Surrender by Brenda Jackson Read Free Book Online Page B

good.” Rainey looked pointedly at Netherland. “Everyone wants to know when he’s coming back.”
    Netherland picked up the papers she’d been reading and tossed them in the tray on her desk. She hated admitting it but she had missed seeing Ashton underfoot for the past two nights. “And how would I know?”
    Rainey smiled sweetly. “After Tuesday night, I’d think you’d know everything about him. The two of you stayed in your office close to an hour.”
    Netherland frowned. She didn’t need Rainey reminding her of that. “So? That doesn’t make me privy to all his business.”
    “Considering you’re the woman he plans to marry, I’d think that—”
    “He is not marrying me, Rainey. Regardless of how long we stayed locked in my office, nothing has changed. My position is still the same. We’re not involved.”
    “Yeah, if you say so. And I guess there was a pretty good reason why your lips were all swollen the other night. Looked to me like someone had done a job on them. A very delicious job.”
    As she scowled furiously at Rainey, a logical voice in Netherland’s head told her to quickly change the subject. So she did. “How’s Jada working out?”
    The glimmer of amusement in Rainey’s eyes indicated she’d caught on to Netherland’s ploy and decided to go along with it…for now. “Jada’s working out fine, and pretty much keeps to herself. She seems to be a real nice person who looks more like she’s eighteen than twenty-three. She’s too young to have had so much sadness in her life, and she continues to look sad.”
    Netherland nodded, agreeing. Jada Roberts was going out of her way to be a good employee but on several occasions Netherland had noted the sadness in the young woman’s eyes.
    At that moment the phone rang, and Netherland picked it up. “Sisters.” She smiled at the voice on the other end. “Yes, Syneda, I do cater occasionally.”
    Netherland nodded. “Yes, this is short notice but I think I can handle it. What time did you have in mind?”
    Netherland gave another nod. “All right. I can drop the food off on my way home.” She smiled. “That’s fine, don’t mention it. I’ll see you in a little while.”
     
    “Oh, Nettie, you’re a lifesaver,” Syneda exclaimed as she opened the door and took a couple of the boxes from Netherland’s hands. “There’s no way I could have prepared this much food after a late day in court. I don’t know what possessed me to volunteer to be the hostess for tonight’s poker game.”
    “Don’t mention it,” Netherland replied, smiling as she followed Syneda, carrying the food Sisters had prepared. “I hope I didn’t bring too much.”
    Syneda grinned. “Too much food for a bunch of hungry, gambling men? Is there such a thing?”
    Netherland chuckled. “No, I guess not.” When they reached the kitchen she was surprised to find a group of women assembled around the table.
    “You know everyone, don’t you, Nettie?” Syneda asked as she took the rest of the boxes out of Netherland’s hands.
    “Yes.” Netherland had met all of them at a bridal shower given for Syneda at Sisters last year. There was Trevor’s very pregnant wife, Corinthians; Dex’s wife, Caitlin; Justin’s wife, Lorren; the Madarisbrothers’ two sisters, Kattie and Traci; and the Madaris’s cousin, Felicia. “Hi, everyone.”
    “Hi, Nettie,” they said returning the greeting in unison.
    “We’re glad you were able to deliver. For a minute we thought Syneda was going to have to cook for us,” Felicia Madaris Maxwell said, grinning. “I have too much to do tomorrow to be out sick.”
    “Okay, knock it off,” Syneda said, trying to hide her smile behind a frown. “A good attorney I am, but a good cook I’m not. Clayton didn’t marry me for my cooking skills.”
    Felicia chuckled. “Not for one minute did any of us think that’s what he married you for.”
    Syneda tried glaring but was unable to keep a straight face when she said, “And