by Celya Bowers
She cleared her throat. “About that,” she coughed. “My dad and his retired friends want to volunteer their time as well. I told him I’d have to clear it with you before I could assign them any students.”
His heart swelled with pride. At least she respected what he did at the Alliance. “Tell them we can always use volunteers. I’m sure there’ll have to be some kind of orientation for all of us anyway.”
“I guess I’m scheduling that, too?” Madisyn laughed.
“Yes, I’m afraid so,” Aidan said ruefully. “We’re going to have to end up paying you for doing so much for the Alliance.”
“No, you won’t. You’re doing something positive for the community. So many people don’t volunteer for anything and you’re starting up a place where adults can learn to read and I’m a part of that. That’s all the payment I need.”
“It’s been a dream of mine for a long time. I see too many people walking around who can’t write anything but their name and barely that. Someone had to do something. That’s why there’s no charge if anyone wants to learn to read and write. It will always be free.”
“That’s great,” Madisyn said. “I understand your passion about it. There are some people at the church that need the Alliance, but they’re too proud to admit it. I’m trying to figure out how to get them there without taking away their pride.”
“I’m sure you’ll come up with something,” he said, knowing this woman had taken ownership of his heart.
CHAPTER 10
Monday morning, Madisyn walked into her office building ready to face her boss and whatever he was going to throw at her. Right after she got her morning shot of caffeine. She had just given her order when someone joined her at the counter.
“It feels like a century since I’ve seen you,” Josh told her as he gave his coffee order.
Madisyn turned around at the sound of the masculine voice. “Josh!” She hugged her former boss. “It’s so nice to see you.” She reached for her cup and took a sip.
“How’s Damon working out?” The barista handed him his order.
Madisyn thought of how to answer him. “I think he’s still settling in.”
“Good answer.” He took a sip. “You got a minute?”
“For you, always.” She nodded at a vacant table. “Why don’t we sit there?”
After they were both seated, Josh spoke. “I talked to Damon over the weekend and he seems to think you guys might have gotten off on the wrong foot. Is that so?”
“Not really. I’m sure it will all even out soon,” Madisyn said confidently. “He’s just finding his way.” She took another sip, hoping Josh wasn’t in a prying mood so early in the morning.
“Now Maddie, come on, this is me. I know Damon can be a bastard at times. If you’re already doing the Miss Congeniality thing, there must be some real trouble. So tell me what’s going on, and maybe I can help.”
She didn’t think Josh could help. Only time could. “It’ll be fine, Josh. Once he gets his footing, he’ll loosen up and relax.”
He leaned back in his seat, laughing. “Obviously you don’t know the Damon I know. He never relaxes. That’s part of his makeup. He’s what you young people call a tight-ass.”
Madisyn slapped her hand over her mouth to cover her laughter. “It’s nothing, Josh.”
“You and I both know each other pretty well. And you know you’re not leaving this coffee shop until you tell me what’s going on. How long we sit here is up to you.”
“All right, Josh. He can be brusque, which is fine with me. He did toss Darnell out the other day and I’m grateful for that. He just needs to relax about his job.”
Josh nodded. “He told me about his confrontation with Keisha.”
“I don’t have a problem with that. She totally deserved it and finally someone got a barb in on her.”
Josh shrugged. “Just remember who your real friends are, Maddie. This is a workplace first.”
“I know, Josh.”
“Damon also told me Aidan Coles sent you flowers.”
This time she couldn’t hide her laughter. “I wouldn’t have thought one floral delivery would cause so much trouble.”
“You know it’s all over the building. When a woman receives three dozen roses in a crystal vase, and from the last good Dallas Cowboy, as the press calls him, news travels fast. I didn’t make it to church yesterday, but my wife told me he attended church with you. So is there something you want to tell me?”
Madisyn shook her head. “Josh, I can honestly say there is nothing I want to tell you. We’re just friends. I’m volunteering at his charity.”
