“Excuse me?” The elevator doors opened, and Maddie stepped first into the lobby.
“I asked, how old are you?” He knew she had to be at least a little older than his daughter since he knew Maddie had graduated from UCLA and sold real estate in San Diego. And from what she’d shared about her work, he got the impression that she’d had enough time to establish a solid reputation.
She stopped in the middle of the lobby and looked up at him. “Why?”
“I just wanted to know.”
Maddie continued walking out of the building. “Thirty.”
Thirty. His heart gave his rib cage a small fist bump. Somehow thirty sounded so much older than twenty-nine. And way better than the twenty-five or so that he’d imagined her to be. But that still left twelve years between them. Not exactly robbing the cradle.
At thirty that would have made Madeleine eight when his daughter was born. Not that he’d been long into adulthood when Carolyn was born, but Maddie was still in elementary school. Had he met her fifteen years ago, what he was thinking of doing with her now would have been a criminal offense in most, if not all, fifty states.
“It’s no big deal.” Shading her eyes from the sun with her hand, she paused almost at the car to look into his eyes. “There’s no ick factor here. No one will look at you and think dirty old man, and they won’t see me as a trophy wife.” She dropped her hand and shrugged. “Not that we’re talking marriage here, just saying.”
Was that what he wanted? After all these years as a bachelor? Could that be why the age thing bothered him so much? He wasn’t thinking of Maddie for a port stop, but as home port?
Pointing the fob at his car, he clicked and opened the door, waited for her to settle inside, closed the door, skirted around to the driver side and climbed in. Staring at the steering wheel a moment, he sucked in a long breath and mentally stepped back. Only twelve years. Slowly he wrapped his mind around the idea that he was not technically old enough to be her father. That was something.
Stepping on the brake, he pushed the ignition button. Her back stiff, her jaw clenched, Maddie kept her gaze out the window, and he realized, if he’d managed to push her too far, it wouldn’t matter a damn if there was only a thirty-day difference between them. Shit, he had less then fifteen minutes between here and the house to make everything right.
* * *
Maddie wondered, what was the big deal? He thought he was too old for her. Or she was too young for him. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. The man was an idiot.
Blast. He wasn’t even close to an idiot. Gary from the office was a first-class idiot. She’d had a string of idiots in her life. A few nice guys, but mostly idiots. All the way back to the captain of the football team who had thought there wasn’t a skirt in the county who didn’t want to get friendly with him in the backseat of his souped-up Camaro. “Asshole.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Oh.” She sprang around. “I didn’t mean you.”
“One of the requirements for my job is to be able to think ahead. Anticipate the unexpected. Be prepared—”
“Expect the best, plan for the worst and prepare to be surprised. Yes, my brother says that all the time.”
“Does it help to say I’m pleasantly surprised you’re thirty?”
“Then you’ll be thrilled to know I’ll be thirty-one on my next birthday.”
“When is that?”
“Valentine’s Day.”
“That’s next weekend.”
She nodded. Her dad had bought into the baby pool predicting Catherine would make an early appearance and share Maddie’s birthday. Funny how two weeks early had seemed so normal, and yet this morning the idea of three weeks premature had sent most of her family into a silent panic.
“Do you have plans?” He turned the corner to Maile’s house.
“We were planning to play it by ear with the baby and all.”
“Would you consider joining me for dinner?”
Maddie pulled on her shoulder belt and shifted to face him. “On Valentine’s Day?”
He nodded and pulled over to the curb in front of Maile’s. “Yes. On Valentine’s Day. And your birthday. And a chance to prove I’m not an asshole.”
“I wasn’t talking about y—”
Placing his finger on her lips, he smiled. “I know. But I’d like that chance anyway.” Without waiting for a response, he spun out of his seat and circled the hood in time to open her door for her and offer his hand. “Had enough time to think it over?”
One foot out of the car she pushed from her seat with the other a little too hard and toppled into his arms. Grinning up, she wondered if falling into his arms was going to be a habit with them.
Chapter Thirteen
Dan had been looking forward to tonight all week. His daughter had helped him plan the perfect date. And, much to his surprise, she’d been better than okay with him dating a younger woman.
“It’s not like she’s eighteen or something. I mean, what’s the big deal?”
Since his PhD program didn’t start till summer and things were going really well getting to know his daughter, and Madeleine, Angela—or as Carolyn called her, the Realtor extraordinaire—arranged for him to rent a condo instead of a hotel, at least for a couple more weeks.
But first he had to survive a family luncheon at Nick’s house. Unlike last week at Maile’s where half the island showed up at some point in the afternoon, this was a quiet family event. Well, family by blood and business, since Billy and Angela were invited. And of course he and Carolyn were invited because he was taking Maddie out on a date for her birthday.
Nick hadn’t said anything when Maddie had asked to do a family lunch instead of dinner, but Dan had understood the silent message the same as he had in the hospital. Nick might trust Dan to get him from hell and back, but not with his sister. At least not yet.
“Dad, relax.” Carolyn rolled her eyes at her father, and only after she’d noticed the surprise on his face did she realize what she’d said. “I’m sorry. Is that okay to call you Dad?”
