“All right, Maddie.” He walked to the front door with her right behind him. He opened it and looked down at her. “If you need anything—”
“I won’t,” she said, flipping the switch to turn on the porch light.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I never had anyone to turn to. I learned to be self-sufficient.” She sighed as she leaned against the open door. Tears glistened in her eyes but didn’t fall. “I’m not sure what’s worse. Being an accident with no right to a life. Or having someone around who thinks he can run that life better than me.”
“Maddie, I—”
“There’s nothing more to say, Luke. Good night.”
She closed the door, and a great black emptiness gaped inside him.
He put his palm against the solid oak barrier wondering why her words had sounded so much like goodbye. And the look in her eyes showed him that an unscalable wall had gone up. But most important, why did he care so very much about the distance she’d put between them?
Madison carried her overnight bag up the wooden cabin stairs. Taking in a big breath of San Bernardino Mountain air, she decided Rosie was right. This was a wonderful getaway place. She’d thought Luke’s sister a tad pushy when she wouldn’t accept excuses and had urged her to use it for the weekend. Now she made a mental note to send her flowers as a thank-you.
When she reached the wooden deck leading to the door, she fished the key Rosie had given her from her purse and let herself inside. She set her bag down just inside the door and opened the horizontal blinds. A large, circular fire pit dominated the center of the living room. Against one long wall rested a sofa and at a right angle, the matching plaid love seat in shades of beige, hunter green and maroon. Color-coordinated wingback chairs sat across from them, and occasional oak tables comfortably placed at the corners completed the grouping.
Exploring upstairs, she found several bedrooms and a loft with pool table and dart board. The master bedroom was on the first floor, and she put her suitcase on the battered and scarred cedar chest at the foot of the king-size bed.
Staring at it she said, “It looks as if it’s been through five children.” Glancing around, she said, “I don’t know what to do first—take a walk or start that bestseller I haven’t had time for.” She thought for a moment and said aloud, “Walk. Not smart to come all this way and cocoon inside.”
After changing into white shorts that used to be loose but were now hugging her a bit too tightly, a lime-green T-shirt and matching socks, followed by sneakers, she left the cabin to be one with Mother Nature.
Several hours later Madison returned, pleasantly tired, with soul refilled, replenished and shored up after gulping fresh air, the sweet fragrance of pine and looking her fill at a clear, blue, smog-free California sky. When she opened the cabin door, she realized Mother Nature in person couldn’t have prepared her for the sight of the man standing there.
“Luke!”
His feet were spread wide apart and his arms folded over his broad, impressive chest. He could be the conquering hero from any time period in history—arrogant, confident and ready for his reward. And he’d never looked better.
God help her, she wanted to throw herself in his arms.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. “Are you following me? Because if you are—”
He held his hands up. “Before you blow your stack, let me ask you something. Did my sister by any chance suggest that you come up here for the weekend?”
“Suggest is a wimpy word for what your sister did,” she answered. “She all but offered to carry me here on her back.”
He nodded as if that revelation didn’t come as a big surprise. “I’m sorry, Maddie. I had nothing to do with this, except for mentioning to Rosie that you refused to see me and weren’t taking my phone calls. She talked me into coming here, too. Some song and dance about forgetting to shut the water off. It’s standard operating procedure since the flood.”
“Flood?”
He nodded. “Fran came up to use the cabin, and a pipe under the kitchen sink had somehow broken. Water was everywhere. Either Rosie or my mother or both were responsible for sending Alex up to bail her out.”
“And look what happened to them,” she said, remembering the recently married couple. Instead of anger, even she heard the faintly wistful note in her voice.
“Yeah,” he said. And there was no mistaking the marriage-is-a-fate-worse-than-death note in his voice. “My mother and sister attribute some sort of mystical, matchmaking power to this cabin. They’re convinced that couples who come up here alone together are doomed to fall in love.”
“‘Doomed’?” she said, arching an eyebrow. “Interesting choice of words.”
But that didn’t come as a surprise to her. Nothing he had said would lead her to believe he cared about her that way. And as soon as she could manage it, she would shake off her disappointment.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” he countered. “All I’m trying to say is we were set up.”
“Looks that way,” she agreed.
He ran a hand through his hair. “It will be dark soon. How do you feel about sleeping under the same roof tonight? Separate bedrooms, of course.”
The expression on his face changed to hungry and intense when he mentioned sleeping arrangements. And there was a corresponding yearning in the core of her femininity at the very male way he looked at her.
Why did she respond so strongly to him? And how did she feel about that? Madison watched him take in her bare legs, slightly rounded tummy and T-shirt-embraced breasts. The spark of appreciation in his eyes made her as breathless as her high-altitude walk. It also made her heart race, her skin tingle and her legs tremble. Not to mention her feeling of fear. She’d worried about the flimsy Sheetrock wall separating their condos being enough. How could she possibly spend the night under the same roof with Luke Marchetti and find the will to resist him?
“I’ll leave,” she offered. “After all, it’s your family’s place.”
She expected him to deny that they were family when he shook his head. “No. If anyone leaves it will be me. I need to wring my sister’s neck, anyway.”
