“I’m not really sure their mother’s place is one that should be held on to by them or me. Given that Fawn, my ex, left of her own free will, she gave up any right to have her presence missed.” He sighed. “At the same time, I don’t want my girls becoming too attached to a college student who, for all her skills at child care, won’t be around forever.”
Madison understood what he was saying. He wanted someone who would be more permanent in their lives that the girls could get used to. But what did he want for himself? Did he want anyone for a short- or long-term romance?
“Children are pretty resilient,” she said. “I suspect that, even if it might be difficult at the time, they would get over losing their nanny, especially if there was an adequate replacement who would stick around for the long haul.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” Stuart drank more wine. He wondered if she had ever thought about having kids. Or if she’d ever considered the possibility of stepping into a ready-made family. “Guess I’ll just have to cross that bridge when I get to it.”
“Does that bridge include having someone in your life that your girls could get to know?” Madison was shocked that she was being so bold. Would he think she was being too forward? Or would he realize that it was just an honest question?
“I would never rule that out,” he told her. “I’m open to that if it happens.”
Madison took some comfort in his words, even if they were still just feeling out each other. She noticed that his plate was empty. “Would you like seconds?” she asked. “Or shall I bring in dessert?”
“I’d love seconds,” he said, “but my waistline probably wouldn’t. So I’ll move on to dessert.”
She stood while clearing away some things from the table. “Peach cobbler coming right up.”
Stuart was enjoying the dessert as much as the food. “You must have been a chef in another lifetime,” he said.
“I don’t think so,” Madison said as she watched him devour the peach cobbler. “But I’m glad you’re enjoying it anyway.”
Stuart dabbed a napkin at his mouth while wondering if there was anything she wasn’t good at. He suspected there wasn’t much, which made her all the more appealing.
Yet he still found himself wanting to know more about her.
“Tell me about your family,” he said, meeting her eyes.
Madison took a breath, realizing she had him at a disadvantage as she knew about his family in Houston. “I have a sister, Bianca, who is two years older than me. She lives in Las Vegas where she’s a reporter.”
“How about your parents?”
“They’re divorced,” she said. “My mom lives in Galveston and my Dad lives in Biloxi, Mississippi.”
“Are you close to them?” Stuart asked.
“I’m closest to my sister, though it wasn’t always that way. Our family was not really the lovey-dovey type.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“So am I,” Madison told him, “but that’s just the way it was. I’m still in touch with my parents and we all try as best we can to keep the peace.”
“I haven’t always been as close to my dad as I’d like to be,” Stuart admitted. “He had his ideas of what I should do with my life and I had mine. Once my mother passed away, things went from bad to worse for a while, but it seems to have toned down now.”
Madison blinked. “He didn’t encourage your writing?”
“Not really. Early on, I think he saw writing professionally as another term for unemployment. But as I gained more and more respect, not to mention money, he seems to finally be coming to terms with the fact that I made a smart decision by following this particular dream.”
“Has he supported Holly and her dreams?” she wondered.
“Yeah, for the most part,” Stuart said. “It seems like she could do no wrong in his eyes. But I’m happy for her. She deserves his love and respect.”
“So do you,” Madison said, lifting her glass.
“I could say the same thing about your parents,” he said. “Guess all we can do is let them come around in their own time and just try to play nice in the meantime.”
She laughed. “That’s a good way to look at it.”
Stuart decided to change the subject. “So what’s the best book you’ve ever read?”
Madison cocked a brow, wondering if it was a test.
“And don’t even think about saying any of my books,” he added smartly. “I’m sure there are a ton of books better than mine.”
“That’s a tough one,” she admitted. “I guess I would say Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.”
“Good choice,” Stuart said, finishing off the peach cobbler.
Madison decided to throw the question back at him. “How about you?”
“I would have to say Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.”
She smiled. “I would have thought you would pick something in the mystery or thriller genres.”
He grinned at her. “I’ve always been a sucker for the classics, though I also love hard-boiled detective novels.”
“Guess there’s a lot more for me to learn about you,” she said.
“And vice versa,” he told her. “Gives us something to look forward to.”
“I agree.” She smiled, then noticed his dessert plate was empty. “More peach cobbler?”
“Maybe I can take a piece home with me.”
“We can do better than that,” she suggested. “You can take some home for your daughters.”
Stuart smiled at her thoughtfulness. “Thank you. They would love it.”
“Good.” She looked at him. “Why don’t we take our wine into the living room? I’ll clean the table later.”
“Sounds like a good idea.” He welcomed the chance to be closer to her. Clearly, she felt the same way about him. So why not step it up a notch?
They sat on the sofa and Madison immediately felt comfortable with Stuart. He was quite handsome and seemed interested in her. How could she not feel the same way?
“What are you thinking?” Stuart peered into her eyes while holding the goblet, his thoughts working overtime, trying to process that he was there with this gorgeous woman.
