by Unknown
While Madison was entranced with the sea life, Matt was able to meet with a few contractors and discuss building options as they walked. He never took his eyes off the little girl. She would be safe with him, as he promised.
He understood he wasn’t going to get much work done that day, but at least he was making an appearance and attempting to get a few items checked off his list.
“Want to see more behind the scenes views?” Matt asked when Madison finally stopped inspecting the giant sea turtles.
“Ready when you are, captain.” She saluted him with gusto and Matt laughed.
“You’re really something, you know that?” He felt almost playful. Like she brought the child out in him.
Matt led the way and began to enjoy the feel of her sticky hand in his as he wove through the morning crowd and ushered her into an office space.
“This doesn’t look like the zoo,” Madison said.
“You don’t think so?” Matt pointed at a man behind a reception desk and lowered his voice. “There are a lot of interesting creatures in here. Look at that guy. He moves so slow he could be a sloth. And I hear he sleeps up to 20 hours a day too.”
“Really?” Madison stifled a giggle.
“See for yourself.” Matt watched as the man typed on a keyboard one finger at a time in a slow, hunt and peck fashion.
“I think you’re right! What else?” Madison bounced on her heels as she looked for more human-like animals.
“See the woman sitting on the other side of that cubicle?” He tilted his head in her direction.
“Uh huh.”
“She’s as tall as a giraffe. Just wait till she stands up.”
Madison stared and the woman, as if on cue, stood and walked toward them. Madison’s jaw dropped as the tall woman lumbered past. “Wow.”
Matt dragged her to the back office. “And this is where the magic happens,” he said.
“What magic?” Madison looked entranced by the small, shabby room.
“This is where I sit and dream up buildings for the zoo. It’s not my everyday office, but when I visit the zoo and have an idea, this is where I go.”
“Do you have an idea now? Cause if you don’t, I do. I’m full of ideas.”
“I bet you are.” Matt chuckled. “Actually, I wanted to rethink an area of the aviary. There’s a problem I need to work out.”
“Show me! Show me!” Madison clapped enthusiastically. She was almost more excited about this boring work prospect than she had been the aquarium.
“Okay, if you insist.” Matt rolled out a blueprint of the new building he’d been designing.
Madison tapped her chin as she studied the drawing. “I see what you’re saying.”
Matt smiled in amusement. She was a child at the early age of four. He hadn’t told her anything about the problem, nor could he fathom even beginning to explain it. But she was gregarious and her curly hair was beyond adorable. He’d give her the attention she needed before studying the issue himself while distracting her with the Lego’s he borrowed from the zoo preschool center.
“What do you suggest?” he asked in a serious tone.
“Well, it’s got to have a moat,” she said. “That way it would feel more like home for the birds.”
“A moat?”
“A moat. Hey, are those Lego’s?”
“Sure are. Have at it.”
Madison hopped down from his desk chair and plopped to the ground next to the box of Lego’s he stashed in the corner before she arrived. He shook his head. She sure did like Lego’s.
Matt turned his attention back to the drawing. He placed an elbow on his desk and rested his head in his hand. Something just wasn’t quite right and he wasn’t sure what to do about it. He tapped his fingers on the desk. Maybe if he added a little creek. Matt drew a pencil from the drawer and sketched a small river into the drawing. “A moat,” he spoke in a soft voice. “A moat!” he shouted.
“That’s right, a moat.” Madison looked up from her Lego creation.
“You are a genius!” Matt proclaimed. Madison shrugged and went back to her building. Matt’s pencil scratched across the blueprint at lightning speed. When he set it down, he picked up the desk phone. “Can you stop into the office for a moment?”
A few minutes later, the contractor in charge of the new building stepped into Matt’s small on-site space. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“I think I have something for you to consider.” Matt gestured for the man to come closer. “We’ll call it ‘Bird Island’.” Matt stepped back and waited as the other man inspected the rough drawing. He winked at Madison in the corner as the man frowned and tugged his pants up at the belt.
“It’s brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.”
Matt beamed as the contractor slapped him on the back. “How in the world did you come up with this?” he asked.
“I can’t take the credit for it,” Matt began.
“Oh yes you can,” the little voice in the corner interrupted. “You’re an architect.”
Matt smiled.
“I’m going to run this up the ladder right away. If we can get it approved today, we’ll start solidifying the plans next week. We won’t know for certain right away, but I have a good feeling about this. I think you have a real winner here, Marlin.” The contractor rolled up the drawing and rushed from the office.
“So do I,” Matt agreed as he stared at the little girl across the room with fascination. The castle she had built was complete with a drawbridge, towers, and yes, even a small moat.
*
Jesse wasn’t getting many breaks, but she did manage to shoot a text message off to Matt.
Staff set up a temporary daycare at the hospital for some of the trauma patient’s kids. You can drop Madison off any time. Otherwise, I’ll run by and pick her up as soon as I get a chance. –Jesse
After she picked up a new chart, she felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She glanced at the screen.
I’d rather keep her with me, if you don’t mind. –Matt
Jesse frowned. She wanted to ask for details, but a new ambulance was on the way in and she hadn’t caught up with the regular patients in her rounds as it was. She gripped her phone and quickly typed.
