Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
MADISON
F irst of all, I couldn’t believe I was sitting next to the hottest guy I’d ever laid eyes on. Secondly, I couldn’t believe how beautiful rural Montana was.
The mountains and even the shades of greens and browns were unfamiliar. It was almost like Montana had a “feel” to it or something. I couldn’t explain it, NOR could I pull my eyes from it.
The truck stopped in front of a beautiful house surrounded by pastures and trees. A large barn could be seen in the distance, along with some horses.
As I hopped out of the truck, I let the large country home sink in. A two-story white house with window boxes overflowing with fall flowers, along with a humongous porch, white rocking chairs, and a porch swing. This was my dad’s home. The home he’d lived in for so long and I’d never seen before. Definitely, my bad.
Jax appeared at my side and put my poop case at my feet.
“Here you go.”
He stood across from me and put his hands in his pockets, his icy blue eyes fixed on me. I looked away and ran my hands over my ponytail, all too aware he was still staring at me. Why? Why was he just standing there?
Shit! I needed to tip him. I opened my purse and grabbed a twenty-dollar bill, feeling an anxious pull in my stomach because I didn’t have very many left, but I handed it to him anyway.
“Thank you for driving me out here.” I wondered if he was going home to a girlfriend. No ring on his finger, but I couldn’t imagine he wasn’t with the hottest girl in these parts. These parts? Geez, I was already thinking in Montana.
He’d probably fly into his house with a hot chick waiting. Most likely, she was topless because, well, who would want to keep their clothes on with this dude around? Then she’d be sexed up by the Hot One. I imagined how those amazing blue eyes would flicker as his muscley arms grabbed her and held her to the wall while he had his way with her. Sigh.
When I flashed back to reality, I realized I’d been staring at his hunky chest while he was staring at me with that panty-dropping grin. Ugh.
“I, uh, I’m sure my dad’s fiancé will be out in a minute. Thank you for driving me out here. Maybe we’ll meet again someday.”
“Sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere.” He let out a laugh. “I’m Daisy’s boy. Well, adopted son.”
WTF? He playfully shoved the twenty dollar bill in my pocket as I jumped. No, no, no. This wasn’t happening. My head throbbed as I digested his words. Studly dude could not be Daisy’s son. After my toilet water ponytail, exploding suitcase, and the green panty incident, I’d been comforted knowing he’d ride off into the sunset and I’d never see the Hot One again. Son of a bitch. This week was going to be challenging enough, trying to do whatever I was hoping to accomplish without a guy whose hotness made me feel all jelloey.
I picked up my suitcase. “You should’ve said who you were.”
“Maybe you should’ve asked instead of just assuming. I’ve found it’s always better to ask others about themselves, don’t you think?”
I felt embarrassed and came to the conclusion that he was just plain rude. Yes, he was correct, but still.
I spun around as a high-pitched laugh hit my ears. I drew in a deep breath as I saw my dad standing on the porch with Daisy at his side.
My dad still looked strong but a little thicker around the middle, and the salt and pepper hair I’d remembered from our last encounter was mostly salt now. His hands were in his pockets, which was the stance he’d always had in my memories, so it seemed right. He looked as nervous as I felt. And then there was Daisy. She was average height and all curves with a little extra junk in the trunk. She was wearing jeans, high heels, and a low-cut shirt, serving up some serious cleavage. Her red hair was as big as the smile on her face as she waved enthusiastically.
I felt panic wash over me when she came down the steps and started running toward me. As she drew closer, I braced for impact. When she threw her arms around me, I was smothered by her bosom. I have to say she smelled delightful.
She released me and stepped back. Her head shook while she laughed. “Look at you! You’ve grown even more beautiful over the years!”
Her brown eyes shot to Jax.
“Isn’t she the most beautiful gal you’ve ever seen? Oh, good Lord, just stunning!”
My dad made his way over and stood in front of me.
“Isn’t this wonderful?” Daisy squeezed my father’s hand. “Come on, Madison, hug your daddy!”
First of all, I’m not a big hugger. Sure, my mom, a friend at a funeral, Steve before he became a cheating bastard, and maybe when I had a few drinks. Yes, I definitely got huggy when I drank, but that was about it.
