Luke opened his arms and didn’t miss the glitter of tears in her eyes just before she stepped into them.
“I’ve missed you,” she said.
“Yeah. I’ve missed you guys, too.” He looked at his father. “You’re a very wise old man.”
There was a suspicious brightness in his father’s eyes, too, but he grinned. “I’m not comfortable with the ‘very old’ part, but the rest is true enough.”
Luke laughed, then squeezed his mother’s shoulder as he looked at Tom. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a jerk. Maddie says I’m exasperating.”
Flo smiled. “She’s good for you. I’m glad you had her support through all of this. But as tough as it’s been, I still think we did the right thing. If I had to make the decision again, I would do it the same way.”
Luke grinned at her. “It’s a good thing I didn’t find out when I was a teenager. Most of them rebel for no apparent reason. I had one and didn’t know it.”
Flo smiled. “I can’t help wishing you’d never had to go through the pain. But at least you were a grown man when you found out. As an adult, you were able to assimilate the information faster and speed up the maturity process.”
Tom kissed her cheek. “In spite of teenagers’ temporary insanity, children learn what they live. If they grow up with security and love, it becomes the cornerstone of their life.”
Luke thought about Maddie, growing up believing she was an unwanted accident. She’d had no cornerstone to trust that anyone would love her. And she’d not given herself to any man—until him. What did that mean? She’d said her virginity was a burden she’d wanted gone, but he didn’t buy it. And how did he feel about her? She was carrying his child.
He walked over to the island, then turned back to them, folding his arms over his chest. “I hope I can be as good a parent to my child as you guys have been to me.”
“A child needs two parents. You and Maddie have to work together and present a united front,” his mother said.
“What are you trying to say, Ma?”
“Everyone accuses me of matchmaking. I refuse to be any clearer than that,” she said, clamping her lips tightly together.
Tom laughed. “You’re as subtle as an earthquake, Florence Marchetti.”
Luke shook his head. “I’ve asked Maddie to marry me three times. And she turned me down flat.”
“Then I guess we can’t say third time’s the charm,” Flo commented. “Don’t give up, sweetheart. I’d bet Grandma Marchetti’s silver salt and pepper shakers that Maddie cares about you very much. I’ve always said you two were meant for each other.”
“Yes, you have,” Luke agreed.
But he couldn’t imagine what she saw that he didn’t. He just knew that somehow he had to smooth the rift with Maddie. He remembered the last look he’d seen on her face, the profound hurt. Could he put the smile back on her face, the twinkle in her eyes?
He looked at his folks, both grinning broadly at him. It had taken one miracle to fix things with them. Could he hope for another with Maddie?
Chapter Eleven
Luke decided to test the formula for his Maddie miracle by first mending fences with big brother Nick. He knew Maddie had a doctor’s appointment today, and he planned to be there. But before he could face her again, he wanted to get the rest of his life back on track. Which was why he was at the corporate offices of Marchetti’s Incorporated without an appointment, staring at Nick’s secretary and waiting for her to blink first.
“Mr. Marchetti said he didn’t want to be disturbed,” she told him again.
“I’m his brother,” he reminded her. And I’ve just gone through a personal crisis of monumental proportions so let me in, he added silently.
“I recognized you right away, Mr. Marchetti,” she said. “But orders are orders. You don’t have an appointment. He wasn’t expecting you. And he didn’t distinguish between family or anyone else. His precise words were ‘If you value your job, no one gets through that door.’ Period.”
Family. The word inspired a sense of satisfaction, in spite of his annoyance at the woman. He was part of the family. His place had always been secure. It had just taken him time to see that.
“I have to be somewhere, but I need to see my brother first. I won’t take up much of his time. If he’s too busy to see me, he’s going to have to tell me himself,” Luke said, charging past her desk. “I promise your job is safe.”
