Chapter Thirteen
“Come inside while I find something to put these in.” She lifted the bouquet filled with vibrant bluebells, yellow buttercups, and purple sweet peas, and gestured to the door.
“Wait a minute. I have something in the truck. I wasn’t sure if we kept anything here, and I picked up a vase when I stopped at the flower shop. I’ll go get it.” Wyatt strode away, and Bella raced after him.
Maddie laughed, and stepped inside. A dog. Who would have guessed? Not her. And he brought flowers, not any old blooms, but her favorite. She clasped her hands to her chest and grinned. He remembered. She couldn’t believe it, considering she’d only mentioned it once when they’d driven by a field of wildflowers. Who are you and what did you do with Wyatt Leone?
Maddie sighed and sat on the floor in front of Jacob’s swing. Jacob stared at her and crowed. She giggled. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”
“Was he sick earlier?”
Maddie glanced up. What was it about that rich, baritone voice that made her insides tingle? Of course, the rest of him was nothing to sneeze at either. Lord, no man had a right to look that good. Just dinner, just dinner, just dinner. She repeated the mantra and hoped her body would get the message. “He had a low-grade fever. He’s teething. Hey, is everything okay?” The color drained from his face as he stared at the glowing scented candle on the coffee table.
Wyatt jerked his attention to her. “Um, yeah.”
Maddie frowned. “Are you sure?”
“I am.” His gaze flickered to the candle again.
“Does it bother you?” Maybe he disliked the smell? She leaned over and blew out the spark. The tension drained from his limbs and he sat beside her. Not the odor. Wyatt didn’t like the flame. Not surprising given his past.
“Poor little guy.” Wyatt patted Jacob’s head. “Is that why you set up the swing?”
No mention of his reaction. No need to. She’d received the message loud and clear, and wouldn’t press the issue further. “Yes. It soothes him when he gets cranky.”
“You know him well.”
She snorted. “I had no idea in the beginning.” There’d been no one to turn to for advice. None of her friends had kids, and asking Gramps would have been pointless. He didn’t know anything about babies. As far as he was concerned, children were seen and not heard. “It was all trial and error, but I learned quickly what worked and what didn’t, and stuck with it.” She grinned. “You’ll get the hang of it in no time. You’ll see.”
“I hope so.”
Bella scampered up to the baby and sniffed. Maddie stroked her soft fur. “This is Jacob, Bella.” The dog trotted around the swing as if trying to decide what to make of the miniature human. After a few laps she sauntered off and scurried around the room. Maddie smiled. Bella had to be the cutest thing she’d seen in a long time. “I don’t think she’s impressed.”
“Just wait until he’s a little older and can toss a ball to her. Bella loves to play fetch.”
Wyatt offered her his hand. “Let me help you up.” He pulled her to her feet and handed her the crystal vase.
“Thanks.” She moved to the kitchen sink and filled the glass container with water. After arranging the blooms, Maddie placed the vase in the center of the dining table. “Perfect.”
“Ready to go?” Wyatt stood by the door with Jacob cradled in his arms.
“Sure.” She tossed her sweater in the diaper bag, and slung the strap over her shoulder, then grabbed the baby carrier.
Wyatt whistled. “Come on, girl.”
Bella barked and raced around the corner, her tail wagging a mile an hour.
“Your Bella can outlast the Energizer Bunny any day of the week.” Maddie closed the door and they walked to the truck.
Wyatt clicked Jacob’s car seat into place and fastened him in, then turned and opened the passenger door for Maddie. She grinned. “Thank you, kind sir.” Chivalry wasn’t dead after all.
“You’re welcome, m’lady.” Bella barked again and jumped in. “Sorry, girl. That’s Maddie’s seat now.” Wyatt scooped her up and placed her in the back next to Jacob.
Maddie hopped up into the seat. “I feel a little bad kicking her out. She’s obviously used to sitting here.”
Wyatt winked. “She’s fine.”
“Do I smell pizza?”
“Uh-huh. I got a margherita pie from Russo’s.”
Her mouth watered. Another of her favorites. “Yum. So, where are we going?” Wyatt had told her he had a small bungalow on the eastern side of the vineyard, but she’d never been there. She’d always insisted they go to San Francisco when they were together before. The busy city made it highly unlikely they’d run into anyone they knew, and ensured she could keep their relationship a secret from Gramps. Maybe if she’d been upfront from the beginning…
Wyatt headed west. They weren’t going to his place. Where else in town let you bring your own dinner and a pet? The park? The town green?
“You’ll have to wait and see.” Wyatt waggled his brows. “We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Instead of driving to the main road, he turned on the dirt path and headed north. Good grief, where was he taking them? They drove past the vineyard and into the foothills of the mountains. He parked the truck in a large field.