“That I’d love to kiss you,” she said. Had she really just said that to him? Where did that courage come from?
“Then do it,” he told her, taking her wineglass and setting it on the coffee table beside his. “Or, better yet, let me kiss you....”
Stuart tilted his face and moved in to her waiting lips. They parted slightly as he kissed her. Her lips were soft and tender, just as he liked them. He wrapped his arms around the small of her back and drew them even closer while continuing the sweet kiss.
Madison caught her breath as her lips locked with Stuart’s in a full-blown, openmouthed kiss. She couldn’t remember ever being so into a kiss.
They went at it for some time, and Madison had become totally lost in the kissing when Stuart slowly pulled back.
“That was some kiss,” he said.
She sighed. “Yes, it was.”
“If I had known you were such a great kisser, I might have tried that before now.”
Madison’s lips curved upward. “Had I known the same thing about you, I might have let you.”
Stuart chuckled. “Well, as they say, there’s no time like the present.”
He leaned forward to pick up where they left off, giving Madison a quick peck before she dove into his mouth and all but took control of the kiss.
Enjoying the feel of a man’s lips on hers—especially this man’s lips—Madison was unabashed about putting her all into the kiss. A tingle between her legs left her wanting for more.
She wondered if Stuart felt the same. Did he crave her every bit as much?
Stuart remov
ed his lips from Madison’s mouth and said reluctantly, “I should probably go. The girls will be waiting for me.”
Madison swallowed her displeasure, realizing he had obligations that could not be ignored. “All right.”
Stuart got to his feet. “Thank you for a lovely dinner.”
“Thank you for coming,” she said as she stood.
“I wouldn’t have missed this opportunity to get to know you better.”
She smiled at the thought. “I’ll wrap up that peach cobbler for you and your daughters before you go.”
Stuart watched her walk away, resisting the urge to follow her and resume their kissing. He hoped he would be able to return the favor one of these days and invite her over. But not until he was sure the girls would fully embrace the idea of him seeing someone.
“Here you go,” Madison said, handing him the cobbler.
“Thanks.” He stared into her eyes. “I’ll call you....”
“I look forward to that,” she told him.
Stuart kissed her once lightly on the mouth. “See you later.”
As he walked to his car, Stuart came to terms with one simple fact. He liked Madison and wanted to make this work. And he believed she also wanted them to explore this connection. They had to see it through, wherever it might take them.
Chapter 9
Madison could still feel Stuart’s tender lips on hers as she drifted off to sleep that night. She hadn’t expected the kiss to linger, in spite of its potency. Did that mean she was falling for him?
I guess I’ll just have to discover that over time, she thought. Her instincts told her there was something there that Stuart’s kiss had unleashed.
But she wouldn’t rush it, as she didn’t want to jeopardize their potential and the opportunity to get to know his little girls. And Madison wanted to be sure she was in this for all the right reasons—although she couldn’t deny that she was attracted to Stuart Kendall, plain and simple. Was that enough?
The next morning, she went jogging with Jacinta. She told her about the fun dinner she’d had with Stuart.
“So things are heating up between you two after all,” Jacinta said.
Madison blushed. “Looks that way.”
“Why am I not surprised? From what I could see, sexual chemistry practically dripped from you both.”
Madison chuckled. “Well, it wasn’t quite that extreme. He is an excellent kisser, though.”
“Again, I would expect as much,” Jacinta said, wiping her brow. “How was he as a lover?”
“I can’t speak for that,” Madison said. “We haven’t gone there yet.”
“Nothing wrong with taking your time, girl. I’m sure it’ll be well worth the wait.”
I’m sure of that, too, Madison thought. An image suddenly flashed in her head of her making love with Stuart. She quickly erased the picture, realizing this wasn’t the time or place.
“We’ll see what happens,” she said. “I’m not looking too far ahead.”
“As long as you don’t look too far behind,” Jacinta warned.
Madison furrowed her brow. “If you’re referring to Anderson, I’m definitely not looking in that direction anymore. I’m completely over him.”
“That’s good to know, because I doubt he has anything on Stuart Kendall.”
“Believe me, he doesn’t,” Madison assured her as they crossed a street.
“Have you met Stuart’s kids?” Jacinta asked.
“No, not yet.” Madison was aware that Stuart was very protective of his girls. And he should be after the stunt their mother had pulled. She knew he didn’t want to see them go through anything like that ever again. And neither did she.
“I’m sure it’ll happen in due time,” Jacinta said. “Men like it when women like their children. If he wants to be with you, he’ll make sure you have adequate time to get to know his girls.”
“I hope so,” Madison admitted, sucking in a deep breath and exhaling. She hadn’t been around children very much but was hopeful that the girls would like her.
And it was likely she would be just as smitten with them.
