A Compromising Affair

In those few minutes, Scott realized that of the Harrington brothers, Drake was his favorite. The man gave the appearance of being a corporate executive, but he was a down-to-earth guy who had his priorities in order, and he had a great sense of humor.

“How long have you and Pamela been married?”

“Close to two wonderful years. Smartest thing I ever did. Marriage is good. Try it,” he said with a grin.

“You’ll like it.”

“I hope so. I don’t have anyone in mind, but after two years in Vilnius without a companion, my antenna is up.”

Drake seemed to contemplate the statement. “I can’t imagine that that was easy. There must have been plenty of times you were lonely or just needed someone to talk to, and didn’t have anyone with whom to share your problems. It had to be troubling.”

“You nailed it on the head, Drake. In spite of all the people around to do whatever I said or asked, it was a lonely life.”

“You two seem to be hitting it off,” Heather said, as she approached them. “I brought you some lemonade. If you want anything stronger, it’s over there in that large wooden tub.”

“Thanks,” Scott said. “Where’d you get that wooden tub?”

“My dad got it from his grandmother,” said Heather.

“You must have made quite an impression on Denise. She’s asking questions about you.”

Scott sipped his lemonade. “Really? Tell her I’m perfect,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant. He couldn’t understand Drake’s sudden fit of laughter.

“I wonder if I was that scared of getting what I wanted,” Drake said, amused by Scott’s expression.

“As I look back, I realize how lucky I really was that Pamela ignored my foolishness.” He looked at Scott. “I met Adelle Smith and she isn’t in Denise Miller’s league by a long shot.”

“I get your message loud and clear,” added Scott.

Telford and Russ arrived along with their families.

“Excuse me,” Scott said to Drake and Heather when he saw Tara.

“You’ve gotten taller in the eighteen months since I last saw you,” Scott said to Tara with a wide smile. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, Mr. Galloway. I’m going to finish the school year with straight As.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. You’re as smart as you are pretty.” He looked at Telford, Tara’s stepfather, whose pride in his daughter shone in his eyes. “Tara is the most compelling advertisement for marriage that I can think of.”

“Thank you,” Telford said. “She’s always a delight.”

“What do they mean, Mummy?”

“Mr. Scott was congratulating your daddy on raising you properly.”

“Oh. I thought he said I was lovely.”

Scott suppressed a laugh. Tara was only nine years old, but already she was mature beyond her years.

The four of them walked around to the patio, where the barbecue grill, food and drinks were set up.

“It’s about time you got here,” Judson said. “Pamela and I want to eat. We’ve got pulled pork, barbecue chicken and baby back ribs, grilled new potatoes, zucchini, onions, asparagus and a green salad. Beer, wine and chilled vodka are over there.” He pointed to a shaded area. “Everybody for themselves.”

“Don’t we have to say grace, Uncle Judson?” Tara asked.

“Yes, we do,” Russ said. “I’ll say it. By the time you finish it, we’ll be ready to eat Christmas dinner.”

Tara giggled. “Mr. Scott, my uncle Russ doesn’t like the way I say grace. It really freaks him out.”

Scott noticed that Denise remained on the fringe of the group. He got two empty plates, forks and napkins, and went over to her and handed her one of each.

“I’m hungry, and I haven’t had any good barbecue in a couple of years. Will you join me?”

“Thanks. I was just waiting for everyone to start. Why has it been two years?”

“I’ve been in Vilnius, Lithuania. I only returned for Judson and Heather’s wedding, but I was in the States less than seventy-two hours. I was Judson’s best man.”

Denise appeared reflective for a moment. “So you’re close friends,” she said.

“Very much so, since I was five years old. He’s closer to me than my real brothers.”

“Really?”

“We went from kindergarten through college and law school together.” He took a pair of tongs and put some pulled pork on her plate. “Want some chicken or ribs?”

“Ribs. I love ribs, though I have to use yards of dental floss after I eat them. Where do you live, Scott?”

“Right now, I’m staying at the Willard in Washington. But my belongings should arrive from Vilnius next week. Then, I’ll either move into my condo in Baltimore or sell it and move to Washington, where I work.”

She accepted the plate of pulled pork, ribs and vegetables. “Thank you. I imagine you must have mixed feelings about moving.”

“Of course. I’ll hate not being close to my grandmother. She’s getting older.”

“Do you have family other than your brothers and your grandmother?”

“There’s my father. My grandmother helped him raise us after our mother died in a car crash almost twenty years ago. She’s very dear to me. Where do you live, Denise?” Scott said, deciding that it was time to move the focus to her.

“I have a house in Frederick and an apartment in Washington, and I divide my time between the two places.”

He could see that she was deftly avoiding any details, at least about herself, so he decided to be more direct. “I work for the State Department, Denise. What do you do?”

“I know you’re an ambassador, Scott. I’m a—a fundraiser.” Her brow creased in a frown. “You don’t remember me, do you?”

“Actually, I do. I believe I met you at a party, but I’m having trouble remembering which one.”

She lowered her gaze. “Don’t you remember seeing me at the party Judson gave for you when you were leaving for Lithuania? We weren’t introduced, but that’s where we met.”

He hoped that his eagerness and excitement in preparing for his diplomatic assignment explained what must have been a testosterone malfunction. “That send-off and having everyone address me as ‘Mr. Ambassador’ nearly overwhelmed me. Something about that party seems to nag at me, though.” He shrugged his shoulder. “My preference is for the simple life. So Denise, do you work in Washington?” he said, quickly changing the subject.