Maddie stepped down and peered around. The rugged Mayacamas stood behind her, tall and proud in all their majestic splendor. Evergreens and other shrubs and bushes in vibrant hues of greens, reds and browns dotted the landscape. Below sat row upon row of grapevines bursting with ripening fruit for as far as the eye could see. “This is spectacular, but why are we here?”
Wyatt opened the door to the back seat. Bella jumped out, raced around the meadow, and returned to his side. “I thought we could have a picnic.”
Definitely not what she’d expected when he’d asked her out, but the setting was perfect for a family meal together. Maybe the first of many? No. She wouldn’t consider a future with them together yet. Wyatt wanted to try and make things work and that’s what they’d do. Take it one day at a time. “Sounds great.”
“Good. I brought a blanket.” Wyatt reached inside the bed, grabbed a thick cotton comforter, and spread it out on the ground. “We can eat our dinner and watch the sun go down. Have a seat, and I’ll get Jacob and the pizza.”
Maddie dropped to the soft blanket and stretched out her legs. Wyatt settled the car seat next to her, and returned to the truck. He returned with the pizza, her diaper bag and a canvas bag of his own. “Here, let me help you.” She scooted to her knees. “I see you convinced Mr. Russo to let you borrow one of the thermal pizza carriers.”
“Nick let me borrow it. He’s helping out at the restaurant while his father is away.” Wyatt positioned the box in the center, sat across from her, and set the bags down. Reaching inside one, he pulled out napkins, dishes and utensils, and handed them to Maddie. “Here, girl.” He pulled a biscuit from his pocket and tossed it to Bella. She caught it, and lay down next to him to enjoy her feast.
“Are you two still buddies?” Opening the carton, Maddie plated two slices for Wyatt and handed them to him. She laid out another for herself.
“Yes, why?”
“Just curious.” Maddie never saw much of Nick these days. Or anyone else for that matter. She had little time to socialize.
Wyatt shrugged. “We’ve known each other for as long as I can remember. His grandfather worked for mine. He always brought Nick to the vineyard when my family came to visit.”
“Sometimes I forget you didn’t grow up here.”
“Yes. We lived in Los Angeles because of my mother’s career, and visited Nana and Grandpa on holidays and summer vacations.”
Maddie shuddered. The barn had exploded during one of those vacations. She shook off the morose thought. “What made you decide to move here? You’ve been around for a long time now.”
“Los Angeles wasn’t for me.”
She could understand why. Maddie couldn’t imagine what it must have been like to live in a society where appearance topped the charts of must-haves, especially for him.
“My parents stuck around until my mother retired from television, but I got out the minute I turned eighteen and came here. Nana was still alive back then and I helped her run Leone Estates until she passed.”
Maddie remembered. He’d only been in town for a few days when they finally met. While she’d seen him from afar over the years when his family visited, they hadn’t come face to face until a party Nick threw right before he headed off to college. She had to admit she’d been more than curious about the boy her grandfather hated with a passion.
“You were really close to your Nana, weren’t you?” Maddie envied the smile he flashed. It seemed full of happy memories.
“She was such a sweet lady. Always made fresh pasta with meatballs for dinner when we came to visit as kids.” His eyes gleamed. “And the best Italian almond cookies I’ve ever… I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
She shook her head. “You didn’t. I remember my Grams fondly, too.” Maddie had always been close to her grandmother. Some of her happiest childhood memories were of time spent with her Grams. Once a month they’d go on an adventure for the day, just the two of them. Sometimes they’d go to San Francisco and have lunch at a fancy restaurant, or go to one of the museums, other times they’d go on a scavenger hunt around town. It didn’t matter what they did, Maddie always looked forward to being with the grandmother she loved.
Wyatt laid a hand over hers and squeezed it. “You lost her right after your parents, didn’t you?”
“Just two months. She died on New Year’s Eve. Car accident out on Old County Road.” She frowned when his gaze dropped to her chest.
“You do that. Every time you or someone mentions your parents.”
“Do what?”
“Play with your necklace.”
Maddie glanced down. She didn’t remember raising her hand to the antique gold pendant with the intricate design. She swallowed hard. Her mother had loved this piece. The jewelry had been a gift from her father for their tenth anniversary. He’d taken Maddie to the vintage shop in town and she’d helped pick out the special present.
Wyatt drew in a sharp, audible breath. “Old County Road? You never said anything. No wonder you were so scared two years ago when your car skidded off the road on New Year’s Eve.”
“Yes.” Maddie shivered. But unlike her, Grams’s car plowed straight into a tree. “I was lucky you came along when you did.”