“And he had dinner with your family,” Josh stated.
“Does Emily tell everything she knows?” Madisyn asked of Josh’s wife.
“To me, yes.” He reached across the table and touched Madisyn’s hand. “You know I’m only concerned about you.”
That didn’t bode well. “What is it, Josh?”
“Maddie, you know how those professional athletes are. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up. You deserve someone that loves you and only you.”
“I want that someone too. After Darnell, I’m going to be very selective about my next man. We’re going to have more in common than just skin color.”
“Now that’s my girl.”
* * *
Aidan walked into the building that housed the law office of his old college buddy, Chase Hartman. He’d been Aidan’s lawyer for the last ten years and Aidan had been Chase’s only client for the last five.
Chase’s building was located in a secluded part of downtown Dallas’s high-rent district. The three-story building held its own against the tall, regal buildings. Chase’s office was on the second floor. The third floor was a glorified gym for him.
Aidan took the elevator to the second floor and entered Chase’s outer office and called out for his friend.
Chase greeted Aidan with a smile. “Hey man, you’re early. My secretary isn’t even here yet.” Chase motioned for Aidan to enter his private office.
“Exactly.” Aidan sat down in the leather club chair. “I appreciate you seeing me early like this. But your secretary goes nuts every time I call. I can just imagine what she’d do if she actually saw me. You know I really hate a fuss.”
Chase laughed. “Yeah, I hate it when beautiful women just fawn over me like that.”
“Hey, it could have happened if you hadn’t busted your knee our sophomore year of college. You could have had women dropping at your feet all the time. You would have been a great running back.”
Chase smiled back at him. His dark chocolate skin contrasted with his recently whitened teeth. “Destiny had something better in mind, apparently. If I hadn’t busted my knee, I wouldn’t have changed my major to pre-law and become the next Johnny Cochran, without the celebrity client list.”
“What am I?” Aidan asked mockingly.
Chase grinned. “You’re my only client. Don’t get me wrong, Aidan, I love being your attorney. But it would be nice to get involved in a little scandal every now and then, just to keep me on my toes.”
“So I’m boring?”
“No, man. You’re a good man and have your head on straight. You haven’t let your celebrity status go to your head, and I appreciate that.”
Aidan nodded, knowing exactly what his friend wasn’t saying. “It’s like owning a sports car and never being able to go a hundred miles an hour. It’s not that you want to drive that fast. You just want to be able to know how it feels. Sorry, man, but you’re stuck with me, just as I am. Just think of all that free time you have for your golf game. You could be a slightly older Tiger Woods.”
“Not funny. You know my handicap is still three digits. I need a golf doctor,” Chase said. He reached for a file and placed it on his desk. “You don’t happen to know anyone, do you?”
Instantly, Ben O’Riley came to mind. “I just might. Were you able to get everything in order for Alliance?”
Chas
e leaned back in his prized leather chair. “I got most of the details ironed out, but I wanted to firm up a few details about this Madisyn O’Riley.”
“Yeah?”
“Now don’t get your back up,” Chase warned. “I’m using my attorney cap right now. You’re giving her an undisclosed amount of money to run through. The Alliance needs a checks and balance system to make sure the money is actually being spent for supplies and those supplies are being used at the center. If we’re not careful to make sure everything is on the up and up, we could be on the nightly news.”
“I know, Chase. She called me last night wanting to know how much to spend. She was afraid she’d exceeded the budget with $500.”
“So she doesn’t know she has a budget of a half mil?”
“No, she doesn’t, and I plan to keep it that way. I told her that I’d tell her when she was getting close to the budget cap. By the way, I need you to establish an account for her at the local schoolbook store.”
Chase stared at him as if he’d grown another head. “Are you serious? You’re giving her more access to the money?”
“Yes, I am. If I want Mature Alliance to be taken seriously, everything needs to be in place when it opens next month. You know the press is going to be looking for anything negative they can find, and I don’t plan on them finding anything.”
