39. Maddie
39
MADDIE
“Take care of yourself, Dad,” I said, wagging a finger at him. “And don’t even think about bribing Lexi into sneaking extra cheese into your meals while I’m gone.”
My dad chuckled, propped up in bed with a blanket over his legs, a twinkle in his eye. “I’ll try to be a good boy, but you know Lexi—she’s a sucker for a well-placed puppy-dog look.”
“Don’t even try it,” I said, smirking.
“Okay, fine.” He softened, his expression turning more serious. “I appreciate you taking such good care of me, Maddie. I know you’ve got that new life and fancy fiancé of yours waiting in Eden Falls…”
“I’ll always have time for you,” I said, my voice steady even as my chest tightened. I hated that he seemed to feel like he was a burden when, in reality, he was one of the most important people in my life. “I hope you really know that.”
“I do, sweetheart.” He gave me a soft smile, his eyes warm. “I just want you to have your own life, too. But once I’m all healed up, I’m heading your way to meet this mystery man of yours. Gotta make sure he’s good enough for my girl.”
“He’s not perfect,” I said, unable to keep the affection from my voice. “But I think you’ll be impressed. And happy.”
“Well,” Dad said, his tone light but firm, “I already like that you two haven’t moved in together yet. I know we see things a little differently there, but it’s nice to know this guy’s a gentleman.”
A hint of surprise flickered through me, but I managed a nod. “Yes, very gentlemanly.”
Maybe a little too gentlemanly, considering I was fairly certain I’d have jumped into his bed if he hadn’t kept our kisses firmly PG… Okay, edging toward PG-13.
Yeah, I had the hots for my boss, and my usual self-control seemed to vanish into thin air when Ian was involved.
“Jaxon and Grant just pulled up out front,” Noah said, poking his head into my dad’s room. “Want me to carry your bags out?”
“That would be awesome,” I said, smiling at my brother-in-law. “Thank you.”
Noah grabbed my suitcase while I turned back to my dad, leaning over to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Call me if you need anything. I know Lexi and Noah will take good care of you, but I’m just a phone call away.”
Dad patted my hand and smiled. “Just take good care of my best friend,” he said, referring to Grant. “And don’t you dare elope with that billionaire fiancé of yours before I can meet him.”
“Okay.” I laughed lightly, though his words settled uneasily in my chest.
How was I going to tell him that Ian and I were never actually engaged?
Maybe I could convince Ian to hold a fake wedding ceremony in a couple of years…and then keep dodging my dad’s attempts to meet him. Sorry, Dad. Ian’s on a work trip…again.
Yeah, that was a terrible idea. Probably shouldn’t have let him believe it in the first place.
My gaze dropped to the ring on my finger, and I swallowed hard. As strange as it was, I’d gotten used to wearing the huge thing. But I’d need to give it back to Ian when I got to Eden Falls.
After saying goodbye to Lexi and Noah, I stepped outside to where Jaxon and Grant were waiting in the truck. Grant waved eagerly from the backseat, his grin wide and infectious.
“Ready, Mom?” he called out.
“Ready,” I said, climbing into the passenger seat and buckling up. As Jaxon pulled out of the driveway, I glanced in the side mirror, watching my dad’s house grow smaller and smaller behind us.
Eden Falls was waiting. And so was Ian.
“Now I see why you were fine pretending to be this guy’s fiancée so soon after meeting him.” Jaxon let out a low whistle, his gaze sweeping over Ian’s sprawling property as his truck came to a stop in the circular driveway. “He’s loaded.”
“You know, not everything I do is about money, Jaxon,” I said, unable to keep the edge entirely out of my voice. “But yes, Ian has a very nice house.”
“Just saying, it’s quite the upgrade from Ridgewater.” Jaxon raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, it’s been a good move for me,” I said, trying my best to keep my tone steady. “But since we’re currently staying at Sloan’s house, and it’s just my Subaru that’s been staying at this property, my boss’s living situation doesn’t really affect me that much.”