He knocked once on his brother’s office door, then went inside. Nick was leaning back in his chair with the phone to his ear. “You’re pregnant, Ab. Managing the restaurant is tiring. If you get tired, sit. Being married to the boss has its privileges, even though you don’t want any special favors because of it. That’s what I love about you.”
He saw Luke in the doorway and grinned broadly. When his secretary appeared, he waved her away and indicated that Luke should take a seat.
Luke took the high road and didn’t give the woman his I-told-you-so look. He smiled politely and closed the door. Then he sat on the corner of his brother’s desk and rested his linked hands on a jeans-clad thigh. He admired his brother for keeping sacred this time with his wife, even if it was just a phone call. “Tell Abby I said hi.”
“Luke says hi, honey.” He listened for a moment, then laughed. “Yeah, I’ll tell him. I love you,” he said with a tender note he saved for his wife. Then he rested the phone on the cradle.
“Your secretary is a pit bull,” Luke said.
“Yeah. It’s her best quality.” He leaned back in his chair and rested linked hands over his abdomen. “What can I do for you?”
“Listen to me grovel.”
He grinned. “There’s nothing I’d like better.” He thought for a moment and amended the statement. “Actually that’s not entirely true. There are other things I like better, but they involve my wife.”
Luke envied his brother. A woman he loved, who loved him back, and a baby on the way. Nick had it all. “What did Abby tell you to tell me?”
“That it’s about time you snapped out of it and quit being a jerk to me.”
“Don’t be so paranoid. I was a jerk to everyone.”
“Seriously, Luke, it’s good to see you. I’ve missed you.”
“Yeah. Me, too.” He stood and folded his arms over his chest. “I had a talk with Mom and Dad.”
Nick raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
Luke grinned at his feigned surprise. “Nice try. But don’t ever leave your day job for the stage. You already know.”
“Okay. Mom called. She and Dad were very happy.”
“Look, Nick, I’m sorry I’ve been such an ass. But I’m okay now.”
“No, you’re probably still an ass,” his brother commented with a twinkle in his brown eyes. “But at least you’ve come to terms with everything and again assumed your rightful place in the family.”
Luke let one corner of his mouth curve up. “I’m going to pretend that my apology has been accepted.”
“I just want to know when you’re planning to come back to work.”
“The guy who’s been running the accounting business is doing a great job. I plan to put him in charge permanently. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. So I guess now can’t be too soon for me,” Luke answered fervently.
“You’re not exactly dressed for it. Jeans and T-shirt is pushing the limit for casual Friday, and it’s Monday.”
Luke ran a hand through his hair. “I have to meet Maddie at the obstetrician.”
“Everything okay with the baby?” Nick asked. “Little Nick is looking forward to playing with his cousin when she comes out.”
“So you’re having a boy and I’m having a girl? What to expect when you’re expecting according to Nick Marchetti?”
“Right on, Bro.” He studied Luke. “Seriously, what’s going on with you?”
“At last report the baby was fine. Everything is progressing normally. Everything, that is, except for the baby’s parents.”
“Would you like to elaborate?”
“I’ve asked Maddie to marry me three times, and she’s turned me down. She’s agreed to share custody, but is adamant that she won’t tie herself to a man who doesn’t love her.”
“Do you? Love her, I mean.”
Luke rubbed the back of his neck. “She was a virgin, Nick.”
His brother whistled. “Now there’s a statement. But it doesn’t answer my question. Do you love her?”
“I care about her.” He shook his head. “I’ve been with a lot of women. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been rejected, not even in high school.”
“Then you’re one of the lucky ones,” Nick said wryly. “Take it from me, rejection stinks.”
Luke knew the faraway look on his brother’s face meant he was remembering his long-ago secret marriage and subsequent rejection that had kept him from making a commitment to Abby. Eventually they had worked things out, thanks to Ma.
“Yeah,” Luke said. “But the truth is, I never cared about being turned down. I can’t help wondering if I’m incapable of falling in love. Except—”
“Go on.”