Wyatt snorted. “All I did was pull you out of the mud.”
“No, that wasn’t all.” Not by a long shot. “You called the tow service when I couldn’t get the car to start.” Her cell had died, and she didn’t have a car charger. “Waited with me, and I’m sure all those jokes you told were to get my mind off my troubles.”
“They were pretty bad, weren’t they?”
“Are you kidding? I laughed my ass off.”
“Yeah, but I figured you were just being nice.”
She shook her head. Maddie had enjoyed the hour they’d spent together talking and getting to know each other while they waited for the tow truck to arrive. “Did you think I was being nice when I offered to buy you a drink that night, too?”
Wyatt shot her a quizzical gaze. “You weren’t?”
Good grief. “I would have thought my intentions were clear after I kissed you.”
He watched her, a perplexed expression on his face. Did she have to spell it out for him?
“You planned for us to wind up in that motel room?”
Heat scorched her cheeks. “Good God no. I’d have picked some place upscale if I’d arranged… Not that I’d have… I’ve never done anything like that in my life.”
He grinned. “You’re more of a five-star hotel person.”
Maddie mock punched him. “Yes, but I meant the whole, well, you know, sex-in-a-motel-fling-thing.” The truth was she didn’t have a lot of experience with men. Oh, she wasn’t a virgin, but she didn’t sleep around either. She’d only had two other lovers besides Wyatt, and both had been long-term relationships.
Wyatt didn’t say anything. He only stared at her, his brows deeply furrowed.
TMI, Maddie. TMI. What the hell had prompted her to confess the truth? “Anyway.” Change the damned subject now! “What’s this?” She reached over and grabbed the brown glass bottle peeking out of Wyatt’s canvas bag and scrutinized the contents.
“A new blend I’m working on. I know you can’t have much because you’re breastfeeding, but I thought we could try a little of it with our dinner, and you can tell me what you think of it.”
“Sure.” Having a sip or two wouldn’t affect Jacob. He poured a small amount for her, and more for himself. Maddie lifted the glass, swirled the liquid, and sniffed. “Excellent bouquet.” She swallowed a sip. “Full palate with hints of rosemary and,” she drank another taste, “sage, right?”
“You’ve got excellent taste buds.”
Maddie laughed. “No, just years of training.”
“What other flavors can you identify?”
“Berries.” She pursed her lips, and concentrated on each essence she could taste. “Black and blue, with traces of black cherry.”
“Very good. Anything else?”
“A touch of vanilla, and a smidgeon of mocha. I’d say you have a real winner here.”
He flashed a grin that made his eyes crinkle. Maddie sighed.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“What are you going to call it?”
Color flooded his cheeks. “Not sure yet.”
She laughed. “Let me guess. You’ve got customer trials starting soon and need a name fast.”
“Yeah, but I’m stumped.” He waggled his brows. “Got any ideas?”
“You’re asking the competition. You must be desperate.”
He gave her a solemn nod. “I am.”
“In that case, I’ll see what I can come up with.” She scooped up the pizza in one hand and bit into the gooey cheese. “Oh my God, this is to die for.”
Jacob chortled. Maddie unfastened the straps, and lifted him into her arms. “Sorry little one, but this is for Mommy and Daddy.” She sat him on the spread.
“He can sit up?”
Jacob wobbled and tipped. Maddie caught him before he fell over. “He’s starting to, but as you can see, hasn’t quite mastered the act yet.”
“Come here, slugger.” Wyatt lay on his back and placed Jacob on his belly. “We’ll give mama a break and let her eat her meal.”
She savored another bite and glanced around at the amazing vista. “How did you find this place? It’s off the beaten path.”
“My grandfather brought me here when I was a kid. He wanted to build a home on this lot,” he pointed to the spot behind them, “but Nana vetoed the idea. She wanted to be closer to the vineyard. They built what is now the guesthouse, and lived there for years until the main house was finished.”
“Do you come here a lot?”
“I used to, especially after the surgeries.” He gazed out at the mountains, and back at her. “When I needed to get away from…people.”
Her heart clenched. She’d never considered what life was like for him. People always staring when he’d walked down the street. Calling him names behind his back. An image of Zoe floated into her mind. To your face. The truth was he had lived his whole life with people who ridiculed and condemned him. Maddie lay down beside him and squeezed his hand. Why didn’t outsiders see the real Wyatt? The father who played with his son. The thoughtful, sweet man who’d brought her flowers, and rescued dogs. The sexy guy who made her pulse soar with the flash of his wicked smile.
She gazed at the stars twinkling in the twilight sky. “I can see why you love it here.”
