Triple Diamonds (Mystic Nights #2)(60)

He was surprised by the invitation since it seemed like the man had been heading somewhere, but he was glad for it. He always enjoyed his conversations with the Senator. “Sure,” Joseph answered enthusiastically. “The Rainmaker?” He suggested. “Eve is there and I’m sure she would love to say hello.”

The Senator’s smile was genuine. “Yes, of course. Just let me send a quick text to my aide, in case she’s looking for me.”

“Of course.” Joseph waited while the Senator sent a quick message on his iPhone. He saw the Senator smiling down when the phone pinged with a quick response. Joseph new that smile and wondered if the Senator and his pretty aide had more than just a working relationship. But he pushed that aside. Though the man deserved happiness, he knew the man was married though his wife had been in and out of institutions for over thirty years.

After Senator Silver slipped his phone into his pocket he gave Joseph his attention once more. “I’m all yours. Lead the way.”

When they arrived at The Rainmaker, Eve was conversing with the doorman heatedly. Probably giving him a talking to about not checking the IDs of their earlier guests more closely. But when she saw Joseph return with the Senator, she smiled broadly and left the doorman to greet them.

“Oh, Julee,” she crooned at the older man affectionately. It was her pet name for him. He winced when she said it, but accepted it none the less. “So nice to see you.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“You too dear,” he replied affectionately. “You always seem to be out and about when I’m in town.”

Shaking her long dark waves behind her shoulder and laughing, she replied. “All business. I assure you. Having a drink with Joseph?” she asked, her perfectly manicured eyebrows rising slightly. At his nod, she continued. “Well, let me give you a quiet table.” She began to lead them to an area near the bar that was more recessed from view of the entire night club.

The senator slid into his seat, and she slid right in next to him. Joseph took the seat across from them and a bartender appeared immediately. After they gave their drink orders, Eve was the first to speak. “How is your wife?”

News of his wife’s stroke had hit the air waves a couple months ago. Although they had never met the woman, they knew she had been sick for a very long time, and they always asked about her.

“Recovering,” he sighed, “Thankfully. It was a shock. She’s only fifty. But the doctors say she will pull through it.”

“Oh, I’m so glad to hear it,” Eve returned.

The senator smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. They knew the tragic story of his wife, and because he was as close to family as anyone, they felt the man’s pain. When the Senator and his wife were just young newlyweds, she had suffered a miscarriage and the woman had never emotionally recovered from it. In fact, she had been institutionalized on and off for post-partum depression ever since. She had attempted suicide on more than one occasion. It was a severe case. He hadn’t known when he had first met her, that she suffered from depression her whole life. But her dutiful husband had stood by her side throughout their thirty-one year marriage. He had done a lot of good work for the people of this state, and now the country in the area of mental health since his last three successful senatorial bids. He was a champion of the cause and someone who had lived through the worst of it. He was a popular man in the country.

They spent fifteen minutes catching up. Joseph filled him in on the new woman in his life, and Eve talked about her new night club that would be opening in five weeks. She had successfully managed to get a really big name to sign with her and perform there for the next three months.

The Senator also asked about Dawn, and Jonathan, and the new baby that was on the way. It was a good, but quick catch up session.

When the Senator made to leave ten minutes later, he was happy that he had the chance to catch up, with two of Tawny’s children. He always had enjoyed their company.

“Maybe you can come to the club opening. If you’re in town?” Eve suggested.

“I’ll try, but it’s not really my scene.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

Eve laughed. “Senator, you’re fifty-three. Not dead. Live a little. Plus, all of this wouldn’t have been possible without you,” she gestured around her. It was because of him that the Eastern Pequot tribe was finally recognized by the state and received First Nation status.

“Oh, I think your mother really deserves the credit there,” he laughed and tried to shrug off the praise. He accepted one more kiss from the leggy brunette that looked just like her mother except in stature. She was quite tall, not like the other Sassacus women. Probably got that from her father’s side of the family.

Joseph shook his hand one final time in parting. “It was good to see you, sir.”

“You too, son. You too,” and with that the man turned and left heading back to the lobby, and then upstairs to the suite he always booked while staying here.

Joseph turned to say good night to his sister.

She was watching the Senator still. “You know, it’s a shame he’s been alone all these years.” Eve’s voice took on a whimsical quality.

“I know,” he replied. They knew he was dedicated to his wife, but it had never been a real marriage, not for a long time, at least in his mind. “But, that man is honorable. Solid. I’m glad he is a family friend.”