And while I wanted to say a lot more, I left it at that. Jaxon had been nice enough to drive Grant and me all the way here. It wasn’t worth getting into an argument when we’d been on pleasant terms most of the drive.
Still, his assumption that I was after my boss’s money did sting a little—a reminder of how easily people could misinterpret my choices.
I’d told Jaxon the truth of my “fake engagement” after his friend sent him the gossip article the day after the story broke. He’d called me, asking if the headlines were true. Since we shared a son—and I didn’t want Grant hearing half-truths—I’d laid it all out for him. The fake engagement, the way it had spiraled out of control…everything.
Apparently, though, even with the truth, Jaxon still thought there was more to it. That maybe I’d seen an opportunity and taken it.
But before Jaxon could say anything else, the front door to Ian’s house opened, and Ian stepped outside. His presence shifted my mood instantly, the weight of irritation lifting as I took him in. Dressed casually but still exuding that effortless confidence, he made me feel lighter. Happier.
I climbed out of the truck, giving Ian a smile.
“Hey,” he said, returning my smile with a warm one of his own as he strode toward us. “Do you need help carrying your things to your car?”
“Sure.” I motioned toward the back of Jaxon’s truck. “They’re just in the back.”
I stood by, watching as Ian lifted our bags with ease. Grant ran over to his dad, wrapping his arms around him in a tight hug.
“I love you, Dad,” Grant said, his voice muffled against Jaxon’s chest. “I’ll miss you.”
“I love you, too, bud,” Jaxon said, his hand resting lightly on Grant’s back. “You be good for your mom, okay?”
“I will.” Grant pulled back, and a pang of guilt hit me, watching them say goodbye. It wasn’t easy living an hour away from Jaxon and having Grant split his time between us.
But since Jaxon had been the first to move away from Ridgewater, and his new place was actually closer to Eden Falls than it was to Ridgewater, my move here had at least made it slightly better. Still, I knew the distance was hard on Grant sometimes.
“Thanks for driving us,” I said to Jaxon, giving him a small smile. “I appreciate it.”
“Anytime,” he said, his tone even. “Take care of yourself, Maddie.”
“You too,” I said, taking Grant’s hand and walking toward my car. Ian was waiting near the trunk, a sheepish expression on his face.
“I guess I need the keys to actually put these inside,” he said, holding up the bags.
“That might help.” I chuckled, fishing my keys out of my pocket and unlocking the trunk.
Ian loaded the bags inside, then closed the trunk with a soft click. “Before we head out, do you guys want to meet my cat? Satan’s been waiting for you.”
“Yes!” Grant’s face lit up with excitement, and I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm.
We followed Ian inside, walking down a wide hallway toward the living room. The house was every bit as grand as I’d remembered, but it somehow felt even warmer this time.
Ian stopped in the middle of the huge living room with vaulted ceilings, his hands resting on his hips as he called out, “Here, Satan. Come here, kitty kitty. I have a friend who wants to meet you.”
And the sight of this confident, successful businessman—towering in his perfectly tailored clothes—calling for a kitten was almost too much.
“There you are,” Ian said suddenly, his gaze locking on the little black cat perched on a stuffed chair.
But Satan wasn’t about to make this easy. The moment the kitten spotted us, he darted off, disappearing under the couch in a blur of fur and whiskers.
Ian crouched down, lowering himself to the floor to peer under the furniture. “Sneaky little guy,” he murmured, then turned to Grant with a conspiratorial smile. “Do you think you’re up for a special secret mission?”
“Yes!” Grant’s eyes widened, sparkling with excitement.
“Okay.” Ian motioned for Grant to come closer. His tone dropped into something playful, almost like he was sharing a top-secret plan. “We’re going to need one of us on each side of the couch. If we work together, we can catch him before he gets away.”
Without hesitation, Grant scrambled into position, dropping to the floor and lying flat on his stomach. His small hands braced against the carpet as he peeked under the couch, his face serious and determined. Ian mirrored him on the opposite side, his long, muscular frame folding effortlessly to the floor.
“Ready?” Ian asked, glancing across at Grant.
“Ready,” Grant whispered, his tone matching the intensity of a soldier preparing for battle.
