For the Love of Sin(26)

Troy came toward her wearing a concerned expression on his face. “I lost you. Sin, I know you think this is none of my business, but you don’t look so good and—”

Someone let out a loud whistle. “Everybody listen up. Rex has got something to say.”

Senada tensed. She felt a little shaky, and she hated herself for having such an emotional reaction.

“I’d like to make an announcement. The reason I’m having this little shindig is to celebrate the fact that there’s going to be another Calhoun around here soon.” He looked down at his wife. “Sheree’s going to have a baby.” He looked over the crowd with a broad cocky grin.

“And we have reason to believe we’ll be having a—” His gaze finally met Senada’s, and he stumbled.

Senada took a gulp of water and wished with all her heart that it was Scotch.

“Having a what?” one of the hands prodded.

His wife laughed and shook her head. “First time I’ve seen Rex Calhoun speechless. Well, make that the second time. It looks like we’ll be having a son.”

Ah, a son, Senada thought bitterly. A son with none of her mother’s errant genes. She lifted her cup as if to toast him, nodded, then turned away. “Time to go,” she said to Troy. She dumped her plate in a trash can.

“Whoa,” he said, reaching for her arm. “Things have just gotten started. Are you sure you want to go?”

“Absolutely positive.” She shot a quick glance over her shoulder. Her father was being waylaid by many well-wishers, and that suited her just fine. She looked at Troy. “If you want to stay, I’ll see if I can find a ride with someone else.”

He looked exasperated. “I didn’t say that. I just thought—”

She held up her hands. “I really don’t have a problem with it.” She would walk if she had to!

Troy took her other hand in his and brought her up close. “Shut up for just a minute,” he said in a low voice. “Don’t you want to see your father?”

Tears sprang to her eyes. She squinted to keep them at bay. “I have seen him. I want to go.

Now.”

He took a deep breath. “You went to an awful lot of trouble to be here tonight.”

“I’m ready to go.” She worked hard to keep her voice level.

He nodded. “Okay.”

Weak with relief, Senada could have kissed him for agreeing without any more questions. It took just a few minutes to walk to the car, but during that brief time, Senada felt more shaky, more nervous.

Troy opened the car door, and she just stared at it.

He looked at her. “Something wrong?”

She put her hand to her head. “I don’t know.” Her doctor had told her something about these symptoms. Her dietician had warned her.

“Senada!”

She heard her father call her name and wished she could teleport herself to anywhere else.

“Senada.” He was out of breath when he reached her. His face was etched in shades of pain and hope. He shook his head. “Missy, it’s been years.”

She started to feel disoriented and swore. With her last remnant of sense, she reached in her purse and squirted the glucose in her mouth. “I need to sit down, Troy,” she murmured, feeling his strong arms support her almost before she got the words out. “Insulin reaction.”

The next few minutes were a blur. When her disorientation began to fade, her surroundings came into focus. Senada looked at the burgundy brocade sofa where she was reclining and wondered how she’d gotten there. She heard voices all around her, but couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. “Could I have some water, please?”

She glanced up and her gaze meshed with Troy’s. His violet eyes were concerned but steady. The steadiness calmed her.

He took her hand in his. “How you feelin’?”

“Better.” She nodded. “Thirsty.”

“We need some water in here,” Troy said, over the other voices.

“Should we get her to the hospital?” she heard her father ask.

Senada shook her head and winced. Her dietician had warned her she could end up with a killer headache if she had an insulin reaction. “I’m okay. I just need to eat something soon. That’s what got me into this mess to start with,” she said darkly. She’d been too nervous to eat as much as she should have.

One of the domestic staff brought her water.

Senada thanked the woman and quickly drank it. She swung her feet off the sofa and sat up. Still shaky, but much better. “I think I’d like to go home now.”

The voices went silent.

“Go home?” her father repeated, stepping in front of her. “What do you mean go home? For the first time in seven years, you are home.”