Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
JAX
Four Hours Earlier
I walked out of the kitchen, chomping my omelet, searching for a way to get Madison alone for a minute before she and Daisy took off for their mani-pedis or whatever that shit was called.
Unless there was a she-shed freaking miracle, Madison would be on a plane in a few days, but I didn’t know how to let her go, and I sure as hell would do all I could to convince her to stay. I felt a beat of desperation that I wasn’t proud of creeping over me. Montana men don’t do desperate.
I looked inside the door, and the shoes she wore last night were lying on the floor. I reached in and grabbed them, whispering, “Grant, go say good morning to Firequacker. I’ll be there in a second.”
He spoke quietly, but his eyes were yelling at me. “But we need to get the she-shed done today to get her to stay.”
“I know?—”
“It’s our plan, Jax. We have to move speedy fast like Spiderman. It’s like the most important thing.”
I was feeling it too. “We’ll get it done. Just go check on the animals and I’ll be right there. I promise.”
“Okay.” Grant skipped to the barn. Mental note: teach the boy to stop skipping. You can’t help run a ranch and be skipping all over the place.
Once he was out of sight, I threw Madison’s shoes around the side of the house before sticking my head in the door.
“Madison, are your shoes out in the yard?”
“No, mine are by the door.” She walked over and popped her hands on those hips. “Weird.” She turned to Daisy. “I’ll be right back.”
Bingo! Once on the porch, I grabbed her elbow and led her around the house. Hidden from view, I pulled her to me, her lips eagerly meeting mine. I lifted her and held her against me as her fingers ran through my hair, nearly bringing me to my knees yet again. The fire, the burn, the ache, all from her. All for her. I had to find a way to make her stay.
She pulled back, and I rested my forehead against hers.
“I don’t want to put you down.”
“You’re going to get us busted.” She squirmed her way out of my hold. “I’m going to get my nails done now.”
She grabbed her shoes from the grass before turning and slowly walking with an extra sway in her hips, glancing back at me over her shoulder.
“Keep walking like that and I’ll throw you over my shoulder right now.” I winked. “You have no idea what’s running through my sick, sick mind.”
Her smile grew, and those cheeks darkened. “Tootle-loo.” With that, she disappeared back into the house. I inhaled deeply and swore I could still smell her coconut shampoo. Don’t be a pussy! Pull yourself together, man!
Marching to the barn, I said a quick hello to Firequacker and Funny Bunny before heading to the she-shed with Grant. I’d built the shed when my house was done, and luckily for me, I only had a lawn mower inside, so it was easy to empty. It was a decent size with a loft for storage. Grant went bananas when he saw it. He initially wanted to paint it purple and gold to honor our beloved Minnesota Vikings, but then decided Madison might want a color to make her feel calm since girls “freak out” sometimes. Smart boy.
We’d gone to the hardware store early, where he took twenty minutes to choose the color, “warm linen.” Basically, it was one hundred color swatches of off-white. We then chose “soft grey” for the loft area.
Once back home, we armed ourselves with paint pans and rollers and got shit done, all before breakfast. Man, were we good.
Now Grant ran ahead of me, pulled open the door, and dropped to his knees, running his finger over the floor.
“It’s dry! We’re ready for furniture and stuff.”
I patted his shoulder. “Okay, little squealer, load up.”
Fifteen minutes and a mind-numbing conversation about lizards later, we arrived at the vintage store in town. Robin’s Nest was Daisy’s favorite shop. It had a cool vibe, with one-of-a-kind painted furniture, tables, art, and vintage lighting that had been restored to funky.
I’d known Kylie Lynn, the owner, since I was a kid. She was one of Daisy’s friends, and her face lit up from behind the counter.
“Jax, what a surprise!” She hopped around the counter. “This must be Grant.” She snatched a piece of candy from the top of the cash register and held it out. “I’m Kylie. I saw Daisy the other day, and she told me all about you.”
Grant grinned. “Hi.”
“What can I do for you both today?
Grant cleared his throat. “Kylie, we have a project and need some girly stuff.”
She turned her amused gaze to me. “Well, I’m intrigued. Do tell me more.”
Grant shook his head. “Sorry, it’s a secret.”
“I see. Well, why don’t you look around and tell me if you see anything that may work for your project.”
Grant pointed to the little glass chandelier that hung above us. “We’ll need that.”
Kylie nodded, and we both followed this kid who seemed to have a flare for design I hadn’t anticipated.