“All right,” Ian said, nodding toward the tiny shadow under the couch. “Let’s get him.”
In perfect synchrony, they both reached under the couch, their hands moving carefully but with purpose. Satan let out a tiny, indignant meow as the two worked together to gently corner him. And then, a second later, Grant sat up, triumphant, the kitten squirming lightly in his small arms.
“I got him!” Grant beamed, his grin stretching from ear to ear. He held the kitten close to his chest, his whole body practically glowing with pride.
“Good work!” Ian said, his expression one of genuine delight as he got to his knees and gave Grant a high five. “You saved the day.”
Grant giggled, his cheeks flushed with happiness as he nuzzled the tiny black ball of fur. “He’s so cute,” he said, his voice filled with wonder.
“He’s a busy little devil, that’s for sure.” Ian chuckled, brushing a hand through his hair before sitting back on the floor.
And seeing Ian like this—so natural, so completely at ease with my son—stirred something deep inside me. It was a side of him I hadn’t expected, and yet, it felt so perfectly him. He was thoughtful and playful in ways that seemed almost impossible for someone with his world of responsibilities.
And yet, there he was, sitting cross-legged on the floor like he had all the time in the world.
We watched as Grant and the kitten played, Grant’s laughter filling the room as he waved a little laser pointer across the floor. Satan pounced after the green dot with boundless kitten energy, his tiny body leaping and twisting in pursuit of his elusive prey. Ian sat beside me on the couch, his arm resting casually along the back, a soft smile curving his lips as he observed the scene.
It was such a simple moment, but it felt perfect. The kind of Sunday afternoon I craved—watching my son giggling and carefree, basking in the presence of a man whose quiet strength and warmth seemed to anchor everything.
I let myself get lost in it, the comfort, the joy, the aching possibility of more afternoons like this. Afternoons where laughter and contentment filled the air, and Ian was a steady presence at my side.
“Want to take a look at that house real quick?” Ian asked after the kitten flopped onto his side, clearly done for the moment.
“Yes,” I said, unable to keep the smile from spreading across my face. “I’d love to.”
Ian stood, offering me a hand to help me up, and my heart did a little flip as our fingers brushed. Once Grant had given his new kitten friend a quick goodbye pat, we headed outside.
“It’s just this way.” Ian led us through his expansive backyard, past a beautiful pool to a gate tucked into the hedge. Beyond it, a stone walkway meandered through a patch of trees.
“This is so pretty,” I said, taking in the charming path. “Has this always been here?”
“My parents had it put in when I started building my house,” Ian said. “Figured it would come in handy for walking back and forth between our houses.” He paused, a small smile tugging at his lips. “One day, I think it’ll be the perfect little path for my kids to ride their scooters and bikes when they want to visit Grandma and Grandpa.”
I stopped walking, glancing up at him. “Hearing you talk about your future kids…it’s interesting.”
“Do you not see me as the future dad type?” He raised an eyebrow, his expression curious.
“No, it’s not that,” I said quickly, hoping I hadn’t accidentally offended him.
“Then what is it?” He studied me, his gaze steady and patient.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged, my lips curving into a small smile. “I guess it’s just…kind of sweet.” I examined his face, the strong jawline softened by a hint of vulnerability in his expression. “You keep surprising me.”
“Hopefully, good surprises,” he said.
“Very good,” I said softly, feeling the truth of it settle in my chest.
We continued down the path, and soon Ian’s parents’ estate came into view. Their sprawling country manor that could rival Mr. Darcy’s house in Pride and Prejudice stood in the distance, stately and impressive. But my attention was drawn to a smaller, more charming building off to the side. The little cottage sat nestled in a corner of the property, its quaint architecture framed by a tidy yard.
“This is it,” Ian said, unlocking the front door and gesturing for me to step inside.
The moment I crossed the threshold, my breath caught. It was even prettier than I’d imagined. The open-concept living area was bright and airy, with large windows that offered a stunning view of the backyard. The kitchen gleamed with state-of-the-art appliances, its modern design tempered by warm, inviting touches. There were two cozy bedrooms and two pristine bathrooms, each thoughtfully designed.