“Yes.” Wyatt let out a wistful sigh. “It’s beautiful.”
Something I’m not, the words implied. Her chest squeezed tighter. How could he believe such a thing? He was beautiful. Inside and out.
Jacob started to fuss. Bella whined, pacing back and forth. Wyatt released Maddie’s hand and sat up. He cradled Jacob in one arm. “What’s wrong, slugger?” Bella yipped, and he stroked her fur. “It’s okay, girl. No need to worry.”
“He’s probably hungry again. Good grief, I fed him right before we left.”
“Maybe we should start him on solids. He’s a little young but—”
Maddie arched a brow. “Have you been reading more articles on the Internet again?” She loved the fact that he’d taken the initiative to learn everything he could about their son. Wyatt laughed, and the deep sound rumbled through her in the most delicious way. “You’re right. I’ll check with his pediatrician at our appointment next Tuesday.” She drew in a breath. “Do you want to come with us?”
“Absolutely. Let me know what time and I’ll clear my schedule.” He fastened Jacob into his carrier, stood and pulled Maddie to her feet. “We should head back now, before he gets worked up.”
No. She didn’t want this evening to end. She wanted to stay here, just the four of them, in their own little world. She sighed. “Agreed.”
Wyatt pulled the truck in front of the guesthouse and cut the engine. Her cell shrilled. She fished inside her purse, pulled out the phone and checked the caller ID. Zoe. Crap. Maddie stared at the device, willing it to stop ringing. She didn’t want to deal with this right now. The sound stopped, then started again. Maddie sighed. She needed to put a stop to this now. “Mind if I get this?”
“No problem.”
“Thanks. I’ll make it quick.” She connected the call. “Zoe.”
Every muscle in Wyatt’s body tightened into a rigid pose. Gone was the happy, relaxed person from the picnic and in his place sat the edgy, tense man she’d seen too often before. The guy who assumed she’d cheated on him, who wouldn’t believe he was Jacob’s father. No. She was imagining things. Who could blame her after everything she’d been through over the last couple of days?
Stop looking for trouble where none exists and get back to what’s important. Dealing with Zoe could wait. She was out on a date, for goodness’ sakes. What the heck was she thinking taking a phone call? “I’ll call you back later.” Maddie didn’t wait for Zoe to answer. She disconnected the line. “Let’s get Jacob inside, shall we?”
“I should go.”
Go? Was this some kind of joke? Why would he want to leave now? “I thought we could watch a movie after I put Jacob down.”
Wyatt shook his head. “I have to get back to the vineyard for a while.”
Good grief, what happened? Why wouldn’t he look at her?
“Are you mad at me?” Was he ticked she’d taken the call from Zoe? He’d said it wasn’t a problem.
“No.”
“Then why are you leaving?”
“I have to get back—”
“To work.” Maybe he had an emergency he didn’t want to discuss with her? “Okay. Will I see you tomorrow?”
“I’ll stop by to see Jacob around lunch. I’d like to take him for a tour of the vineyard.”
Jacob, but not her. He couldn’t have made his feelings any clearer if he tried. He didn’t want her? That was fine by her. No damn it. It wasn’t. “Come on, Wyatt. What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing.” He let out a little laugh and waved off her concern. “I’m fine.”
“That’s a load of crap, and you know it. Tell me what’s going on.”
Wyatt remained silent, a mutinous expression on his face.
Maddie straightened her shoulders. “Go play your mind games with someone else.” She jumped off of the passenger seat. Grabbing the baby carrier, she strode to the front door.
#
“Wait.” Wyatt hopped out of the truck. Bella followed as he raced after Maddie.
What was wrong with him? The date had gone better than he’d expected, and he’d been enjoying himself until she’d received the phone call from Zoe.
Then, every vile, hateful word Zoe had ever spewed filled his head, and something inside him snapped. Anger and resentment roiled around inside him until it erupted like a volcano gushing, the hot lava destroying everything in his path.
He’d tried to laugh it off. Stupid move on his part. He’d pissed her off royally, but God, how the hell could she associate with such a spiteful bitch?
“Would you please wait.” He spoke in a calm rational manner. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice in one day. Despite the way he’d been acting lately, he wasn’t a tyrant by any stretch of the imagination.
She stopped at the front door, whirled around and glared at him. “Don’t you have to get back to the vineyard?”
He did. Wyatt hadn’t lied about that, but it could wait. “This is more important.”
Jacob let out another loud wail.
His son needed to eat. “Why don’t we take this inside. We can talk while you feed him.” Wyatt opened the door and gestured for Maddie to proceed him.