Fine. Talk later.
She received a gleeful-looking emoticon back from Matt before she stuffed the phone back in her pocket and moved on with her day.
*
With no blueprint to work on, Matt found himself without much to do. Since Madison helped further his project, he thought it was only right to spend the rest of the day with her, doing what she wanted at the zoo.
“You’re welcome to stay in my office all day and build a whole village, squirt,” he said. “Or we can venture out and see if the sloth is napping and catch a few other animals who might actually be awake.”
Madison stood and raised a fist in the air. “Let’s do it!”
Matt opened the office door for her and followed her down the hall. She giggled when the man at the front desk yawned and stretched so slowly it was hard to watch.
“He must have just woken up,” Matt whispered when they got outside. “So what’ll it be? What do you want to see next?”
“Monkeys!” Madison squealed.
“Monkeys it is.” Matt wondered where she got her energy. Was every kid this enthusiastic all the time? And after everything she’d been through. She was sure resilient.
They walked hand in hand to the outdoor monkey arena where a variety of monkeys swung from tree to tree. Madison watched their antics with glee as Matt narrated the events.
“See that large monkey in the middle? That’s Big Daddy. He just sits and watches the action.”
“Until the babies attack him!” Madison chimed in as two little monkeys literally climbed in the big monkey. An annoyed look crossed Big Daddy’s face as he batted them away.
Matt stumbled as Madison climbed his leg and happily settled herself on his hip. He wrapped an arm around her back and smiled w
hen her arms laced around his neck. “Why do you like the monkeys so much?” he asked. He waited for an easy, child-like answer such as, they’re cute or they’re funny, but he got much more than he bargained for.
“I like how they’re one big happy family,” Madison answered. “I know not all of them are really related, but they act like they are, you know? They pick bugs off each other and they play with each other whether they’re from the same mom or dad or not.”
Matt felt like his heart dropped down to his knees. “You’re right, they do that, don’t they.”
“Uh huh. And they’re really furry too. They have a lot of hair, like me. Though they don’t have curls like me.”
Matt brushed off the tender moment and tried to put a light-hearted sense back into the day. “Can you imagine a monkey with hair like yours?”
Madison giggled and made monkey sounds.
Matt joined in and soon they were louder than the actual monkeys. “I think Big Daddy is giving us a look.” Matt stared at the biggest monkey with a remorseful grin.
“You’re right. I think we better get out of here!” Madison climbed down Matt’s side and skipped down the path.
Matt followed her from exhibit to exhibit and played his role. The faithful protector and friend. But he couldn’t shake what she’s said at the monkey arena. They’re not all related, but they act like they are. He didn’t know what to do with that or why he couldn’t shake it from his mind. All he really knew was that when her little hand wasn’t inside his, he felt like a piece of him was missing.
When Matt’s phone buzzed in his pocket several hours later, he dreaded the message.
Patients mostly stable. Another shift is taking over. I’m heading back to the house. Do you want me to grab Madison or do you want to bring her by?
Matt glanced down at the little girl as the ice cream he’d bought her dripped down her hand and onto her arm.
I’ll bring her.
He allowed her to finish her cone while she prattled on about her favorite TV show, the best color in the rainbow, and why it was important to know your ABCs. He didn’t have to say a word and he appreciated that.
Once he had her tucked safely into the back seat of his car, he found a kid-friendly radio station and steered the vehicle toward her house. The air conditioning felt good after a day in the sun and Madison’s eyes started to look very heavy. After a few minutes on the road, she was out.
Matt smiled every time he glanced in the rearview mirror. Her face was so peaceful. She looked like a little angel. When he pulled up to the house, he didn’t want to disturb her. He opened the back door as quietly as possible, unbuckled her belt, and lifted her into his arms. She groaned and snuggled against him with a sigh. Her sticky hand was on his shoulder and he couldn’t have cared less.
Matt knocked lightly on the front door with his toe and Jesse opened it less than a second later.
“Oh, you managed to wear her out,” she whispered. Matt nodded. “Do you want me to lay her down?”
“Sure.” Jesse took a step back. “You know where her room is.” Matt delivered Madison to her bed, took one last look at her angelic face, and returned to the living room.
Jesse stood in the kitchen, shifting from foot to foot. “Thanks for helping me out today. I’m not sure what I would have done without you.”
“It wasn’t a problem at all.” Matt noticed that she wouldn’t meet his eyes. The awkward air between them was palpable.
“Jesse.” He took a step forward. “I want to apologize.”
“You?” she asked. “I should be the one to apologize for imposing on you like that. It won’t happen again, I promise.”
Matt took another step, closing the distance between them. He placed a finger beneath her chin and raised her face so he could look into her stunning eyes.
“No, I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions about you…about Madison…about what it would be like to be in your lives.”
Jesse frowned. “What do you mean?”
Matt sighed as he rested his hands on her shoulders. She was stiff as a board beneath him. “I have a lot of responsibilities at work. I really didn’t think I wanted anything else after hours, you know? I always hoped I would be ready for kids someday, but I knew that time wasn’t now.”
