Chapter Eight
Madelyn drove back to the lodge after her trip to town. She’d spent a few hours looking around. There were several shops she planned to return to, but she didn’t want to drive up the mountain in the dark, so she left before she could see everything.
After parking her car, she made her way up to her room without anyone stopping her. She locked the door, put her purse and bags on the mattress, pulled out her phone, and called her son.
“Hey, Baby, I’m just making sure you made it back all right?” she said.
“Yeah, Mom. Sorry I didn’t text.”
“I’m just glad you’re back and you’re okay. Thank you for coming to see me.”
“I wish I could have stayed longer.”
“Me, too.”
She tried and failed to hide the emotions in her tone.
“Don’t be sad, Mom. I promise I’ll see you soon.”
Madelyn drew in a silent breath. The last thing she wanted to do was make her children worry about her.
“I know you will. Good luck and have fun at the conference, Sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Baby.”
Madelyn sat on the side of the bed and gripped the phone in her hand. She wanted to call her daughter in the worst way but knew she’d be able to tell she was upset and would worry about her. She needed to keep busy and tire herself out. She knew tomorrow would be a little more comfortable because she’d be able to stay in her room more.
****
Later that night, Garrett came from the side of the lodge to find Madelyn. She sat alone on the top of the hill next to the building, watching the fireworks go off over the lake in the back. He was spellbound by the way the lights reflected off her features. Whenever he saw her, she became more beautiful and harder to resist.
“You got back just in time.”
Madelyn jerked her head up when he came to stand beside her, looking down at her. She wrapped her arms around her knees and hugged her legs to her chest as if to protect herself.
“I’ve been back. I’ve just been in my room.”
“Why?” he asked.
Madelyn shrugged and continued to watch the fireworks.
Garrett sighed and stood with his hands in his pockets, dividing his gaze between the fireworks and Madelyn.
When the fireworks were over, Madelyn stood and turned to go, and he placed a hand on her arm. She froze, turned to face him, and waited for him to speak.
“Good night, Madelyn,” he said, gritting his teeth.
Madelyn stared at him for a moment.
“Good night,” she said softly, gently pulling her arm from his grip.
He watched her walk off and had to fight the urge to pull her back into his arms where she belonged, but once again, his emotions were strung tight. He didn’t trust himself not to make things worse for them.