“Are you on your computer?”
“Yeah, and the local media should be… Maddie, please tell me they’ve superimposed your head on this woman, and you didn’t drill a snowball at a kid!”
Madison thumped her head against the pillows in frustration. “How did they get a picture of that? I didn’t see any reporters.” She tossed back the covers, suppressing a shiver as the cool air kissed her bare skin. And there was a lot of bare skin. She’d found the pink lace nightie in the chest of drawers in her bedroom. For an older woman, Nell had interesting taste in lingerie.
Madison wrapped an arm around her waist and began to pace, smacking her foot on the corner of the metal bed frame. She cursed under her breath, hopping on one foot to rub her throbbing toe.
“What happened?”
“I stubbed my toe.”
“Stop pacing,” Vivi said with a characteristic lack of sympathy. Madison’s need to pace while on the phone drove her best friend nuts. “Maddie, what were you thinking?”
“Um, he threw one first?”
“You’re not in high school. You can’t go around—”
“I know, but they were… I know.” She sighed, unable to defend her actions. Vivi was right. It had been stupid and immature.
“Hang on… Well, today’s your lucky day. You should buy a lottery ticket.”
She heard the smile in Vivi’s voice, and a glimmer of hope stirred to life inside her. “Why? What happened?”
“The online version of the Christmas Chronicle has posted a retraction…”
Madison stood frozen to the hardwood floor, waiting anxiously for Vivi to continue. “Okay, not a retraction per se, but they’re no longer painting you as the villain in the story. It says here that a couple of local boys were bullying the sheriff’s daughter, and you were defending her. The kid’s mother… Hey, she can’t say that!”
“What? What did she say?”
“Nothing. It doesn’t matter. Just be thankful someone’s got your back. If your luck holds out and you don’t do anything else stupid, this should die down pretty quick.”
“Hey, I… Okay, you’re right. I’ll keep a low profile for the rest of my stay.” Easy enough, Madison thought, as she carefully made her way to the window. She leaned over to pull on the blind to let some light into the room. The shade rolled up with a loud thwack. A pair of wide eyes in a grizzled face stared in at her. She screamed. Nell’s friend—Ted or Fred, she wasn’t sure which—did, too.
Gaping at her, the strand of Christmas lights he held fell from his hands. “What are you trying to do, give me a heart attack? Put on some damn clothes!” he yelled at her through the closed window. The ladder he stood upon wobbled. His eyes rounded.
“Oh, shit,” Madison croaked.
“Maddie, what’s going on?”
“I’ll call you back.” She tossed her phone on the bed. “Hang on, TedFred, I’ll help you.”
She tried to open the window, but it was stuck. Dropping to her knees to get a better grip, she gritted her teeth and pushed. The window jerked open, a gush of pine-scented air lowering the temperature of the room at least twenty degrees. As she raised it higher, the edge of the frame caught on the ladder, pushing it off the side of the house. Madison and TedFred screamed. She lunged, hanging halfway out the window to grab the top rung with one hand while fisting her other hand in his army-green parka. She pulled him toward her, catching sight of Gage sprinting across the snow-covered lawn with Lily and Annie on his heels. The older man’s sidekick, his mouth hanging open, held on to the ladder at the base while Madison struggled to drag both TedFred and the ladder toward her.
Beneath them, Gage took over. The ladder bounced into place against the house. Both Madison and TedFred sagged in relief.
“Ted, you okay to come down, or are you going to climb through the window?” Gage called up, his voice a gravelly rasp.
The older man’s gaze dropped from Madison’s face. “Down. I’m coming down,” he croaked.
Madison released his jacket to give his arm a reassuring pat. “Don’t worry, Ted. You’ll be fine. I’ll keep ahold of the ladder up here.”
“No! Get out of the damn window!” the three men yelled at her, none of them looking at her face.
She followed their gazes to where her breasts were practically falling out of the nightie, her nipples standing at attention. She groaned, ducking down, her cheeks on fire.
So much for keeping a low profile.
