CHAPTER 18
Donning her cold, wet clothes, she went back outside and giggled when she spotted Adam and Betsy on their backs. They moved their arms up and down by their sides to make snow angels. He’s a natural with her. “Hey, guys. Want to order pizza while we wait for the ice cream?”
“Pizza and snow ice cream? You’re a woman after my heart.” Adam scrambled to his feet and helped Betsy up. “Let’s go in. Your nose is red.”
“I don’t care,” Betsy said.
“Betsy, Santa won’t come tomorrow unless you’re a good girl.” She attempted a harsh face which she found nearly impossible around her jovial daughter. “Come inside.”
“Okay, Mommy.” Betsy brushed snow off her pants and behind. “Can we watch a movie later, too?”
Madison said “We’ll see. You’re having a big day. I bet you’d fall asleep halfway through the movie.”
After the threesome walked up the steps, Adam opened the creaky door. “Remind me to get some WD40.”
Madison rubbed her hands together to warm them. “You fix things, too. Are you perfect?”
He winked. “Almost.” He ushered Betsy inside and reached for his new cell phone. “Roco’s Pizza again? Pepperoni?”
“Cheese,” Betsy shouted.
“My vote is pepperoni,” Madison said.
“Half cheese and half pepperoni it is.”
While they waited for the delivery, Madison noticed the angel tree topper on the coffee table. “We forgot to put the angel on the tree.”
“Let Adam do it, Mommy. We did the west.”
Adam picked Betsy up. “Only if you’ll help me.”
Feeling her heart melt all over again, Madison retrieved her cell to take a photo of Adam and Betsy placing the angel atop the tree. Her eyes glistened as she sorted through her Christmas music CDs.
After Adam admired Betsy’s handiwork, he noticed her reindeer hand prints and compared his hands to hers.
Betsy giggled. “You’re big.”
Soon, the doorbell rang, and the delivery guy handed them a large pizza. Madison ran to the door to pay but Adam had already handed the guy a twenty and told him to keep the change.
She returned to the kitchen, set the pizza on the counter, and reached for her best plates.
The trio sat around her small, wooden table with chairs she had found at two different flea markets. Adam never acted as though he noticed her shabby home. He designed incredible hotels and buildings with attention to every luxurious detail, yet here he sat, seemingly content, in her simple duplex.
Madison found it nearly impossible to believe this high-powered executive would find her interesting and desirable. But it seemed as though he did and the feeling was definitely mutual.
After they devoured the pizza, Madison made hot chocolate and retrieved the snow ice cream from the freezer. Adam hopped up to help her fill the bowls with the treat.
When they returned to the table, a wriggling, albeit patient Betsy, giggled as Madison instructed everyone to hold their spoons in mid-air. Then, she said, “Ready, set, dig in.”
After many “Mmm’s,” she noticed Adam and Betsy had both scraped their bowls clean.
“Snow ice cweam is good, Mommy.”
Adam licked his spoon. “This should be on the Redbud’s winter menu. I think I’ll tell the chef. It’s delicious.”
Madison beamed. “I’m glad you both approve. Who wants to watch a movie?”
“I do. I do,” Betsy said.
“Help me clear the dishes first.” The mother and daughter carried the plates and bowls to the kitchen while Adam rinsed and set them in the dishwasher.
After they finished, Betsy jumped up and down. “Can we watch the Grinch? Pweaze?”
Madison chuckled. “She loves that movie. The Grinch and A Charlie Brown Christmas are her favorites. Quite the duo, right?”
Settling on the couch, Adam said, “My face hurts from smiling so much. I haven’t had this much fun on Christmas Eve since . . . forever. I want to see the Grinch, too.”
Sorting through her movies, Madison eventually unearthed How the Grinch Stole Christmas and sat beside Adam on the couch. A wriggling Betsy moved to the floor.
Since she had seen the movie dozens of times, Madison stole glances at Adam who seemed as engrossed in the movie as her daughter. She noticed Betsy yawned a few times but knew her kindergartner wasn’t about to give in to exhaustion.
As the credits rolled, Madison refilled Adam’s hot chocolate. “Time for bed, Betsy.”
Betsy stretched, yawned, and flung herself against Adam’s knees. “Today was fun.”
He tousled her curly hair. “Thanks for showing me how to make snow angels.”
“Welcome.” Betsy reached for her mother’s hand. They padded down the hallway toward the bathroom where Betsy brushed her teeth.
After she put her pajamas on, Madison kissed her daughter and tucked her in. “Nite, baby girl. Get some sleep. Tomorrow’s Christmas.”
“Nite, Mommy.” Betsy rolled over and Madison turned out the light.
When Madison returned to the living room, she said, “I bet she’s already asleep.”
“Betsy’s fun. I love viewing life through her innocent, youthful eyes. It really puts everything into perspective.” Adam reached for the CD case. “I enjoyed the movie, too.”
Madison stared at the Grinch’s green face. “That movie reminds me of my job.”
“Your job? Why?” Adam asked.
“My boss—make that former boss—Dr. Fenton calls his ex the Grinch because she got his practice in the settlement and fired all of us.”
Adam sucked in his breath and leaned back. “Wait. That’s where you worked? The Fenton Dental Clinic?”
“Yeah, why?” Madison noticed Adam’s face paled.
“I can’t believe your boss’s name never came up.” He stood and paced. “Do you have any Kahlua or Bailey’s so we can spike this hot chocolate?”
“I’m not sure I want to hear this but hold that thought.” She strode to the kitchen, opened a cabinet high above the refrigerator where she’d placed the alcohol far out of Betsy’s reach, and scooted a few dusty bottles around until she found a bottle of Bailey’s. Madison’s mind raced as she reheated their hot chocolate. What could he possibly know about Dr. Fenton and do I want to hear this?