CHAPTER 24
Madison rushed over and placed her hand on her former boss’s pale forehead. He felt clammy. “Are you okay, Dr. Fenton? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” She craned her neck and peeked inside the box, which contained a simple gold key.
Bruce blew out his breath, glanced toward the ceiling, and beamed as he held the key in mid-air. “Is this the key I think it is?”
“Yep.” Adam slapped his former brother-in-law on the back. “You’re back in business.”
Madison stood with her mouth agape. “What do you mean?”
After a couple of whoops, Bruce punched the air with both fists and jumped around the living room.
Betsy joined in, oblivious to the reason why she and Dr. Fenton were dancing around the room, but a celebration was a celebration.
Bruce kissed the key and shoved it deep in his pocket. “How did you accomplish this feat?”
Rubbing his hands together, Adam grinned and leaned forward. “Trust me, it wasn’t easy. Negotiations lasted into the wee hours this morning.” He yawned as if to accentuate the fact he hadn’t slept.
“They—Beverly and her attorney—wanted to put the sale off until after New Year’s Eve but I insisted we had to finalize the deal before Christmas. We went back and forth all night long but it was worth not getting any sleep. Beverly’s a tough negotiator but I didn’t back down.” He glanced at Madison. “I couldn’t.”
Betsy interrupted. “Mommy, what’s Adam talking about?”
Madison shushed her daughter. “Let him finish, sweetie. I’ll explain later.” She moved to the foot stool in front of Adam. “Go on.”
“The bottom line is I bought the clinic from my sister. She didn’t have any use for it.” He shook his head. “Beverly only wanted to hurt you, Bruce, and she didn’t give a damn about the employees nor the patients.” He stood and high fived Dr. Fenton. “The clinic’s all yours again. Merry Christmas.”
Bruce shook Adam’s hand and embraced him in a huge bear hug. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you isn’t nearly enough. You’re the best former brother-in-law a guy could have. Hell, you’re the best brother a guy could have. I could kiss you right now.”
Laughing, Adam said, “Let’s don’t get carried away.”
Madison swiveled her head from Adam to Dr. Fenton. Her eyes widened as the momentous occasion hung in the air like the most dazzling, precious ornament on a tree. When she found her voice, she asked, “We’re opening the clinic again?”
Dr. Fenton grinned like he had won the lottery, which he basically had. “You bet we are. You’re rehired, Madison. That is, if you still want your job.”
“Are you kidding?” Madison wasn’t sure whether to hug the dentist or Adam, so she settled on embracing both of them simultaneously. “I’m calling Lisa later tonight.” She paused. “That is, if she’s hired, too.”
Dr. Fenton nodded. “Absolutely. I want all of my employees back. Sure, call her any time you want. I imagine the news will spread quickly once it leaves this house.” He grinned. “I’m going to have a lot of happy patients and a very full schedule in a few days. Enjoy your downtime now, Madison.”
“Now you see why I brought champagne.” Adam headed toward the kitchen. “Where are your champagne glasses?”
Madison followed him. “I don’t have any. Wine glasses will have to do.”
Adam swept her in a tight embrace. “Never apologize for being you. I love everything about you—but I’m growing a long list of things to get you next Christmas.” He kissed her. “This day is going on record as the best Christmas of my life.”
“Are you kidding? You just bought a dental clinic. You’ve made everyone’s Christmas better. I still can’t believe we met in the layaway department.”
Madison went from being giddy to crestfallen. She stared at her shoes. “I hate for you to open my silly gift. I’m embarrassed to give it to you after your extravagant presents.”
Adam stroked her hair. “I’m sure it’s from your heart and I’ll love it.”
“I hope so.” She opened the refrigerator door and said, “By the way, how did you know to buy training wheels? I didn’t even think of them.”
Adam glanced over his shoulder obviously to make sure Betsy wasn’t listening. “That was pure luck. Yesterday, I saw the neighbor’s son riding his bike. He looks about the same age as Betsy and I noticed he used training wheels, so I made a mad dash for Target.”
“You surprise me more every day.” Madison held the glasses while Adam popped the cork and poured.
After they returned with the bubbly, everyone toasted and sipped their drinks while Betsy played with her toys.
Dr. Fenton rubbed his hands together. “I can’t wait to reopen the clinic. I think it needs a makeover. Beverly picked out the current color scheme. Adam, I’d like to hire you to handle the renovations and come up with new colors. Are you available?”
Adam poised his glass in the air. “Name the date and I’m there. I’d be honored.”
Dr. Fenton downed his champagne and returned the empty glass to the kitchen. After he stepped back into the living room, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ve missed my practice so much. I want to go there this minute, sit in my office, and daydream while the snow falls. Hopefully, I’ll get snowed in there.”
The dentist chuckled. “Oh, and I need to change the voice mail from Beverly’s screechy, hateful ‘We’re closed permanently’ message to: ‘Happy Holidays, the Fenton Dental Clinic has reopened effective immediately.’” Dr. Fenton retrieved his car keys and glanced at them hopefully. “Do you mind if I cut out early?”
Madison said, “Of course not, boss.” Secretly, she was happy to have alone time with Adam and Betsy.
Adam grinned. “Glad you’re back in business, buddy.”
“You have free dental care for life, Adam. I can never thank you enough.” He turned toward Madison, thanked her for the scrumptious meal, and said he’d contact her soon about the official reopening date. He patted Betsy’s head and marched across the room with renewed vigor.