Sweet Promise Read Online Free PDF Page B

should know you."
    "No, I don't think we've met," Joanna replied quickly. She looked at Sean and held her breath, expecting him to give her away, but he merely narrowed his eyes and watched her.
    Turning back to the elderly woman, Joanna deftly steered the conversation onto safer ground. Within minutes she was sitting back with a smile listening to Mary explain that her husband, Charles, had just retired and that their children and grandchildren had pitched in to send them on the cruise.
    Somewhere in her sixties, Mary Wright was a charming, utterly feminine little woman, slightly plump, with a cap of silver curls and faded blue eyes that still twinkled flirtatiously. Her delicate, age-spotted hands fluttered like graceful birds when she talked, and her voice was a soft, liquid drawl that conjured up visions of magnolias and mint juleps. It came as no surprise at all when Mary announced that she and her husband were from Atlanta.
    Charles Wright was tall and distinguished looking, the epitome of the southern gentleman, and as quiet as Mary was outgoing. Joanna noted the fondness in his eyes whenever he looked at his wife, and she liked him instantly.
    Which just shows how much your values have shifted, Joanna thought wryly, the admission stirring within her a mixture of chagrin and satisfaction. Four years of observing the love and caring that was so much a part of her mother's marriage had made Joanna sensitive to the subtle undercurrents between men and women and altered her perceptions and priorities. Now she found herself assessing a man, not by wealth or family background, or the amount of power he wielded, but by his capacity for tenderness and commitment.
    The waiter returned with their food, and as they ate they gradually began to exchange background information.
    Gloria Osborne was a divorcee from Dallas who worked as a buyer for a department store, and Tony Farrell was a junior partner in a New York law firm. To Joanna's surprise, Susan and Bill Adamson, neither of whom looked old enough to vote, were celebrating their sixth anniversary. Instead of appearing happy, however, they both wore a rather harried look, and Joanna couldn't help but notice the way Susan kept glancing at her watch every few minutes. They lived in Minneapolis, where Bill worked as an insurance salesman and Susan, until six months ago when she quit to have their first child, had been an elementary school teacher.
    Sean was glibly evasive about his work, managing to give the impression that he was between jobs, which in a way was true, Joanna supposed, since he had recently resigned his post on the Vice President's staff.
    Joanna merely said that she lived in Washington, and silently prayed that no one would make the obvious connection. She wasn't sure whether or not Sean knew about her job with Senator Hartwell, but in case he didn't, she decided to keep quiet about it, at least for the moment.
    All during the meal Gloria flirted outrageously with Sean, and he responded with his usual devilish charm. He hardly paid any attention to Joanna, and by the time the meal was over she had begun to relax.
    When they had finished their after dinner coffee Gloria put her hand on Sean's arm and in a sultry voice, said, "Why don't we go dancing in the Zodiac Lounge? One of the crew told me that they have a fabulous band in there."
    Sean smiled regretfully and shook his head. "I'm sorry. Not tonight. There's something I need to discuss with Joanna."
    Joanna wasn't sure who was more surprised, herself or Gloria. The other woman's eyes widened for an instant in outrage, but she recovered quickly and her expression grew cool and rigid. "Of course. If that's what you want," she said in a clipped voice. "Perhaps, if I'm not too busy, I'll see you tomorrow."
    It was clearly a threat, but Sean chose to ignore it, giving Gloria a warm look and a wink as he rose to come around to Joanna's side of the table.
    His hand closed firmly around her upper arm, and urged her,