From Loss To Love Box Set

by Gabrielle Snow

  “We’re here,” Jacob decided, drawing to a halt outside and peering in through the glass. “I think. Wait, speak of the devil. Isn’t that Hank Lorum?”

  Madeleine frowned. “I doubt that.”

  “No, it’s him, and he’s with a redhead too.”

  Slowly, she extracted her arm from around Natalie’s, and stepped forward, painfully aware of the slow thud against her chest. Sure enough, he was sitting across the seat from the same woman who was all over him at the house party, laughing and sharing a plate of nachos.

  Something burned in the pit of her belly, and she turned away, tasting acid in the back of her mouth. Surely, there had to be a good reason for why he was out with her when he was the one who insisted on keeping their relationship a secret.

  Unless it had nothing to do with Geraldine at all, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered. Maybe he just likes his freedom too much.

  Come to think of it, it did make sense. After all, what they had was private, and while Madeleine was under the impression that it was just the two of them, it might be a different case altogether for Hank.

  Idiot. You’re the one who went and got attached to him.

  Shoving the voice to the back of her mind, she rummaged around her purse for her phone and pressed it to her ear, holding up her hand as she did. Natalie and Jacob shot her a confused look but continued to chat in the background.

  Nothing.

  Hank wasn’t answering his phone.

  Madeleine pushed past the lump of disappointment in the back of her throat and rubbed her hands together. “Why don’t we just do something else instead?”

  Natalie raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

  “We could go to the movies. I heard the new Bad Boys is out.”

  “I’m in.”

  Natalie shrugged. “I like me some Will Smith, so why not?”

  Relieved, she steered the two of them away from the bar, casting a long regretful look over her shoulder before she moved away, her feet feeling like cement, and trying to reclaim her earlier joyful mood.

  No, she wasn’t going to let anyone, least of all Hank Lorum spoil her night out.

  “Oh, I forgot to tell you. My cousin just started work at that boarding school you were telling me about. I hope it’s okay that I passed along your CV.”

  Madeleine grinned. “Of course it's okay, but they’re not going to hire me. I don’t have much in the way of teaching experience. My experience is in being a nanny.”

  “Well, it can’t hurt to try, right? I’m going to send you an email with all the details. It seems like they aren’t picky.”

  Natalie was right.

  As much as she loved Geraldine, she needed to start thinking for herself, and passing up on an opportunity like that would be a colossal mistake, especially because opportunities like this didn’t come knocking on her door often.

  Or ever.

  In fact, it was all about the people she knew, and it was how she’d gotten the job with Hank to begin with, an old friend of her mother’s having recommended her. Besides, if she wanted to be with Hank, it was better to come clean and remove her position from the equation altogether.

  Oh, who was she kidding?

  Of course she wanted to be with him, but for the life of her, she didn’t know how to say it. Or to admit that she was in love with him.

  “OPPS.” MADELEINE GRIMACED at the puddle of milk on the floor, spilling and making a mess in the middle of the kitchen. She bent down with a wad of napkin and began to wipe in circles.

  “Clean up on aisle three.”

  Madeleine glanced up, the ice cream spoon dangling from her mouth. “What are you doing home?”

  “I live here,” Hank replied, dropping his coat onto the nearest chair. “The better question is, what are you doing here?”

  Madeleine cleared her throat and took out the spoon. “I can go if you want.”

  Hank frowned. “Why would I want that?”

  “I saw you tonight with that redhead. The same one from your party. She’s beautiful,” Madeleine commented, forcing the words past her lips even as jealousy burned a path straight through her stomach, a freight train out of control.

  In spite of their best efforts, Natalie and Jacob hadn’t provided enough of a distraction, and for the rest of the night, she’d been forced to relive the moment over and over.

  The redhead in a black dress, her lips curved into a seductive grin, and Hank with his head tossed back, his eyes sparkling with warmth. From a distance, the two of them had looked good together, picture perfect, like one of those hallmark moments.

