by Celya Bowers
“Hayden, I’ll get back to you. Keep me posted.” She pushed a button on her phone and smiled at him. “I didn’t know how long you slept on the weekends. I’m making French toast. I hope you’re hungry.”
He was, but suddenly it wasn’t for food. It was for this very sexy woman cooking him breakfast. “You know, suddenly I’m not that hungry.”
“Too bad, because we’re eating breakfast. So grab a cup of coffee and park that fine butt in a chair while I finish making you the best breakfast you’ve ever had.”
Chase was shocked into silence. He did as he was told and poured a cup of coffee. Maybe that would wake up his brain. After his brain was alert, the events of yesterday and last night came crashing back. He and Cadence had made love. Earthshaking, toe-curling love. He felt like one of those giddy females. “Cadence, I think we should talk about last night.”
She continued making breakfast. “Well, I don’t. Hartman, don’t make it any more than it was. We had a night of incredible sex.”
“Why can’t it be more? You’re here fixing breakfast instead of running out of here before I woke up. They call you the ghost, for goodness sake. You can disappear at will.”
“I stayed because of you. I was going to leave when you fell asleep, but I couldn’t. You look so cute when you’re sleeping, so I just snuggled up next to you.”
“I would have never figured you for a cook.”
“Why?” She dipped the bread into the batter and put it in the skillet. “You think you know me, but if you knew the real me, you’d be quite surprised.”
“I’m game if you are.”
She smiled. “Let’s see how good you are after breakfast. Then we’ll talk.”
* * *
Sunday morning Madisyn hummed some silly love song as she dressed in her room. Aidan was still asleep when she’d slipped out of bed earlier, so she’d decided to let him sleep. He probably needed his rest, she thought.
As she slipped on her stilettos, she realized that she was going to need a ride to church. Although Myles wasn’t staying at her house anymore, he was the most likely person to pick her up. Her phone was in her purse, which was downstairs, and the guest room didn’t have a phone, so either way she’d have to leave the room.
“Madisyn, are you ready?” Aidan called from the hallway. “How about some greasy donuts on the way to church?”
She was stumped. After the day they’d had she would have guessed that the last thing he would have wanted was to spend more time with her family. “Yes, I’m ready. Aidan, you don’t have to go church with me today. I completely understand.”
He opened the door looking like a model. He was dressed in a dark suit that looked expressly tailored for his athletic body. “That’s mighty big of you, Madisyn, but I’m still going. Just because you think you wore me out last night doesn’t mean I can’t function today. Wait until I tell your dad what you did to me last night.” He chuckled as he walked further into the room. “You look beautiful, baby.”
Madisyn glanced down at her suit. Feeling a little adventurous, she had eschewed the blouse she normally wore under the suit. Her father would still approve of the outfit. It covered all the important areas. “Thank you, Aidan. You look handsome, as always.”
“If you don’t stop looking at me like that with those green eyes, we’re going to be back in my bed and you won’t get to teach Sunday school this morning.”
That thought certainly put a hold on her lusty thoughts. The children. How could she forget about the kids? “Oh, no!” Where was her brain? “I need to get some candy for the kids. With all that’s been going on, I totally forgot.”
“No problem. We can stop at the store or you could bring them donuts instead.”
She liked the donut idea. “Okay, let’s go.”
He led her out of the room and they left the house. After stopping for a quick unhealthy breakfast of sausage rolls, donuts and cinnamon rolls, they headed for church.
Aidan wondered if he’d be able to spot the ghost. He would like to get a look at the woman whom Chase put so much trust in. They arrived at Madisyn’s church and everything looked normal, he thought. Not that he was really the person to judge normal, since it was only his second visit to the church.
He helped her get ready for her Sunday school class. The kids were more than excited to see the food than him. Apparently being a Dallas Cowboy had nothing on chocolate donuts and milk.
He sat at the back of the room while Madisyn worked her magic on the kids. They were entranced by everything that came out of her mouth, just as he was.
