by Judy Jarvie
Maddie walked behind the counter and offered Lyle a coffee, then proceeded to make their drinks.
‘Marco believes in local involvement. He loves his Scottish second home. He thinks that fighting for small business interests is vital so he leads a local traders’ pressure group.’ Maddie felt a strong swell of pride and advocacy for her relative as the coffee machine steamed under her fingers. ‘This place is pretty special to me. I did the biggest part of my growing up here. I found my true independence.’
‘Why did you leave Boston?’ Lyle asked as he took a seat at the marble coffee bar.
She briskly fudged and shrugged. Now wasn’t the time for long explanations. In fact, she rarely went there with anyone, even Marco. At eighteen she’d been one of those ‘kids who divorces a parent’ stories – only hers hadn’t been a formal public media frenzy. Just a walk out and never look back scenario. She’d turned her back of her own volition and had no qualms.
‘Parents going through marriage difficulties. Mom’s brother Marco ran a restaurant in Edinburgh and studying overseas seemed like a good idea. Scotland’s a great place to come and study.’
‘It’s also attractive because of her freedom to commandeer the coffee machine.’ Marco’s voice could be heard from the kitchen area coming to greet them.
Maddie grinned and relented to a full-on Marco hug when he neared her. ‘Perks of being a regular fill-in waitress and of living so close at hand. Hey, Uncle M. Can I make you a coffee too?’
Seeing her uncle’s familiar beguiling toothy grin caused a pang of fondness to swell. In so many ways he was the father she’d never had.
‘No caffeine for me. I’m just pleased you can’t keep away.’ Marco stooped to greet his youngest visitor. ‘Josh, Stefano tells me you’d like to learn pizza making. I feel very honoured to help.’
Josh nodded earnestly. ‘It’s for my nursery friends.’
‘Then we’ll have to make sure it’s a good one. With all the finest toppings I can find for you. Stefano, the red carpet must come out for this young man. He may be a celebrity chef of the future.’
Marco looked back at Maddie suddenly as if he’d forgotten something crucial. ‘So you know, we’re doing some work upstairs in your apartment since you’re gone.’
‘Oh I get it, moving me out while my back’s turned?’ Maddie gave him a pretend warning stare.
‘You liked the new stripped and varnished floor in the trattoria conservatory so much, and since the carpenter owes me a favour, I asked him to make it the same. I figure I owe you for all the unpaid waitressing. Consider it an early Christmas gift. I know how much you hated that shabby carpet upstairs. Big brown swirls and flowers will soon be a memory.’
Maddie wrapped her relative in a hug. ‘You didn’t have to, but I’m so grateful. You don’t need to cheer me up. All you have to do is smile and make me dough balls.’
Her uncle pushed her away even though he was clearly pleased, if embarrassed, by the attention. ‘You’ve had a tough run lately so you deserve it. Just don’t blame me when you see the apartment is upside down and covered in dust sheets. Stefano and the guys shifted the furniture but it was all done in a rush.’
As Marco took Josh aside to show him the pizza toppings on offer and his famous pizza oven, Maddie watched Lyle sip coffee, still revelling in the restaurant’s attributes.
‘He’s great,’ Lyle remarked. ‘And you’re both clearly very close. This is the kind of place I dream of. Warm, inviting, authentic, borne out of years of practice and love.’
She slanted her eyes at him. ‘But I figured coffee shops were your dream, Lyle?’
He shrugged broad shoulders as he laid down his cup, ‘One day I want a varied array in the portfolio. Coffee shops first, then maybe a restaurant, eventually a boutique hotel. I have dreams. I aim to work to make them happen.’
‘You’re a busy guy.’
‘Very,’ he answered. ‘Best way to keep out of trouble.’ Those challenging grey eyes rose to meet hers with a flicker of something deep, something that made her stomach shimmy.
‘Just saying, be sure you can keep all those plates spinning.’
‘I take good care of myself, Maddie. Trust me, Lyle Sutherland doesn’t lie down and let life beat him up.’
Maybe. But Lyle Sutherland had a lot of plans on his life list. Would he ever sit back enough to just enjoy the pleasures? His home, his son? Would work always push his priority button?