“Fine.” Maddie settled herself on the couch and lifted Jacob to her breast.
Bella jumped up beside her and rested her head on Maddie’s thigh. Traitor.
The dog eyed him as if to say, you’re the dumb one, not me. She was right.
“What do you have to say?” Anger spiked each syllable Maddie spoke.
Lord, his nerves were stretched tighter than a drum. “How can you be friends with that woman?”
“Who? Zoe?”
“Yes. I don’t get it. You heard her the other day. Why would you want to hang around with that malicious viper?”
“Let me get this straight. You walked out on our date because Zoe happened to call me?”
Wyatt rubbed the back of his neck. It sounded pretty lame when she said it. “She’s your best friend. Has been since high school.”
“Give me a little credit. I saw the way she treated you at Donovan’s and didn’t like it. I wasn’t planning on hanging out with her anytime in the foreseeable future. As a matter of fact, I spoke with her this morning and told her as much.”
“You did?” His mouth gaped open. He couldn’t believe it.
“Of course I did.” Maddie shook her head. “I’m committed to giving this family thing a try. And I thought you were, too.”
Wyatt swallowed hard and tried to wrap his head around what he’d just learned. Maddie sent her best friend packing. For him. “I am. I want this to work.” More than she could imagine.
“Well, it doesn’t seem like it from where I’m sitting.”
“I’m sorry. I—” Zoe had always rubbed him the wrong way, like exposing a raw nerve.
“Okay.” She closed her eyes, blew out a breath, and opened them. “I’m tired, and it’s late. Why don’t we just call it a night?”
Hell, he didn’t want the evening to end this way. Tell her. He scrubbed his hands over his face. “Zoe is…a sore spot as far as I’m concerned.”
“I got that.”
“No, I don’t believe you do. I shouldn’t let it bother me. It happened years ago, but—”
Maddie frowned. “What happened?”
“The night of Nick’s college graduation party…” He shuddered. Even after all this time, the shame and humiliation still burned deep inside him.
“What about it?”
God, he couldn’t do this. Couldn’t admit the truth. He’d be the laughing stock of the town if word got out. No. Maddie wasn’t the type to spread gossip, but she would feel sorry for him, and her anger and contempt was preferable to her pity.
“Wyatt? Please don’t shut me out. Gramps…”
Oh hell. No way did he want her comparing him to the old man. He could be an idiot at times, and God only knew he got a lot wrong when it came to Maddie, but he wasn’t like George Scott. No way. No how. “Zoe was at the party, too.”
“What happened?”
What a fool he’d been to believe she’d been attracted to him. Wanted him.
“We, um,” he dragged a hand through his hair. Spit it out. “Things got hot and heavy, and we—”
Her eyes widened as his meaning became clear. “You and Zoe—” She gasped. “Oh my God.” The color drained from her face.
“No. No. It never got that far. She wasn’t interested once she saw the scars on my body.” Freak. Mutant. Monster. “She raced out of the house as if all the demons of hell were chasing her.”
Maddie didn’t respond. She sat curled up on the couch, her head bowed low.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. Why don’t we watch that movie you suggested earlier?”
She shook her head.
“Maddie, please—”
“I’m going to bed as soon as I finish feeding Jacob.”
Wyatt frowned. He might not be any good at the emotional stuff, but he wasn’t stupid. She was upset, but why? He walked to the couch and pointed to the ground. Bella leapt down and trotted off, and Wyatt sat beside her. Lifting her chin, he waited until her gaze met his. Moisture clung to her lashes and she looked…worse than she had at the hospital after the run in with her grandfather. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I’m just tired.”
“I don’t think so. Tell me. I want to know.”
“Y—you got naked with her. You must have if she saw your scars.” Maddie squeezed her eyes shut.
He sighed. “Yes, but it was long before—” One tear trickled down her cheek and then another. “Maddie?”
“Please, Wyatt. Just go.”
No way would he leave until he found out what was going on. “Not until you tell me what’s wrong. Come on, Maddie. I don’t want to be shut out either. Why are you upset over something that happened a long time ago? We weren’t even together.”
She opened her eyes. Pain and heartache radiated from her glittering gaze. His gut twisted. He hated to see her this way, hadn’t meant to hurt her. Wyatt wiped the droplets from her soft cheek. “Please, tell me why you’re upset.”
She squared her shoulders and looked him in the eye. “I had a thing for you back then.”
“What does that mean?”
“A thing, a crush, whatever you want to call it.”
Maddie had liked him? Four years before they’d gotten together? Dear Lord, if that were true… Holy shit. If she’d liked him, then she’d wanted more from him from the beginning. No. That couldn’t be true. He must have misunderstood.
Right?