When Sunday school was over and church began, Aidan looked around the church as he and Madisyn took a seat. He felt comfortable at the church. He couldn’t put his finger on why, but something about the place made him feel like he was home. He noticed Megan making her way to Madisyn. She crawled up on Madisyn’s lap and smiled at Aidan.
He put his arm around Madisyn, bringing her closer to him. He didn’t miss the look of approval from Ben. And at that moment, he knew. She was his destiny. Now he just had to get rid of Darnell and clean up the mess in their lives.
He felt someone staring at him. Not the adoring fan stare, but a bad stare. He discreetly looked around the congregation, but no one looked suspicious. He’d make a poor detective, he thought. He couldn’t even spot one person out of place in a crowd of less than a hundred people.
When church was over Megan wanted Aidan to carry her. Before Madisyn could tell him otherwise he picked up the little girl and she hugged him. Aidan smiled. When it was right, it was right. With his free hand he guided Madisyn through the crowd and outside.
“Well, Mr. Coles, it’s so nice to see you here again,” said the minister. “It does my heart good to see Madisyn so happy.” He extended his hand to Aidan.
He took it and returned the gesture. “Me too, Reverend.”
He leaned closer to Aidan and whispered. “I heard about the incident yesterday. I hope the police catch the intruder before he does any real harm.”
“I’m sure they will.” Aidan had every faith that the ghost would do her job and Darnell would be caught. He grabbed Madisyn’s hand and they walked to his SUV.
“I love you, Madisyn.”
She stopped walking and stood in front of him. “Really?” She had tears in those pretty eyes. “That’s the nicest gift I’ve ever received. I’ll have to thank you later.” She nodded at Megan.
“How many times?” Aidan teased.
“More than last night.”
CHAPTER 24
When Madisyn and Aidan arrived at her parents’ house, everyone was already there waiting for them. She glanced at Aidan before he released Megan from the car seat. “See what happens when you take the scenic route?”
He opened the back door and helped her and Megan out. “Oh baby, you know I just wanted to spend more time with two of the prettiest females in the world.”
Madisyn hoisted Megan on her hip and started walking to the house. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
“I sure hope so,” Aidan said as he caught up with her and took her free hand. “I sure hope so.”
Madisyn didn’t have time for a saucy comeback. Marcus, her starstruck brother, met them as they approached the front door.
“Maddie, what took so long? I hope Megan didn’t bother you, Aidan. She can be a chatterbox sometimes.”
“Just like her daddy,” Madisyn quipped. “Marcus, breathe.” She led Aidan inside the house. “We’re going inside now.”
Marcus nodded. “Thanks for bringing me down, girl. Sorry, Aidan. I don’t know what it is, but every time I come within spitting distance of you, I lose it.”
Aidan took the gushing in stride. “Don’t worry about it, Marcus. I’m going to be around a lot, so you’ll get used to me.” He kissed Madisyn on the cheek.
Marcus took his daughter out of Madisyn’s arms. “I will.”
Madisyn looked around for her dad and didn’t see him anywhere. “I want to se
e how Dad is doing. I didn’t get to talk to him at church.”
Aidan nodded. “Want me to come along?”
She shook her head. “No, why don’t you get acquainted with the boys?” She took off for the kitchen, not giving him time to answer. Since it was summer, her father was outside on the patio talking to Mike and her youngest brother, Matthew.
“Daddy, how are you feeling?” She inspected her father closely. He still had a little bruising on his face, but otherwise he looked like the man she loved.
“Fine, baby girl. They gave me some really good medicine yesterday. Your mamma won’t let me do much today, but I feel fine.” His brown eyes searched her green ones. “Now how are you doing? Have they caught that fool yet?”
“I’m doing okay. To answer the second part, no, they haven’t found Darnell yet. I wish this mess was over. Then I could have my life back.”
