Tread Softly by Ann Cristy

the other apron, watching with intense
concentration while he tied it around his waist, then walked back to bring the
supplies to the two outdoor bars.
    Rafe had still
not put his on when he took a step that put him directly in front of her.
"You seem to go into these blue funks often, Cady. It isn't too flattering
for a man when he finds that his wife is preoccupied much of the time she's in
his company." Rafe smiled, but the bones of his face seemed to be pushing
through the flesh as he watched her.
    "Cady?
Cady, what are you dreaming about?" Rafe put one hand under her chin as
they stood beside the twin ovens of the outdoor cooker with the huge grills on
either side. "Were you thinking of your father?"
    Cady
smiled, neither confirming nor denying it, eyeing the first arrivals with a
measure of relief.
    "I
know you miss the professor and want to go home." Rafe leaned down, just
brushing his lips on hers. "When we talked to him on the phone on
Wednesday, I told him we would be coming home as soon as the Senate adjourns."
    Cady leaned back, her eyes widening. "We're not
staying for those socials your father has arranged?" She felt her breath
catch in her throat at the warm look in his eyes, then exhaled in an audible
sigh of relief.
    "No."
He grinned. "I feel we can do more good back in our state, campaigning. My
advisers tell me that we should hit the campaign trail early because the Harris
poll shows that my opponent, this man Salters, is gaining on me." He
stroked her jaw lightly. "Somehow I don't feel too worried. You did a very
good job for me, Mrs. Densmore, and the feedback from the state echoes that. I
don't know if I ever told you how much—"
    Before
he could finish, a sultry voice sent a shiver down Cady's spine. Before she
could turn she knew that Lee Terris, the woman Emmett had wanted Rafe to marry,
had arrived. Instead Lee had married the junior senator from Ohio just weeks
after Cady and Rafe's wedding. Now divorced, she had resumed her maiden name—and
predatory ways.
    "Well,
darling, are you going to ignore your guests?" Lee was ebony-haired and
tall. In black slacks and shirt, she looked like a very shapely piece of black
velvet from head to toe. Lee was a confident woman who had all the gloss that
finishing school and money could provide. She moved toward Rafe and took hold
of his arm, her long scarlet nails digging into his flesh as she reached up and
kissed him.
    Cady could feel her own fingernails digging into her palms.
But instead of walking away, as she had done in the past when Lee had accosted
Rafe similarly at other functions, she stood her ground, keeping her eyes on
the couple and fighting to keep a bland look on her face.
    When
Rafe lifted his head, he reached.out for Cady's hand. "I believe you know
my wife, Lee. Cady, you remember Lee Terris?"
    Cady
nodded neutrally. "Yes, we've met. How are you, Lee?" When the
divorcee made no response, continuing to grasp Rafe's arm proprietarily, Cady
added demurely, "Would you mind moving back from Rafe just a bit? Heavy
perfume makes him sneeze."
    "Really?"
Lee Terris gave Rafe a melting look. "He never used to mind my
scent."
    "Since
his illness, his tastes have become more discriminating." Cady gave the
other woman a wide smile, taking note of the angry intake of air. She turned to
look up at Rafe. "Shall we greet the others? Trock will make the
fires." She couldn't tell if there was a hint of amusement on Rafe's face
as he inclined his head at her and excused himself from Lee Terris.
    "I
do believe your mouse just roared, Rafe darling," Lee cooed at their backs.
"Perhaps she's planning on making her interim position in your office
permanent."
    Rafe urged her
forward, but Cady balked, loosening herself very gently from his grip.
"Ms. Terris, my husband is the senator from New York and that's how it is
going to stay. We will campaign hard and he will win again. If there are any
other questions you would like to ask me, please feel free." Cady