by Rita Herron
Marry Me, Maddie
by
Rita Herron
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Copyright © 2001, 2011 by Rita Herron. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.
Originally published by" Dorchester Publishing/Lovespell, August 2001
Cover and eBook design by eBook Prep www.ebookprep.com
Thank You.
To Lee, the southern-bred father; and Adam, the macho overprotective brother, who provided inspiration for the Summers men; and to Elizabeth & Emily, the feisty, smart southern girls who keep them on their toes.
I love you all.
Chapter 1
Maddie Summers' legs wobbled like overused rubber bands as her gaze zeroed in on the neon-green words Marry Me or Move On. The special Valentine's Day set of Sophie Knows, the leading daytime talk show in Savannah, was a bit more flamboyant than she'd imagined, especially the glitzy red heart announcing the day's topic. Those very words, which had enticed her to appear on the show now flashed like a beacon from a lighthouse tower warning of danger.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special show planned today, which will conclude our weeklong celebration of romance in the steamy South," Sophie announced. Sophie continued with her introduction, looking elegant and savvy in a slinky black satin gown, which accentuated her petite curvy figure. "Recently we've diverted from our usual issue-oriented topics to have some fun. This week's highlights included romance tips from a leading sex therapist, erotic recipes shared by a French chef, a lingerie fashion show designed to spice up your love-life, and yesterday, we interviewed several popular Georgia romance novelists who keep romance alive year-round with their sensual tales of love and commitment. For our grand finale, we're giving a few special couples an opportunity to tie the knot right here onstage."
Cheers erupted, mingled with whispers and laughter. Maddie grabbed the light pole to steady herself but almost knocked it over. Light flickered and jumped across the stage, earning her a glare from one of the producers. She focused on the crowd. Beneath the applause lay the elemental question that drove people to watch more outlandish talk shows and the question her oldest brother Lance would hit her with as soon as he saw her—what prompted people to air their personal business on camera?
Stupidity. Only a stupid woman would force a man's hand in such a public way.
No, desperation. Only a desperate woman would give a man an ultimatum in front of thousands of strangers.
No, brilliance. Only a brilliant woman would issue such a choice in a public place, laying odds that the man who'd been stringing her along for years would be forced to show some guts and make a commitment.
Good heavens. She was bound to be humiliated.
When Sophie, the talk-show host and one of her best friends, had first mentioned the idea for the show, Maddie had laughed. Then Sophie had described in detail the romantic ceremony that would highlight the final segment of her Valentine series, and Maddie had not been able to resist. The decision to appear on Sophie Knows had suddenly seemed like a great idea. Maddie would appear, give her long-standing boyfriend of four years a gentle nudge down the aisle and revive the spontaneity of their too-comfortable relationship.
Although, now, faced with the realization that Savannah's elite society, namely her boyfriend's entire extended family whose descendants had actually founded Savannah, would disapprove of the public whoop-de-do, the ultimatum seemed ludicrous.
Could she go through with it?
Yes, Maddie thought, drawing courage from the energy the vibrant spitfire host emanated. Today, Maddie would find out if Jeff Oglethorpe meant to follow through on the vague promises he'd whispered to her for the past few months or if he'd been blowing smoke up her a—dress.
Excuses be damned.
The strong scent of carnations assaulted her, and she swayed dizzily, squinting through the haze of bright stage lights as she stepped beneath the trellis of white ribbons, roses and baby's breath, which created a canopied sanctuary for the couples who chose to take the plunge today. A piano version of "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" drifted through the speakers, soothing her nerves as Maddie settled into her assigned chair and situated her clothing. She should have worn something a little sexier to tip the scales should Jeff straddle the line on his decision. She'd conned him into appearing by telling him he'd be speaking on Savannah's economic development. Jeff would suck raw eggs through a straw blindfolded if he thought it would bolster his banking business.
Sophie introduced each of the three female guests, then gestured toward a tall, thin, exotic-looking black woman named Vanessa. "Now, we'll let our first guest tell us about herself."
"My man and I have been living together for two years." A row of diamonds glittered along Vanessa's ear. "I don't want to wind up in that never-ending dating game. Other men have expressed interest in me, and if Martin's not the one, I need to know."
"You go, girl!" several spectators shouted.
"Tell it like it is, sister!"
The audience cheered as Sophie welcomed Vanessa's boyfriend, a well-built man dressed in a charcoal-gray suit who vaguely resembled Denzel Washington. A seed of envy sprouted in Maddie at the unbridled moment of lust that rippled between the couple. Had Jeff ever looked at her with that deep hunger in his eyes?
"Do you know why you're here, Mr. Wells?" Sophie asked.
He grinned broadly and squeezed Vanessa's hand. "Is this some kind of contest? Have I won a vacation or a new car?"
The audience chuckled, a smattering of applause rumbling through the crowd.
Vanessa lifted Martin's hand in hers. "Martin, I know you love me."