Jesse’s shoulders tensed further. “I got that much from last night.”
Matt clenched his jaw. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I was wrong. About everything. Do you remember what I said earlier today?”
Jesse squinted her eyes. “That Madison would be safe with you?”
Matt nodded. “Yes, that’s true, but I also said that I couldn’t make you any other promises.”
Jesse tilted her head and waited for more.
“I’m still not willing to make you many promises, but Jesse, I have to tell you how I feel.” He dropped his hands to her waist and pulled her closer. “I was close to writing you off because of your connection with that little girl. But after today, I understand. That girl is one amazing human being. She’s four years old…a kid, but an amazing person.”
Matt paused as Jesse slid her arms around his neck. “Yes, she is,” she agreed.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow or the next day or even next week,” he continued. “But I know I want to give this a shot. I want to give us a shot. I want to get to know you better, Jesse. And I want to get to know Madison.”
Jesse stared into his eyes and leaned back. “But what if it doesn’t work out?” she asked. “What about Madison?”
“I thought about that. She’s lost so much already. I don’t want to cause her any more pain.” He felt Jesse’s grip on his neck loosen as she began to pull away. “I said I didn’t want to make many promises, but I will promise you this. No matter what happens between you and me, I want that little girl in my life in whatever capacity possible. If we don’t work, Madison and I can continue as friends. We can hang out at the zoo every now and then, maybe catch a movie.”
“You really want that?” Jesse’s eyes brightened.
Matt smiled. “More than anything. I know I’m not her father and I never will be. But when he’s overseas, it might be good for her to have a male role model in her life.”
A slow smile spread over Jesse’s face. “I like it.”
Matt bent down until his forehead touched hers. “And now let’s talk about you.”
“What about me?”
“You need to know how I feel about you too.”
Jesse bit her lip as Matt leaned in and kissed her tenderly.
“Jesse, I haven’t felt this way in a long time. I know we just met and I don’t want to jump the gun, but you make me feel unlike anything I can describe.”
Jesse gripped his arms as he gazed into her eyes. He could feel the sparks flying between them and he only hoped she felt the connection as well.
“I was so mad when you left last night,” she said. “You should have heard the things I said to you once you had gone.”
“I can only imagine.”
“But now that you’re here…and you seem to really like Madison…”
“And you,” Matt interrupted. “Don’t forget about you.” He placed his cheek against hers. All he wanted was to be closer to her.
“And me.” Jesse laughed lightly into his ear. “I have to admit. I felt the same thing about you the moment we met. I’ve held back on relationships because I’ve been putting all of my efforts into Madison.”
“As you should have.”
“But now that you’re here…”
“It feels right,” he supplied.
Jesse pulled back and looked into his eyes again. “It does,” she said. She rose to her toes and deepened the kiss he’d started earlier.
Matt crossed kept one arm at her waist, pulling her close as he wove his fingers through her hair. He lost himself in the kiss until he felt a second pair of arms wrap around his leg. He broke away from Jesse long enough to look down.
�
�Madison!” he exclaimed.
“Oh, hi honey.” Jesse was blushing and backing away from Matt fast.
“It’s okay, I understand.” Madison wrapped her feet around Matt’s leg until she was clinging to him like a monkey. “You can’t marry me because you love Jesse.”
Matt stuttered. “We only just met…I-I like her a lot, but…”
“You will, though,” Madison continued. “You’ll love her. I know it. And I’m okay with it. You were too old for me anyway.”
Matt met Jesse’s eyes and burst into laughter. Jesse joined in until the entire house was filled with the melodious sound of a family who wasn’t necessarily related, acting like a family anyway.
*
Vitoria’s Secret
Chapter One
Whatever she may think of Graham, he had certainly chosen well. The charming boutique hotel, located in a picturesque seaside town on the southwest coast, was largely influenced by the Victorian era, a period of history that held a huge attraction for Vitoria. Although a little busier than she would have liked, its convenient proximity to the beach and town’s center was ideal. Perhaps the constant flow of people would be a welcome distraction. Vitoria told herself that this was not really running away, but a time to take stock of her life and plan what she wanted to do next, this made her quite determined to make the most of this time away. Even though all her hopes for a comfortable future was dashed to smithereens, she took great comfort at the thought of the great escape she had made. It was not the first time she had encountered betrayal, but never before was it done so publicly. Everyone now knew of how she had been duped, the fool that she was to be taken in by a charming man. Of course her family and friends were outraged on her behalf, but how could she face her colleagues and clients after such humiliation? Her cheeks grew warm just thinking about it.
It was the intricate detailing on the gleaming rosewood desk that had caught Vitoria’s attention that at first she thought she had misheard the man. But on his repeating, “I’m sorry Ms. Bloomwood, but I don’t have a reservation for you” her heart sank as she registered the concierge’s words. She could only stare uncomprehendingly at the man. “I don’t understand … how is that possible?” Tears of frustration started to well up in Vitoria’s eyes. “I am certain my … erm,” she hesitated not knowing how to refer to Graham, ‘could you double check for me, please?” Victoria hated the pleading note of desperation that arose in her voice.