CHAPTER 11

 

 

The following morning at nine am sharp there was a rap on the door of Turner Events. Maddy opened the door to a young woman with short blonde hair and a sparkling smile. She was wearing tailored jeans and a white button down shirt with wedge heels. She looked both professional and comfortable at the same time. “Are you Madison Turner-Landon?”

“I am. I’m sorry, Jack didn’t mention your name.”

“I’m Milly. Milly Peterson.” Milly walked in past Maddy and surveyed the office. “Wow, I must say Mike did a swell job here.”

“You know Mike?” Maddy asked confused.

“He’s my brother.”

“Oh, Jack didn’t mention it. Would you like some coffee?”

“Yes please, I ran late and haven’t had a chance to grab some yet.”

Maddy did a quick survey of Milly. She was young, energetic and down to earth. Now she would just have to find out if Milly had any idea of event planning.

A couple of hours later Maddy closed the door behind Milly satisfied with her first hire. Milly had experience in bartending, catering, interior decorating and loved working with people. She would work for a small salary on the condition that she received commission on any events that she brought in. It was the perfect arrangement. Not only did Maddy look forward to working with Milly but she felt confident that Milly would be a good contribution towards Turner Events. She walked straight to the phone and dialed Jack’s private number.

“Jack speaking.” His voice was warm and curt and still sent shivers down her spine.

“This is someone you met a few months ago; we spent a memorable evening together.” Maddy smiled wondering if he’d recognize her voice.

Jack laughed softly. “I’d say we’ve spent a couple of those together. How did the interview with Milly go?”

“Wonderful Jack! She is exactly what I had in mind. Why didn’t you tell me she was Mike’s sister?”

“I didn’t want you to think I’m shoving a friend’s kid sister down your throat.”

“On the contrary, she’s perfect. She’s starting tomorrow.”

“I thought you two would hit it off.”

“We did Jack, thank you again.”

Maddy placed the receiver back in the cradle and thought how she could thank the man that had everything.

 

Jack received the gift box later that afternoon. His secretary had told him Maddy had dropped it off, curious he took it into his office and opened it. There was a short note inside.

To the man that has everything, here are a few things to thank you for being the wonderful man that you are.

The key chain is to remind you where your home is.

There was a key chain with Madison on the one side and Manhattan on the other.

The chocolates are to let you know you’re sweeter than you let on.

He drew out a box of swiss chocolates and smiled.

The mug is to never let you forget who you are.

Jack couldn’t help but laugh as he picked up a coffee mug with Mad Mogul written on it.

 

 

Maddy was putting away her dry cleaning later that evening when she felt Jack’s hands circle her waist. “You’re quite creative aren’t you?”

Laying her head back against his chest she smiled. “Did you like it?”

“I must say it’s the most original gift I’ve ever received.” He started kissing her neck slowly.

“I’m glad. I didn’t know what to get you.” Maddy said as she already felt wet heat pooling between her thighs.

“You got me the perfect gift.” Jack reached around and pressed the palm of his hand against the V of her thighs. “Can I ask you for another one?”

“Jack you are insatiable.” Maddy said as she turned to kiss him.

“Mrs. Landon, please get your head out of the gutter.” Jack teased as he stepped away from her.

“Oh but I thought…”

Jack laughed as he pulled her close. “We’ll get to that soon enough. I need to visit my grandfather next week. I was thinking of going for a few days. I’d like you to come with.”

Maddy wanted to refuse, she had so much to do at work, but it was the first time Jack asked her a favor. “How’s Mitchell doing?”

“According to him he’s fine but according to Raquel, he’s struggling a bit.”

“When do you want to leave?” Maddy asked concerned about the old man and how she would feel if it was her grandfather.

“When can you leave?”

“Give me a couple of days in the office to bring Milly up to speed with everything, then we can leave Saturday morning. Will that work for you?”

“That would be great.” Jack kissed her softly on the mouth. “You know we’d need to make sure he doesn’t doubt our relationship.”

Maddy laughed, “Jack, at this stage with all the chemistry between us I think we’d have to act to look uninterested.”

Jack smiled as he knew she spoke the truth. Even if he didn’t love her and this was a marriage of convenience Jack had never had more fun in his life. “Fair enough.”