The information curdled uncomfortably in her own life history. She’d known a highly motivated professional man herself – one who’d always placed his career above home life. A work machine with a lofty professional vision. Clark Adams and his one man show to corporate legal glory, with no room for family.
‘The plates in my life spin just fine. It’s all for Josh,’ Lyle continued. ‘Everything is with his future in mind. I want him to be in no doubt I’ve done all I can. I lost my own father young and it hit me hard – he never saw me win any rally championships. But he paved the way. Yet all he’d ever wanted was me to join the family bakery business. So this coffee shop venture is a halfway house attempt to resurrect that. I want Josh to grow up knowing he has his place should he want it.’
‘You’re lucky,’ he added. ‘You have all this history behind you. I miss my father, I wish so much he could have known Josh. Could have seen me pull off the cafés.’
‘He’ll be watching,’ she commented. ‘He’ll know.’
Lyle smiled into his cup. ‘When I was a young aspiring driver, the bakery business held no interest and when Dad died it was sold. Afterwards I regretted we’d let his legacy go. Dad always supported my rally dreams to the hilt. I wish I’d kept his business alive too.’
Instantly she realised exactly why she’d brought Lyle here today – her pseudo family guise on display. To all the world this little Italian idyll suggested she had it good, she had a large family swirling around her. She had her place.
But suddenly things were turning around on her – Lyle making assumptions, getting personal, confiding. Coming to all the wrong conclusions.
Her uncle had helped her find so many of the things she treasured most – a home where she was accepted, warts and all – she was a part of his family and it was a precious place. But it was the wallpaper that covered reality. She’d watched her future disintegrate and her father had detonated the carnage. Feelings that sprang from her past still squeezed her heart. Perhaps she shouldn’t have brought Lyle here at all. Perhaps in trying to evade intimacy all she’d done was haul Lyle into her own private clan. That was something she’d vowed to avoid. No personal contact, no interlopers. Just like Lyle with his café possessiveness.
She should keep Lyle firmly out of her private life. First ‘working together’ mistake.
Lyle’s eyes turned towards his son as Josh’s excited voice interrupted them. ‘Dad, come quick – I’m helping to make the dough.’ His face showed rapt delight.
‘Great, champ, I’m coming,’ Lyle called and smiled at her. ‘I’ve always longed to have one of those big, cooking-obsessed Italian families. I’m totally jealous of you, Maddie. You’ve no idea how good you’ve got it.’
Was this how Lyle had felt when he’d walked into his café and found her firing ahead with her own plans? Changing equipment and systems. The cautions that thudded inside her warned she might now appreciate his reluctance to comply.
It hurt when people trampled your past wounds, unaware of the scars they stretched and tore.
Chapter Five
The trattoria’s original frescos of dancing naked nymphs certainly drew the eye. But they only served to heighten Lyle’s awareness of Maddie’s less overt attractions.
Natural beauty twinned with unassuming charm.
Response sparked inside him. Not just to the woman who’d turned his head. Because of his current surroundings – the restaurant she’d brought him to see. It was like a step back into the 1930s: all original décor, with amazing authentic period tiling a
nd embossed metalwork on the walls and bar area. Utterly inspiring. And that was just the genuine café culture fittings.
No wonder Maddie had waltzed into his coffee bar full of fresh ideas and streamlining know-how. She’d come from this wonderful pure spring of knowledge and expertise.
Something softened inside him and Lyle felt a touch foolish for taking her dealings so personally before. She was experienced, ideally placed to help him – he shouldn’t have judged, instead should have recognised her keen understanding.
An excited spur jangled inside Lyle’s belly – this was what he’d longed for. Gold dust business insight from a long-serving pro: someone completely versed in the trade he was so passionate about, because at heart he was a rally driver turned entrepreneur. Sportsman first, café host second. Business had become his new focus after he’d sidelined driving because the risks to his life weren’t worth the thrills – not now that he had Josh to care for. But he still had such a lot to learn and sometimes industry newcomers needed more than just passion and a plan.
While Josh finished off his pizza lesson, Lyle quizzed Marco about his business. Trying to suck up all the wise words and mentoring know-how he could. He would have happily talked shop all day, only that wasn’t why he was here.
