What a Woman Wants by Brenda Jackson Read Free Book Online Page A

Wainwright could read his mind. It wouldn’t surprise him if he could, since they had always been so close. The retired senator was one of those men who’d always made time for his family, no matter what political aspirations he had. Family had always come first, and Zach knew it always would.
    Zach crossed the room and gently took his mother’s hand in his. “I’m fine, Mom. I just wanted to talk to you and Dad about something that’s important to me.”
    Leigh nodded before glancing over her shoulder at her husband, and Zach could tell from her expression that she was wondering if he were already privy to what this was about. Guessing exactly that, Noah chuckled and said, “No, sweetheart, I don’t know why our son called this meeting, but I’m sure he won’t be keeping us in the dark for long. Let’s go ahead and sit down.”
    Zach’s parents perched on the sofa in the Wainwrights’ study. It occurred to him that on that same sofa, over a year ago, he had ended his father and Randolph Fuller’s search for Adrianna Fuller. She had sat there beside Zach while he held her hand, giving her the courage and confidence she needed to confront the family she assumed had turned their backs on her for thirty-four years. That night lies had been exposed, understandings forged, miscommunications cleared up, and, in the end, all the love Noah Wainwright had felt for his deceased best friend—and all the love and admiration Randolph Fuller had felt for his deceased brother, Ross Donovan Fuller—was alive, cultivated anew in Ross’s daughter, Adrianna, whom everyone called Anna.
    “Zach?”
    The sound of his mother’s voice brought his thoughts back to the present. Again he heard that apprehension. She was anxious to hear what he had to say. “I’m sure you saw the article in the papers this morning,” he started off.
    His father nodded automatically. “The one that claimed you’ll be making an announcement soon as to whether or not you plan to ever run for public office?”
    “Yes, that’s the one.” For the past couple of years the media had speculated on the possibility. As far as they were concerned, he was following in his father’s footstep and a stint in the political arena was inevitable. But Zach hadn’t made any commitments, and at first he had laughed off the media’s inquiries as ludicrous. But now ...
    “And what about it, Zach?” his mother asked, bringing his attention back to her. She had to be the strongest and the most genuine woman he knew, even in a town where most people constantly performed, as if they were on a stage.
    “I’ve made a decision.”
    His father lifted a brow. “And?”
    “And I’ve decided to throw my hat into the ring next year and run for senator, but only on one very important condition.”
    His father offered him a smile while his mother’s expression gave nothing away. He knew it had been their shared dream that he would one day go into public office, but they had never tried to coerce him in any way, preferring to let it be his decision. “And what condition is that?” his father asked, meeting his gaze.
    Zach took a deep breath. He didn’t think his statement would come as a surprise to his parents, since they knew him so well, but...
    “Yes, what is this condition, Zach?” his mother chimed in, repeating his father’s question.
    He was watching his parents’ reactions when he said, “Anna. My decision to run for office will depend on how Anna feels about it.”
    His parents contemplated what he’d just said. But he knew them. They would want him to be more specific, and he would be. “Why are Anna’s feelings about your decision important, Zach?” his father finally asked.
    Zach wasn’t surprised by the question. He had expected it. They were forcing him to admit something that he’d been harboring in his heart long enough, but seeing her a few months ago had really brought it home. At the little party her grandmother, Julia Fuller, had given