Free Blaze: A Texas Heat Novel by Octavia McKenzie Page B

Mr. Jessup Baldwin, esquire.”
    Penny twirled her silver ringlets. “If you need a shoulder to cry on, my number is 512-377-SASS.”
    “Really?” Susie Q glared at her twin, who was younger by fifty-two seconds.
    Penny May put her hand to her ear like a phone and said without sound, “Call me!”
    “In other news,” Susie Q said as she adjusted her stiff girdle. “Mayor Chambers got engaged last night to heiress Lea Saint James.”
    “Lucky gal, he’s a cutie patootie,” Penny May chimed in.
    “Right you are, Penny May, it’ll be the wedding of the year, bar none. Don’t forget the shindig for our girl, Nell Riley and war hero Arthur Hickman.”
    “Ooo can’t wait for that wedding sister,” Penny May said, “If there’s any vets in attendance, I’ll help you raise your flag pole if you know what I mean.”
    “Are you kidding me?” Susie Q asked.
    “If you have your own teeth and a large life insurance policy, I’m your girl.”
    Susie Q glared at her sibling. She looked back at the camera and flashed a smile. “This is Penny May and Susie Q and you’re up to date, happy sunrise!”

Chapter 12
    Dylan stood on the veranda staring out at nothing. His twenty year plan was right on track. With this political win, a committee flew in from Washington. They were vetting him for the governor race in two years. His campaign manager did a victory dance followed by a fist pump. Jordan began a war room strategy and new campaign staff hunt for the state race.
    Grandmother Menerva grunted her approval. According to her chart projections a Chambers would be president of the United States in twenty years or less. They would be a political dynasty. Menerva had Kennedy, Camelot, American royal family ambitions. The Chambers men had the Ivy League education, political savvy, vast wealth, power, influence and handsome looks to pull it off.
    Dylan knew the expectations were high, the pressure to deliver – tremendous, he couldn’t let his family down. Generations were depending on him, the family legacy at stake. He had to stick to the plan. And yet, his heart felt so heavy.
    Emerson…
    Visceral pain cut him to the bone. His twenty year plan felt bleak without her. He never meant to hurt her, didn’t know how to make it right. He certainly wasn’t proud of the way he treated her. Dylan sighed heavily.
    “That bad, huh?” Ava joined her son on the veranda. She pointed out the staff preparing for the wedding. White folded chairs were angled to face the ornate gazebo, decorated with flowers and ribbons. Staff put the finishing touches on a reception tent with Christmas lights.
    “So sweet of you to have a local wedding here,” Ava said.
    Dylan shrugged. “It’s the least I could do, Arthur Hickman stormed the beaches of Normandy in World War II, helped liberate concentration camps, not to mention all he does for the homeless. He deserves any help I can offer.”
    Ava stared at his stubborn profile. “Does she know you’re in love with her?”
    They weren’t talking about his fiancé. Dylan didn’t pretend to be ignorant of it. “No,” he said.
    Last night, it took every ounce of self-control not to lunge for Donavan’s throat when he touched Emerson. He couldn’t publically humiliate Lea by giving into the burning jealousy that tore his guts out.
    “Are you going to tell her?” Ava persisted.
    Dylan gave his mom a sideways glance.
    “This matters to you, why?”
    “Dyl, I want you to be happy. I want you to have a real marriage.”
    “Unlike you?” he regretted the question as soon as he said it. His mother blanched.
    “Mom, I’m sorry.” He reached for her.
    She shrank away from his touch, wounded. “It doesn’t matter anymore,” she whispered.
    Dylan mentally kicked himself for being so insensitive. Way to go Chambers! “Forgive me, please.”
    Ava smiled faintly. “I’m okay.” Clearly she wasn’t. Ava rolled out of bed looking like Malibu Barbie. Dylan noticed, she hardly wore make up,