A chandelier, a cream-colored loveseat, a dusty blue comfy chair, a large cream and blue rug, and a little coffee table later, we were finally checking out.
After filling the back of my truck, we hopped inside.
“Jax, we need to go to a store that has a bed for Madison.”
Any sentence involving Madison on a bed grabbed my immediate attention.
“Bed? There’s no room for a bed in the she-shed.”
“You made a rhyme!” Grant busted a gut. “Not the whole bed, but the lay-on-it-part. For the loft.”
The thought of Madison’s sweet ass climbing the ladder to the loft, AND falling onto a bed, screamed, hell yeah , to me.
“Grant, I don’t know if she would sleep out there very often.”
He shook his head in disagreement. “I’m sure you’ll get her mad someday, and she’ll decide to sleep a night in her she-shed.” His eyes narrowed. “Don’t be a jerk very much, okay?”
“You got it. I’ll try not to be a jerk.”
I backed up as he grinned. “Always be nice to her. Every time. Like when you kissed her today.”
Oh, shit. “Buddy, why don’t we keep that between us, okay?”
“I promise not to tell a single person in the world. Cross my heart.”
“Cool. Because friends kiss all the time, and she’s my friend. It’s nothing.”
He huffed incredulously. “I’m seven, not stupid.”
A full-size mattress, gray sheets, twinkly lights, and some flowers later, we were heading home. We came, we saw, and we kicked shopping’s ass.
I drove through the back pasture to avoid being spotted with a truckload of shit, raising all sorts of questions I had no fucking answers for.
Why were we building a she-shed for a woman who had a life and career across the country? It wasn’t just a job. It was her family’s hotels, something she couldn’t just get out of, even if she wanted to. And she didn’t want to.
I just couldn’t wrap my head around this thing we had, where she could literally stop my heart with a glance. How there’s a tsunami the second we’re alone together. This SpaghettiOs loving, duck-chasing, sexy blue-panty-wearing fireball had me spinning in circles with no idea how I would deal with her leaving Montana. Leaving me. The thought stung. How Grant and I would feel when she chose New York, which she would. Right?
We rolled out the power blue and cream rug, which Grant immediately dropped to the ground and rolled all over.
“It’s the softest rug ever! I think Madison will love to roll on this with me.”
“She’s a grown-up, likely not.”
Coming to his feet, he laughed. “She’s not all the way grown up. Do you remember her at the animal scramble? She was the only big person not afraid to run and get dirty.” He looked down at the rug and sighed. “I know she’ll roll on the rug. Maybe even do a somersault.”
He had some good points, and I know I’d love nothing more than to roll around on the damn floor with her, so I was embracing his optimism.
We pushed in the loveseat and scooted the chair to the corner before bringing in the two little white pots, with pink and purple flowers popping out the top and setting them on the coffee table.
Everything was easy compared to hauling that mattress to the loft while climbing the ladder. A big old pain in the ass. As I pulled, Grant pushed, and somehow, we got it up there.
“I’ll put the sheets on, and then we just have to hang the lights.” I had a good view of the she-shed from the loft, and it looked pretty damn amazing.
How would her face look when she saw this? I was sure the cute wrinkle between her eyebrows would make an appearance while her emerald eyes would be clocking one hundred blinks an hour.
Two ways this thing could go down. She either hugs Grant, hops in my arms, and we ride off into the sunset, or this gesture makes her slip back into her tap shoes and clicky-clack right out of Montana. If it’s option two, I’d have to catch her and keep her in the she-shed forever. And as I’ve already explained to Grant, Johnny Law might have a little something to say about that.
“How do we put the lights up?” Grant pulled them from the box.
I grabbed a box of clear thumbtacks from my pocket. “Well, I got these at the hardware store. We just put the tacks in the ceiling and wind the wire around it.”
Yeah, we were a good team, and he dropped on the mattress when we were done. “This is comfy up here.”
I lay down next to him and decided it was time to have the talk. Not the talk, but the one about the risky situation we were putting ourselves in.
“Grant, I need to talk to you, buddy.”
“What?”
“I think we’ve done a real good job here today. This place looks great.”
“Yeah.”
“And I’m sure Madison will think this is beautiful and will be so proud of all your hard work.”
He rolled over and propped himself up with his elbow. “We did work hard, huh?”
I rolled over and mimicked his pose, bringing us face to face. “We sure did. But you have to remember that Madison just got here a few days ago. She might not be able to give up her life in New York and stay here. You know?”
“You want her to stay, right?”