Swallowing hard, Dan nodded. “Of course it is.” Carolyn was proving to be a bright, friendly, self-confident woman with one hell of a business head on her shoulders. And nothing had made him as happy in his life as hearing the word Dad roll off her lips. “I like it.”
For the remainder of the short ride to Nick’s, Carolyn filled him in on her day yesterday and her date for dinner tonight. Though Dan hadn’t met the guy, Carolyn seemed to like him, and Dan was learning to accept the concept of that would have to be good enough. But that didn’t mean he was permanently surrendering the parental right to torture the man if he messed with his daughter.
“Oh, this is a lovely home.” Appreciation shone in her eyes as they pulled into the driveway and she took in the colorful landscape.
It certainly was. Situated on a hillside he could just imagine the view from the backyard. He collected the bouquet of fresh blooms he’d purchased for Kara and the red rose for Maddie, then escorted Carolyn to the door. He’d seen Madeleine almost every day since the baby was born, but this was their first official date, and he was as nervous as a seaman undergoing his first inspection.
The front door opened, and, with the baby in one arm, Yvette waved them in. “Glad you made it. There’s enough food in the kitchen to feed the naval fleet. I hope you brought your appetite.”
“Absolutely,” Dan answered.
“Just a yogurt for breakfast,” Carolyn added.
“These are for Kara.”
“They’re beautiful.” Yvette closed the door behind them. “She’s on the sofa. Nick is still trying to make her rest, and she’s still debating if it’s worth life in prison to just kill him and get it over with. So far it’s a draw.”
“Hey.” Madeleine walked up and gave him a short but sweet peck on the cheek. With every passing day, it took less and less from Maddie to make him hard as hell. Right now a smile—and not even directed at him—was it all to
ok for his pants to feel confining. She could smile or coo at the baby, and he’d feel himself stiffening. The peck on the cheek had him thinking of a cold shower.
“I brought these for Kara.” He held out the flowers. “And this for you.”
Her eyes softened, and she took a whiff of the single red rose. “It’s beautiful. I’ll get a vase. If you’d like, I can take those and put them in a vase as well for Kara.”
“Thanks.” His gaze was steady on the soft sway of her ass when he felt the presence behind him.
“I try not to worry about her,” Nick said in a low voice meant only for Dan.
“She’s worth worrying about.”
Nick nodded and stepped up beside him. “I’m not sure how I feel about all this.”
Both men continued to follow Maddie’s movements in the kitchen. Dan knew her brother had more to say, so he waited Nick out.
“I don’t know your intentions.”
Dan was tempted to snap to attention and shout, “Sir, honorable, sir,” but kept his silence.
“But I do know my sister. She’s sensitive and too giving. And she’s not stupid. She understands navy men. She’ll be good for you.”
“I detect a but.”
Nick nodded. “I’m sure you understand some women, but I’m not convinced you’d be good for her.”
Neither was he, but, in the week that had passed, he’d concluded he sure as hell wanted to try. If he wasn’t already in love with Madeleine Harper, he was damn close. And liking it to boot.
“When she arrived here, she was talking about making a move. A permanent move to Kona.” Nick leveled his gaze with Dan’s. “She’s not doing that anymore. Leaving San Diego doesn’t seem to be in her plans now.”
Dan would be in San Diego for a long while completing his doctorate, and, hopefully when he was done, there would be plenty of opportunities for a man with his background to do what he’d come to love over the last few years. But he’d be lying if he didn’t admit he’d considered chucking it all if Maddie did up and move to Hawaii.
“Superior officer or not, don’t make me have to come after you.”
“You have my word.” Dan didn’t have to say more. They both knew what was on the table. None of them were kids anymore. And hearts were fragile, complex organs. At this point, Dan was more worried that Maddie might break his if they moved forward with this relationship and discovered the generation gap was indeed a wider divide than they’d hoped. And right now he was definitely hoping to make whatever they had last a lifetime.
* * *
The restaurant was spectacular. Not far up the coastline, it rested on an outcrop of black lava rocks, the water splashing along the lower walls. Dan gave his name, and the waiter led them to a small table in the far corner of the open veranda. A large potted palm to one side gave privacy not afforded the other tables.
The views were wonderful. And the menu mouthwatering. Maddie’s biggest problem was she wasn’t in the mood for nutritional sustenance. She had other things on her mind.
By the time the waiter had taken their order and served the first courses, conversation had covered everything from Texas armadillos to signs of the zodiac. She’d learned about Dan growing up with seven siblings in Kentucky and things about EOD that her brother had never explained. Things she was happy not to have known when he was still active duty. And Dan’s eyes never once glazed over when she’d gone on about office politics, demanding clients or the adverse effects of mortgage insurance premiums. But they’d laughed and joked, and Maddie had never felt more at home with a man in her life.
“Everything was so delicious.” Maddie toyed with the last remnants of dessert on her plate.
“The crab bisque was great, and the coconut berry house salad was…interesting.”
Maddie bit back a grin. She’d been pretty sure he was a meat-and-potatoes man even before he’d ordered.
