Southern Nights by Amie Louellen

Author:Amie Louellen [Louellen, Amie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: F+W Media
Published: 2015-01-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Malcolm was on the phone when he heard the door to his office open and then shut. He looked up to find Eric Cameron waiting patiently just inside. It was Wednesday, one of Barbara’s days off, so Malcolm merely nodded in greeting. Motioning for his visitor to find a seat, he mouthed that he’d be with him in a moment.

“I’m sorry,” he said, after replacing the receiver. He stood to shake the man’s hand. “I’m a one man office staff today. What brings you in, Eric?”

Cameron shifted from one dirt-crusted work boot to the other. He stared at the floor for a full minute before gathering the guts to raise his gaze. “I just wanted to say I was sorry for decking you at the bar. I’d had a really bad day and—”

Malcolm raised his hand. “Don’t give it a second thought.” After all, hadn’t he gotten a sexy scar out of the deal?

“I really appreciate that. It’s mighty kind of you.” He shifted again. “Darla and I are trying to work things out. We’re going to Jackson to see a marriage counselor two days a week starting tomorrow. They say he’s real good.” The big man shrugged.

Malcolm nodded encouragingly. “I think that’s a fine idea.”

Cameron gave a stiff nod. “If you see that Yankee reporter again, will you tell her I’m sorry for everything?”

Like that was going to happen. It stuck in Malcolm’s craw. They’d given themselves a night, and then basically a weekend. So why couldn’t he get her out of his head? Why couldn’t he wash the scent of her from his sheets? Why couldn’t he forget her as easily as she dismissed him?

“I will,” he managed to croak.

“And thanks for sending over that memo. I wasn’t really mad at you that night. I was drunk and mad at the world.”

Malcolm came around the desk and walked Eric toward the door. “Don’t worry, my friend. That bill is going to hit the floor again without the rider and—” He stopped. He wouldn’t be there to see it through because in less than a month he would resign his seat in Nashville and throw his hat in the ring for the US Senate seat opening next year.

He felt strangely sad about not being there when the construction bill went through. He’d been in on so many great laws passed. He’d pushed for tougher drug laws and helped raise teacher pay. He loved Tennessee and although he’d known one day his place would be in D.C., he didn’t want to leave.

You can’t be president and live in Jefferson County.

He dragged his attention back to Eric.

“Darla and I want to have you out for supper sometime soon to show you our thanks.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“We think it is.”

Malcolm smiled. “Then I’d be honored.”

He opened the door to his office and held it for Cameron. The other man smiled as he stepped out into the warm August sunshine. He took two steps away then turned back to Malcolm.

“Hey, Daniels.”

Malcolm looked up.

“War Eagle,” he said, saluting Malcolm with the battle cry of his beloved Auburn University.

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