* * *
Propped against the counter in Nell’s kitchen, Gage listened to his messages. So much for his day off. As soon as the weekend edition of the Chronicle hit the streets, he’d been inundated with calls from angry citizens. He didn’t know who frustrated him more: Madison, who threw the snowball in the first place; or Rick Dane, who managed to snap the picture and put it on today’s front page. It was a tie.
An image of Madison in her barely-there lingerie came to mind. Blew his mind, more likely. He never would’ve guessed that beneath her conservative clothes lay the body of a centerfold. Casting a surreptitious glance in his aunt’s direction, he decided if he didn’t want to embarrass himself, he’d best get that particular vision out of his head. Not that it would be easy. Madison had been fully clothed last night, and after brushing up against her in his aunt’s kitchen about a hundred times, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his head. Yesterday he’d teased her about the role he played in women’s dreams. Well, last night, she’d played a prominent role in his.
Sitting at the kitchen table with her foot propped on a chair, Nell scowled at the newspaper in front of her. She grunted, then returned her attention to her iPad.
“You okay?”
Involved in what he assumed was a game of Angry Birds, she waved off his question. “Fine.”
He didn’t buy it. She was too pale for his liking. Setting his BlackBerry on the Formica countertop, Gage gently wrapped his fingers around her toes, checking their temperature and color.
She shifted in her chair. “Stop playing with my toes.”
“Don’t get testy. I’m just making sure your cast isn’t too tight.”
She put down her iPad, crossing her arms over her chest. “See, you don’t trust that new doc, either. Too damn young, if you ask me. I don’t know what your father was thinking, letting him take over his patients while he’s away. He never should’ve gone on that cruise.”
“Matt’s a great doctor, and he’s the same age as me. And it’s about time Dad took a vacation.” Gage might wish his father had gone on the cruise with anyone other than Karen, but he was glad he’d gotten away. His father hadn’t taken a holiday since Gage’s mother died nine years ago.
“I know that. It’s just too bad he’s taking it with Karen.” Her mouth quirked in a grin as a mischievous glint lit her eyes. “Bet Miss Snooty-Pants won’t be too happy to find out Liz is on board.”
“How did you know that?” Liz hadn’t even known which ship she was going to be on when she left. She’d won the cruise a couple of weeks ago. No one had believed the call had been legit until the airline ticket arrived two days later.
Gage took in Nell’s self-satisfied smile and shook his head. “It was you, wasn’t it?”
She shrugged. “So what if it was? Someone had to step in. You and Ethan weren’t making any headway. Liz and Paul are letting misplaced loyalty stand in the way of their happiness. They’re not getting any younger, you know.”
Gage agreed with her, but he didn’t like that once again his aunt had manipulated things to get her way, no matter how well intentioned.
“I’d like nothing better than to see Dad with Liz. But you can’t keep interfering in people’s lives like this, Nell. Look what happened with Madison.”
“What? No harm was done, and now we have a chance to change her mind.” She tapped her finger on the paper. “I don’t know what the Sam Hill possessed Rick to run this story. Embarrassing Madison isn’t the way to win her over.” Nell had a lot of nerve calling Ri
ck out after what she’d pulled on Madison, but he didn’t bother pointing that out. She wouldn’t listen. “He has as much to gain from changing her mind as anyone does.”
In that, she was right. Rick stood to make a pretty penny if the deal went through.
His aunt picked up the Chronicle and winced. “Not very photogenic, is she?”
He took the paper and scanned the story that promised to give him a headache by day’s end. “No. She looks a little scary.” Scary wasn’t how she’d looked earlier. More like smokin’ hot.
“Thanks,” Madison said drily from behind him. “Let me see that.”
Her fingers brushed his as she tugged the Chronicle from his hand. She wouldn’t meet his eyes, and he wondered if she felt the same jolt of awareness he had from that brief touch. Either that or she was embarrassed about earlier. Unable to help himself, his eyes took a slow tour of her black-on-black ensemble, searching for some sign of the incredible body he now knew she possessed.
Not even a hint.