 

Fighting with the emotions she’d tried so hard to ignore, Maddy spent most of the drive to Greenwich staring out the window. The silence was awkward and stifling and yet she couldn’t put a coherent sentence together without questioning the whole arrangement. She tried her best to remember that the marriage was one of convenience and not one of love but how long could she keep her heart of the equation. Jack placed his hand on her thigh in thought as he focused on the road ahead. Small things that had become habit for both of them were beginning to threaten her sanity.

“Where are you?” Jack asked as he lightly squeezed her thigh.

“I’m here.” Maddy said, absentmindedly.

“No you’re not, you’re miles away.”

Maddy kept quiet knowing now was not the time to question him. They were on their way to spend five days and six nights at the Landon Estate. There wouldn’t be the escape of work or clients and starting an argument now would be a really bad idea.

“Maddy? You can talk to me if something’s bothering you.”

“Jack, honestly I don’t think now is the best time.”

“If you have something on your mind I’d like to know, that’s what husbands do.”

Maddy turned in her seat to face him. “But that’s just it, isn’t it Jack? You’re not my real husband.”

Jack felt the rush of fear push against his chest. She was backing out. “What do you mean?”

“Jack we’re pretending. You only married me because I wouldn’t be your lover if you were my landlord. I only married you to get the perfect office. None of this is real. We can’t keep on pretending forever.”

“You want us to get an annulment?” Jack asked between clenched teeth.

“No, besides it’s too late for that. I just need to know how long we’re going to have a pretend marriage.”

Trying to lighten the atmosphere in the car Jack smiled. “I thought girls liked playing pretend?”

“When we’re five.” Maddy said caustically.

“So what, you want an expiry date for our marriage?” Jack thought of his grandfather. He was ill but it would all but break his heart if Jack got divorced. Still, he couldn’t force Maddy to stay with him.

“I think it would be best.”

“Do you have a time frame in mind?”

Maddy sighed. “To make it seem real we’ll at least need to be married for a year.”

Shocked at her straight answer Jack pushed the anger down. “You’ve given this quite some thought.”

“Jack, it’s not that I don’t like you. But I can’t be your pretend wife forever. Besides, you’re going to get tired of the sex and start to find me a bore then you’ll start looking around.”

“I said I won’t cheat on you.”

“I know you said that, and I believe you. Jack, we need to be realistic.”

Jack thought of his grandfather. Jack had spoken to his doctor shortly after the visit to Greenwich when he had told Jack about his heart problem. The doctor had explained to Jack that without the surgery Mitchell only had about six months left. If he had to think rationally, although nothing about this situation was rational, one year would be enough for Mitchell to die a happy man and for Jack to keep his inheritance out of Dalton’s hands.

“Fine, we’ll make it a year.”

“I know this sounds horrible Jack, but I feel you’ve got a hidden agenda. That you needed a wife for another reason and you’re not sharing that with me.”

Not wanting to be found out miles before the Landon Estate, Jack turned on his charm and smiled wickedly at Maddy. “Let’s just say I got tired of attending functions on my own. I got tired of grandpa hampering me about getting a wife.”

“So you’re keeping your grandfather happy and avoiding rich debutantes?”

“Something like that.” They were a few miles before the Landon Estate and Jack needed to settle this before they arrived. His grandfather would pick up any animosity faster than a bird detected a gas leak. He pulled over on the curb and turned to face Maddy. “Look Maddy, give me a year to keep everyone happy. For the duration of our marriage you can have the offices rent free.”

“Jack I don’t want more discounts on rent.”

“Well, donate the money to a charity. I’m not taking my wife’s money.”

Maddy wanted to fight him on it, but when he looked at her with those steel gray eyes shining with humor she couldn’t. She swatted him playfully. “Fine one year, no rent.”

Jack started the car when Maddy softly laid a hand on his knee. “And no more negotiations Jack, one year that’s it.”

Jack nodded, knowing you could only expect so much of one person.

 

 

“Jackson, Madison welcome! I’m so glad you could come.” Mitchell walked around the car and opened Maddy’s door. “How was the drive down?”

“Good, thank you for inviting us.”