Then it happened–an awkward slow-motion hug. He patted my head instead of my back. I was about as cuddly as a tree. Argh.
My eyes darted around and landed on Jax, who was shaking his head, still biting back a smile. What was he laughing at now? The Uber-gigolo joke was over. Hardy, har, har.
We went inside, and I was consumed by homeyness. There was big, comfortable furniture, a massive fireplace, and large windows that overlooked acres of land.
Daisy motioned for all of us to sit down as my eyes continued to travel the room. It appeared Joanna Gaines from HGTV had decorated with signs written in calligraphy all over the place. Our family, our home , Blessed to have you as my everything, and Our hearts beat as one were just a few I saw in my first thirty seconds in the house.
Daisy had a pot of coffee on the coffee table and filled up four cups.
“Madison, Jax has been smoking ribs since the crack of dawn for dinner later. I hope you brought your appetite.”
“Absolutely. Did you know that airlines don’t give you any snacks? Not a single one. Can you even believe that?”
“First class gave up snacks?” My dad’s eyes narrowed.
“Oh, I flew coach.”
All six eyes in the room were blinking at me as if I was speaking Hungarian.
“Really?” Daisy walked over and grabbed a plate from the kitchen counter. “Well, that’s uh, very thrifty of you. I admire a woman who is smart with her money.”
My stomach clenched when she placed a cheese and sausage tray on the coffee table and gave me a pat on the back, her squinting eyes zeroing in on my ponytail.
“Oh, sweetie, there seems to be tissue paper or something in your hair.” She started plucking objects from my hair and opened her palm to reveal what looked like a few spitballs.
“It’s nothing; I’m fine.” I grabbed a handful of cheese—so stinking good. “There was horrible turbulence, and the bathroom door got jammed. I was stuck there for a bit, and the water went a little berserk.” I smiled as I took a few crackers and focused on not inhaling the only food I’d had other than Tuna Breath’s Goldfish crackers.
My father leaned up in his chair. “The sink turned on and blew water in your hair?”
“Well, uh, it wasn’t the sink. It was the other water source.” I swallowed, completely aware of the smart-ass grin that snuck across Jax’s lips.
“So, you got stuck in the shitter, and the toilet shot water all over you?” This time he didn’t even try to conceal his laughter.
“It was the turbulence. It didn’t just shoot all over
me—"
Within a few seconds, the room was roaring with laughter.
“Oh honey, you must’ve been bouncing around like a ping pong ball! My little old tummy muscles are screaming!”
“It’s not a big deal.”
They all disagreed and laughed for another solid minute. I was quickly running out of reasons not to haul ass out the front door, hop on a horse, and ride off into the damn sunset.
“Oh gosh, you’re so funny, Madison! Jax, will you help me check on the ribs?” Daisy stood up.
“I’ve got it.” My dad started to stand.
“Don’t be silly. You visit with Madison.” She kissed him on the cheek and walked out of the room.
Was Daisy ever not smiling? She seemed to glow happiness.
Jax stood up and started towards the door. I didn’t want to look, but I did. He had the best ass I’d ever seen. Was it the way his jeans fit? The way he worked out? Who knows, but now I had the vision of Jax lifting weights shirtless in a forest. I wasn’t sure what was up with my sex in the forest fixation. Probably something I should discuss with my therapist. True, it made no sense, but he looked so damn good.
While I was busy checking out his tushy, I suddenly realized he was looking over his shoulder, looking at me, looking at his hiney.
“Don’t look at me,” I blurted out.
“Well, then, don’t look at me,” he volleyed.
My dad’s gaze swiveled between the two of us, making me blush.
When the room cleared, my dad and I sat quietly for a moment and I looked at him this time. Really looked at him. So much the same as the face in my memory, with the lines a little deeper. But his eyes had a calmness to them. A lightness I wasn’t familiar with. “I couldn’t be happier that you’re here, Madison.”
I could feel he meant it. I was here to start anew with him, but I couldn’t figure out what to do with the small bit of sadness that was simmering below the surface. The sadness I’d known for far too long when it came to my father.
“I’m hoping we can start something new here.” Caution was in his voice. “I can’t change the past, but maybe we could just focus on the future.”
I could feel his nervousness.
“I want that too.” It came out in a whisper. A knot grew in my throat, and I blinked back a tear.