He dragged his gaze back to her face, to that unflattering thing she did with her hair. Gage couldn’t figure her out. Most women tried to make the most of their assets, but she did the exact opposite.
Muttering something about small towns under her breath, she tossed the paper onto the table and turned her attention to his aunt. “Sorry, Nell, I slept in. Can I get you something to eat?”
“Ted made me breakfast before he and Fred went out to put up the lights.” Nell’s voice shook with restrained laughter.
Hands on her hips, Madison scowled at her. “It’s not funny. And FYI, it’s not my nightie. I didn’t have any clothes with me and borrowed it from you.”
Nell’s brow furrowed then cleared. “You got into Lily’s drawer. Her mother gives her all her castoffs to play dress-up with. I would’ve given you a pair of PJs if you asked. And if Rick was out and about this morning, you’re going to wish you had.”
“Who’s Rick?” Madison’s gaze went from him to his aunt.
“He owns the Chronicle and—”
“Oh, God, he’s the one who took my picture yesterday,” she interrupted Gage, the color draining from her face. “What if—”
“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t see him, but—”
“I didn’t see him yesterday, either, yet he was there.”
“You didn’t let me finish. I’ll call him and take care of it.” Hopefully Rick hadn’t been anywhere near Nell’s this morning. Because if he got a picture of Madison hanging out that window, Gage would have a hard time convincing him not to print it, and every red-blooded male within a hundred miles would land on Nell’s doorstep hoping to catch a glimpse of her. The thought irritated the hell out of Gage. A reaction he didn’t want to think about.
“How can—”
“I’ll take care of it,” he repeated firmly, catching the speculative gleam in his aunt’s eyes as she listened to their exchange. He shot her a don’t-even-think-about-it look.
She grinned then said to Madison, “Don’t worry about Rick. I’ll handle him. I already gave him a piece of my mind this morning. Can’t call yourself a journalist if you don’t give both sides of the story, I told him.”
“It was you? You told him I threw the snowball because the boys were bullying Annie?”
At the sound of a muffled sob, the three of them turned. Annie stood in the doorway, a telling sheen in her eyes. “You told him they were bullying me? I-It’s in the paper?”
Nell’s brow furrowed. “Yes, now they’ll—”
“Annie,” Gage called out, as she took off up the stairs. He went to go after her, but Madison stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Let me. It’s my fault.”
He hesitated, then gave a tight nod. He didn’t like to admit it, but Madison would probably have more luck getting Annie to open up than he would.
Lily came into the kitchen. “Why’s Annie crying?”
“It’s okay, sweetpea. Take off your jacket and go watch cartoons. Annie’ll be down in a few minutes.”
She glanced up the stairs. “Maddie will make her feel better. Annie likes her.”
From the look on Madison’s face when she came down fifteen minutes later, she hadn’t fared much better than Gage would have.
In response to his raised brow, she shrugged. “I don’t know if I was much help. She’s not crying anymore, but she won’t come downstairs. She says she’s not going to school on Monday.”
“That’s nothing new, but thanks for trying.” Even though a part of him blamed Madison for the mess, he appreciated that she’d taken the time to talk to his daughter.
Nell frowned. “I don’t know what she’s so upset about. Those boys won’t bother her now that it’s out in the open.”
“I wish that were true, Nell, but more than likely it’ll make it worse,” Madison said quietly.
Gage glanced at her. There was something in her voice, in her expression, that said she spoke from experience. He was tempted to ask her about it when a shrill whistle distracted him. Probably a good thing, he thought, as he turned to take the kettle off the stove. Because the more he learned about Madison Lane, the more he liked her.
“Nell, I need to pick up some clothes to get me through the next few days. Since Gage and the girls are here to look after you, I thought I’d go now. I won’t be long.”
Gage set a cup of tea in front of his aunt. “I have to put in a couple of hours at the station, but the girls will be here.” He didn’t add that the only reason he had to go in was because once again Madison had the citizens of Christmas up in arms. He figured she felt bad enough.
“I’m not an invalid, you know. I can look after myself.”