Chase shrugged, took out his gold pen and started scribbling notes on a legal pad. “It’ll probably take a few days to get it set up. By Friday at the latest,” he promised.
Aidan smiled. “Good. Madisyn is buying some books today and I told her that we’d reimburse her. I’ll tell her to fax the receipt to you.”
Chase nodded, still scribbling. “Sure, no problem. I’ll take it out of Alliance’s operating budget.”
Aidan cleared his throat. “I want you to double whatever she pays.”
“What?”
“She’s going out of her way to purchase the books. I just want her to know she’s very appreciated.”
“Aidan, think about what you’re doing. She’s a volunteer. This is what volunteers do. They do whatever needs to be done.”
“I know that, Chase. Just trust me.”
“I always do. Double it is.”
* * *
“Maddie! I haven’t talked to you all weekend,” Keisha said as Madisyn stepped off the elevator. “I know you had your cell with you and called you constantly. So you can’t call your girl back?”
Madisyn took a deep breath. She knew it was going to be one of those days. Yes, she had noticed Keisha blew up her phone over the weekend, but Madisyn wasn’t in the mood to hear about how many men wanted to buy Keisha drinks at the club. “Sorry, had a busy weekend. You know Sunday I’m with my family most of the day.” She walked to her desk, hoping Keisha wouldn’t follow her.
But she did. She stood with her hands on her slender hips, waiting for a better explanation. “That doesn’t explain about Saturday. Is your dad okay? You know I thought he was too young to retire. He’s probably just bored, girl.”
“No, Daddy is fine.” Madisyn turned on her computer and avoided Keisha’s penetrating gaze. “I had temporary misplaced my cell phone, so I didn’t know about the messages until Sunday.”
“Why did you miss girly day? Don’t tell me they had you doing time at the charity already?”
“No, I spent some time with my mom,” she lied. Madisyn hoped God would forgive her for the whopper she’d just told. “I probably won’t be there this Saturday, either.”
Keisha glanced at her watch, then at Mr. Bridges’s door. “Is he in yet?”
Madisyn looked back at her boss’s closed door. The blinds were closed and the room was dark. “I don’t see a light, but you know bosses have been known to sit in their office in the dark and watch people around here.”
Keisha nodded. “Yeah, my boss is king of that little maneuver. I can’t even count how many times I’ve gotten in trouble for not being at my post.”
Madisyn knew exactly how many times Keisha had gotten written up for not being at her workstation. Eleven. Most people would have been history by now, but Keisha had found a loophole. She knew her boss and a manager were having an affair and Keisha used that information to her advantage. “Well, I don’t think Mr. Bridges is in yet, but I don’t want a replay of last week. So why don’t we meet for lunch?”
“Sounds good. Are we still on for dinner tonight?” Keisha stared at Madisyn, waiting her answer.
“I’m sorry, I’m meeting Mom. We’re going shopping tonight.” Madisyn didn’t dare mention she was going to buy schoolbooks for the charity. Keisha would never let her hear the end of it.
Keisha shrugged and walked down the hall. “Call me when you’re free of your mama.”
Madisyn sighed and began her workday. She wanted to be more prepared for Mr. Bridges when he strode in. Thank goodness Keisha was at her desk. Madisyn was printing her boss’s daily calendar when her phone rang. “Good morning, Madisyn O’Riley, can I help you?”
“Well, I certainly hope so, Ms. O’Riley. I was going to be downtown and wondered if you were free for lunch. I realize it’s last minute and only a three-hour notice, so I understand if you can’t.”
Aidan had called to invite her to lunch and then was giving her an out? Had the world suddenly turned on its axis? “Well, I would love to go to lunch with you, but I’ve already made plans with a co-worker.”
“I understand. I know you’re buying books tonight,” he said. “I was just taking care of some Alliance business this morning. There’ll be other times.”
