CHAPTER 12

 

 

As soon as he closed the door behind them, he pulled Maddy into his arms. “Thank you.”

Maddy tried to focus on Jack but she was caught up in the room. It was magnificent. The large king size bed boasted oriental carvings into the dark imbuia wood. A matching dresser and chest of drawers flanked the adjacent wall. There were doors opening onto a small terrace where Maddy was sure she would be able to see the water when the mist lifted. The fireplace opposite the bed had a fire crackling, more wood was stacked into a small wrought iron basket next to it. The walls were painted a light blue that complimented the dark wood furniture. At the windows hung white and grey drapes. The colors and the dark wood were supposed to clash, but they didn’t. They complimented each other. “This is wonderful Jack.”

Jack looked at her confused.

“The room Jack, it’s wonderful.”

“Oh, Raquel decorated it. She’s got an eye for it. The bed and matching dresser and chest of drawers grandpa had imported from Malaysia.”

Maddy walked over to doors leading out. “I’m sure you can see the water from here on a clear day.”

“Yes, you can also see the water from the bed.”

“This is even better than a hotel, and you basically live here.”

“Don’t let the money bother you, Madison.” Jack said irritably.

“It doesn’t bother me Jack, it’s just an adjustment.”

“Did you hear me thanking you?”

Maddy took the fabric of the drapes between her fingers feeling the texture. “Yes, for what?”

“For how you are with my grandfather.”

Maddy smiled. “He’s nice, I like him.”

“No one else has managed to manipulate quite as efficiently as you’ve already done twice.”

“I didn’t manipulate him.” Maddy said turning to face him.

“Maddy you helped him walk to the door and you convinced him to take an afternoon nap even though I know you don’t nap in the afternoon.” Jack took her hand and looked into her beautiful green eyes. He found another feeling peeking its head through the cloud of arousal. Respect.

“Oh that, come on its hardly manipulating if you make them think it was their idea. Besides how sick is he?”

“His heart is failing.”

“Oh Jack, I’m sorry. That’s horrible. Can’t they operate or do something to help him?”

Jack sighed deeply. “He’s refusing the operation. He says the chances he makes it through are too slim. So he’s going to deteriorate until it gives in completely.” Saying it out loud bought the reality of his grandfather’s health into stark perspective. Suddenly he was glad he had Maddy here to lean on.

Without thinking Maddy circled her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. “This must be really hard for you. Is that why you wanted to get married?”

Jack knew he had an opening to explain the conditions of the will to her, but he simply ran a hand over her hair. “Yes.”

Maddy thought of the kind man she enjoyed talking to. He had a sense of humor and a fast wit she appreciated. The thought of him dying made her heart clench. “We’ll make sure he has a wonderful time while we’re here.”

“Speaking of which.” Jack said as he continued stroking her silky ebony hair. “Our guests are arriving shortly.”

“Guests?” Maddy asked confused.

“I’ve asked Mike and Sally to join us for the weekend. Grandpa gets a real kick out of Josh and Lisa.”

“Their children I presume? How old are they?”

“Mike’s the same age as me and Sally was a year before us in school.”

Maddy laughed knowing he was teasing her to lighten the mood after the brevity of his grandfather’s health. “Really? And the children?”

“Oh is that what you meant? I was wondering why you would want to know Mike and Sally’s ages. Lisa is five and Josh just turned three.”

“Oh they’re bound to perk anyone up. All that energy and why’s.”

“So you’re familiar with the why stage?”

“Unfortunately I am. I a friend of mine’s little boy was in that stage for about two years after which she started giving him the standard adult answer, because.”

They both laughed as their eyes met. The laughter subsided, the attraction and desire that was always sizzling beneath the surface lashed out. If you asked who moved first, they wouldn’t be able to answer. Their mouths met in a hungry kiss, teeth clashed and hands explored.

Jack felt his heartbeat quicken as Maddy scraped her nails up his back under his sweater. He poured himself into the kiss, thanking her for being who she was. For caring about his grandfather and for understanding how hard it was for him to see his grandfather ill.

Maddy relished in the feel of Jack’s hands in her hair. Before Jack, she had always tied her hair up before making love, making sure it didn’t get in the way. With Jack that was never even considered. He made love to all of her, stroking and tugging her hair sending warm heat flooding between her thighs.

The brief knock at the door had them spring apart like two high school kids caught making out.

“Jackson, the Peterson’s are here.”

Jack brushed his thumb down Maddy’s cheek. “We’ll finish this tonight.”

 

“Is it a bird?” Mitchell asked little Josh as he was flailing his hands above his head.

Maddy held her sides, which were by now aching from all the laughing. Ever since the Petersons arrived the previous afternoon she had been having so much fun. She found Mike charming with a quick joke whenever you didn’t expect it and Sally was easy going and someone Maddy could imagine becoming good friends with. It was her second night at the Landon Estate and judging by the heated looks Jack was giving her it was going to be even better than their first. The rain had started pouring in the early morning hours which meant the children couldn’t play outside. By mid morning both Josh with his daredevil smile and Lisa with her princess pretty hair were bored and miserable. Everyone but Mitchell had bundled up into coats and headed to the Norwalk Aquarium. What was supposed to be a fun outing for the children had the adults intrigued quite a few times about the conservation efforts for the Long Island Sound. After a leisurely lunch at a child friendly restaurant they had headed back to the Landon Estate. Lisa and Josh played quietly for most of the afternoon until after dinner. But boredom had soon come knocking again since they weren’t able to play outside. That was when Maddy had suggested charades. They were playing for fun and no one was keeping score, but the person who seemed to enjoy it the most was Mitchell.

