A peek outside at the deserted street told her it was safe to close the library a few minutes early, too.
She was about to shut down the computer when she remembered the flash drive.
The tiny stick, shaped like a bright orange Popsicle, should have elicited a smile, not a curl of apprehension.
Maddie was touched that Skye wanted her feedback, but she’d been trying to live in the here and now, not think about the past.
It’s five minutes, Maddie chided herself. You have to get over this. You and Aiden live in the same town.
A town that seemed even smaller when you were trying to avoid someone.
She popped the drive into place, and the opening notes of the Mission Impossible theme fractured the silence.
Skye’s sense of humor was one of the many reasons Maddie enjoyed spending time with her.
The video opened with Justin and Tyler’s first safety lesson. Skye had captured the boys’ tight grip on the canoe paddles—and on their emotions.
Maddie hadn’t realized how terrified they’d been to step so far out of their comfort zone. She had been right there with Skye while she was recording the footage, but the story unfolding was more than two teenage boys training for a competition. She was seeing a friendship forming, too.
By the time the images of River Quest began to play, Maddie was riveted to the screen. The changes she saw in the boys were so dramatic, Maddie knew without a doubt that God was at work.
He was still at work.
And there was Aiden in the midst of it all, giving corrections and shouting encouragement from the sidelines.
It hurt to see him, and yet Maddie was so proud of the man he was. The man he would become now that he’d made peace with his past and with God.
The music changed, and another image popped up on the screen.
Maddie didn’t know Skye had recorded her, too. Emerging from the smoke, torch in hand.
She remembered the smoke burning her lungs. The rushing sound in her ears.
What Maddie didn’t remember was the smile on her face when she’d stumbled across the finish line a few seconds later.
The teenagers weren’t the only ones who’d stepped out of their comfort zones. Her cheeks were flushed with color, hair trailing out the back of the baseball cap, a wild tangle of red and gold...
“You’re beautiful.”
Maddie whirled around.
“Aiden.”
The man in the video had materialized behind her, as handsome and confident as the day he’d crashed her study session.
* * *
“Hi.”
There you go, Aiden. Impress a librarian with your amazing ability to turn a one-syllable word into three.
But the speech he’d practiced all the way into town was gone. Erased. Deleted. Wiped away as his gaze bounced from the woman on the screen to the one standing in front of him.
Maddie tapped the mouse, and the music stopped. “What are you doing here?”
“I miss you.”
Whoa. That hadn’t been part of Aiden’s speech, either, but the flash of longing in Maddie’s eyes told him everything he needed to know.
In this instance, Aiden would have no trouble telling his family they were right. Maddie did have feelings for him.
“Have dinner with me tonight.”
“Aiden...no.”
“Why not?”
“I—I told you.”
“You said we don’t have anything in common, but that’s not true.” Aiden moved closer and pointed to the computer screen. “Because that girl, the one holding the torch, looks like she’s having the time of her life.”
Maddie moistened her lower lip. “I did.”
“Then help me understand what I did to mess things up,” Aiden said. “And I’ll do whatever I can to fix it.”
“You didn’t do anything.” Maddie looked stunned by the suggestion, putting another one of Aiden’s fears to rest. “But it was one day, Aiden. You’re talking about...more. I can’t participate in all the things you enjoy. If a girl who enjoys paddling into whitewater rapids can’t hold your interest past the first date, a girl who spends her free time curled up with a good book will bore you to tears.”
Hold his interest past the first date?
The rumor mill had apparently rented out some space at the local library.
“I don’t lead women on,” Aiden said, struggling to keep his frustration in check. “And I’m never bored when I’m with you, Maddie. Whether we’re looking at the stars or discussing the plot of The Outsiders, everything feels...right. I don’t expect you to climb mountains or skydive. I did some research on heart conditions, and I’d never ask you to do anything that might compromise your health.” He took a chance. Took her hand.
“When you were doing your research,” Maddie began slowly, “you must have read about complications during pregnancy.”
Aiden’s next breath seized in his lungs. All he could do was shake his head.
“I found out when I was sixteen that I was in the high-risk category. Every situation is unique, but the doctor made it very clear that a family isn’t...isn’t in my future.”
Aiden’s heart broke for her.
“Maddie...you should have told me.”
“When?” Her voice cracked on the word. “When is a good time to tell a man something like that, Aiden? The first time you meet him? After you’ve been dating a few months? Or do you wait until you’re falling in love and you pray it won’t matter even though you know it will?”
* * *
Maddie wondered if Aiden even realized he’d let go of her hand.
She folded her arms across her chest, tucking them under her elbows to take away the chill.
Aiden had asked for the truth, and now he had to be honest with himself. In spite of everything he’d just said, did he still want to be with her?
“I know this might change things,” Maddie said quietly. “And I understand if you need some time to think about it.”
“I—” Aiden’s lips flattened. “I’m sorry, Maddie.”
She could feel tears pushing up into her throat, but she managed to hold them at bay until he’d left the room.