“I would love it if she did. But I haven’t known her
too—”
“She likes you; I can tell.”
My ears perked up. “You think so?”
“Yeah, she looks at you a lot, and you make her laugh.” He patted my arm. “Girls like to laugh.”
“You’re a pretty smart guy. But I just want you to know that if she doesn’t stay, it’s not because of anything we did, okay?”
“We just need a plan.” He sat up and crossed his legs. “Jax, sit criss-cross-applesauce with me.”
I sat up and did my best, but criss-cross-applesauce was not happening. He shook his head at me like I was the biggest loser in the world. “Sorry, Grant, I’m just not that bendy.”
“It’s okay, but what’s the plan for Madison?”
I shrugged. “Uh, I’m not sure.”
“Here’s how this is going to go down, big guy.”
“Really?”
“Well, everybody always says it to me. I just wanted to try it out.” He grinned. “Anyway, you need to take Madison out for fancy food.”
“Alright, we could do that.” A man with a plan. I did not see that coming. “Where should we go?”
His head shook. “No, not us. You . You need to take her somewhere all alone, eat fancy food, and use lots of different forks. If you use all the forks, she’ll think you’re super smart.”
“Is that right? But I can’t leave you home alone. You might burn the place down.”
He grew serious. “First of all, I would never play with matches or fire. Second of all, I can ask Daisy and Jim to take me to a movie at the theater. Then nobody will know that food with Madison was our plan. And I can get popcorn.”
“But what if Daisy and Jim have plans tonight? You know, they’re getting married in a few days; they might be busy. How are you going to make this happen?”
“Watch this.” He looked up at me with those big eyes and stuck his lower lip out a little. “Trust me, the ladies can’t say no to this face.”
“Nice. So, we’re all done here, right?”
“Yes, we did well. But we can’t show Madison the she-shed yet, okay?”
“Got it.”
He started down the ladder. “Let’s go talk to Daisy.”
We raced over the hill and ran upon Daisy and Madison in the chicken coop. Grant tore through the fence and threw his arms around Madison’s waist. Hugging him back, her eyes fell to the top of his head.
“How did the man petting go today?” He looked up at her with clever eyes that demonstrated interest in her ladies’ day out.
Her eyes cut to me, mouthing man petting , and I just shrugged .
“I think he means mani-pedis.” Daisy laughed and ruffled his hair, earning her own hug.
Madison recovered from her own fit of laughter. “Well, hello, Grant. What have you been up to today?”
“Oh, just some stuff.” He went in for another squeeze from Daisy, who, of course, instantly melted. Yep, he had mad skills, all right.
“Daisy, will you go to the movie theater with me?”
He pulled back, and she leaned down to him. “That is a fantastic idea. Tonight?”
He nodded. “Let’s look at your phone and see which movie. Okay?”
“Sure. Can Jim come with us? He loves popcorn.”
“Me too!” Grant grabbed her hand. “It has to be just us, okay? Me, you, and Jim.”
“Is that okay, Jax?” She grabbed her phone from her pocket.
“Actually, that’d work out great. I have quite a bit of stuff to get done tonight since Grant and I had some fun this afternoon.”
“Madison, are you good?”
“Yes, Daisy, I’m fine. I have a list of emails to respond to. You go and have fun.”
Grant led Daisy out of the coop. “Come on, Daisy, let’s go tell Jim about the movie.”
Madison’s eyes narrowed at me. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing.” I started slowly pacing the coop. “Who knew the kid loves movies?”
“Really?”
“Yup.” I continued pacing as if cornering my prey. “But I’m taking you out to dinner.”
She crossed her arms across her chest. “That didn’t sound like an invitation. I don’t like being bossed around.” She pursed her lips, and I loved this game. I wanted to rattle her.
“You know you’re breathless at the thought of me bossing you around and taking all your control away.” I stepped close. “My hands touching and working you into a frenzy until you can’t bear it anymore. Begging me to take you to the place only I can. Nobody else, only me.”
Her eyes were wide. “I, uh, well.” Her cheeks glowed pink, confirming what we both knew.
“If I can take the English language away from you with a few words, just imagine what it’ll be like as I traverse every inch of you, making you mine.”
I watched her chest rising and falling, her teeth drawing in her lower lip nervously.
“Give me your phone.”
She grabbed it from her pocket and handed it over. I punched my number in it before handing it back. “I’ll text you with an hour's notice once we know when they’re leaving for the movie.” I couldn’t fight the smirk I felt on my face. “Wear a dress. I like dresses.”