He nodded and inched to the edge of his seat as if preparing to claim his prize.
"And I love you." She paused for effect. "But I want more than this shacking-up arrangement. I want us to be married."
Martin's stunned expression darted to Sophie, zigzagged to the audience, then flew to the flowered mini-gazebo as if dawning finally penetrated his testosterone-driven brain. No Corvette. No money. No door number three. Finally, he swallowed audibly.
"Marry me, Martin, or... or it's time to move on."
A second of hesitation snatched the air from Maddie's lungs as she waited along with Vanessa and the audience for his reply. Finally Martin leaped to his feet, grabbed Vanessa's hand and swung her into his embrace, his voice booming. "Oh, hell, why not, baby. Let's do it."
Vanessa squealed loud enough to damage the microphones and pulled Martin into a passionate kiss. Sophie sprinted out among the crowd and allowed several spectators to voice their thoughts.
"Give them a free honeymoon!" an elderly lady wearing a pink knit suit suggested.
The crowd laughed and the couple smooched while Faith Hill's voice purred "The Way You Love Me." Maddie squirmed in her seat, the butterflies now performing cartwheels in her stomach. There would be at least one wedding today. Would Jeff be as enthusiastic?
She twisted her fingers anxiously around the diamond pendant lying between her breasts, memories of her mother surfacing. The pendant had been an heirloom, the only piece of valuable jewelry her mother owned other than her wedding ring. Her mother's wishes were part of the reason she'd clung to Jeff so long. She'd always thought Jeff was the type of man her mother would have liked her to marry. Plus her brothers constantly coaxed her to marry into a good family, claiming their mother would have wanted Maddie to fit into the upper echelon of Savannah society. The Oglethorpes had definitely paved the way for her entry.
Only Maddie had no desire to sip tea from miniature china cups with the elite. She was independent and wanted her own business. In college, Jeff had understood her dreams and encouraged her—unlike her brothers who'd wanted her to settle down, marry and raise babies. The very reason she still hadn't sprung her business plan on them. With Jeff's support, though, they'd have to give her a thumbs-up.
She wished her mother was here now to see her get married. Only what if Jeff said no?
Maybe it was a good thing her mother wasn't here.
Faith Hill's voice faded, and Sophie moved center-stage and introduced the next guest, Deidre. Maddie's shoulders tensed as Deidre's boyfriend entered. His eyes registered surprise when he noticed the Valentine decorations.
Deidre lay one hand over her belly. "I'm pregnant, Stan. And I want you to marry me or move on."
Tears streamed down his ruddy cheeks. "You're really gonna have my baby, Cupcake?"
Deidre whispered a choked reply in confirmation.
"Deidre says you don't want to get married," Sophie said.
He dabbed at his nose, his voice husky when he spoke, "That isn't true, ma'am. I just don't have much to offer a good woman like Deidre. Haven't had a steady job in two years."
Deidre's mouth fell open. The audience chorused a sympathetic sound. Maddie's heartstrings tugged painfully.
Compassion softened Sophie's voice. "If you'd accept our assistance, sir, we'll help you find employment."
He swiped at his cheeks with a handkerchief. "I'd be much obliged. I want my baby to be proud of me." He held out his arms to Deidre, then dropped onto one knee. "Will you marry me, darling?"
Deidre's chin quivered. "Of course I will, you fool." She threw her arms around him and began to sob. "Be My Baby" jangled over the speakers in an upbeat tune, prompting the crowd to clap and sing along.
"Well, folks," Sophie said as the crowd's singing died down, "we're batting two for two here. Let's see if we can go for a grand slam. Maddie, tell us about your situation."
Jeff's excuses for postponing marriage traipsed through her mind like a parade of screeching TransAm race cars. "Well, we've been dating for four years, but Jeff keeps giving excuses for not making a commitment. First, we were too young. Then we both had to attend college." She dug her fingernails into her palms when she realized the crowd leaned forward, hanging on her every word. "Then Jeff needed to establish himself in the business world. But now he's president of the Savannah Savings and Loan, and I've finished school."
Sophie's green eyes glinted with understanding. "Do you think your boyfriend's failure to commit may be an indication of a more serious problem?"
"Exactly." Like he didn't love her. Didn't want to marry her. Had another woman on the side. "I want to know if he's serious or not, because if he isn't, I want to move on."
There she'd done it. Let the floor show begin.
Jeff suddenly appeared, looking confident in a conservative pinstriped custom-made suit. His smile radiated authority, but as his gaze roamed the stage, his expression faltered at the sight of the wedding arch and trellis of roses. Thank goodness the shiny red heart hung behind him so he couldn't see its message.
"Welcome to our show, Mr. Oglethorpe." Sophie coaxed him into a tan chair beside Maddie. "Do you have any idea why you're here?"
Jeff shook his head, straightening the lapels of his jacket so they were perfectly aligned. "Madison said I was invited to speak on Savannah's growing economy."