“The last time I saw Maddie, I think I pushed her over the edge. She was different, even though she told me when her next appointment was and that I could be there if I chose. But when she walked away, I got this sinking feeling in my gut.”
“It’s called scared to death,” Nick explained. “Guys aren’t supposed to admit to it, because it goes against the unwritten code. But scared pretty much describes that gut feeling. And I think a pretty good indication that Maddie is ‘the one,’ as Mom would say.”
“I wish I were as sure. I don’t think falling in love is in the cards for me. Maybe it’s the DNA from my biological father.”
“Too bad you can’t talk to him,” Nick commented.
“Yeah. Although Maddie said I need to get over that.”
“She’s right. You should hang on to her. Still, it would probably help if you had a clue about the guy.”
“He left me a letter. Maddie gave it to me when she handled the will. But I haven’t read it yet,” Luke admitted.
“Then I suggest you do.” Nick stood. “But not on company time. Look, I was going to suggest you start tomorrow, but I’d really like you to look at the quarterlies. Would you mind? You’re so much better at interpreting the numbers. Then we can go to lunch, I’ll even buy.”
Luke looked at his watch. “Maddie’s appointment is at one. Can I take a rain check—”
“On lunch? Sure. I wouldn’t press about work, but it’s important. As a matter of fact, if you hadn’t stopped by, I was going to call you and guilt you into coming in. Just get up to speed, then take off. Besides, the doctor always runs late. Abby practically reads a book every time she goes in for an appointment.”
“Yeah. Okay,” Luke said.
“It’s good to have you back, Bro.” Nick came around the desk and held out his hand.
Luke took it, then pulled his brother into a bear hug. “It’s good to be back.”
Luke missed Maddie at the doctor. For the first time in recorded history, Dr. Virginia Olsen had been running early. He had called Maddie’s office, but the receptionist said she’d left early and they didn’t expect her back for the rest of the day. He’d tried her at the condo, by phone and in person. If she was there, she wasn’t picking up or answering the door. Either way, his foul mood didn’t improve.
He paced his condo like a caged tiger, then finally went to the kitchen, where he’d put the letter. Since it wasn’t likely to make his mood any worse, he decided it was high time he looked at the one and only clue he had about who his biological father was.
He easily found the wrinkled envelope with his name scrawled in the unfamiliar handwriting. Ripping it open, he left the envelope torn nearly in half and held two sheets of paper in trembling hands. How could this possibly tell him anything useful about the man?
“Here goes nothing,” he said.
Dear Luke:
If you’re reading this, it means I’m gone and you know the contents of my will. First, please accept my apologies. Your life has no doubt been turned upside down, and for that I’m deeply and profoundly sorry. But there’s one thing I can never be sorry about—my relationship with your mother.
Until Flo, I’d never been in love. I’d begun to think there was something wrong with me, that I was incapable of deep feelings for any woman. I found out I couldn’t have been more wrong. Unfortunately, the woman I fell for was married and very much in love with another man—an ambitious, busy man.
Luke, don’t blame your mother for what happened. It’s all my fault. I used her loneliness and vulnerability to get what I wanted. I’m not proud of it; I just need for you to understand. Flo, being who she is, told Tom everything. He forgave her, and I don’t think it’s too much to ask that you do the same.
We agreed to keep it a secret. I wanted to be a part of your life, but Flo and Tom convinced me that it would be best for you if I kept quiet and you didn’t know the truth. Over time, as you grew into a fine, bright man, I came to see that they were right. But never, ever mistake my silence for lack of emotion. It doesn’t mean that I never loved you. Just the opposite.
The last thing I’m sorry for is my selfishness. When I found out about the cancer, I couldn’t bear ceasing to exist with no one to miss me. No one to think about me. No one to whom my very existence might have mattered. And on a practical note, no one to leave everything I’d spent my life working for.
Because your mother was the only woman I ever loved, I never married or had any other children. I’m a one-woman man.
