“You’re right. We’ll be working closely together now. We’re both adults and are capable of keeping what happened between us in the past. It’s over and done. No hard feelings at all, and if we keep this strictly business, everything will be fine.”
Stephen nodded slowly. “Right. We’re both professionals. It was so long ago, and we were so young.” He stopped talking and reached for his laptop. “We’ll need to carve out a few hours each day where we can plan and brainstorm. Then, as the clients start coming in for your pitches, we’ll arrange schedules.” He stood and took hold of the back of the chair as he walked around the desk. “What time of day would work better for you? I know the mornings will be the best time to reach out to the companies, but by mid-morning and early afternoon, I’ll be flexible.”
“I’m usually swamped all day, but I think I can make the afternoons more open as well. Should we plan for three o’clock these next few days and see how it goes?”
Stephen nodded as he returned her chair to its usual location. “Perfect,” he said. “See you tomorrow.” He gave her a smile before leaving. As his back disappeared around the doorframe, Madison couldn’t help feeling disappointed that he was gone, even though she’d hoped he’d leave almost from the moment he’d arrived.
She was never going to make this work, and if it was that easy for him to dismiss what they’d had, she didn’t want to be forced to work with him more than she had to. Maybe someone else at the agency would be a better fit for this position so she could stay with what she knew and was good at.
Chapter Seven
Stephen didn’t know what to think. He’d been shot down before he’d even made a move, and it hurt. He wasn’t used to being completely ignored, and as memories of his time with Bea — or Madison as she now liked to be called — returned, he wanted to renew that relationship.
But work had to come first. If he could convince her they were a good team, he would have time to start wearing down her defenses. He had time, and it would be good for him to practice patience.
He thought back to that summer after he’d turned twenty, trying to remember things about Bea that would help him win her over now. They’d spent lots of time watching movies in her parents’ basement. Her family’s land was only a mile from his grandparents’ farm, and they’d been friends every summer.
He should have tried to find her sooner, but by the time he’d come out of his depression at losing his mom, he’d already been two terms into his sophomore year at college and was trying to just keep his head above water in his classes to keep his scholarship.
He leaned back against the chair and closed his eyes, visualizing how much she’d changed. Her body was perfectly proportioned and didn’t look overly thin like so many women thought was ideal. No, in his opinion, the curves and soft flesh was better, and he appreciated how she looked. He’d have to be careful to not reach for her like he’d been allowed to that summer.
Their relationship had been interesting, being friends during the summer months when he came to help on the farm. After his grandparents had both passed away within months of each other, leaving the farm to his mother who couldn’t run it, they’d come that last summer to prepare it to sell. His mom had tried to convince him to take the farm, but it had never interested him enough to stay. Bea had been the only reason he could tolerate the small ranch town, and she hadn’t planned to stay there.
He’d always enjoyed Bea’s company, knowing she never judged him for his mistakes, but just accepted him for who he was. She’d made him feel valuable and worthwhile. That summer after she’d graduated, she’d allowed things to get more serious, and he was thrilled to know she felt that way about him.
They’d never been romantic during any of the previous summers, just enjoying each other’s company in the lonely ranch town, but something about that last year had appeared to be powerful for both of them. And with her finally out of high school, it seemed acceptable to develop a stronger relationship, even if it was just for the summer. He’d known it would be the last time he would return, and she’d been planning on leaving for college as well, with the intent to never come back. Apparently, she’d made good on it. She’d been working at Carlson’s four years, hired before she could have even finished college. She’d no doubt worked hard to get where she was and seeing her so valuable here made him feel proud.
They had a lot to catch up on, but it would be tricky, and he would need to look at this like any other business endeavor.
***
Madison closed her laptop and tidied her desk in preparation to leave for the night. She couldn’t wait to get home and relax. She wanted a long bubble bath but knew that would have to wait until Milo was in bed. She glanced at the clock, knowing she’d make it in time to pick him up before her sister had to take off. Karen was a godsend, and Madison knew she was the only reason she’d survived these last eight years as a single parent.
Madison locked her office and adjusted the strap of her purse over her shoulder in time to see Stephen step out of his office. She ducked her head, not wanting to make eye contact with him, and headed down the hall at a quick pace, hoping to avoid seeing him on the way out.
The elevator took forever, and Madison cringed when she felt him come up to the side of her. “Mind if I ride down with you?”
Who asked if they could ride the same elevator? And was she supposed to give him an answer? Madison shrugged as if it didn’t matter and wished she’d chosen the stairs. She’d have to do that next time. As the elevator opened, Stephen waited for her to step in first, then as he joined her, she realized once again how large the man was. She couldn’t reach the button to push her floor for the parking garage without touching him, so she stayed back to wait and see which one he picked.
He pressed the same level as hers, and she almost wished it had been a different one so she wouldn’t have to walk any further with him than necessary. All the memories warred against her anger and sense of betrayal.
Stephen turned to her. “How’s your family?”
Madison blinked in surprise. “They’re good.”