‘Ta-ra!’ Josh stood proudly behind his masterpiece pizza as Maddie snapped a photo of the mini pizza chef using her phone. The sight of his beaming joy swelled Lyle’s inner pride. He winked appreciation at his new nanny’s hidden talents.
‘That’s one of the best I’ve ever seen,’ Maddie enthused.
‘You can cook for me now, Pizza Man,’ Lyle added.
Josh crinkled up his nose. ‘I think I like being pizza chef.’
‘We can eat lunch here if you like?’ Maddie offered. ‘As long as your dad agrees. But we don’t want to eat your special pizza; we must keep it for your friends.’
Marco approached Maddie and gently touched her arm. ‘I need to ask you a favour,’ he confided. ‘I’m hosting a networking event on Saturday. But Ellen is busy this week and Renee has morning sickness that lasts all day and night and she can’t handle serving food. We have waiting staff short, leaving me truly stuck. I could do with my most experienced waitress on hand. Any chance?’
Lyle watched as Maddie shook her head. ‘I’m a temp au pair now. Technically I should be caring for Josh.’
Lyle intervened at the mention of his son’s name. ‘Maddie? Can I help?’
She bit the corner of her lip. ‘I can’t do waitress shifts right now because I’m working for you. I was explaining that.’
Lyle replied. ‘But you’re entitled to nights off and if Marco needs you I can arrange baby sitting cover or I can watch Josh myself. When’s the event?’
‘Saturday night. It’s late notice but he’s short of cover.’
Lyle shrugged. He could hardly quibble – Maddie had dropped everything to help him, she deserved leeway back and Marco would be a useful business ally. ‘I’m indebted to Marco already for his helping Josh. Saturday can be your day off. Marco is more than welcome to have you on his staff if he needs you.’
Marco shushed his gratitude away. ‘It’s my pleasure. The boy’s a joy.’
‘Yeah, he is. He’s really enjoyed this too. We both have.’ Lyle’s eyes were on Maddie’s gaze when it travelled up to watch him. Unspoken words exchanged through an appreciative glance.
Marco sat down opposite and lowered his voice to Lyle while Maddie moved away to show Josh around the deli part of the establishment. She was soon out of earshot. ‘Shame she won’t waitress permanently – always wanted to work with kids, that’s Maddie. She came here after her Momma died and she’d dropped out of college because of the turmoil at the time. She did a childcare course in Edinburgh though it took time to get over her mother’s death. Still, she’s made something of life here. She’s like the daughter I never had. At one time, I hoped she’d be my successor. She’d make a great restaurateur.’
Lyle observed Maddie in the light of this new revelation. So much for thinking she was a rebel, an egomaniac out for maximum attention. This woman had navigated her own hard path. He still wondered why she’d claimed her arrival in Scotland had been prompted by parental difficulties? There was more to Maddie Adams than he knew.
Lyle quirked a brow and softly confided to Marco in a whisper. ‘I know she’s good. Why do you think I clung on fast? My son needs someone extra special. He lost his mother recently.’
Marco’s eyes glittered in response. ‘I sense you’ll be good for each other. Look after her for me, Lyle. She’s special.’
‘Unconditionally,’ Lyle solemnly stated. ‘Rest assured.’
Some minutes later Marco helped Josh put his prized pizza in a large box, and Maddie approached his table. ‘Job done. I think he’s enjoyed himself.’
‘I have too. Thanks for bringing us here. If your uncle needs you on Saturday, I’m more than happy to oblige – never hesitate to ask me if you need flexibility. You’ll probably be keen for space from us by the weekend.’
Maddie quirked her lip and teased. ‘I don’t need to escape – well, not Josh. You on the other hand … ’
Lyle reached out to fake-push her arm. ‘Hey, the cupboard locking incident is still on record. Tread with care; I might just lock you somewhere myself.’
‘You could try. But I’m pretty nimble.’ Her look was provocative, cocky.
‘Saying I’m not?’ Lyle jutted his chin in challenge. ‘Want to test me? You caught me off guard that day. Next time I’ll be primed as a contender.’