“Tell me, Madison. I want to hear what you’re thinking.” He scooted up in his chair.
“No, I want to start fresh.”
He pulled a tissue from the box on the end table and passed it to me.
“So do I, but I know there’s hurt, and I know it’s my fault. While I’d love to jump up and hug it out like a movie, I realize it’s not that easy.”
I nodded, unable to think of a word to say that wouldn’t open the floodgates.
“Let me start.” He cleared his throat. “I loved your mom so much. At the time I said the wrong thing to the right girl, and a part of me will always love her. But we were too different. I was a red-neck, and she was a world-traveling socialite. We both tried and the longer we did, the worse it seemed to get. It was like, uh?—”
“Squeezing a Miller Lite can into a champagne bottle?” I wiped another tear as a giggle escaped.
“Exactly like that.”
“That’s what Mom said.”
He laughed. “She’s right. We tried, and when I look back, I should’ve fought for you girls. I was so worried about forcing you to visit me and upsetting anyone that I didn’t push enough. Was I scared of my two teenage girls? Yes, I was.”
“You probably had good reason to be. A teen girl should wear a sign warning that due to the influence of hormones, she could burst into tears or kill you in the next five minutes.”I threw my hands in the air. “The struggle is real.”
He reached out and patted my hand. “I’ll take your word for it, but I should’ve insisted you see me, and I should’ve come to you and been blowing up your phone every day.” A sigh. “I had one shot, and I blew it with you.”
I looked at him until his eyes met mine. “We’re here to start a new relationship. Put the mistakes we both made behind us. Let’s enjoy this week, knowing that there’s more to come. Okay?”
“That means the world to me, Madison.” He stood, pulled me to my feet, and hugged me. “You know, the holidays are around the corner. Maybe I could come out to New York and see you for a few days?”
I was surprised at how much I loved the idea. “Yes, I’d like that.”
* * *
A short while later, Daisy led me upstairs and told me to freshen up and rest before dinner. Some people may “rest up” before dinner, but naps always end up with me waking up feeling bitchy. It was the last thing I needed for dinner tonight.
My room was fresh and crisp with a powder blue comforter and fluffy white pillows, as well as a white chest of drawers, a desk, and a matching nightstand next to the queen size bed. I immediately noticed the framed calligraphy sign above the bed. There’s Always Something to be Grateful For . Really? Always ? Hmmm, I’d have to let that thought simmer for a few days.
I immediately hopped in the shower and did my best to wash the day off of me. I went through my suitcase from hell and pulled on a pair of sweats that were too big and a “Pizza Slut” sweatshirt. Yes, that was the best there was. For a change of pace, I topped off my disgusting ensemble with my shiny tap shoes, figuring what the heck. I blow-dried my hair and was thankful Daisy had a flat iron in the bathroom so I could finally do something with the mop of hair on my head.
The view out the large window in my room was of land as far as the eye could see and a barn in the distance. I could make out a few horses close by the barn, and remembered how much I always loved them, but they didn’t love me back.
I had asthma and allergies when I was a kid. I mean, really bad asthma and allergies. I still had them, but it’d gotten milder as I’ve gotten older, and I now take a daily medication.
There was a trip to the emergency room at the age of five after attending a Rodeo in Brazil and visiting the pigs and horses due to wheezing, while my eyes looking like I had smoked a bong.
Because of this, my family couldn’t have any pets. Zoey always wanted a cat, but my parents said no due to my allergies. She was certain they were wrong and made me hold the neighbor’s cat for an hour to prove her point. That time I even got a ride in the ambulance.
My mom, trying not to have me miss out on the “summer camp” experience, sent me to asthma camp. Yep, just as fun as it sounds. Lots of kids, each with an adult assigned to them who would carry nebulizers and inhalers.
They let us kids dabble in things that could normally kill them in the spirit of summer camp. It seemed like it was borderline illegal, but I guess getting rid of the allergy/asthma kid for a week was worth the risk to the parents, though it was a little freaky.
An example, I got to ride a horse while I wore a mask. I rode for about 5 minutes, was then pulled off, set on the ground where I puffed on my inhaler, and then had a nebulizer breathing treatment. It felt a little bit like Russian Roulette. Like, “Let’s see if we can get to the wheezing kid in time before a full blown asthma attack happens.” I guess the old saying is true: what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.