  “Cheryl? She’s an old friend. We went to college together,” Hank responded. “You have nothing to worry about.”

  Madeleine sighed and pushed herself up to her feet. “Look, you don’t owe me any answers, Hank. Except that I really like you, and maybe it’s stupid of me to admit that considering I don’t know where we stand, but I do. A lot.”

  Hank held out his hand, and after a brief hesitation, she placed her hand in his, allowing him to draw her closer, so she was pressed against his chest. “In case it wasn’t obvious, I really like you too, Maddy. More than I thought I could, and I’m sorry that seeing me with Cheryl upset you. I ran into her, and I didn’t want to be rude. That’s all.”

  Madeleine sighed and wrapped her arms around his torso. “Okay.”

  It was a plausible explanation, and sincerity rang in his tone.

  There were many things she still didn’t know about Hank, but if she knew one thing, it was that he was an honest man, in every aspect of his life, and it included her. She trusted him, without a shadow of doubt, but it was Cheryl she’d have to keep an eye on.

  “I know it’s been hard,” Hank whispered. “It’s been hard for me too. I want nothing more than to show you off, you know and take you out on proper dates.”

  Madeleine giggled. “Me too.”

  “So, why don’t we?”

  Madeleine tilted her head up to look at him. “Why don’t we what?”

  “Go out. How about on Thursday night?”

  “Are you asking me out on a date?” Madeleine’s heart raced as he pressed his lips to hers, stealing her breath away. “Well, it’s about time.”

  Chapter 5

  Hank.

  “Mr. Lorum. Is there something I might help you with?”

  Hank paused and glanced up, finding William at the foot of the stairs, a bewildered expression stretched onto his features, and for good reason. In all the time they’d known each other, and William had been in the employ in his family since before Hank existed, the older man had never seen Hank this flustered.

  Hank had faced off against plenty of formidable opponents in the office, and in his study, holding his own even as they spewed forth their selfish agendas and anger, but he still managed to rise to the occasion every time, winning over even the most devout of skeptics, and all without batting an eye.

  But this was different.

  Madeleine made him tongue tied, his insides feeling like jelly, and for the life of him, he couldn’t seem to get those damn butterflies in the pit of his stomach under control. Instead, all he could think about was the last time he felt this nervous.

  It was the first time he asked Lily out as a freshman in college.

  Compared to him, she’d seemed composed and well aware of what she wanted out of life, and it had taken him an entire semester to buck up the courage to talk to her, and even then, he could barely squeeze the words out.

  Technically, it was Lily who had ended up asking him, and setting the time and place all while he’d stood there, stumbling over his words, while all the air in the room was gone.

  Although he couldn’t help but compare his ex-wife to Madeleine, the two were far more different than he initially realized, with Madeleine being far more even tempered and independent than his late wife.

  In all honesty, he wasn’t even sure why he was comparing the two.

  “No, thank you, Wil
liam.” Hank straightened his back and offered William a half smile, hoping the older man would pick up on the hint and leave, but ever faithful and loyal, William came to stand in front of him, one eyebrow slightly raised.

  “I believe Ms. Wright is also nervous. As I was passing by, she asked if her bottom looked big in a particular dress.” William gave a visible shudder, traumatized by the exchange, and Hank choked back a laugh, imagining the horrified look on his housekeeper’s face.

  “Did she?”

  “Oh, yes.” William shrugged. “Love can make one act strange, Mr. Lorum.”

  “Love?” Hank repeated, his eyebrows drawn together. “I don’t think that’s the case here, William.”

  “No? Perhaps I am mistaken, but I do not think I am. After all, I saw how you two were drawn to each other right from the start,” William revealed, a hint of pride creeping into his tone. “And I knew it the moment the two of you realized. My wife says I am an incurable romantic.”