I would give anything to have spared you the pain of knowing this, Luke. I regret that I wasn’t a stronger man. But my biggest regret is that I never had the opportunity to be a father to you. To help you. My son. I wish you life’s every happiness. I love you more than you’ll ever know.
Brad Stephenson
“Wow. So much for nothing.” Luke let out a long breath and looked at the letter he’d just read. It explained so much. “You helped more than you’ll ever know. I just hope it’s not too late.”
Chapter Twelve
Madison walked wearily into the condo and dropped her briefcase in the family room. From where she stood she could see the red light on her answering machine blinking, indicating there was a message.
Luke, she thought hopefully. No. Even if it was him, she wouldn’t let it matter. She was never speaking to him again.
But that didn’t mean she couldn’t listen to him, just to hear his voice. She walked over to the machine and pushed the button. “Madison, it’s Mother. Your father rearranged his schedule, and we will be able to come for a visit sooner. Call when you can. We both send best wishes, dear.”
She suppressed her disappointment at not hearing the deep, wonderful tone of his voice. But she was glad her mother had called. Now that they’d started talking, she found her parents to be different, receptive, if still a bit reserved. But there was time to work on that, as well as get rid of her own resentment. They were the only parents she had, and her child’s grandparents. It would be tragic to let old wounds keep her from having a relationship with them. She was looking forward to it.
And she had to admit that she had Luke to thank for it. But she would only admit it to herself. After all, she was never speaking to Luke Marchetti again.
Her doorbell rang. It was him. It had to be. Her instant reaction was unbridled joy. Then common sense crept in and she remembered she wasn’t talking to him. Briefly she toyed with the idea of not answering, pretending she wasn’t home. But her lights were on, and she knew how persistent he was. After all, he’d asked her to marry him three times. She’d turned him down all three. And, darn it all, he’d finally gotten the message. Technically, he’d gotten the wrong message, which was that she didn’t want to marry him.
She wanted to, very much. But only if he wanted her for the right reason. She sighed. After yesterday, tha
t wasn’t likely to happen. He’d sent her a message, too, by his absence at the doctor. That had spoken volumes.
The doorbell rang again, and she huffed, “Oh, all right. I’m coming.”
She opened the door. Instead of Luke, a flower arrangement was standing on her doorstep. Or rather, a neighbor from the condo complex was standing there with the flowers. “Mrs. Galloway.”
“Hi, Madison. These were delivered for you, and I agreed to keep them. Who’s Luke?”
“There was a card without an envelope?”
“Sticking right out on that plastic fork thing smack-dab in the center.”
And she was the queen of Sheba, Madison thought. But what did it matter if her nosy neighbor knew the sender’s name. She still wasn’t speaking to him. Although the red roses, two dozen unless she missed her guess, were very lovely. “Luke is a client of mine.”
The diminutive, fiftyish blond woman winked as she handed her the huge arrangement. “Maybe. But this says he wants to be more.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Galloway. I appreciate your taking care of them for me.”
“Don’t forget to invite me to the wedding. Good night, dear.”
“Right. Good night,” Madison said, closing the door.
As the fragrance of the flowers filled the room, tears sprang to her eyes. “Damn hormones,” she grumbled, blinking rapidly. “Damn a wedding. And damn Luke.”
She walked into the kitchen and set them on the table. “What is he trying to do? Drive me crazy, that’s what.”
The doorbell rang again. “That’s probably Mrs. Galloway with the missing envelope,” she said to herself.
She walked through the living room and opened the door. “It wasn’t necessary to— Luke!”
He stood there with his fingertips in the pockets of his navy slacks, leaning against the wall. What a delicious sight for her sore eyes. The sleeves of his white, long-sleeved shirt were rolled to the elbow, and his red silk tie was loose at the neck. Her traitorous heart pounded at the lovely sight of him. Just because she enjoyed looking—drank in the sight of his sensuous mouth, delighted in his dynamite dimples, worried at the weary lines around his eyes—didn’t mean she had anything to say to him. His name just popped out because she was surprised to see him.
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