by Diana Currie
Maddie giggled. “It killed me to hold back but I’m glad we waited. That feeling is fading quickly, though. When are you coming back to Amarillo?”
“Next weekend maybe. It depends if we fall further behind schedule next week. If I have to work Saturday then there wouldn’t be enough time. You wouldn’t be able to fly out here would you? I’d take care of all the arrangements.”
Maddie groaned. “The offer is so tempting but I promised to go with Kyle next Saturday night to visit Leanna’s family. He took the girls to their grandmother’s birthday party last month and he said it was really awkward. They want him to bring the girls over for another family party and I promised to back him up. It’s the only reason he agreed to go.”
“I understand. We’ll just see how things go then.”
“So, what was your sex scene like?” Maddie asked warily. “You promised me Sunday that you’d tell me how completely unsexy it felt shooting it.”
Nathan smirked. “Yeah, I did. Well, of course there was the embarrassment of being naked in front of Gavin and five crew members; two of them women. At one point I had to roll over and the sheet fell off my back exposing my entire ass to the crew. That was great. And did I tell you about the super sticky double-sided tape all over my special area to hold on this tube sock like thing? I think I used way too much because it hurt like a bitch and left my skin red and tingly.”
Maddie laughed, feeling reassured about her actor boyfriend making out with another woman. “It’s a weird job you have, isn’t it?” she mused.
“Sure is,” Nathan agreed. “So, are you freaked out?”
“About your tingly special place? I wish I could kiss it better actually.”
Nathan closed his eyes and groaned. “Don’t say things like that to me, Angel. I’m about five seconds away from booking the next flight to Amarillo.”
“You’d never make it back in time for your morning shoot, Slugger. But hey, you know what’s nice about our phone calls now that we’re together? I don’t have to worry I’m getting too flirty anymore. I can tell you exactly what I’m thinking about.”
“That is definitely a good thing. What are you thinking about right now?” Nathan asked slouching down on the sofa in his suite.
“Right this moment… dirty diapers. Rebecca just made a stinky.”
“Wow, that is so hot,” Nathan replied sarcastically.
Maddie laughed. “I’m sorry! We might have to save sexy phone time for when I’m not babysitting. Kyle won’t be here to get the girls for another hour or so. Can I call you back then?”
“I’m supposed to get dinner with a journalist and do an interview. I’m not sure when I’ll get back. Promise me when I call you tomorrow night you’ll be alone in your bedroom and wearing something very fun to describe to me?”
“Okay, that’s a deal. But I’m never going to send you nudie pictures, just FYI. I don’t want my boobies all over the internet if you get hacked Jennifer Lawrence-style.”
“I would never want that either. It’s better to wait to see your beautiful body in person anyway.”
“I’m looking forward to that too. I’m going to need accurate measurements for Holly,” she teased.
Nathan smiled. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
Nathan checked the clock on the wall and saw that it was almost eight o’clock. “I better go, that journalist is probably waiting for me downstairs and I haven’t even changed my clothes yet.”
“Okay, me too. I should get the girls in their pajamas. Talk to you tomorrow.”
“Until then. Good night, Maddie,” Nathan said and reluctantly ended their call.
Chapter Fifteen
On Saturday, Maddie went with Kyle to Leanna’s parents’ house. Sherry and Harvey Cleary were good, decent people. Kyle had always gotten along with them while he was dating Leanna, but when their teenage daughter got pregnant all their anger and blame landed on Kyle because he got her that way. It was unfair in Maddie’s mind; both parties had acted irresponsibly. She was even more annoyed with how the entire Cleary family treated Kyle after Leanna ran off. No matter how much Kyle tried to be a good boyfriend and father, the family remained biased and supportive of their kin more than him. Everything was always Kyle’s fault and when it was obvious Leanna wouldn’t be coming home, Maddie didn’t blame Kyle for losing touch with her side of the family.