“Do you see them often?”
“My sister lives close. I see her pretty regularly.” Madison pressed her lips together. She saw her every weekday. She should have asked how his family was but didn’t want to encourage him to keep talking.
“Do you ever go back home to King?” Stephen asked.
“Not much. My parents have sold the cows and just raise hay now. They come visit us kids more often now that their time is freer.”
“Do you miss King?” Stephen asked just as the elevator reached their floor.
Madison met his eyes. “Not really. I don’t think fondly on much of anything there anymore.” She stepped through the door and pressed the unlock button on her car to get inside and away from him as quickly as possible. He didn’t follow her, and she was glad, but as she got in, guilt washed over her at her words. She shouldn’t have snapped at him like that, but she really wasn’t in the mood to reminisce about their past.
When she got to her sister’s, she grinned to see Milo watching out the window for her. The little man was so precious to her and she could at least be grateful Stephen had given her something so wonderful out of something so heartbreaking. A tiny voice in the back of her mind told her she should tell him, but a stronger voice rebelled at the idea. Stephen had made his choice and disappeared from her life; she didn’t owe him anything, least of all parental rights to a child he didn’t even know existed.
Karen opened the door and smiled at Madison as she walked up the front walk and prepped herself to meet the enthusiastic hug from her son. Milo was too heavy for her to lift often, and the thought of him no longer being a baby but a little boy tugged at her heart.
And because he looked more and more like his father, having the man back in her life this way was making it hard to keep her emotions in check. Madison wiped a tear from her eye. She took his hand in hers to go back inside and gather his things
and help clean up his toys before they left.
Karen patted Milo on the back. “Go on in and grab your stuff. I need to talk to your mom for a second.”
Milo looked between his aunt and mom with wide eyes. “I didn’t do anything bad.” He met his mom’s eyes with pleading in his. “I wasn’t naughty, I promise.”
Karen giggled. “Of course not, buddy. You’ve been a perfect gentleman. This isn’t about you. It’s a mommy thing.”
Milo nodded happily and ducked past Karen’s arms and rushed inside, hollering to his cousins that he had a few more minutes to play. Madison chuckled and shook her head. “What did he do?”
Karen glanced back. “He didn’t do anything. He’s been perfect.” She met Madison’s eyes. “It’s what he said. Told me his mommy cried all night last night. And I see you wiping tears now. Something’s going on.”
Madison’s eyes misted again, and she leaned into her sister, longing for someone to take care of her for a moment. Karen wrapped her in a hug. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”
“I saw Stephen again.”
Karen pulled back a little. “Stephen? Milo’s dad?” she whispered.
Madison nodded. “He’s been hired as a consultant at Carlson.”
“You’re kidding. What did you do?” Karen pulled her into the house and guided her over to the couch.
“I showed him where is office is, gave him the tour of the place, and had to work with him on a pitch.” Madison put her hands over her face. “And now Mr. Carlson wants us to work together all the time. He’s supposed to train me on how to bring more business to the company, but everything he’s suggested so far is exactly what I would do anyway if Mr. Carlson would just let me.” She yanked her hands down and turned to Karen. “I can’t work with him. I told Stephen I didn’t want to talk about anything that happened in the past.”
“What did he say about Milo?” Karen asked.
Madison peeked toward the room Milo had gone to play. “I didn’t tell him.” She looked at her sister, hoping to find support and not condemnation. “He never answered any of my calls, emails, or letters. Nothing I did to contact him worked. I don’t know if he even knows, and I want to keep it that way.”
“But he’s Milo’s father. Don’t you think he deserves to know?”
Madison shook her head. “No. He didn’t care enough about me. Why should I let him have anything to do with Milo?”
Karen reached out gently to take Madison’s hand in hers. “Sweetie, I think he has a right to know. And if he is a nice guy and is good at what he does, don’t you think it would be good for Milo to know his daddy?”
Madison pulled her hand back and crossed her arms around herself. “He isn’t his daddy. He might be the biological father, but he’s missed out on too much to be a daddy. Besides, Milo has Jason to look up to.”
Karen nodded slowly. “And Jason loves him more than anything, but an uncle isn’t the same thing.”
Madison glared at Karen. “Whose side are you on?”
“I’m not picking sides, sweetie, but if I had to, it would be Milo’s. I think you ought to at least consider telling Stephen about him, find out if he’d like to have a chance to get to know the son he has. It’s not like you have to marry him or even date him. You can keep it professional and still be merciful to the man.”
Madison’s eyes burned with unshed tears. She’d done this all alone for so long she didn’t want to give him a chance. He’d blown it years ago, and even now, it was obvious he hadn’t had feelings for her.
Karen’s voice broke through her thoughts. “At least think about it. You don’t have to make the decision tonight but don’t shoot down the idea completely. Look at your rights, and his.”
Madison’s eyes widened. “Do you think he’d try to take him away from me?”
“No, and I don’t think a court would allow that anyway, but if you don’t make the choice to involve him, and he finds out on his own, he would have a stronger case against you than if you let him know.”