As if the gods of beauty were looking down upon me, I pulled open the desk drawer to find make-up. Yes! It wasn’t my typical brand, but all the colors I needed were there. After a few strokes of mascara, blush, and lip gloss, I felt more like myself than I had in days.
The bright sunshine through my window reminded me it was a beautiful new day, and I might as well get all I could from Montana.
As I made my way downstairs, I could hear Daisy and my dad talking and laughing in the kitchen, so I quietly slipped out the front door.
I strolled over to the horses by the barn and leaned against the wood fence, soaking in the atmosphere—the autumn sun and the beauty of everything around me.
I could see why my dad loved it there. It was so quiet, no noise except the sound of the horses. There was a sense of peace and simplicity that I knew was him. He was never able to find that in my mother’s world. Would I ever find it?
I overheard a conversation last year as she poured her guts out to my aunt over martinis, saying two husbands later, she knows her biggest mistake was letting my dad go—trying to squeeze a Miller Light can into a champagne bottle and failing miserably.
“Hey.”
I jumped and looked over to see Jax coming out of the barn with a small smile on his face.
“Hi.” Why did he make me nervous? It must be those panty-dropping good looks. “What’re you doing?”
“Work. Even a wedding week doesn’t stop what needs to get done.”
He took off his baseball cap, tucked it in his back pocket, and ran his hands through his thick hair. I’d never met anyone as good looking as Jax. Everything from his build, his deep brown hair, and the topaz color of his eyes looked like he should be on the cover of a romance novel or possibly in the “Thunder Down Under” hot guy show in Las Vegas that Zoey dragged me to a few years ago.
I bit my lip to conceal my smile, my thoughts of a shirtless Jax, wearing leather chaps, giving me a lap dance. Such a good nasty dancer.
His eyes narrowed. “Are those tap dancing shoes?”
I nodded. What else could I do?
“May I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“What the fuck?”
A giggle escaped me. “Well, you see?—"
“Don’t tell me those are the rage in Paris. I call bullshit on that.”
“Okay, my wise Uber-driving gigolo, tell me why you think I’m wearing tap shoes.” I had no flippin’ clue what to say, so maybe I could build on whatever answer he came up with.
He looked me up and down, which sent a tingle down my spine as I examined his sexy jaw.
“I’m thinking there was a horrific car-jacking on the way to the airport, but instead of taking the car, the thief took your luggage and, at gunpoint, forced you to take these pathetic outfits and tap shoes.” He nodded. “And the greenest, ugliest panties in the history of the world.”
Gasp. “What are you talking about? There were no undies.”
“Give it up. I saw them clear as day before you whipped them out the window. I don’t even want to know why they were in your clown pants pocket, by the way.”
Okay, building on his story. I really didn’t want the sexiest man in Montana, or possibly the whole United States, to think I had shitty taste.
“You’re on the right track. I, uh, I grabbed the wrong suitcase at the airport and didn’t realize until I was already on the plane, so I’ve been, uh, making the best of a cruddy situation because that’s how I roll. I’m super chill, so there you go.” Bingo. Shazam. End of story.
“But the yellow glow-in-the-dark overalls you were wearing, you chose them?”
“Uh, those truly are on the runways in Europe. Yes, I’m just so freaking ahead of the fashion curve nobody has seen the look yet.”
“Got it. I’m sure Daisy has some stuff you can wear, so you don’t have to look like a train wreck every day.” He winked, making my insides flip. “Unless you truly are a pizza slut?”
I crossed my arms over my chest as if I were offended, but now all I could envision was a shirtless Jax eating pizza while giving me another lap dance. I literally shook my head to get the visions to disappear as his words rolled around my mind. The psychic did say I had to wear my crap apartment clothing until I got to Montana. Was that correct? I was 86.88 percent certain, so I planned to hit up Daisy’s closet later.
We stood in silence for a moment. “You like horses?”
“I haven’t been around them much, but they’re beautiful.”
He gave a sharp whistle, and one of the horses galloped over to us. He reached out and rubbed the horse’s head when the horse suddenly butted Jax, and he let out the most amazing laugh.
“This is Lola. She loves me if you can’t tell.”
I could tell, and it was adorable. “Did you raise her?”