Facing them now made her nervous but she had promised Kyle she’d stand behind him and wasn’t about to bail when he needed her. It was the weekend Nathan had wanted her to fly to Shreveport to visit him so it was a larger than normal sacrifice she was making. It had been two weeks since Nathan came to Maddie’s house and she was growing more and more impatient to see him again. The nervous smile Kyle gave her as they pulled up outside the Cleary’s house reassured her that the personal sacrifice was worthwhile.
“Ready?” she asked as Kyle shut off the car’s engine.
“Thank you for coming with us, Maddie. This party is for Sam and Kara’s engagement, so there will be a lot of people I knew from high school here. Leanna and Kara’s friends, you know?”
“Kara is Leanna’s cousin, right?”
Kyle nodded. “Do you think she talks to Leanna too?”
“I don’t know. Are you thinking about asking her?”
Addison started babbling to her sister in the backseat and caused Kyle to look in the rear-view mirror at his little daughters. “I just want to know if she asks about them is all. I want to know someone’s telling her what she’s missing by staying away.”
Maddie could sense the pain in Kyle’s voice so she reached across the center console to place her hand over his. Someday Addison and Rebecca are going to start asking about their mother. Part of her assumed Leanna would come to her senses and return to Amarillo long before that time. It’s been eighteen months since she left and not a single phone call Kyle’s made has been answered. Maddie knew that Kyle’s burden was more than just food and shelter for his twins. He would have to figure out how to be both parents; their teen years were going to be quite a struggle for sure.
“Come on, let’s get in there,” Maddie said with a smile.
The next few hours in enemy territory were less intimidating that Maddie expected. Sherry and Harvey were actually very happy to see her again and asked lots of questions about her school and how her parents were getting on. When she mentioned how much time she spent with the twins, Sherry asked if she thought Kyle would ever let her babysit. The offer came as a surprise and she promised that Kyle would be grateful for the help if Sherry wanted to talk to him about it.
Maddie had already graduated high school by the time Kyle entered ninth grade so she didn’t know any of Leanna’s friends at the party. She remembered Kara from the twins’ christening and their first birthday party. Maddie congratulated her sincerely on the engagement and they talked a little about what Kara was planning for her wedding. They played with Addison and Rebecca on the living room floor and Kara commented on how fast the girls were growing. Although it seemed like the perfect opportunity, she didn’t have the courage to bring up Leanna’s name and Kara didn’t offer any information.
On the ride home later that night Kyle explained that he didn’t have any more luck getting information about Leanna. “I felt like everyone there knew stuff they weren’t telling me. I didn’t hear anyone mention her or ask how she was doing. It was like they all knew not to bring up her name in front of me or something,” Kyle vented.
“Have you tried stalking her on Facebook?” Maddie asked.
Kyle chuckled in response. “She’s on there but I’m not going to Friend Request her. I’m not that desperate yet.”
“At least it’s a way to get a message to her if you ever need to. Are you coming inside?” Maddie wondered as the car pulled into the Sherratt’s driveway.
Kyle looked back at the two sleeping girls behind him. “No, they’re both out cold. If I go straight home I might be able to move them to
their cribs without waking them up.”
Maddie leaned over and kissed her brother’s cheek. “Don’t worry so much about how you’ll get by without the girls having a mother. They have their grand moms. And I’ll be there to show them how to use tampons and what do to when their best girlfriends stab them in the back.”
Kyle shuddered at the thought. “Speaking of backstabbing… did you tell Holly about your new boyfriend yet?”
Maddie smiled guiltily. “Not exactly. And by that, I mean not at all. I’ll tell her when he comes to see me again.”
“Sure you will. I’m kinda surprised he didn’t come this weekend.”
“Why’s that?”
“Well, tomorrow is Valentine’s day. If you guys are really together then isn’t that kind of a big deal?” he asked.
“Shit, really? Last week he asked me to go to Louisiana but I wasn’t even thinking of the date on the calendar. He just said we’d see each other another time.”