  Hank smiled and leaned against the wall, crossing one ankle over the other. “It seems you are, William, you big softy. You’ve been holding out on me, but Madeleine and I—“

  “You don’t need to explain, Mr. Lorum,” William interrupted, straightening his back as he did. “I know you are about to try and dissuade me of my opinion, but I happen to think you are wrong, and you will realize that too.”

  “I will, will I?”

  “Yes, you will. Your feelings for each other run deeper than either of you realize.”

  But love?

  No, Hank highly doubted that.

  What he felt for Madeleine was different, it was unnerving, exciting and soothing all at once, but he couldn’t possibly be in love with her. It was far too soon. They’d only known each other a few months, and had been together for less than half that time.

  It didn’t make any sense.

  Yet, he couldn’t seem to turn William’s words over and over in his head and wondering about the truth in them. Deep down, his heart lurched at the word, giving an odd little twinge at the thought.

  On cue, Madeleine came down the stairs, her skirt swaying as she moved, and her fingers smoothing out the wrinkles in her top, her hair falling in waves across her shoulders, eyes darting around anxiously.

  As soon as she saw him, her lips curved into a smile, one that took his breath away, and rooted his feet to the ground, unable to move.

  Damn it, William was right.

  He was crazy about her, and he didn’t know how to handle it.

  Next to him, William coughed and cleared his throat.

  “You look lovely, Ms. Wright, and do not worry about Gerry. She and I will have plenty of fun tonight.”

  “Don’t get upset if she beats you at monopoly again,” Madeleine teased, her eyes lighting up with mirth. She walked across the carpet and stopped in front of them, giving Hank a soft smile as she did.

  William straightened his back and frowned. “Of course not, Ms. Wright. What do you take me for?”

  Madeleine patted his arm. “Remember that it’s just a game.”

  William stopped himself from rolling his eyes. “Have a nice night out.”

  With that, he spun on his heels and left, clearly miffed by Madeleine’s assessment of him. Hank watched the entire exchange with barely concealed amusement, his lips twitching as he tried to keep a straight face.

  “I’m pretty sure your coffee won’t be hot tomorrow,” Hank joked, offering her his arm. She tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and reached for her coat as they headed towards the front door.

  “It’s okay.” Madeleine waved his concern away. “Will is going to get over it.”

  “And you’re calling him Will now too? Ouch, you really are asking for it,” Hank commented as they descended the front steps. He held the door to the car open for her and waited for her to settle before he slid in after her, reaching for her hand on impulse.

  “I can see who wears the pants in that relationship,” Madeleine observed.

  “Oh, it’s definitely William,” Hank agreed, dropping a kiss atop her knuckles.

  “I KNOW THE FOOD ISN’T great, but in my defense, the reviews were great,” Hank said, using his fork to poke the food experimentally. “I’m not even sure what that is.”

  Madeleine snorted and made a face as she chewed.

  Hank dropped his fork with a loud clatter and reached across the table, taking Madeleine by surprise as he pressed his lips to hers for a sweet kiss. “Cold pizza is better anyway.”

  Madeleine rolled her eyes, a slight tint rose to her cheeks. “Cold pizza is great, but I wouldn’t say it’s better than everything.”

  Hank clutched his chest. “That is an insult. I am offended.”

  “No, you are dramatic.”

  Hank leaned back in his seat. “Well, yeah, but you already knew that.”

  Madeleine smiled but said nothing, absentmindedly pushing the food around her plate, having barely eaten a thing. He watched her, the myriad of emotions dancing across her face until he set his napkin on the table, took a sip of his water and reached for her hand.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Madeleine glanced up. “What makes you think anything is wrong?”

  “I think I know you a little bit by now, and you’re usually not this quiet,” Hank pointed out, trying to keep the worry out of his tone. “You can talk to me, you know.”

  Madeleine dabbed at the corners of her mouth and sighed. “I think we need to talk about us.”