Josh smiled wickedly and kept flailing his hands.

“A plane?” Mike asked completely baffled at the gestures his son was making.

Jack and Maddy didn’t even try to guess they were laughing too much. No one had been able to guess one of Josh’s gestures correctly so far.

Eventually everyone admitted Josh had won with his last move and begged him to reveal what it was.

Josh grinned as he picked up his sippy cup and took a drink of juice. “I was tee.”

“A tee?” Asked Jack, confused.

“Well done little man.” Mitchell waved the boy closer. “You were a tree right?”

The little boy nodded enthusiastically and climbed onto Mitchell’s lap. “Can we come visit again Uncle Mitchell?”

“Of course you can. Your parents know they’re always welcome.”

Josh looked guiltily at his mother before turning to Mitchell. “Mom says we don’t want to dispose of you.”

A roar of laughter lit up the room at the little boy’s mispronunciation. After wiping away the tears that had started to gather in the corner of her eyes Sally cleared her throat. “Impose honey. I don’t want to impose on Uncle Mitchell.”

“Nonsense. Having you bunch visit me is all that I have to look forward to.” Mitchell looked at Jack and Maddy before continuing. “Besides it’s not like these two know how to make a baby.”

Maddy felt the blush heat her cheeks a crimson red. Jack laughed and pulled Maddy closer before he turned to his grandfather. “It’s not that we don’t know how grandpa, it’s just so much more fun practicing. Besides we wouldn’t get any practice in if we had these running around.”

“Joy Jack. They give you joy. Remember that.” Jack saw the wheels starting to turn in Mitchell’s mind. If he thought he was going to plug another condition into the will he was sorely mistaking. Jack was already having a hard time coping with the one condition already.

“Well I’m going to get these two munchkins to bed. Come on Lisa, Josh.” Sally walked toward the stairs waiting for them to catch up. Lisa ran straight to her mother while Josh stood next to Mitchell’s chair biting his lip. “Josh? What’s wrong?”

Josh looked shyly at Maddy before turning back to his mom. “I want Maddy to tuck me in.”

Having a little boy asking for her was more than Maddy had expected. Between the Landons and the Petersons, they were making her feel more part of the family than she had ever wanted to be. It’s was hard not letting your heart get involved when you tucked little boys in. “I’m sure your mama wants to do that Josh.”

“No, mama does it every night. I want Maddy.”

Maddy could hear the tears threatening to fall and since Sally didn’t object she looked at Jack for approval or help she wasn’t sure which. He merely smiled. “Go ahead. I’ll have a nightcap waiting when you’re done.”

Jack watched Maddy take Josh’s hand and felt a tug deep down. For a moment he imagined it was his son she was going to tuck in. Instead of fear scratching at his heart he found the thought appealing. It would be nice to bring Maddy and their children to visit his grandpa. The only problem was Maddy wasn’t his real wife and his grandfather was ill. A thought clear as a spring flower bloomed in his mind: it didn’t have to be. He could make Maddy fall in love with him and have a real marriage. He could try to convince his grandfather to have the operation. He knew it was a long shot, but if it meant he could spend every day with her, watching her bear his children and tuck them in, he’d give it all he had to give.

As Josh’s soft little sticky hand took hers Maddy felt a maternal yearning rush through her for the first time in her life. Surely she thought she’d have children one day. But that was a long way off. That was once her business was established, when she got married with the right man for all the right reasons. When she reached the foot of the stairs she glanced back at Jack who was still watching her. In her heart she was starting to realize she had married the right man, just for all the wrong reasons.

 

The following morning the rain had moved inland and the air was crisp and clear. Sally had agreed when Maddy and Jack asked to take the children for a walk on the beach while she packed. After bundling Josh and Lisa into coats and scarves and hats, they donned their own coats and led the children down the small walkway to the beach.

Josh and Lisa chattered about finding a Loggerhead Sea turtle after their brief introduction with one the previous day at the aquarium.

Over their heads Jack smiled at Maddy and took her hand. “This is nice.”

Maddy returned his smile with one of her own. “It is. There is something to be said about walking on a beach in winter.”

“I told you the night we met that I would enjoy winter with you.” Jack softly squeezed her hand.”

Maddy smiled at him shyly at the mention of their one night stand that now seemed eons ago. “I still can’t believe I went to your room that night.”

“Do you regret it?” Jack stopped and waited for her answer allowing the children to meander a few steps ahead of them.

Maddy thought for a moment of that wonderful night she had spent with a stranger and the month she had come to know the man. He was more than she ever could’ve imagined. “No I don’t regret it.”

“Can you imagine having kids?”