That reminded her what he’d said about his mother and the cabin’s magic matchmaking properties. She had the twenty bucks to prove he’d had a conversation with his siblings. But he hadn’t said anything about where he stood with his mom and dad. “Have you spoken to your parents since—”
He shook his head. “And before you start in on me, I could ask you the same thing. Have you told your folks about the baby?”
He would have made a good attorney, she decided. If you find yourself in a corner, go on the attack. She’d thought about breaking the news to her parents, but the very idea made her want to throw up. “No. But my situation is completely different. Your parents have always supported you. I don’t even speak to mine on a regular basis.”
“Coward.”
She started to deny it but couldn’t. Shrugging, she said, “Coward is such a strong word.”
“Don’t you think they deserve to know they’re going to be grandparents?”
“Based on the loving way I was raised?” she asked sarcastically. “No.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “Sooner or later you’ve got to tell them. They’re going to wonder about the baby crying in the background when you talk on the phone.”
“No. They don’t wonder about me at all.” She studied his narrow-eyed gaze and knew what he was thinking. “This is completely different from choosing the best time to break the news to you.”
“If you say so.”
“Look, Luke. You’re not walking in my shoes any more than I am in yours. My relationship with my parents is completely different from what you have with yours. We go months without speaking. You hardly went a day, at least before all this happened. Call them.”
“I’ll make you a deal. You call yours, then I’ll call mine.”
Why did he care if she n
otified her folks? What was in it for him? Scratch that. She was turning into the world’s biggest cynic. Currently, Luke held the world title to that honor.
But what did she have to lose by agreeing? Maybe she could get him to blink first in this stalemate with his mom and dad. “Okay. When I get home I’ll see if I can get in touch with them.”
“What about now?”
She should have known he would call her bluff. “I don’t want to rack up long-distance charges.”
“I think we can absorb the cost. Besides, if you’re right, it will be a short call. Quit stalling, Maddie.” He held out the receiver. “No guts, no glory.”
He thought she was gutless? She took the phone. “I’m only doing this for you. It’s the only reason. I’m sacrificing myself so that you’ll talk to your folks. Diplomacy. That’s what this is.”
“Whatever you say, slick.”
She straightened her spine, squared her shoulders, then turned away from him as she punched in the east coast area code followed by her parents’ number. Let them be out of the country, she prayed. They’d never been around for the milestones in her life, why would they be there now?
It rang a scant three times before a familiar, cultured female voice answered, “Hello?”
“Mother? It’s Maddie—Madison.”
“Hello, dear. What a lovely surprise. How are you?” Claudia Wainright actually sounded pleased to hear from her.
Shocked, she managed to say, “I’m fine, really good, Mother.” If only the butterflies in her stomach would take a five-minute break so that her voice would lose the too-animated, yet nervous note. “How are you and Father?”
“Very well, dear. What a coincidence that you phoned. Just this morning Winston and I were saying that it’s been too long since we’ve seen you. We’re talking about coming to California for a visit.”
“You are?” So she’d lied a few moments ago when she’d said they didn’t wonder about her.
“He can’t get away just yet. What about Thanksgiving?”
Panic threatened. She would be approaching her sixth month with no way to hide her condition. Then it struck her. Was Luke right about her? Was she the type to withhold information and call it sensitivity? No way. It was time to show her mettle and prove him wrong.
“I’d like very much to see you both. But first I have some wonderful news, Mother. Are you sitting down?”
“Yes.” There was a question in her voice. “What is it, dear? You haven’t gone L.A. and had your fanny tattooed?”
“Mother! Of course I don’t have a tattoo.” She glanced over her shoulder and saw Luke grin. She turned away before she got caught up in the way the dimples bracketing his mouth made her want to kiss him.
There was a laugh on the other end of the line. “Sorry, dear, I couldn’t resist. Now, tell me your news.”
She let out a long breath. “I’m going to have a baby,” she said, then held her breath and braced herself for the blast of cold air.
On the other end of the line there was a pause that could only be called pregnant. “I’m going to be a grandmother?”
“That’s right,” she said firmly. “I’m very happy about it,” she added, in case there was any question. She figured her mother would be happier about the tattoo.
“Congratulations, dear. May I ask who the father is?” Instead of the expected coolness, her tone held nothing but curiosity.
Madison sat down in the chair beside the phone table. “Luke Marchetti.”
“Of the Italian restaurant Marchettis?”
“That’s the one. You’ve heard of him?”
“Only the family’s reputation.”
“Good or bad?” Madison had to know.
“Very good. But I don’t believe I’ve received a wedding invitation.”
“That’s because I’m not planning a wedding.”
“He has asked you to marry him?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Madison couldn’t tell what she saw, and the meager amount of courage she’d managed to muster disappeared. “Look, Mother, I’m not at home. Can I call you in a day or two when we can chat longer about this?”
“I’ll look forward to it, dear. Do I have your permission to share this news with your father?”
“Do you have to?”
“Not if you’d rather I didn’t. But don’t you think he deserves to know?”