Ben laughed. “I know it must be awful staying in Aidan’s big house and having people ferry you about.”
She held up her hand. “I know. This whole scene could be so much worse than it is. I’m thankful for everything Aidan’s done for me. I don’t think I could have made it through this without him. I just feel that when I was finally getting on my feet, here comes someone else taking over my life.”
Ben shook his head at her statement. “Honey, that man is moving heaven and earth to keep you safe. He’s not trying to take over your life. If he was, he would be like that idiot and cut you off from your family and friends. Has he done that?”
Madisyn shook her head. She hated it when her dad made sense.
“I didn’t think so,” he said. “Now take some thoughts from an old man.”
“What is it, Daddy?”
“I think he’s in love with you.”
“Why do you think that?”
“A man knows, baby. Trust your daddy.”
Madisyn knew that was about as good as she was going to get. “You know I do.” She leaned down and gave him a peck on the cheek to show her gratitude. “I’m going to help Mom in the kitchen.”
She thought it was a noble gesture, but when she entered the large room, her mother and sisters-in-law had everything under control.
“Maddie, tell the men that dinner’s ready,” her mother called over her shoulder. “By the time they get washed up and everything, the table will be ready.”
“Sure, Mom.” She went on her way to do as she was told. She entered the living room and laughed. All the men were watching TV all right, but apparently Megan had ruled that afternoon. They were watching Megan’s favorite movie, The Incredibles.
Aidan noticed Madisyn the minute she walked into the room. He winked at her and motioned for her to sit next to him. She shook her head. “Sorry to interrupt the Oscar night, but dinner is ready.” She went back to the dining room and, true to her mother’s words, the table was just about set.
The guys filed in slowly with Megan in her father’s arms. When everyone was seated and Mike had said grace, they dug into the dinner. Aidan sat next to Madisyn, holding her hand under the table.
“You know, I could get used to this,” Aidan whispered in her ear. “If we have a bad season, will I still be welcome in your parents’ house for Sunday dinner?”
“Sure, Daddy will just tell you what you did wrong,” she teased.
“As long as he doesn’t tell me how to love you, we’re good.” He kissed her on the cheek.
She’d waited a year for Darnell to even mutter the words, and he’d refused to come to Sunday dinner. Madisyn thought how funny love was. Aidan was everything she didn’t know she wanted. He was kind, gentle, supportive and a protector. She could really get used to that.
* * *
Later that evening, Aidan smiled triumphantly. Madisyn was lying next to him, sound asleep. They had had a full day. After being with her family most of it, then coming back to his house for some intense lovemaking, they both had a right to be tired.
For some reason Aidan couldn’t close his eyes. He was beat, but sleep eluded him. A day like today would have normally had him running for the hills, but he’d enjoyed it and he now realized how much Madisyn’s family loved her and vice versa. He wanted that closeness with his family, but he didn’t have it and that was his fault.
He had chosen to alienate the one man who loved him like a son for a man who could have cared less whether he lived or died. Now it was time to fix it, or at least put forth a good faith effort.
He slid from the bed, slipped on his boxers and slacks, and went downstairs to call his parents. His mother was happy to hear his voice as always, but couldn’t hide her surprise when he asked to speak to his stepfather.
“Why?” she asked with a definite edge to her voice. “I’ll not have you upsetting Lester. It’s bad enough your father tried to attack him yesterday.”
“What are you talking about? Why would he do such a thing?” Aidan couldn’t even bear to call him Dad.
“Who knows? Anyway, Lester was outside cleaning up my car and your father just attacked him, saying something about it being payback.”
Aidan was thoroughly confused. “Payback for what? ’Cause Lester rescued you from an abusive husband?”
“I guess. I think he was drunk or something. Lester only hit him once and he was out cold. He’s in jail now. That’s why I figured you were calling, to bail him out.”
Aidan shook his head. “No, I wanted to try to patch things up with Lester or at least start, but as usual my timing is way off. Do you need me to fly up?”