* * *
Stuart watched the dance recital as Dottie and Carrie moved gracefully alongside the other girls. It reminded him of Holly when she was young, as she’d also been a dancer. He didn’t doubt that his daughters were having just as much fun.
“Are those your daughters?” an elderly woman next to him asked.
“Yes, they are,” Stuart said proudly, as the two girls danced side by side.
“They’re lovely,” she gushed.
“Thanks.” He smiled broadly at her. “I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
“Yes, I can see it in your face.” She smiled back. “That’s my granddaughter over there with the mounds of blond hair.”
Stuart gazed at the girl who seemed full of energy. “She’s adorable.”
“I’m just as proud of her.”
“As you should be,” he said, again eyeing Dottie and Carrie. He suddenly found himself wishing that Madison was here to see them perform. She certainly seemed interested in meeting the girls, and they had expressed the same interest in meeting her. But he didn’t want to get too ahead of himself yet. Even though there seemed to be lots of potential with him and Madison, he still needed to have a better feel for where this was going before he introduced her to his kids.
When the performance ended, the girls raced over to him, all smiles. Stuart gave them both a big hug.
“Did you enjoy it, Daddy?” Dottie asked eagerly.
“How could I not?” he responded, grinning. “You two were amazing.”
“You really think so?” asked Carrie.
Stuart touched the tip of her nose. “I know so.”
“Do you think Mommy would have enjoyed it?”
He cocked a brow, wondering where that had come from. The girls almost never mentioned their mother these days and he didn’t encourage them to, all things considered.
“I’m sure she would have,” he replied. “But she chose not to be a part of our lives and we have to accept that.”
“I know, but it would still be nice if she was here like other moms,” Carrie said sadly.
“Maybe you should have brought Aunt Holly’s friend,” Dottie said, looking up at him.
“You’re right,” he acknowledged. He preferred that over any talk about Fawn. “Maybe next time.”
“Cool,” she said.
“Yeah,” Carrie agreed. “Or Grace could come.”
Stuart smiled, realizing the girls were searching for direction. They needed a reliable female in their lives to support them. Grace, for all her worth, had her own life and could only be there when her schedule permitted. Was it possible that Madison could fill the role of substitute mom someday?
* * *
Two days later, Madison was at work on her column. She was trying to focus, but her mind kept coming back to Stuart. She hadn’t heard from him since dinner that night. When would he call? Should she make the first move?
No need to stress about this, she told herself. It’s only been a few days. Why rush a potentially good thing?
She had experienced firsthand what pouring all her emotions into a relationship could do. She didn’t want to go there anymore. Especially since, in this case, she wasn’t even sure she and Stuart were in a relationship. Madison’s cell phone rang. It was her sister.
“Hi there,” Madison said.
“How’s Portland treating you these days?” Bianca asked.
“It’s getting better all the time,” Madison said.
“Really? Does that mean you’ve been asked out?”
“Not necessarily....”
“But that’s not a ‘no’ either,” Bian
ca said. “So who’s the lucky man?”
“No one’s gotten lucky yet,” Madison emphasized, “but I did cook dinner for a man.”
“I knew it!” Bianca laughed. “Details...”
“There aren’t many at the moment.” She paused. “Actually, it was Holly’s brother, Stuart.”
“Hmm...the same one you were trying to avoid?”
Madison grimaced. “I never said that.”
“That’s not how I remember it....” Bianca said. “So what about the awkwardness with the Holly drama and all?”
“That’s over and done with,” Madison said. “I’m cool with Holly now.” Even if they might never again be best friends, she respected Holly and wanted only the best for her.
“Well, that’s good to know.” Bianca took a breath. “So, you’re interested in her brother now?”
“I think we’re interested in each other.”
“Well, that’s a start and more than I can say about myself at the moment. There’s not much happening for me right now in the dating scene.”
Madison had never known her sister to go long without a man in her life. But quality was much better than quantity, and she hoped Bianca held out till she found someone who would really treat her right.
It was advice Madison could just as easily apply to herself. She wondered if Stuart would prove to be that man who would treat her right for the long haul.
For the time being, she would settle for another date, if it was meant to be.
* * *
That evening, Stuart met Chad for a drink at a tavern in the Pearl District.
“So what’s got you so tense?” Chad asked over his scotch. “Let me guess, it’s got to be a woman, right?”
“You got me.”
“Actually, I think she’s got you.” Chad looked at him. “I assume we’re talking about Madison.”
“You assumed right.” Stuart tasted his rum and coke. “I like her.”
“I could see that as plain as day at the club the other night. Tell me something I don’t know.”
“All right....” Stuart said. “I just want to go into this with my eyes wide open. I’m a single dad whose wife left him for another man, and she’s a single woman who may still be trying to overcome an engagement that went nowhere.”
Say It with Roses Page 7