Completely baffled by his change of direction with the conversation, Maddy turned to him confused. “Excuse me?”

Jack pointed to the children who were bending over a rock hoping to find a turtle nest. “Little people, do you want them?”

“Well, I’ve always thought one day.”

“I’ve never thought about it all.” Jack looked at her earnestly. “Until I saw you last night with Josh.”

Maddy knew he was trying to say more. She didn’t want any declarations that were going to make this harder than it already was. She smiled at him before running to the children and asking them what they had found.

 

Their last night at the Landon Estate they enjoyed a leisurely meal of canapés instead of a sit down dinner. Jack and Mitchell had started to discuss the business they had been avoiding all week. Maddy felt uncomfortable listening to them discussing profit margins and staff performance. Instead she picked up her phone and for the first time since she had left Manhattan started checking her emails. Milly had access to the mails and had very efficiently replied to all of them. She had even set up two meet and greets for the following week for a corporate event and sixtieth birthday party. She was indeed going to be an asset to Turner Events.

“Are you taking Madison?”

At the mention of her name, Maddy looked up at Mitchell. “Taking me where?”

“The winter gala Landon Realty hosts every year in support of single mothers?”

“Single mothers?” Maddy asked confused.

“Well when Jackson and I decided on supporting a charity we realized most of the causes were already taken. You’ve got your cancers, your muscle dystrophy, your handicapped, your war veterans and of course don’t forget the mental illnesses. We’re not doctors so Jackson suggested we support something a little closer to the heart. A charity in aid of single mothers.”

Maddy turned to Jack only to see him clenching his jaw. “Single mothers?”

Mitchell read the tension in the room and realized Maddy didn’t know about Jack’s mother. “Jack’s mother left when he was a little more than seven years old. Jack’s father wasn’t a very involved figure if that’s what you call it, and she struggled raising Jack on her own.”

“Oh, I didn’t know.”

“Because there isn’t anything to know.” Jack got up and poured himself scotch.

“Anyhow, when we were settling on a charity Jack mentioned if his mother had more help she might’ve stayed and not run away. So we decided to start a charity that assists single mothers. They have access to free babysitters, dry cleaning coupons, grocery coupons and support groups.”

Maddy watched Jack as Mitchell spoke, why would Jack hide this from her? “That is wonderful Jack. If I just think how much that would’ve helped my mom when she was raising me by herself…”

“About your mother, Madison.” Mitchell quickly changed the subject, noticing Jack’s discomfort. “We’ve been in touch since the wedding. She is an extraordinary woman. We speak at least twice a week.”

Maddy laughed. “Extraordinary and eccentric, but I wouldn’t have her any other way.”

“I find her refreshingly honest. A rare trait in a woman these days.” Mitchell said as if in thought almost to himself.

Maddy smiled and wondered just exactly what her mother and Mitchell discussed besides her marriage with Jack. Maddy smiled at Mitchell, not knowing how to answer. She turned to Jack. “I think I’m going to take a walk on the beach.”

“Now? It’s cold and the wind is biting They predicted there might even be snow tonight.” Jack still didn’t look himself after the discussion about his mother.

“Jack, you should go with her. A woman shouldn’t be walking alone outside at night.” Mitchell urged.

Maddy stood and smiled at them. “Don’t worry about me. I’m a big girl, and if the snow does start to fall it will be a bonus. Besides I’m sure you have more business you need to discuss.”

Jack watched the stream lines of her body almost but not completely concealed by her loose trousers and sweater. He found himself wanting to be alone with her. Her dark hair fell in waves over the scarlet cashmere sweater she wore taunting him to run his fingers through it. “Business can wait.”

They walked under the clear sky littered with sparkling stars and black chasms. The wind stung their cheeks and chilled their fingers. Without thought their hands found each other seeking warmth. Fingers intertwined without saying a word. Walking side by side in silence with only the bright white moon for illumination they were each lost in their own thoughts. With matching steps and breaths calmness, an unsaid understanding dawned on both of them. This was becoming more than a marriage of convenience. As they reached the end of the small beach Jack knew he had to ask Maddy if she felt what was in his heart. He took both her hands and stared into her clear green eyes that he had started looking forward to seeing when he woke up. “Maddy.” His voice was soft, apologetic almost.

Maddy looked into Jack’s eyes and was frightened by what she saw there. She was frightened by what she wanted it to be. Hesitantly she asked. “Jack?”

“I think it’s time we talked…about us.”

“What do you mean?” Maddy felt fear crawl up her spine like a block of ice sliding over her skin. He couldn’t want a divorce already. Did she misread what she just saw in his eyes?

“This marriage isn’t what I had in mind when I suggested it.” He fumbled through the words.

As the grapples of fear clutched her throat and squeezed her eyes, Maddy lifted her chin. “What exactly did you have in mind then Jack?”

He looked to the stars as if he would find the words to explain to her hidden among their dark depths. “I didn’t think I would feel…”

“Feel what? Typical man, let me guess: you feel I’m crowding you.” Maddy turned on a temper and started toward the house when she felt Jack’s hand on her arm swinging her around to face him.

“I didn’t think I would feel at all. That’s the problem, you make me feel.”