“Maybe I don’t want to.”
“Oh, you want to. Notice my number in your contacts under my guy .”
Her eyes darted to the ground, then back to me. “So?—”
“Yes.” There it was. I put it out there, and her head was spinning and digesting. I was planting the seed; would she take it or throw it back in my face? She studied me, a thick silence filling the space between us.
Come on, girl, give me a sign. The silence is killing me. I can’t read your expression, and there’s no smile. What is going on in that mind of yours?
Without a word, she turned and walked out of the coop. Was the silence her answer? Was she telling me to go to hell? Was I dead in the water?
“Madison!”
She kept walking as if she hadn’t heard me. Shit, was this it? I felt panic boiling up. “Madison!”
She turned and walked backward for a few steps, wearing a smile that lit up the whole mountain canyon. Relief washed over me when she gave me a wave before turning back and running up Daisy’s porch stairs. Whew.
There was a lightness in me as I walked over the hill, unable to get the damn smile to leave my face.
I walked into the she-shed and pulled the door closed behind me before plopping on the love seat. She’d never been there, but it felt like her. Unexpected, beautiful, and relaxed like nobody else.
I wanted her there. I wanted her sitting in the blue chair, wearing that pizza slut sweatshirt, with Grant rolling around on the rug like a wild man. Yeah, I was in over my head. I may talk a good game, but the woman had the power to crush me with a single word.
Once in my house, I grabbed a beer from the kitchen and was in the shower when Grant burst through the bathroom door.
“Hi, Jax. Daisy walked me home.”
He was home. I liked the sound of that.
“I’m drawing Funny Bunny and Firequacker on the steamy mirror. Daisy said she wants me to be at her house at six for the movie. Then we’re going for ice cream. Just so you know Jim and I both love popcorn and ice cream. I think we’ll be best friends soon.”
“He’s a cool dude. A great best friend to have.” I switched off the water, wrapped a towel around my waist, and slid open the shower curtain.
“Wow, you have six-pack muscles.”
“Yes.” I grabbed my phone from the counter and texted.
Jax:
I’ll pick your sweet ass up at six.
Madison:
Is this Joel?
Jax:
Is this sass? I told you what that’ll get you.
Madison:
CAN’T WAIT…
“I want muscles. How do I get them?”
“Well, you can start by doing some work and exercise. Your room looks like a bomb went off. Go clean it up and do twenty push-ups.”
He scurried off while I shaved, but he returned in five minutes. “I did twenty push-ups and nothing.”
“Bro, you need to do twenty push-ups, like ten times a day. It’s not a one and done kind of thing.”
Grant followed me inside my closet.
“Where are you eating fancy food at?”
“You’ll be happy to hear, I have a friend who owns a restaurant in town, and I’ve got him setting up a special dinner.”
“Yay.” Grant’s eyes narrowed at me. “He has all the forks, right? Some guys don’t need the forks, but I think you do.”
“Thank you for your confidence. And, yes, he promised me he has all the forks.
Grant grabbed my deep blue suit hanging in a dry cleaner’s bag and held it out. “You have to wear this. Where did you get it?”
“I was in a friend’s wedding in Mexico a few months ago. The lovely bride insisted I spend way too much cash on this suit.”
“Put it on. Girls like to play dress-up, so you should too.” He grabbed a tie from a hanger. “This is a nice tie. It’s swirly blue and white, kind of like the rug in Madison’s she-shed.”
* * *
At six, I watched Grant walk over to Daisy’s from my porch. A few minutes later Jim’s car drove off.
A quick truck ride later, and I was standing in Daisy’s living room.
“Hello?”
Madison glided down the stairs, and I felt that growing familiar rumble in my chest when my eyes took her in.
She wore a straight, burgundy dress that stopped just above her knees. It hugged every curve to perfection, and the black, high-heeled boots were sexy as hell. I instantly imagined her in only those boots and felt a tightness in my nether regions yet again.
Her hair was straight, shiny, and her lips crimson; she looked like a million bucks. I couldn’t have moved if the house caught on fire, the way her hips swayed as she walked toward me.
“I warned you what’d happen if you shook those hips, didn’t I?”
Her look was one of satisfaction as she stopped in front of me.
“You’re beautiful.” I kissed her gently. “I knew you’d wear a dress for me.”
“Is that so?”
My hands slid around to that perfect rear. She held my gaze and pushed against me. Yes, she could be the fucking death of me.