He made turning him down sound so sensual, she thought. She racked her brain for something to keep him on the line. His voice had a calming effect on her. “Is everything okay at the Alliance? I’m not over budget, am I? Is that why you’re calling? You can tell me.”
Aidan laughed. “You’re definitely the glass is half-empty type, aren’t you? I wanted to meet you for lunch because I wanted to see you. If it’s about the Alliance, I’ll let you know.”
Okay, so he wanted to see her. Hadn’t he seen enough of her yesterday? And her family? Was he really interested in her in that way? Steady, girl, she warned herself. He was used to making a woman feel as if she really mattered, just as Darnell had. She had to remember that or she’d be the fool again.
“Madisyn?” Aidan snapped her back to reality.
“Yes, Aidan.”
“I asked you to dinner Wednesday night.”
She normally spent Wednesdays with her niece. “Why don’t you come to my house for dinner?”
“Are you ashamed to be seen with me?”
“No, it’s just that Wednesdays I usually keep my niece Megan, and that way I can do both. She usually goes to sleep about eight. So about eight-thirty?” She was already thinking of an amazing dinner of grilled salmon when Aidan intercepted her plan.
“How about I come at seven and I’ll bring dinner. You shouldn’t have to babysit and cook for me on the same night. How about something from Houston’s? I know they make wonderful seafood dishes,” he said.
“That sounds fine.” It really didn’t, but she didn’t have a good excuse to back out of the date. Now hopefully Keisha wouldn’t show up unannounced and ruin it all for her.
CHAPTER 11
“Maddie, what is going on with you?” Keisha demanded as they headed to their respective cars after work. “You’re letting your needy family run your entire life. You don’t have any free time anymore. Tonight it’s your mama, Wednesday it’s your niece. Friday night I’m sure you have something do that at that charity. You know, I bet Aidan isn’t even going to be there,” Keisha grumbled.
“It’s only for the next few weeks. You know I don’t spend that much time with Mom ’cause of all the organizations she belongs to. So I’m grateful for any time I can spend with her. I don’t complain when you’re in a dating frenzy and cancel out on me at the last minute.”
“But this isn’t about a man,” Keisha complained. “If it
was a man, I could relate. This being with your family and volunteering stuff is just beyond me. It’s just not natural.” Keisha reached her car and unlocked her door. “I know you think I’m man crazy, but I’m not. I just like having a good time and I believe a man should pay for it. You should adopt that philosophy. You’re always doing stuff for everybody else, but never yourself.”
Madisyn thought Keisha’s idea of a good time usually involved someone else’s husband or boyfriend. “I think I’m doing fine just the way I am. I like being with my family, Keisha.”
She shrugged. “My way sounds like a lot more fun.” She got in her car and left.
Madisyn shook her head and disarmed her alarm. One day all that fun was going to catch up to Keisha. Madisyn just hoped she was nowhere near Keisha when it did.
* * *
Darnell watched Madisyn motor out of the employee parking lot. He had planned to be back in her good graces by now.
Madisyn was proving very difficult. He’d planned on showing up at the spa she frequented on Saturday, but those plans went bust when Keisha informed him she wasn’t there.
He had to figure out another way to get to her. He started his car and followed her. If he couldn’t get Madisyn back and get her to accompany him to his company’s annual awards banquet, he could kiss that senior investment banker gig good-bye. Yeah, he had to come up with something spectacular.
“Now what is she doing at this place?” Darnell watched Madisyn park in front of the schoolbook store in downtown Dallas. Since it was the middle of summer and most of the schools weren’t in session, the store wasn’t crowded. She got out of her car and walked inside the store. He could walk in and pretend he just happened by and noticed her SUV. She might believe it. Not.
He watched as her mother parked behind Madisyn’s SUV. Thank goodness he hadn’t followed his first thought. Madisyn’s mother didn’t like him and didn’t pretend to like him, and that was where his trouble started and ended.
With another attempt thwarted, Darnell started his car and headed for his North Dallas condo. There’s always next time, he vowed to himself.