The Senator's Wife

By Tara Mills

She made a promise. It turned out to be a sacrifice.

 

When Justine agreed to delay divorce until after her husband's reelection, she didn't know Sean O'Donnell was on the horizon. Now, falling fast for a man she's admired for years, she's stuck playing the happy politician's wife instead.

 

Sean noticed her beauty right away, but it was Justine's haunting sadness that captivated him. His wish to meet her became a need to photograph her. Somewhere in between, he fell in love.

 

A series of chance encounters leads the pair to admit the temptation to misbehave has grown too strong to resist. Distance is the only remedy, but as soon as they've made that painful decision, the press closes in. Is there a way to contain the damage, preserve reputations, and protect the campaign? As a matter of fact…

 

The solution will shock everyone.

 

Run for your life with The Senator's Wife today.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sherman Hills Press
• Release date: May 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393248743

Tara Mills

I write the kinds of stories I like to read, with authentic characters and realistic themes. From laugh-out-loud romantic comedy to nail-biting suspense, I’ve got you covered. Escape with me into books. In the real world, I’m a contented wife, proud mom, and deliriously happy new nana. Please visit my Tara Mills website––Stories with a heartbeat. Follow me on Facebook,  Twitter, Pinterest, or Google+ Read, review, recommend, repeat. Thank you.

Book preview

There are things you don't break, like your word, your vows, or the public trust.

It's Justine's code of ethics. So can somebody please explain how she just set off

Washington's biggest scandal of the year?

When Justine agreed to delay divorce until after her husband’s reelection, she didn’t know Sean O’Donnell was on the horizon. Now, falling fast for a man she’s admired for years, she’s stuck playing the happy politician’s wife instead.

Sean noticed her beauty right away, but it was Justine’s haunting sadness that captivated him. His wish to meet her became a need to photograph her. Somewhere in between, he fell in love.

A series of chance encounters leads the pair to admit the temptation to misbehave has grown too strong to resist. Distance is the only remedy, but as soon as they’ve made that painful decision, the press closes in. Is there a way to contain the damage, preserve reputations, and protect the campaign? As a matter of fact...

The solution will shock everyone.

Run for your life with The Senator’s Wife today!

Contents

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Epilogue

Sneak Peek at Britt and the Butler

Sneak Peek at If You Want Me

Also by Tara Mills

About the Author

Copyright

One

Justine Hubbard was nodding politely to Senator Crowley when she caught her husband’s furtive return to the ballroom. Gary slid his hand out of his waistband, his freshly tucked shirt looking as perfect as it had when they’d arrived. She knew the instant he spotted one of his biggest donors across the ballroom. He smiled and headed that way to glad-hand the man, no doubt to see how much more money he could shake out of him.

Moments later, the leggy brunette who’d disappeared just before Gary now returned with freshened lipstick. She carefully dabbed at the corner of her mouth with her middle finger. As if there was any doubt what she’d just done for him in some dark corner far from the party.

Fuming, Justine quietly watched Gary and his tramp du jour make guarded eye contact while they circulated the reception independently. No doubt they’d arranged to meet up again later.

What would his excuse be this time? I have important work waiting at the office? Or perhaps something more elaborate, like, I need to meet with Bolton at the Hiatt tonight. He has an early flight in the morning so this is our last chance to hash things out before our bill goes before the committee.

She loathed her husband for his philandering, his casual lies, and for his beautiful, insincere smile. He could charm anyone. He’d certainly charmed her. Thankfully, the luster was gone. She no longer took him at face value, though, incredible as it seemed, he still had the power to wound her.

Suddenly realizing her inattention to Senator Crowley was unforgivably rude, Justine tuned in to his back-in-the-day story, one she’d heard countless times. So had the other woman in their little party, evidently. She too was only pretending to listen while searching for an exit. Bless the sweet old man, he didn’t notice any of this. His eyesight was terrible and those thick lenses didn’t seem to help one iota.

When the old gentleman paused to take a breath, Justine leaped at the opening before the other woman could. She felt bad for doing it but couldn’t stop herself.

It’s so nice to talk with you again, Senator. She gave Crowley’s arm an affectionate squeeze above the elbow. But I see Congresswoman Bradley over there and we’ve been trying to catch one another for two weeks. Please excuse me.

Certainly, my dear. Give her my best.

I will. Thank you, sir.

Sparing an apologetically pained smile for the other, now disappointed woman, Justine was forced to walk over to Congresswoman Bradley. Someone she didn’t know. Someone she’d never met.

Awkward.

The congresswoman was in an animated discussion of her own when she paused in mid-sentence at Justine’s approach. The older woman offered her a warm, though obviously curious smile. Hello.

This was terribly embarrassing. Justine smiled back and nodded to the others who were frowning as they tried to place her.

Congresswoman Bradley, hello. Forgive my interruption, I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Justine Hubbard, Senator Gary Hubbard’s wife.

Of course. It’s nice to finally meet. You must know Alexander...

Justine was quickly introduced to the group then found herself sucked into a discussion over the stalled funding for ten new fighter jets.

Her mind drifting with disinterest, she almost wished to be back at the old senator’s side.

Almost.

*

Sean O’Donnell watched Justine Hubbard with a photographer’s eye. He longed to capture the haunting pain and sadness he perceived inside her. The title of her portrait came to him, suggested by what he saw. Tragic Beauty. Keeping quiet tabs on her, he had to admire her poise. She had every reason to crumble, yet she carried herself with quiet dignity, her face a brave mask for all the powerful people in the ballroom.

She moved him.

Having witnessed her husband’s sneaky return himself, Sean no longer doubted what the rumor mills were churning out on the good senator. The man was a player.

Scrambling for an excuse to approach the wounded wife, he hit on an idea.

Fortune smiled on him when she tactfully excused herself from the congresswoman’s group. Moving away, she seemed to flounder for a destination. Her reluctance to approach anyone else was palpable. He understood perfectly. Normally he felt the same way, but not tonight.

Calmly trailing her, he found himself smiling when she snatched a glass of champagne off a passing tray on her way to the wall of windows overlooking the beautiful Capitol building. There she stopped, facing out at the cold night, her left arm curled around her waist, as if giving herself a hug.

Taking a bracing swallow from his own glass, he admired the graceful line of her neck and the intricate twist of auburn hair just above it. He joined her at the window, giving her his best non-threatening smile.

Excuse me, Mrs. Hubbard?

She turned in surprise and looked up at him. Yes?

Sean O’Donnell. He held out his hand and she took it, her expression registering recognition.

The artist.

Photographer.

She laughed, a lovely feminine laugh, rich and silky. Don’t be so modest. I’ve seen your work. It’s beautiful. Evocative.

He could say the same about her.

Justine Hubbard’s features were delicate and refined, without being sharp. Her intelligent hazel eyes held him spellbound.

Thank you. Unable to find a reason to keep holding her hand, he was forced to release it. I was hoping we could talk about your charity Open Arms, Warm Hearts. I’d love to be involved in your next publicity push.

Really? That’s wonderful. But I’m not the person you should be talking to. I can put you in touch with her. I’ve taken a leave of absence to help with my husband’s reelection campaign.

I see. Sure, that would be great. He was already getting off track. How did that happen?

Can you... She held out her glass and he took it so she could look in her little clutch purse. The main number is the same, she