“Nope. She came here wild. She was one tough cookie, but I broke her. She bucked me off more times than I could count, but now she and I are besties, aren’t we, girl?”
“So, you train horses here?” I felt embarrassed. I had no flipping clue what my dad or this ranch even did. Did they raise cows, goats, horses, or milk cows? No idea.
“Kind of. We get horses and train them to be the best cattle horses in the nation.”
“Like a competition?” I thought of the Miss America Pageant for horses. Maybe Jax was like that guy in the movie “Miss Congeniality.” The one that got her waxed, pretty, and good at the pageant things.
“Not really.” He patted Lola on the back. “Come on, Austin’s working on one now.”
“Who’s Austin?”
“He’s my brother. Well, foster brother. Daisy took us both in when we were kids and adopted us.”
“That’s amazing.”
“She’s amazing.”
I followed Jax through the barn. I looked up at the hay loft and wondered if Jax had ever taken a girl up there. Or was that just a movie thing? Actually, the thought of straw in certain places down south seemed dreadful.
We walked out the other side of the barn to another gated area where Austin was on a horse, and there was a calf in the area. He was another hot smoke show with jet black hair and muscles everywhere. The sight left me to ponder what the fuck they put in the Montana water to have hot dudes everywhere.
Austin was riding the horse, and the horse was in front of the calf, moving quickly, not letting the calf pass.
First off, I learned that very second how sexy a cowboy was. Were Austin and Jax modern day cowboys? They didn’t appear like what I’d always imagined a cowboy to be, but I knew if Zoey were there, she would’ve lost her loving mind seeing Austin up on that horse. No doubt, shirts and undies would’ve been flying everywhere.
“We train cattle horses. The best cattle horses and sell them all over the country.” Pride bubbled up in his voice.
“So, how many do you train a year? Is that what this ranch primarily does?”
I wanted to ask how my dad fit into all of this. His mother died when he was a baby and his father was an alcoholic, so his grandmother raised him. He grew up in in northern Montana, near Canada, and I wondered how he ended up here.
“We train about twenty-five horses a year.”
“So, you train them and then sell them?”
“Yes. We sell them for about twenty thousand a piece. We also have cattle and care for the land.”
Holy cow crap!
There was silence for a moment while I tried to think of a way to ask Jax about Montana and my dad without sounding like an idiot.
“So, how’d you learn to train horses?”
Looking me over, Jax leaned against the fence, seemingly hesitant to answer.
“Your dad, actually. He’s one of the best and recognized nationally.”
Something kicked in my stomach to realize I knew even less about him than I thought I did. How did he choose to move here, and how did he and Daisy end up together?
My dad had started to tell me in a random phone call when I was a senior in high school, but I didn’t want to hear anything about his new life. It physically hurt to think about it—the life after he left us. Mistake or no mistake, I knew almost nothing about his life then or now.
I looked at Jax, and our eyes locked. Maybe he read my mind or felt it somehow.
“Do you know anything about him? Since he’s been here?” He wasn’t being mean about it, and relief washed over me.
I shook my head no and felt a knot in my throat.
“He worked for a ranch a few miles away, trained horses, and ran the place. About that time, he and Daisy started seeing each other.”
I listened closely, not wanting to miss a word.
“Jim and Daisy fell for each other fast. It’s like they’re cut from the same cloth or something. Daisy had operated the ranch by herself for years. Don’t let the sweetness fool you. She’s all business when it comes to her ranch, land, and money.”
That was not what I’d expected. Bubbly Daisy was all business?
“My biological mom was a train wreck, and I ended up being placed with Daisy after she died.
I had no words.
“Not only did your dad help with this ranch, but I was a rebellious little shit, and he whipped me into shape as well.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you.”
“It was a long time ago.” He looked away.
I wanted to ask the question because he might know the answer. “Why do you think he came here? I mean back then.” I wanted my voice to be strong, but it wasn’t.
He kicked the ground and looked down before answering. “I think he was lost. He couldn’t find a place where he thought he fit in.”
“But why here?” I felt my heart skip a beat. “Why so far away?”
He looked over. “From you and Zoey?”
I nodded.
“He told me once that you can’t be good for anyone or yourself until you take a step back and know who you are.”