Maddie winced. The use of her full name clearly indicated he realized he'd been conned. And he wasn't happy about it.
Sophie's eyes glittered mischievously. "I believe Maddie has a surprise for you."
The heat of the cameras radiated around Maddie, almost suffocating her, and the hushed whisper that rang through the crowd sounded painful to her ears. Soon, people would be laughing....
Jeff pivoted in his chair, folding his hands across his bent knee. "Yes, Madison?"
Sink or swim.
Maddie dove into the uncharted waters. With no life jacket. She had a feeling she was going to drown.
"Jeff, I'm sorry for tricking you into coming, but I feel as if we've reached a point in our relationship where we need to make some decisions."
Jeff's patrician nostrils flared slightly as he dipped his chin to give her a private what-the-hell-do-you-think-you're-doing look. Maddie ignored him, her gaze zeroing in on her shoe where a scrap of toilet paper clung to the heel. Good gracious alive.
Jeff saw the tissue at the same time and had the nerve to roll his eyes. Maddie's determination was renewed. If their relationship was over, it was over. Better to find out now.
"Can't we discuss this in a more..." He cleared his throat, his low voice quivering with unleashed anger, "dignified, private setting?"
Heads angled and craned to hear him. Maddie's lunch surged to the top of her throat.
"Maddie?" Sophie prompted.
Maddie gulped, wishing desperately she'd forgone the spicy Creole at lunch. "We've talked about marriage before but you always have an excuse. I think it's time we either make a commitment or start seeing other people."
"You want to see other men?"
The incredulity in his voice spiked her temper, but she fought to keep her knee-jerk reaction to herself. Because her knee-jerk reaction was to stick her knee in his groin.
She forced a watery smile. "Yes, I want to either get married or move on."
Sophie angled her head toward Jeff. "Now, Mr. Oglethorpe, I believe the ball is in your court."
* * *
Chase Holloway stared at the TV screen, unable to believe his eyes—Maddie Summers was on Sophie Knows, participating in a episode called "Marry Me or Move On." Maddie's brothers continued to curse and pace the floor just as they had from the moment they'd tuned into the show. When Lance had spotted Maddie, he'd yelled for them to come watch.
Standing up for him in a schoolyard fight, Lance and Reid Summers had befriended Chase when he was just a gangly mean-ass kid. No one had ever defended him before. Not only had they earned his respect that day, but they'd won his loyalty. Odd, since Chase Holloway was a bad boy at heart and until then, had been loyal to no one but himself. His own mama had abandoned him at the Bethesda orphanage when he was only five, claiming he was so mean he would tear up a rock. Her exact words were imprinted in his brain, "You'll probably share a jail cell with your sorry excuse for a father before you're old enough to drive. I don't aim to stick around for pictures."
She'd been right on one part. He was a bad boy. But he'd skimmed through school and avoided serious jail time—mostly because of Reid and Lance.
A diaper commercial ended, and a tampon commercial flashed onto the screen. He turned his head away, feeling his face flush at the feminine products. Why did they advertise that stuff on TV?
He studied Lance and Reid's reactions, wondering when Maddie Summers had grown up and started looking so d
amned sexy. Hell, he'd known her all his life. She'd been a pest when she was five, a tomboy in her teens and... and unavailable as a woman.
She was his best friends' hell, his blood brothers' kid sister. Which meant she was practically family to him, practically his own little sister.
Which had automatically labeled her off-limits to his lusting libido.
Now, she was going to marry that weasel Oglethorpe. Today. On TV. In front of God and her brothers and the whole city of Savannah.
Unless Oglethorpe bowed out and told her to move on.
The air collected in his lungs in a hot, painful surge.
"What the blazes does she think she's doing?" Lance stopped pacing long enough to slam his fist into the wall. "And look at her, she's got toilet paper stuck on her shoe."
"We don't care how much water a maxi-pad absorbs!" Reid bellowed. "Get back to Maddie!"
"If Oglethorpe hurts her, I'll kill him with my bare hands," Lance mouthed in a more controlled but lethal tone.
"How could he turn her down? She's been blinking and winking and turning men's heads since she was three," Chase said.
"Hell, don't I know it," Lance muttered. "I thought about sending her to live with nuns when she was a teenager."
Chase laughed at the image of feisty Maddie driving the nuns nuts. Oglethorpe would be damn lucky to have a woman like her, Chase thought, suddenly feeling surly. Hot, fiery eyes, sass and spunk and just about as much passion as a sane body could handle. Not that he'd ever experienced her passion—
Lance cursed again, cutting off Chase's thoughts. "They've sure been dating long enough to get married though."
"I told you we should've had a talk with him," Reid growled.
"Yeah, should have hog-tied him and made him do right before she was forced to push the issue," Lance grumbled.
"I'm sure Maddie would have appreciated that," Chase added wryly. The temperamental Maddie he knew would slam her boots in both her brothers' backsides if they'd pulled such a stunt.