“It sucks he’s so busy, huh?”
“Really sucks. We have plans to Skype tomorrow. I guess that will be our Valentine’s date,” Maddie mused.
“Sexy,” Kyle teased.
Maddie swatted his arm before carefully opening the car door, trying not to wake the toddlers. “See you later, bro.”
She waved goodbye from the doorway as Kyle drove off. Inside the house Sandy was waiting for her at the kitchen island. She was tapping her fingers nervously and staring at a very large bouquet of red roses. They had arrived hours ago and it was all Sandy could do to keep herself from opening the card before her daughter returned.
“Maddie! In here, honey. Quick!”
“What’s wrong?” Maddie called rushing into the kitchen to find her mother. Her hand flew to her racing heart, relieved to see that the stove wasn’t on fire or that Joe wasn’t having a second heart attack.
Sandy pointed to the two dozen roses on the counter top. “These came today. And there’s a present and a card.”
“God, mom. You scared the crap out of me. Are they from dad?”
Sandy laughed out loud. “Your father? The most romantic thing he’s ever done on Valentine’s Day is put the toilet seat down.”
Maddie rolled her eyes. She was sure that was an exaggeration. “So, they’re from Nathan?”
“The card has your name on it. Open it before I go mad.”
Maddie placed her purse on the counter and reached for the card. She quickly glanced over it and then read the message out loud.
Dear Maddie,
I wanted nothing more than to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day in person but since circumstances beyond our control made that impossible, I will have to hold on tightly to the memories of our last kiss a little while longer. I promise to make up for these missing kisses tenfold when I get you in my arms again. Until then, Happy Valentine’s Day, Angel.
Yours, Nathan
Sandy quietly gasped. “That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. Do you think it came from a movie?”
“If it did it wasn’t one of his,” Maddie replied as she leaned forward to sniff the roses. She’d never received such an impressive bouquet before. “There are so many blooms.”
“Open the box now,” Sandy urged.
Maddie looked at her mother who was grinning like a Cheshire cat. “What box?”
“This little black velvet one that was tucked inside with the card,” she said excitedly.
The box was square; too big to be a ring or earrings. “This is too much,” Maddie muttered shaking her head.
“Don’t be ridiculous. A woman should never turn down jewelry.”
Maddie chuckled at her mother’s insistent tone and opened the little box. Inside was a diamond solitaire pendant on a fine chain. Sandy rounded the kitchen island in a flash so she could see the necklace up close.
“Oh, Maddie. This man has good taste. He’s a keeper,” Sandy said nodding her head with approval.
“It looks expensive,” Maddie admonished, “but it is beautiful. I’ve always preferred white gold to yellow.”
“Sweetheart, I think that’s platinum and the diamond looks like it’s at least one carat.”
Maddie’s eyes widened significantly. “I didn’t send him anything, Mom. I forgot it was even Valentine’s Day tomorrow. What should I do?”
“Call him and thank him. Tell him you miss him,” Sandy replied smiling. She carefully removed the necklace from its velvet box and secured the clasp behind Maddie’s neck.
“I can do that,” Maddie said fingering the diamond. “It’s only been a few weeks but not getting to see him is even harder than I thought it would be.”
“I know how you feel. Can you understand now why I never went home to Colorado after meeting your father?”
Maddie smiled at her mother because for the first time in her life she could almost understand why Sandy had viewed the separation from her new-found love so unbearable. Still she wasn’t ready to run off to Los Angeles just yet. “No, I still think you were crazy,” she teased.
“Love makes you do crazy things. You’ll see,” Sandy replied.
Maddie smiled back but said nothing; not wanting her mother to notice that she was already almost in love. She excused herself to her room to call Nathan; taking the flowers and card with her. She fired up her laptop as she dialed, hoping that he would be available to Skype with her tonight. After receiving such lovely gifts Maddie really wanted to say thank you to his face.