At least now he understood why she’d turned him down. Maddie looked at the girl on the computer screen one last time before she shut it down and walked to the front of the library. She had to straighten up the children’s area and empty the coffeepot in the reading nook.
But someone already had. And that someone was sprawled in a chair holding a coffee cup.
“I—I thought you left.”
“You told me to take some time.” Aiden smiled, even though tears still glistened in his eyes. “So I did.”
It was impossible for Maddie to move. Not with the soles of her ballet flats stuck to the floor.
Aiden set the cup down and rose to his feet. Padded over to her. “Do you want to know what I concluded?”
Maddie’s knees turned to liquid when Aiden drew her into his arms. “W-what?”
“Yes, I’ve always wanted a family. And the God of the Universe knew that a man who’s adopted would be open to children who share his name, even if they don’t share his DNA.”
The tears Maddie had tried so hard to hold at bay began to stream down her cheeks.
“You can’t make a decision like that on an impulse,” she whispered. “I’ve watched you with the twins and with Justin and Tyler. You’re going to be a great dad. I don’t expect you to close the door on something so important to you.”
“I’m not,” Aiden said. “And there’s nothing impulsive about it. Adoption was something God put in my heart the day Sunni signed the papers that made us a family.” He tipped her chin up until there was nowhere to look but in his incredible blue eyes. “If anything has changed in the last fifteen minutes
, it’s that I’m even more convinced that God brought us together. I’m in love with you, Maddie. Life doesn’t come with guarantees, but God promises that He’ll always be with us—something you reminded me of.”
He loved her.
Maddie closed her eyes, sure this was a dream. But when she opened them, Aiden was still there.
Giving her the courage to say the words, too.
“I love you, too, Aiden. But—”
He pressed his finger against her lips. “No buts. We know our starting place, and we know our destination. What happens in between...that’s what makes it an adventure. And just for the record—” Aiden’s fingers traced the curve of Maddie’s jaw and found the sensitive spot behind her ear “—tonight would be our fifth date.”
“Fifth?” The word came out a little wobbly.
“Uh-huh. On our first date, we snuggled together in the conference room—”
“You sat next to me while I took notes!” Laughter bubbled up inside Maddie, and she remembered what her mom had said.
If you find a man who makes you laugh...
Aiden did that and so much more. He made her believe there could be another ending to the story she’d written.
“I’m counting it,” Aiden said firmly. “Our second date was a romantic drive in the woods. Then we had dinner together—with my entire family and a bunch of teenagers, but still—and after that we sat underneath the stars. I remember thinking the Andromeda Galaxy wasn’t nearly as fascinating as the woman sitting next to me.” Aiden was teasing a strand of hair that had worked its way free from Maddie’s bun now. “Which brings us to number five. The night when I walk you to your door and kiss you good-night.”
Maddie’s heart just about leaped out of her chest.
“Unless you think I’m moving too fast.” For the first time, Aiden looked a little uncertain.
Maddie peeked at him through her lashes. “Actually...I was thinking you don’t have to wait that long.”
Aiden’s lips hitched in a smile and he drew her closer, claimed her lips with a heady combination of tenderness and passion that reflected the man who’d captured her heart.
Life with Aiden would be an adventure.
And here...in his arms...was a wonderful place to start.
Epilogue
Aiden tossed the ball into the air and caught it again.
“I’m not sure how it started, but a friendly game of football on the day of the first snowfall is a Kane family tradition.”
“I know how it started.” Sunni’s eyes sparkled with laughter. “There were three boys wrestling on the kitchen floor while I was trying to make dinner. I shooed them outside and told them to work up an appetite.”
Liam sidled up and snagged the football out of Aiden’s hands. “But then Mom saw how much fun we were having and decided to join in.”
“The real reason,” Sunni said in a pseudo-whisper, “was to prevent a trip to the ER. I figured the boys would mind their manners if an old lady had the ball.”
Maddie wasn’t sure if it was Sunni referring to herself as old or describing Aiden and his brothers as boys that had her struggling to hide a smile.
“That’s why Maddie agreed to act as our official referee.” Aiden didn’t try to steal the ball back as he sauntered over to her side and wrapped both his arms around her waist.
The scars around his eye had faded, but with the two days’ growth of stubble on his jaw, Aiden still looked a little like the pirate who’d limped through the door of the library on that crisp September morning.
Cassie and Chloe slid up to Liam, bundled in matching coats and colorful scarves. Maddie had been encouraged to dress for the weather, too, so she’d chosen a hand-knit sweater, fleece leggings and the pair of thick-soled camouflage boots Aiden had given her the week before.
“Not the most romantic gift,” he’d said when Maddie opened the package.
Maybe not—but the kiss that followed had been ten times warmer than the boots’ Thinsulate liners.
“Maddie?”
With a start, Maddie realized Sunni had been speaking to her.
“I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I was...”
“Distracted by my mesmerizing blue eyes,” Aiden said.