Madison gave her a pointed look. Gage grinned, waiting for his aunt to start backpedaling.
“For an hour or two. I’m good for an hour or two.” Nell avoided looking at Madison and grabbed a pen. “While you’re out, there’s a few things I need from the store. We’re going to make gingerbread for the church bazaar today.”
Nell’s little helper narrowed her eyes, obviously thinking through the implications of that piece of news. “I can pick up whatever you need and drop it off before I go shopping. That way you and the girls can start baking right away.”
Good try, Gage thought, covering his laugh with a cough.
Baby blues narrowed on him.
“It’ll wait until you get back.” Nell rubbed her shoulder. “You’ll be the one doing the baking. My bursitis is acting up.”
Alarm shot over Madison’s face. “I don’t know how to bake.”
“I guess I’ll have to teach you then, won’t I?”
Madison sent Gage a pleading look.
“Lily and Annie are pretty good in the kitchen. Maybe they’ll give you a hand” was the best he could do.
“Thanks,” she muttered.
Nell waved the list at Gage. “You’d better drive Madison. I don’t trust her with my truck.”
Madison opened her mouth, then shut it.
“Sure,” Gage shoved the list in his pocket, “but I’ll be at the station for a while.”
“There’s enough shops on Main Street to keep Madison busy. It’ll give her an opportunity to get to know the shopkeepers.” His aunt grinned. “Maybe you ought to take her to Naughty and Nice first.”
“Naughty and Nice?” Madison asked.
“Come on.” Gage nudged her out of the kitchen before his aunt could tease her further.
“I don’t know why you had to tell her about the nightie,” Madison said in a disgruntled whisper.
“I didn’t. Ted did. He was afraid he was having a heart attack and came in for an aspirin.” Gage didn’t blame him. Gage had thought he was having one, too.
She shook her head then cast a worried glance up the stairs. “Do you think Annie will be all right?”
“Yeah, she’ll be fine. Lily,” he called into the living room, where his youngest lay on the area carpet in front of the television. Absorbed in her cartoon, she didn’t
answer. He walked over and crouched beside her. “Daddy’s gotta go to work. You look after Aunt Nell, okay? Give Annie a few minutes then get her to come watch TV with you.”
“Um-hmm.” She nodded, eyes glued on Dora the Explorer. He kissed the top of her head, giving her ponytail a gentle tug. “Call me if you need me. Ted and Fred are out front.”
Madison watched him, an odd expression on her face. He cocked his head. “What’s up?”
“You’re a good dad. Annie and Lily are lucky to have you.”
“Thanks,” he said, as he opened the door, “but I’m the lucky one. They’re great kids.” It wasn’t always easy being a single parent, but Gage wouldn’t trade his life for anyone else’s.
Fred and Ted made their way up the porch steps, stopping short when they saw Madison. The three of them tried to look anywhere but at each other.
Gage held back a laugh. “You two planning on sticking around for a bit? I’m taking Madison downtown, and I’ve got to go to the station.”
“We’ll be here for at least another hour or so. We have to put Nell’s lights to rights,” Fred said, shooting an accusing look at Madison.
“I didn’t do that bad a job,” she muttered under her breath as she walked past them.
“You sure as hell did. Poor Nellie would’ve had a stroke if she saw the mess you made.”
Madison turned on the bottom step. “Hey, I thought you were supposed to be deaf.”
“That’d be Ted.” Fred jerked his thumb at the man standing beside him.
“Yeah, that’d be me.” Ted tapped his hearing aid. “You nearly blew out my eardrums screaming like you did.”
A put-upon expression on her face, she said, “I saved you from falling off the ladder. You should be thanking me.”
“Thanking you? It was your fault I nearly fell in the first place. Standing in your window naked like you were, you about gave me heart failure.”
“I was not naked,” she said, as her face flushed.
“Pretty damn near, you were.”
“All right, that’s enough,” Gage said. “Boys, do me a favor and keep an eye on Nell and the girls.”
“I was not naked,” Madison grumbled, stomping toward the Suburban.
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