It made sense, but still sucked for us.
“About a year into their relationship, Daisy was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it kicked her ass. At that time, cattle prices were down, and things weren’t good around here. Jim came in and started the horse business to try to keep it going. If it wasn’t for your dad, I don’t know what would have happened.”
“Sounds like a Hallmark movie.” Shit. Did I say that out loud?
I could tell from his glare that I had indeed said it aloud.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.” It was the truth, but the glimmer in his eye made me nervous. He struck me as a guy with a short fuse, and it was time for me to go. “I’d better get back to the house.”
I turned on my tap heel and started to walk away.
“He’s a good man, Madison.” His voice was firm. Not like he was sharing information with me but like a definitive statement. A fact. “He’s like the father I never had.”
His words punched me and took my breath away.
“Yes, Jax, he seems like a great man. But he’s a man I’m just getting to know.”
He nodded. “You have a chance to build a relationship with your dad. People deserve a second chance. I know I’ve made a shit-ton of mistakes and thank my lucky stars people gave me another shot.”
I nodded, knowing he was right. Tears were building, but I would not let him see me cry. I took a deep breath to gain control of my emotions.
“Me, too.” I nodded. “I’m going to head back to the house. See you later.”
I wanted to sprint to the house, but my tap shoes wouldn’t allow it, so power-walking it was. Why was I so freaking emotional?
I flew into the house and nearly ran over my father. “What’s the rush, Sunshine?”
My heart melted at my childhood nickname. “Nothing. I took a walk and lost track of time.”
He laughed. “This isn’t New York or Miami; you can’t be late for anything around here.”
“That’s kind of cool.”
He looked down at my feet with a tilt of his head.
“Don’t ask.”
“I won’t.” He chuckled, grabbing my hand and he pulled me to the couch, where we plopped down side by side. There was a silver box on the coffee table with my name engraved on it.
“I want you to have this.”
He handed it to me, and I was speechless. As I slowly opened it, a beautiful diamond pendant appeared. With my vast experience with jewelry, I immediately recognized the one carat pendant as high quality by the clarity—very nice. But why? “Dad, you didn’t have to do this.”
“This is the diamond that was in your Great-Grandmother’s wedding ring. I had it reset for you.”
“It’s stunning. I don’t know what to say.”
A grin weaved across his lips. “She was amazing and basically raised me. She had a caring spirit just like you.”
My heart was touched. “Thank you.”
“I know I screwed up a lot when I was younger. I was stubborn, and so was your mother. We should have done things very differently. I have many regrets.”
Our eyes locked, and I nodded, sharing in his regret.
“I wanted to ask how she is, your mom?” he whispered. “Like I said earlier, I said the wrong thing to the right girl for years when it came to her. I hope she’s happy.”
“She is. Hubby number three is the one.” He joined in when I started laughing at the insanity of my words.
“I’m glad. She’ll always have a place in my heart.”
Daisy popped around the corner. “Hi, guys.” Her eyes dropped to my shoes and widened.
“Hi. I, uh, I had a suitcase mix up”—it wasn’t a total lie— “and wanted to see if I may be able to borrow a few things from you?”
Her eyes sparkled. “I wondered what was up with the fishing boots and those tap-dancing shoes! I thought you’d joined the damn circus or something! Follow me, Sweetie. There might be a thing or two we can take in or pin up to better fit you.”
My dad smiled as Daisy took my hand and pulled me up the stairs.
“You know, Daisy, I think it’s kind of amazing that you adopted Jax and Austin.”
“I’m the one who’s blessed when it comes to those two. A child doesn’t have to come through you to be yours. I’m a big old Mama Bear when it comes to my boys.” Her smile was proud as she glanced back at me. “If any motherfucker harms a hair on either of their heads, it’ll be a blood bath. I have guns and ammo hidden all over this property. I’ll shoot first and ask questions later.”
Well, I did not see that coming. Mental note: don’t piss Daisy off.
As I followed her into her closet, the words ran through my mind again. Maybe it was the eerie smile on her face, but I was pretty sure she was a woman who could get away with murder.
First, there was her sugary-sweet demeanor. No cop would ever expect anything from her. And I got the feeling she could talk herself out of just about any situation. Secondly, I bet Daisy would know where to stash a body out on all this land.