Maddie stifled a bubbling grin. ‘No need to bluff, boss. But even if you did manage to lock me in a cupboard I’d figure out a way to fox you. I’m a nanny; one step ahead is my code of conduct.’
Lyle raised a brow. ‘Really? I’ll hold you to that sometime.’
A blush rose at speed along her cheekbones. Lyle was as intrigued by it as he was upended that together they were both riding a mini-flirtwave without thinking through the implications. Lyle stepped closer, opened his mouth to say something, but then stopped. How could he explain his own flirtation offensive when he didn’t understand it himself?
Marco approached with boy and pizza. Now was not the time to banter and spar with his nanny just because it was like a fix he couldn’t stand to walk away from.
‘Why don’t you come on Saturday, Lyle?’ Marco asked him. ‘It’s a few business colleagues gathering together. Come and network. You’re an Edinburgh businessman yourself.’
Lyle nodded vigorously. ‘As long as I’m not intruding.’
Marco laughed. ‘A new handsome business owner appearing out of nowhere. The female committee members will adore me.’
‘I look forward to it.’
‘So what’s next on the agenda?’ Marco asked rubbing his hands together. It was only then, when Lyle glanced at Maddie, that he noticed the creases on her brow. Had he caused those? Had he been so overzealous with Marco he’d failed to figure Maddie’s take?
If she had a problem, he’d step back, no matter how much he wanted Marco’s input. Part of his brain zoomed around the possibilities and a tiny flicker of awareness sparked – why did he find it so easy to accept Marco’s help, when he’d railed against early intervention by his niece?
Easy answer: strictly business, no hormones involved. Marco Bonafonte didn’t bring hot looks and potent attraction. But if Maddie had a problem with him, better to broach it.
Lyle pulled her to one side and hushed his voice. ‘About coming on Saturday, I don’t want to barge my way into your private life. I’m your boss and it’s not fair to make assumptions.’
Maddie shook her head but it still didn’t convince him. Her eyes grazed up his body, then met his full on. ‘Uncle Marco made the invitation.’
‘But I won’t accept if you feel I’m hijacking your free time.’ He stared into those pool deep blues.
Lyle pulled himself together; there was so much he could explain but wouldn’t. He knew how f
eeling squeezed out and compromised felt. He’d often been commandeered into uncomfortable situations by Josh’s mother. Especially over contact time; Becca had enjoyed her ‘maternal’ mantraps. He’d not been the magazine style, publicity-obsessed sports star she’d wanted from the off so she’d indulged her fascinations elsewhere. Sad that she’d had to use Josh to underscore his failings, her unfulfilled ambitions.
‘I don’t intend to gatecrash, Maddie.’
‘There’s no pity party to crash here.’ But her strip-search glare barred, accused. It fired his insides to jab back.
‘Courtesy. Not pity. Big difference,’ he answered. ‘Empathy over sympathy. Subtle but crucial.’
How could he begin to explain? Why the emotions inside threatened an instant tornado whenever his mind turned back to fighting for his son. ‘I don’t do intrusion. I know how that feels and it’s not pleasant.’
Maddie answered swiftly. ‘I don’t have a problem. My uncle is a generous man by nature, it’s one of the reasons I love him so much – come on Saturday with my blessing. Now it’s time for lunch. Josh keeps telling me he’s hungry.’
Lyle shoved the sharp feelings deep. Vetoed the attraction recognition. Now wasn’t the time for intense analysis on why Maddie’s approval counted so much. Why her angry-slash-hurt eyes fired him up enough to want to know why.
‘Let’s go eat,’ he echoed and followed her lead. She was right, always one step ahead of his moves.
Marco wanted Lyle at his meeting because he was successful and smart. What was she getting her emotions in a mix about?
But Maddie just watched as no fewer than three ‘yummy mummies’ at Josh’s nursery stared at him. As though he were the latest must-have export from the Gorgeous Man factory. Lyle appeared blissfully unaware of the interest; maybe it was something only female radar could intercept?
They’d visited the nursery staff to convey that Maddie was Brigitta’s replacement. Tomorrow she’d be taking over solo but she had no concerns. As they left the building, she noticed another glamour mum stare at Lyle all the way out of the door.