“No, son. Why do you want to make up with Lester after all this time? What’s wrong? You’re not sick, are you?”
He chuckled. “No, Mom, I finally understand what you’ve been saying all these years. Lester loved us enough to take us out of a dangerous situation and gave us his name when he didn’t have to. I was worshipping a man who didn’t love me, but the money I made.”
“I’m glad you realize that finally. Lester will be glad to hear it. All right, you can talk to him.”
Aidan wanted closure, but not like this. “No, I can wait. You guys have had a strange weekend.”
“Speaking of strange, I hear you’ve got your hands full as well with your woman.”
“Apparently Chase has been sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. When did he tell you?”
“No, don’t be mad at Chase. He’s just doing what you pay him to do. Protect you and your family. He just wanted to make sure that we knew what was going on so if the press descended on us, we wouldn’t be caught off guard. Have they caught the guy yet?”
“No, but I’m sure it’ll be soon. Hey, how about you and Lester coming down for a vacation? There’re some people I want you guys to meet.”
His mother gasped as her brain finally caught up with the invitation. “Aidan, don’t tell me? You think she’s the one? After only a few weeks?”
“I don’t think, I know. And I want you guys here.” He heard Madisyn walking around upstairs. “Look Mom, gotta go. We’ll talk later, okay?”
“But you didn’t talk to Lester.”
“I will.” He ended the call and went upstairs.
* * *
Madisyn watched Aidan enter the bedroom. She had just finished her shower and was getting ready to put on a pair of shorts. He wore a broad grin and marched directly toward her.
She held up a shaky hand to stop him. “Again? Come on, Aidan, how about letting a girl get some rest?” She was lying, but he didn’t have to know that.
He sat on the bed next to her. “That wasn’t what I was smiling about, but if you’re game…” He let the sentence drift into a sea of innuendo. “Actually, I was talking to my mom earlier and it was like a lightbulb came on.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you, Madisyn. You gave me the push I needed. While you were sleeping, I went downstairs to call Lester, but I talked to Mom instead. I’ll wait until I can talk to Lester face to face. I wasted a lot of time trying not to acknowledge what Lester is in my life, but that’s over.�
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She noticed the tears sliding down his cheek, but decided not to comment on it. That alone spoke volumes about what was going on inside his head. He’d been her shield so many times, tonight she would be his. She pressed her head against his chest. He was warm and his heart was thundering. She grabbed his head and rubbed it against her cheek. “I’m glad you talked to your mom. I know Lester will understand what you did and why. He still loves you, no matter what. That’s what a parent does.”
He inhaled deeply. “I only hope I can be half the man Lester is when it comes to our children.”
CHAPTER 25
“What do you mean, she’s not at home?” Darnell shouted into the cell phone. The day was not going as planned. Plus, he’d never heard back from Trev yesterday, which only meant his ne’er-do-well cousin had done a bunk once again. “She has to be at home. She’s always at home!”
“Just what I said, Darnell,” Keisha said. “Look, I don’t know what’s up, but I’m going to go by there and see for myself. Maybe she’s just not answering her phone or she stayed at her parents’ later than usual. Who knows what happened to your cousins. I told you they couldn’t be trusted, especially Trev.”
“He can be trusted. I probably shouldn’t have paid him beforehand, that’s all. I can’t believe such a simple task has spiraled out of control. I called his phone and some guy answered the phone saying I needed to turn myself in.”
Keisha gasped. “I don’t like the sound of that. You sure it wasn’t one of Trev’s boys? Sounds like a double cross.”
Darnell wished it had been that easy. “I tried his main boy and he said he hadn’t talked to Trev since yesterday. I tried calling Trev again earlier and it went straight to voice mail.”
“So what are you going to do? That dinner thing is in two weeks and I’m sure your bosses are getting suspicious by now. You could take me in Maddie’s place,” Keisha pointed out.