Didn’t I deserve a childhood? she wanted to retort. But that was immature, and she was a grown woman, on the brink of motherhood. It was time to act like it.
“Of course.”
“Good.”
Relief flooded Madison. The news was out, and the world hadn’t ended. In fact, her mother actually sounded eager to talk again. Spontaneously she blurted out, “I love you, Mother.”
“I love you, too, dear. Goodbye.”
Stunned, Madison just looked at the phone. She couldn’t remember the last time, if ever, her mother had said those words to her. She didn’t know what to make of it. Some people called babies “little miracles.” Is that what had just happened? When she continued to stare at the phone in her hand, Luke took it from her and rested it on the cradle.
“She took it badly?” he asked.
Without the phone to hold, Madison twisted her fingers together. “I’d have to say no.”
“So she’s upset that I’m the father?”
Madison shook her head. “Your reputation has advanced clear to the east coast. She’s heard good things about the restaurant Marchettis.” She met his gaze. “And don’t tell me you aren’t one.”
“The thought never entered my mind. But you look shell-shocked. Is she put out that you’re not getting married?”
“We’ve primarily had a phone relationship over the years, so I’ve perfected the technique of translating every nuance of every tone in her voice. And I don’t think she was annoyed.”
“So what did she hit the roof about?”
She looked at him and shrugged helplessly. “Nothing.”
“Then it’s safe to say it went well?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Then why do you look as if your world just shook like an 8.2 on the Richter scale?”
She wasn’t sure. But her earliest memories included her coming to terms with her parents nonchalance. She knew how painful it was without love. This thawing of her mother did shake her up. She was confused, but relieved and happy. Actually looking forward to speaking with her mother again to see if it had been a temporary aberration. But the experience had been good. And if not for Luke, she would never have called.
She moved beside him, stood on tiptoe and kissed his lean cheek. His hands came loosely around her waist, but she quickly backed away because she couldn’t trust herself.
“Thank you for shaming me into calling,” she said. “You’re very often exasperating, but sometimes very wise.”
Her heart dropped when he grinned. “You’re welcome. I have another brilliant idea.”
“And humble, too.”
“Let me take you to dinner to celebrate.”
Madison felt as if the weight of the world had lifted from her shoulders. A celebration sounded like a wonderful idea. “You’re on, Luke.”
Several hours later they stood on the deck of the cabin, staring up at the stars. Luke looked down at Maddie and thought there wasn’t a celestial body in the sky more beautiful or sexy or curvy than her. He’d noticed that her previously flat stomach was slightly rounded now. She grew more beautiful every day, and he had a feeling when she was nine months pregnant, she would take his breath away. And he admired her—her spirit and courage. She was determined to take care of herself and the baby without help. Why couldn’t she believe that she would never have to do it alone?
She shivered and rubbed her arms.
“Are you cold?” he asked.
“I didn’t realize the mountains cooled off so much at night.”
He took his windbreaker from the woo
den railing beside him and dragged it around her shoulders. When he pulled it across her chest, he couldn’t seem to let go. He gazed into her eyes, and it took every last drop of his willpower to keep from kissing her.
“That was a wonderful restaurant,” she said, a breathless, husky quality to her voice. “Who would have guessed such a charming place would be tucked away up here in the mountains.”
Reluctantly he stuck his hands in his pockets. “Casual Elegance is one of my family’s favorites.”
He was getting used to saying “my family” again. After the visit from his siblings, he didn’t feel as though the DNA police were going to jump out of the bushes when he said it and arrest him for being a fraud. And Maddie had supported him from the beginning. He was grateful to her for being his anchor in a turbulent time. She had been there for him, and he vowed to do the same for her.
He had really enjoyed watching her by candlelight in the intimate, forty-five-seat restaurant. The lovely, sexy way her curls had framed her face, turning golden when they caught the light, was branded in his memory forever. If he lived to be a hundred, he would never forget the sweet, seductive picture she’d made or how much he’d wanted her. Wanted her still, he amended.
He had never wanted a woman this badly. She was always on his mind. Why? What was it about her that grabbed him and held on, never letting go?
“That was the best pesto linguine I’ve ever had,” she continued. “Not that Marchettis restaurants don’t make a fine pesto,” she quickly added.
“It’s not our specialty,” he said.
He and Maddie had perfected a specialty of their own—going up in flames without warning. It seemed like forever since he’d tasted her lips, felt the exquisite softness of her breasts pressed against his chest, held her fragile body protectively against his own. She was femininity personified, a contrast to the hard angles and strong planes of his male body.
He put his hands on her shoulders and then slid them down, curving his palms around her upper arms. “Maddie, I—”
“You’re good, Marchetti,” she said, a little breathlessly.
In the light of the full moon, he could see her eyes grow wider. Did she know how very badly he wanted to kiss her? Did she know that he intended to do just that? Was she trying to distract him? He could see the pulse at the base of her throat beating wildly and suspected that she needed to be kissed as much as he needed to do the kissing. But he would play along with her distraction—just a little. Just long enough to heighten all of her senses.
The Last Marchetti Bachelor Page 12