Madison nodded, wishing she’d never met the man, but a moment later when Milo came in with his little backpack full of books, announcing he’d cleaned up in the toy room, her heart softened, and she was fiercely glad she had her little guy. She would give it some thought, knowing Milo was such a sweet boy, and Stephen deserved to at least know of him.
Chapter Eight
As the days progressed, Stephen knew he was going to really enjoy working there, but it was going to be hard to break through Madison’s tough shell. Every time they met together to go over client proposals and pitch to the potential clients, she was all business, with no chance for him to just chat with her. And as soon as they were done, she left the office in a rush and rebuffed his attempts at bringing up their summers together.
In fact, every time he mentioned them, she stiffened and changed the subject. He would try again today and thought he finally had something that would work.
He’d brought some macadamia nuts. She’d loved them when his family had brought them with from Hawaii to his grandparents. He’d started packing a bottle for her during his teens since they spent so much time together after the chores were done, and she’d eaten a bunch the first day, then rationed them to last for most of the summer. One year he’d brought a second bottle and given it to her as a gift halfway through July, and she’d kissed him for the first time that night.
As he knocked on her office door and waited for her to wave him in, he moved the bottle from one hand to the other, watching her through the glass side window. She sighed and waved him in, and he opened the door. Her eyes fell on the nuts, and she raised an eyebrow. He placed them on her desk.
“For you.”
“Why?” Madison asked.
“I just thought you might like some. If I remember right, they were some of your favorites.”
Madison’s eyes softened, and she smiled. “I haven’t had them for years.”
“Why?” Stephen asked.
Her face took on a look of panic that was quickly replaced by sadness for a moment. “It’s not important. Thanks.”
“No problem.” He knew better than to open them and get one out, so he helped himself to another one of her mini candy bars on the desk.
She watched him for a moment, her eyes hiding something, and he wondered if maybe he shouldn’t just take the candies. He contented himself with only one and opened his laptop to get ready for the client list, but Madison hadn’t stopped looking at the macadamias.
She took a slow breath then pushed them back. “I do appreciate the offer, but I can’t take these.”
Stephen frowned. “Why not?” The hurt in her eyes angered him, and he crossed his arms over his chest. “Get over it, Madison. I’m sorry about what happened. I’m sorry you’re angry at me for whatever reason, but we had good times before. I can’t believe you’re being so petty as to reject every attempt at me being friendly. I don’t expect you to jump into my bed. In fact, I don’t think we were ready for that even when it did happen. Grow up and just take the stupid nuts.”
Madison’s eyes went from sadness to shock to anger. She pushed the nuts back to him, stood up, and leaned across her desk.
“I can’t accept these nuts because my son has a severe tree nut allergy, and if I ate them, I wouldn’t be able to kiss him goodnight.”
Stephen’s jaw dropped open, and he scrambled for something to say in response.
“So I’m sorry if that ruins your attempt to get me back into your bed, but I don’t think I ever want to go down that road again.”
She towered over him as he sat in his chair. Part of him wanted to stand up and confront her, but the only thing that he could think of was the startling news she was a mother.
“I’m sorry, Madison. I didn’t realize you were married or had a kid. I never would have…” He trailed off as her eyes turned dark.
“Not everyone who has a kid is married. Sometimes the father isn’t interested in those responsibilities.” She turned
away from him, covering her mouth as angry tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
“No, you’re right. Not every mother is married. And I’m sorry that the guy was such a scum.”
Madison burst into a strange laughter and turned back to him, her mouth covered, but she shook her head in disbelief as she stared at him.
Understanding hit him hard, and he was glad he was sitting. “I’m the father?”
“If you ever would have called me after you left, you’d know that.” She pushed away from her desk and grabbed her purse. “But you wanted nothing to do with me then, and I want nothing to do with you now.” She marched around the other side of the desk, completely skirting around him. “You’ll have to finish this pitch on your own. I can’t be here right now.”
She closed the door, leaving him in her office alone to pick up all the pieces.
***
Madison walked blindly through the hallway toward the elevator then changed her mind and veered to the left and took the stairs. She didn’t want to risk being trapped in an elevator with him right now. She’d blown it and had blurted out all the hurt and anger she’d felt toward him and dumped the news of a child. Then left without giving him a chance to say anything.
Not that she wanted to listen to his excuses on why he wasn’t available to her. Her mind had conjured up all kinds of things. He’d died in the plane going back to Hawaii, he’d been eaten by a shark, he’d fallen into a volcano — no matter that his island wasn’t an active volcano anymore.
They’d only slept together a few times, but it was enough to get her pregnant. She hadn’t wanted to stay in King, Montana as a single mom. When her sister Karen asked her to come live with them to help out with their newest baby, Madison had jumped at the chance. It was a good way for her to learn a bit about kids so she could decide if she wanted to keep the baby or give it up for adoption. She’d gone and had never tried tracking Stephen down again.
Echoes of Summer Page 4