
“Shut your filthy mouth!”
“Why?” Natalee’s eyes grew wide with amusement. “What are you going to do? Kick my butt like they do in the Bronx? C’mon, Savannah, admit you have no place in this world and never will. No matter how many designer duds they put on you, all you will ever be is Caden’s baby mama.”
Savannah didn’t wait to hear another word. Instead, she rushed toward the door. She knew exactly where the keys to her car were in the garage, and she would use them to get the hell away from these toxic people.
Claimed by the Hero Page 20