“But the ribeye definitely had my name on it.”
“Mine too.” Maddie took the last bite of the blueberry sour cream pie and set down her fork. “But this is most definitely my favorite part.”
“And here I thought you were a carnivore like me.”
“I am. Being from Texas, it’s practically sacrilegious not to love a good steak. I just appreciate my desserts as well.”
The waiter came back a few minutes later with the bill for Dan to sign. His John Hancock on the dotted line, he reached for her hand and escorted her out of the place. “You up for a walk?”
“On the beach? Always.” Strolling in the moonlight, Maddie debated whether or not to bring up his and Nick’s earlier encounter.
“You might as well spit it out.”
Stopping in her tracks, her gaze flew up to meet his. “How do you do that?”
“What?”
“Know what I’m thinking?”
“I don’t. Otherwise I wouldn’t have asked. But I recognize that look. So tell me what’s on your mind.”
She had a look? She picked up walking again. “Nick.”
Dan’s brows buckled. “What’s the matter with Nick?”
“I saw him talking to you while I was putting the flowers in a vase. It wasn’t one of those How’d you like the game last night conversations.”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“He was warning you off me. Wasn’t he?”
Dan ran his thumb back and forth along her hand. “Not exactly.”
“Then what exactly?”
“He was just being a good big brother. Making sure my intentions were honorable.”
Maddie could feel the heat in her cheeks. Dan already thought her too young for him, and now Nick was treating her like a teenager on prom night. “Oh, God, he didn’t say that. Did he?”
“Not in so many words.” Dan stole a glance at Maddie and smiled. “Relax. He’s not loading a shot gun or anything.”
Maddie squeezed his hand and shook her head. “If you’re not careful, we may turn into my parents.”
His forehead creased, and Maddie noted, rather than concern from before, this time his eyes expressed confusion.
“Pretty soon you’ll be reading me so well words won’t be required at all.”
“Would that be such a bad thing?” He lifted up their entangled hands and repeated, “Would it?”
All she could do was shake her head.
“We’re not teenagers.”
Thank God for that.
“I’ve been around the block a time or two.”
“Or three,” she added playfully.
“Or three,” he repeated. “I think we have something special started here.”
She nodded.
“More than special.”
She nodded again, and this time she saw the change in him. Eyes filled with hesitation were now brimmed with determination—and something else.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about when we get back to San Diego.”
“Hope for the best, plan for the worst,” she teased, trying to camouflage the fear poking at her.
“Maddie, there’s something I need to say.” This time he stopped and spun about to face her, standing only inches away. “I know we haven’t known each other long.”
Maddie listened intently, her heart stuttering to beat normally.
“I want to keep seeing you when we return to San Diego.”
Her breath hitched in her throat.
“But I think you should know…”
This time she actually held her breath.
“I think I’m falling in love with you.”
All the air in her lungs swooshed out in a long breath as she threw her arms around his neck. Up until five minutes ago she’d thought the same thing. But when her heart thought he was going to say something to tear them apart, she knew she wasn’t just falling, she was full-fledged, no-holds-barred, in love with Dan O’Neil.
Chapter Fourteen — Epilogue
“I can’t believe you’ve lived in San Diego all these years and have never been to the zoo.”
Maddie shrugged a shoulder. “What can I tell you? I didn’t have a handsome Marine Biology PhD candidate to show me the errors of my ways before.”
“That may be, but still I would have bet serious money you would at least have come to see the pandas. Especially since there are only four zoos in the country with a giant panda exhibit.”
“Hey, if one of them wasn’t in the market for a new house…” She trailed off.
When Maddie left Kona five months ago, she hadn’t had the slightest idea what she was getting herself into dating a retired naval officer on a path to a doctorate degree. The man made a Swiss watch look disorganized and undisciplined.
By the end of her first month back in San Diego, Dan had updated the virus and malware programs on her computer, tinkered with her laptop so it ran faster than when she’d bought it. With her permission, he’d reorganized the kitchen cabinets to make the small space more efficient. Which it did. She was pretty sure soon he’d be color-coding her closet. And she loved it.
Along with their after-dinner walks, each decompressing from their day, Dan still did some serious working out every morning at the gym and hard studying at night. But the evenings were for them. And Maddie’s new policy of no work after 6:00 p.m. hadn’t impacted her career at all. As a matter of fact all this walking was doing wonders for her thighs.
Maddie dipped behind Dan to avoid colliding with a couple of pint-size kids running circles around their oblivious parents. “I can’t believe how many people can take off from work and come to the zoo on a Wednesday afternoon.”
“You think this is crowded, you should see the park on the weekend.” Dan took her hand and followed the signs to Koalafornia. “After we see the new exhibit, we’ll stop for something to eat. Sound good?”
Maddie nodded. He could have suggested a snake pit for their next stop, and she would have happily agreed.
Approaching the cluster of totem poles at the exhibit entrance, Maddie heard a strained whimper and paused to survey the surrounding area. The sound came again, and this time Dan heard it, recognizing its direction immediately. “Over there.” He pointed.
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