Maddie elbowed him in the ribs. Even though he was right.
“I’d tell Aiden not to tease you, but I’ve learned it comes with the territory,” Lily said. “You’ll get used to it.”
Maddie was not only getting used to it, she was thoroughly enjoying Aiden’s family. She loved watching him interact with his brothers. Loved the laughter and the good-natured teasing and the way everyone looked out for each other.
“All I said was that I’m going up to the house to check on dinner and I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Sunni handed Maddie the whistle. “So I’m leaving you in charge.”
After she bustled away, Maddie whispered, “You do realize I know nothing about football.”
“That’s okay.” Aiden winked at her. “We’re not very good at following the rules anyway.”
Dodger abandoned his game of tag with Missy and bounded over, tail wagging, a black glove Maddie recognized as belonging to Aiden clamped between his teeth.
“I was wondering where that went.” Aiden held out his hand. “Hand it over.”
“Are you ready to play, too?” Maddie bent down and scratched the dog’s prickly fur.
Dodger spun in a circle, churning up a sparkling cloud of freshly fallen snow.
“I guess that means yes.” Aiden tugged on the glove. “You’re defense.”
“Need a helmet, Aiden?” Brendan jogged past them with a grin. “So you don’t mess up that pretty face again?”
“Maddie? Don’t blow the whistle yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m going to tackle my big brother, and tackling isn’t allowed in touch football.” Aiden bounded after Brendan.
Lily slipped her arm around Maddie’s shoulders and smiled. “You’ll get used to this, too.”
* * *
Aiden watched the twins grab Maddie’s hands as everyone filed into the house an hour later. Her cheeks and the tip of her nose were pink, and she was laughing at something Cassie was saying.
His heart felt so incredibly full.
Thank you, God.
Maddie, who’d once described herself as an outsider, had already become part of his family. Now was the time to make it official.
As they passed the sunroom, Aiden steered Maddie into the sunroom and closed the door.
“Aiden.” Her throaty chuckle had a dangerous effect on his heart. “What are you doing?”
“Kidnapping you for a minute.”
“Of course you are.” She melted against him, a willing prisoner.
Aiden pressed a lingering kiss on Maddie’s lips, one that took up the entire sixty seconds of that minute.
“Your family is waiting for us,” she murmured when they finally broke apart.
“One more minute.” Aiden drew her over to the couch. “I have something for you.”
“Aiden. You’re spoiling me.”
“I like spoiling you.” And the blush on Maddie’s cheeks was one of the reasons why. “Now, if Dodger didn’t find this first...” He reached underneath the coffee table and pulled out a brown paper sack. The handles were tied together with what looked like binder twine but was, according to the clerk at the store where Aiden had purchased it, something called raffia.
Maddie burrowed through the tissue paper, and when her eyes went wide, Aiden knew she’d already guessed the contents.
“My favorite book,” he said when she drew it from the bag. “And I hope it will be yours, too.”
Maddie opened the cover and smiled. “Um... Aiden? There’s nothing written in it.”
“That’s becau
se it’s our story,” he said. “And I know it’s going to be pretty great.” Aiden watched Maddie run her fingers over the butter-soft leather. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.”
“Good. Because there’s more.”
“Aiden!”
He grinned. “I saw it and thought of you.”
“You said the same thing about the boots. And the camera.”
“Someone has to document all the awesome things God has in store for us. Now close your eyes,” Aiden instructed. “I didn’t have time to wrap this one.”
Maddie obeyed. Aiden eased onto one knee beside the sofa, hands shaking so much he almost dropped the tiny velvet box he’d stashed in his pocket. “Okay.” Maddie opened her eyes. Aiden saw the split second of confusion when she realized he wasn’t beside her change to wonder when she saw the ring in his hand.
“Aiden...” She breathed his name and the tears that sprang into her eyes made Aiden forget the proposal he’d rehearsed.
“I love you, Maddie. If it’s too soon, you can tell me. I’m not going anywhere. But I wanted you to know that I’m ready to start our life together. The sunrises and sunsets and whatever happens in between.”
“Yes.” Maddie laughed, tears streaming down her face, and held out her hand. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”
“I told you that’s what Miss Maddie would say,” someone whispered outside the door.
“She’s going to be Aunt Maddie now, Chloe.”
Aiden shook his head, but Maddie smiled.
“Aunt Maddie,” she repeated. “I like the sound of that.”
Aiden pulled her into his arms again. “How do you feel about Mrs. Kane?”
Maddie pressed a kiss against Aiden’s lips. “I like that even better.”
* * *
“Aiden picked this out himself?” Brendan inspected the ring and gave Maddie a quick wink before he turned to Aiden. “Not bad, little brother.”
Maddie knew Brendan was teasing but she happened to think the princess-cut diamond, centered with two green stones on a delicate filigree brand, was perfect.
I know emeralds aren’t traditional, Aiden had said. But the color matches your eyes.
The Bachelor's Perfect Match Page 19