And the yard… Oh, the yard. My heart swelled as I took in the open space, perfect for Grant to run around and play. There was even a little garden patch, just waiting for someone to plant something in it next spring.
“This is incredible,” I said, turning to Ian. “I love it.”
He smiled, his satisfaction clear. “Good.” He pulled a set of keys from his pocket and held them out to me. “Here.”
I blinked, staring at the keys in his hand. “What about a deposit? Or a background check?”
“Not necessary,” he said simply. “Just the first month’s rent. And you don’t have to worry about that until you’re ready to move in.”
“How soon can I move in?” The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
“Whenever you like,” Ian said, his smile widening.
I stared down at the keys, a wave of disbelief washing over me. This was perfect. Too perfect. I was going to need to pinch myself later to make sure this wasn’t a dream.
“Thank you,” I said softly, meeting his gaze. “Really. This means so much to me.”
“You deserve it, Maddie.” He nodded, his expression warm. “You and Grant both.”
The late afternoon sun filtered through the trees as we stepped out of the cottage. Grant bounced beside me, clearly excited about the house. My thoughts were a tangle of gratitude and disbelief as I imagined us living there.
We started walking toward Ian’s house, but as we approached the stables nestled just beyond the edge of the property, we ran into Ian’s parents. His mom carried a basket, and his dad had a relaxed yet purposeful stride, both heading toward the barn.
“Well, hey there,” Ian’s mom greeted us with a warm smile. “We were just heading out to check on the horses.”
“Is the mare doing okay?” Ian asked, falling into step beside her.
“She’s doing well,” his mom replied, her expression softening. “But I like to keep a close eye on her, especially after surgery.”
Ian nodded before gesturing toward me. “I was just showing Maddie the house. She likes it.”
“That’s wonderful!” Ian’s mom said, her eyes lighting up. “We’re so glad you could use it. It’s a darling little place, isn’t it?”
“It’s beautiful,” I said, unable to keep the awe from my voice. “Thank you so much for offering it to us. It’s perfect for my son and me.”
Ian’s mom glanced down at Grant who was holding my hand but eyeing the barn curiously. She crouched slightly, meeting his gaze. “And what’s your name, young man?”
“Grant,” he said with a shy smile.
“Well, Grant, it’s nice to meet you,” Ian’s dad said warmly. “How old are you?”
“I’m eight,” Grant said proudly.
“Eight is a great age,” Ian’s dad said, his tone thoughtful. “Tell me, do you like horses?”
Grant’s eyes widened, and he pointed to the barn. “Are there real horses in there?”
“There sure are.” Ian’s dad chuckled. “In fact, we have one that’s just the right size for an eight-year-old to ride. If it’s okay with your mom, maybe you could ride her sometime.”
“Really?” Grant’s voice rose with excitement, his whole face lighting up.
I hesitated, glancing at Ian, unsure of how to respond.
Ian grinned and stepped in smoothly. “I’d be happy to give him a few lessons if you like. Only if it’s okay with you, of course.”
Overwhelmed by their generosity, I managed a shaky smile. “Th-that would be amazing. But we definitely don’t want to put anyone out just because we’ll be living here.”
“Oh, we’d love it." Ian’s mom straightened; her expression filled with kindness. “With all our kids grown and out of the house, we could use someone young to help liven things up again.”
“Th-thank you.” I nodded, swallowing hard. “That’s so generous.”
“Well—” Ian’s dad gave Grant a little wink before tipping his head toward the barn. “—we’d better check on that mare before she wonders where we are.”
We exchanged goodbyes, and Ian’s parents continued toward the stables while we headed back toward his house.
Grant skipped ahead a few steps. Seeming to notice my son’s enthusiasm, Ian glanced at me, his lips curving into a gentle smile. “I think Grant’s already in love with this place.”
“I think you’re right.” I looked at my son, his joy practically radiating from him, and couldn’t help but smile back. “I think I might be, too.”
Might even be a little in love with the man who showed it to me, too.