“Bah! You’re family. Family doesn’t need an invitation to visit.” He pulled Maddy into a bear hug. He was a big man. He smelt of cherry tobacco and old spice. To Maddy that was exactly what a grandfather should smell like. Feeling thoroughly welcomed she stepped back and took in the majestic house. Even though the winter was creeping closer with her cold fingers, the house held the same appeal. When they got married in autumn the leaves were a variety of golds, browns and oranges. Now with the trees bare the house held a mysterious air. There was crisp chill blowing in from the water causing Maddy to rub her hands up and down her arms.

“Come on in, Raquel has made us soup for lunch. We’ll get to the bags later. “

Mitchell starting walking towards the house and for the first time Maddy noticed how out of breath he was. He was sicker than Jack had let on. Not wanting him to catch on to her concern, Maddy hooked her arm into his and started chattering about the house.

Jack appreciated the moment Maddy took Mitchell’s arm. He knew if he offered to help his grandfather he would be brushed away with a snide comment. Maddy merely took his arm in a familiar way and started talking as they made their way to house. Once they climbed the three steps to the front door, she instinctively turned around and pointed to some trees asking their names. Jack knew she was giving Mitchell time to catch his breath. She was smooth, so smooth in fact Mitchell didn’t even realize he was being manipulated. In all his years working with his grandfather he had never saw someone manage it. As he watched her taking care of grandfather he felt his heart swell with something that couldn’t possibly be love. It was a marriage of convenience after all.

 

“So how’s married life treating you two love birds?” Mitchell asked after they had settled in what Jack called a living room. To Maddy it was an understatement. Four of her apartments in Brooklyn would’ve easily fitted into the large room. They had just finished a sumptuous lunch of onion soup and garlic bread. The weather had pulled in and brought with it a mist that seemed to cling to the windows. There was a large fire crackling to ward off the cold. The living room had tall ceilings with beautiful crown molding gracing the edges. The fireplace could easily accommodate a steer and the mantlepiece shone from a recent polish. The floors were genuine oak hard wood and carried the scent of lemon polish throughout the room. Above the fireplace there was a large television screen, the likes Maddy had only ever seen in sports bars. The furniture suited the man who owned the house. Large and overbearing yet welcoming. Thick pale gold drapes hung at the large bay windows overlooking the water. Realizing the extent of Jackson’s wealth made her momentarily uncomfortable until Jack sat down beside her and slid his arm around her shoulders.

“No complaints so far. Although she burned dinner twice.” Jack smiled conspiratorially at Maddy. He didn’t mention that it was because both times he had distracted her in crude ways.

Maddy laughed and swatted his knee playfully. “I must say, Mitchell, Jackson has been on good behavior. I’m waiting for the bad habits and mood swings to rear their ugly heads.”

Mitchell laughed as he lit a cherry cigar. “Madison, I think marrying you expelled his bad moods. Ever since Jackson reached puberty he always had a scowl on his face. I’m surprised it hasn’t cracked from all the smiling.”

Madison turned to look at Jack appraisingly. She had seen his scowl a time or two but more often than not he boasted a teasing smile. It made her feel good that she made him happy somehow.

“I wasn’t that bad.” Jack defended himself. “Besides there is a time for smiling and a time for working.”

Mitchell smiled at his grandson. “Just a shame it took you so long to find out the one is more fun than the other.” He winked conspiratorially and for the second time Jack hoped his grandfather wouldn’t out him.

Maddy noticed Mitchell’s eyes were starting droop and knew that the lunch and conversation had taken its toll. He needed to rest if he wanted to join them for dinner later.

“Mitchell do you mind if I take an afternoon nap, it seems the drive and lovely lunch has me nodding off.”

Mitchell smiled at her. “Of course. Actually I think I might have a lie down myself.” He turned to Jack. “Jackson you don’t mind do you?”

Jack was still looking at Maddy who for the second time sensed exactly what his grandfather needed. Smiling he turned to his grandfather. “Of course not. I might have a lie down too.”

“Great.” Maddy stood up and walked towards the foyer where she stopped at the foot of the curving staircase. She turned and walked back to where Jack was helping Mitchell get up. Stifling a laugh she smiled at them foolishly. “I’m sorry I don’t seem to know where my room is.”

Mitchell laughed. “Jack go on and show your wife where your room is.”

“Can’t I help you to yours?”

“No I’m fine. I’ve moved to the guest bedroom next to the study, those stairs just make me tired.”

Jack nodded and took Maddy’s hand leading her to their bedroom.