Mad About You

guy dove in and saved her," a man finished, gesturing to Ladden.
    McDonald stood and extended his hand. "Mister, you're a hero. I'm Governor McDonald and I am deeply in your debt. What's your name?"
    After a few seconds' hesitation, Ladden said, "Sanderson."
    The other man's brow crinkled slightly. "Sanderson, did you say?"
    "That's right. Ladden Sanderson."
    "It's that Sanderson guy," someone yelled, and more flashes went off.
    The governor's lips formed a tight line and he gripped Ladden's hand a little harder. He leaned forward and lowered his voice until only Ladden could hear him. "If I find out you had anything to do with this, that you tried to hurt her—"
    "I heard a scream, and I came running," Ladden cut in, tightening his own grip. "I delivered chairs for a caterer. I had no idea you or Ms. Crowne would be here."
    "Right," McDonald snapped. "That must be one hell of a rug Jasmine is so determined to buy from you."
    "Trey," Jasmine said. Some color had returned to her face and she slowly pushed herself up to a sitting position. Ladden nearly butted heads with McDonald when they both knelt to help her. But when the governor gave him a nasty look, Ladden backed off. After all, she had asked for the other man.
    "Yes, darling," McDonald crooned.
    "Mr. Sanderson is a good man and a good friend," she said, glancing toward Ladden, her eyes moist. "I simply lost my balance on those ridiculous shoes and fell into the pool." She wet her lips carefully. "I owe Mr. Sanderson my life."
    McDonald glanced up, his eyes narrowed. "So, Mr. Sanderson, it was mere coincidence that you were in the right place at the right time?"
    Ladden ground his teeth. "I suppose so."
    "Then I must thank you," he said politely, but his eyes remained flat.
    The paramedics arrived on the scene, checked Jasmine's vital signs, and pronounced her nearly fully recovered. Security succeeded in clearing the crowd, leaving only a knot of people closely associated with the hotel or with the governor, and Ladden. McDonald wanted Jasmine to go to the hospital, but she insisted she only needed rest and a hot shower.
    "I'll drive you," Ladden said in unison with McDonald, which garnered him another glare from the governor.
    Standing now and wrapped in one of the hotel's robes, her eyes darted back and forth between them. "I'll get a room here at the hotel, and I'll be fine."
    "I'll walk with you," Ladden said in unison with McDonald. They traded glares again.
    "Trey, would you excuse me and Mr. Sanderson for a moment? I'll be right there."
    McDonald frowned, but nodded and moved out of earshot, although he stood behind Jasmine, within Ladden's line of vision.
    Ignoring the other man, Ladden studied her eyes and drank in the contours of her pale face, his hands itching to pull her close. "Are you sure you're okay?"
    She smiled and nodded, but her eyes welled. "Thank you, Ladden."
    He bit his tongue hard. "Jasmine, if you start crying, I swear I'm going to scoop you up and carry you out of here, governor or no governor."
    "I don't know what happened," she said. "I lost my balance, and I fell, and I can't swim—" She broke off in a choked voice.
    Ladden sighed. "You're determined to make me do something McDonald will regret, aren't you?"
    She shook her head and sniffed mightily.
    "Better give me a smile since lover boy is getting nervous," he said lightly.
    "I ruined your suit," she said miserably.
    "It’s not Armani."
    "Ladden, about this evening—"
    "We'll talk about it some other time. You need rest."
    She gave him a watery smile. "I'll call you tomorrow." Her chin went up. "Because I still want that rug."
    Ladden glanced at McDonald, who looked as if he was ready to charge. "For his bedroom, I think the price just went up. You'd better get going."
    He watched as she walked away with McDonald, his heart twisting when the other man wrapped a possessive arm around her waist. He'd lost her for the night... but at least he hadn't lost her for good.
    Turning to leave, he nearly walked into the massive Duncan, who offered him a tight smile. "Mr. Sanderson, the governor has asked me to follow you home and make sure you arrive safely. And we need to have another little talk about Ms. Crowne."

    * * *

    "Our top news story this morning," the anchorwoman said, "is the near drowning that occurred last evening at the Shoalt Hotel during a political rally for Governor McDonald. The victim was none other than the governor's girlfriend, Jasmine Crowne, who reportedly