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listen.”
    Melanie’s right brow rose for an instant. “I’m sure we could find someone special for your son.”
    â€œGood. I’m counting on it. I want Rafe to step into my shoes one day and I want him to have a good woman at his side—someone strong enough to stand up against some of his foolishness.”
    She drew in a breath, reached in her purse and handed him her card. “If he’s willing and when he’s ready, have him call me.”
    The senator took the card and tucked it into his jacket pocket. “It will be sooner than you think.”
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    Melanie moved around the room, chatting with many of the familiar faces and catching up on the political gossip. Throughout the evening she caught glimpses of Claude and each time her insides quaked. It was clear that he was a man completely comfortable in who he was and how he’d gotten there. She noticedthe way he held his muscular body, never lording his height over people but rather inviting them into his space. He focused on people when they talked as if they were the only person in the world that mattered. He was intelligent, witty, a great dancer and well-connected. Yes, on the surface, Claude Montgomery was a man that any woman would desire. Not to mention that his sex appeal was off the charts.
    Then there was Raford Lawson. There was no doubt that Rafe could charm a blind woman out of her panties. He was breathtakingly gorgeous from the natural waves of his ink black hair, the honey brown of his eyes, his dark sweeping brows down to his imported Italian shoes. He was wealthy, spoiled and brought up to believe that he could have whatever he wanted. He was like an unbridled Arabian stallion: magnificent and wild, never harnessed and never ridden. His father was right. It would take a special woman to rein in Rafe Lawson. Inwardly, she smiled. The Platinum Society would certainly have their work cut out for them.
    As the family was preparing to leave, Raford stopped Melanie at the door. He took a sip of his bourbon. “My father insists that you can find me the perfect woman.” He extracted the card his father had given him from his pocket and held it between his two fingers.
    â€œIt’s what we do.” A glint lit her eyes.
    The corner of his exquisite mouth curved upward. “You’re on Ms. Harte. Expect my call.” He winked and walked away.
    â€œWhat was that about?” Veronica asked, draping her wrap across her shoulders.
    Melanie turned to her niece. “It seems that we may have two new clients instead of one.”
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    â€œWhat do you think about Claude?” Alan asked as they headed back to Sag Harbor, cocooned in the luxury of a stretch limousine. Everyone chimed in except Melanie. Sensing she was being scrutinized, she glanced up and focused. “What?”
    â€œYou were definitely someplace else,” Alan teased.
    â€œI was asking what you thought of Claude.”
    That’s exactly who she was thinking of when she’d zoned out of the conversation. “I’m sure we can find someone for him. On the surface he totally fits our criteria. Of course we’ll know much better after Veronica works up his profile.”
    â€œAnd Senator Lawson wants us to find someone for his son,” Veronica added.
    â€œRafe?” Alan asked, clearly surprised.
    Melanie nodded her head. “That’s what he told me.”
    â€œAnd Rafe agreed?”
    â€œHe told me in no uncertain terms that I wouldbe hearing from him,” Melanie said. “It was almost a challenge.”
    Alan chuckled and leaned back against the plush leather seats. “Trust me, it will be.”
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    â€œRafe, are you ready to leave? I’m tired.”
    Rafe turned his gaze away from the entourage as they said their good-nights. He focused on the lovely woman in front of him. For a moment he couldn’t recall her name. It didn’t matter really. They all loved being