“I was hoping you’d call tonight,” Nathan said after just a few short rings.
“I got home from Leanna’s parents’ house a few minutes ago and found a very nice surprise waiting for me.”
Nathan sat up in bed in his hotel room and switched on the light. He’d been lounging around for hours with nothing to do hoping Maddie would call.
“Oh yeah? What did you get?” he replied playing dumb.
“Turn on your Skype and I’ll show you.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Nathan replied happily. It was rare for the timing of their phone calls to fall when both were home in front of their computers. So often Nathan would still be on set when Maddie called and other times she’d be with her family or on campus when he called her. The ability to see her face as she told him about her day was so much more important than Nathan imagined the first time he suggested they use Skype. Days when Nathan felt lonely and isolated were especially hard. His laptop couldn’t load fast enough.
“There’s my Angel,” he said once their chat was finally connected and Maddie’s bright smile filled the screen. He could see the roses he sent sitting on the desk beside her.
“Your words in this card…” Maddie whispered, “Very poetic, Mr. Foster.”
“I wanted you to know how I feel. It sucks that we can’t be together.”
“Now I sort of wish I’d told Kyle I couldn’t go with him to the Cleary’s. You’re only one state away; I wish I could drive to Shreveport right now.”
“I would fly you over here immediately but with a three-hour flight and added time for navigating the airport, getting through security, and any unexpected delays it isn’t much faster to fly.”
“Why does Texas have to be so damn big?”
Nathan chuckled. “Why couldn’t you just live in Dallas instead of Amarillo?”
“Because if I did I wouldn’t have used bright amarillo stationary to write to you, my letter would have ended up in box somewhere with all the other white envelopes, and we would never have met.”
“So, you think fate was at work, huh? Is there a reason we’re an eight-hour drive apart on Valentine’s Day too?” he wondered.
“Possibly. We’re building anticipation for our next encounter.”
Nathan hummed. “I like the sound of that. So, you like your present?”
“Yes, I do very much. Thank you,” Maddie replied.
“It looks great on you. Your boyfriend has good taste.”
Maddie smirked. “My boyfriend is spoiling me.”
> Nathan leaned back in his chair and admired the way the diamond pendant hung around Maddie’s neck. “If you think it’s too much then consider it a late birthday present too.”
“You’ve never asked me when my birthday is,” Maddie said suspiciously.
“I consulted Kyle,” he admitted. “I don’t suppose I need to tell you when mine is do I?”
“June 17th. I consulted Wikipedia.”
Nathan chuckled. “How accurate is that profile? The first piece of advice my agent ever gave me was to never Google my own name.”
Maddie’s eyes widened. “And you never did? I don’t think I could have resisted the temptation.”
“I really hate reading what people think of me. The only opinions I care about are my families, the director’s, and yours.”
Maddie rested her elbows on the desk and stared into the tiny camera on her laptop. “Wikipedia is pretty cut and dry; I don’t think you’d get upset reading that profile. It doesn’t do you justice though. No website I’ve ever been to has been able to describe just how amazing you are, Nathan.”
“You’re too kind to me, Angel. Especially after the state I was in when we first met. I honestly don’t know what you found appealing about me back then.”
Maddie sighed and touched her fingers to the computer screen along Nathan’s cheek down to his chin wishing she could feel the stubble on his face. “That’s not who you are any longer. You’ve changed so much in the past few months.”
“I don’t think I’ve changed as much as I’ve replaced my old habits with new ones. Instead of hanging out with other actors I prefer to spend my nights talking to you. I still lead a lonely life. Look at us for goodness sake! I have a girlfriend now and I can’t even hold her because she’s not actually here.”
“So, what should we do about that?”
“The only thing we can do; hold on for two more weeks until I can pack my bags and head straight to Amarillo to kiss my girlfriend.”
Maddie smiled but she worried that any more delays could push their reunion back another week. “So, you’re halfway through the Louisiana filming. Are you still behind schedule?”