  “Are you breaking up with me?” Hank teased, slightly straining his voice. “Because I’m not dressed right for it.”

  “You have break up clothes?”

  “Oh, yeah. Otherwise known as the feel sorry for me, so you won’t leave me outfit,” Hank deadpanned, his thumb dancing on the inside of her wrist, catching the brief flutter in her pulse.

  Madeleine gave him a half smile. “Interesting. I don’t think I have that.”

  “Well, you should,” Hank suggested.

  “I’m not breaking up with you, Hank,” Madeleine informed him. “But I don’t want to sneak around anymore.”

  Hank straightened in his seat, the wood pressing uncomfortably against his back, the smell of saffron and curry wafting in the air, making his stomach grumble in protest. Around him, the quiet din of conversation faded into the background till there was nothing left but the two of them, existing in a world of their own.

  She was right, of course.

  “I understand. I don’t want to anymore either,” Hank agreed.

  “You don’t?” Madeleine leaned back, surprise etched across her features. “But I thought it was better for you.”

  “For Geraldine,” Hank corrected. “But she deserves the truth. I’m supposed to be setting an example, and I don’t want her to think that sneaking around with someone is okay especially not if it’s someone you care about.”

  Madeleine swallowed. “I care about you, and that’s why I think we should tell her the truth.”

  “We will tell her together,” Hank promised. “We can tell her tonight if you want.”

  “There’s something else I need to tell you. I’ve been offered another job.”

  Hank felt like someone punched him in the gut, and he jerked back, his eyebrows knitted together. “You’re not happy with us anymore?”

  “No, it’s not that.” Madeleine shook her head. “Not at all. I want to keep taking care of Geraldine, but I can’t do that if we’re together. It’s unethical.”

  “I don’t know. I think the nanny and boss fantasy is kind of hot. Maybe I should get you a French maid’s outfit,” Hank mused, yelping as Madeleine reached across the table to pinch him, a triumphant look on her features.

  “Get your head out of the gutter,” Madeleine instructed, traces of laughter in her tone. “I’m being serious here.”

  “So am I,” Hank replied, defensively, rubbing the angry red spot. “You’d look really sexy in a pair of fishnet stockings and a short skirt.”
>
  “I suppose the cleavage doesn’t hurt either,” Madeleine added, sarcastically.

  “Of course not. I knew you’d see things my way,” Hank pointed out. “Look, I know that Geraldine is going to miss having you around all the time, and I will too, but you’re absolutely right. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

  Madeleine launched herself across the table and wrapped her arms around him, nearly knocking over the plates and cutlery. A few of the other people gave them curious looks then turned away.

  All too soon, Madeleine was back in her seat, her hands folded in her lap. “It’s a boarding school, but it’s close by, and I’ve already asked to have my lodgings elsewhere, and they agreed.”

  “I’m really happy for you, Maddy,” Hank said, warmly. “You could be running that place soon.”

  Madeleine shrugged. “I’m not sure I want to run a school. At least not a boarding school.”

  “Anything you want to do, I’m sure you can do it,” Hank replied.

  “Well, I have to see if I’ll make a good mother first—“

  Madeleine’s eyes widened in surprise, her hands flying to her face. Hank blinked, the world around him shifting and expanding, his heart pounding against his chest.

  “I’m sorry, did you just say mother?”

  Madeleine lowered her hands and nodded, terror flicking across her features. “Yes, this wasn’t how I was going to tell, but I just found out.”

  Hank’s eyes slid down to her belly. “We’re having a baby?”

  “I’m having a baby. I don’t know how involved you want to be, but I’m keeping it obviously and I—“

  Hank pushed his chair back, went around the table and crouched in front of her, pressing a finger to her lips. “Of course I want to be involved. This is our baby, Maddy.”

  “You’re happy about it?”

  He was scared as fuck, but with Madeleine by his side, he couldn’t image anything better than their little family expanding.