8
SADIE STARED DOWN into the blackness of the hole in the floor of her shop. Never once had she heard her grandparents talk about anything like this and she certainly would remember if JoJo had.
“Oh my gosh, Sadie.” Maddie stuck her head down closer to the opening. “This is just like out of Nancy Drew story about the hidden staircase.”
“Okay, Maddie, as much as I love that your mind goes straight to novels, I have no idea what this is. And I would imagine it isn’t as exciting as a secret passageway beneath the store. It’s probably some kind of cellar.”
Even as she said the words, she couldn’t keep her imagination from joining Maddie’s. Sadie wanted to temper Maddie’s eagerness a bit though, even if her own mind, which also loved those kinds of books, couldn’t help but wonder if they’d stumbled upon a great story of their own.
Maddie pulled her phone from her back pocket and turned on the flashlight. It didn’t illuminate much, but it did reveal a wooden staircase.
“No. Way.” Maddie said. “This is so amazing. There is a secret passageway! I so, totally want to go down there.”
She shifted her body as if she was going to do that very thing when Sadie put a hand on her arm.
“Just hold on a second, Maddie. There is no way I am letting you do that.”
The girl’s shoulders sagged. “Come on, Sadie! This is incredible. I have to see what’s down there.”
Moira’s idea that Sadie had asked Maddie to work in the shop to get closer to James came to Sadie’s thoughts, as well as how fast James would sprint out of her life if she let his daughter anywhere near that black hole.
“Okay. Okay. Look. I’ll admit I’m as curious about all of this as you are, but this is way too dangerous. For either of us. I’m not going down there either until I can figure out a way to do so where no one gets hurt.”
“We can ask my dad!” Maddie said, her eyes brightening at the possibility.
“Let’s not tell your dad about this just yet. I need to ask my aunt if she knows anything about it and we can go from there.”
Maddie’s face fell. Sadie had forgotten what a roller coaster teen emotions could be, and how much they showed in voice and mannerisms. She felt as if she’d literally crushed Maddie’s joy multiple times in a matter of minutes, and although she hated that, she wasn’t about to back down. It was far from a good idea for anyone to go down there any time soon.
“Agreed?” She wanted confirmation before moving on.
Although it was clear Maddie was disappointed, Sadie had a feeling James had taught his daughter common sense, as well as it being best to listen to adults, so she believed her when Maddie nodded in agreement.
“Okay.”
“Let’s put this back the way it was. I don’t need anyone tripping over the rug or anyone else finding the door and going down there without me knowing. Can you even imagine what would happen if Kenny found this?”
That made Maddie laugh. “True. It probably is best to keep this between us for now,” Maddie said.
Relieved Maddie wouldn’t try and do anything reckless, or share their discovery with anyone, Sadie closed the trapdoor and Maddie placed the rug back over it.
“I’ll set some stacks of books there as well.”
“Good idea.” Sadie stood and brushed the dust off her jeans just as Maddie’s phone rang.
“Hey, Dad,” she said when she answered. She listened for a moment and then said, “I’m sure I can wait here until you’re done or find a ride.”
Sadie couldn’t help but overhear the conversation. She tapped Maddie on the shoulder and pointed to herself as she whispered, “I can take you home if you need.”
As she said it, an idea formed in her head. She could take the dresser as well. Deliver it for James so he wouldn’t have to come and get it.
Maddie was still on her knees on the floor. She looked up at Sadie and nodded. “Actually, Sadie just said she can bring me home.” A pause. “I’m sure it’s fine, Dad, or she wouldn’t have offered.”
Sadie bit back a smile at James’ protest, thoughtfully not wanting to take away any of Sadie’s time. She whispered to Maddie, “I’m more than happy to do it.”
“She just said she’s more than happy to do it.” Maddie smiled up at her. “Okay. See you later. Love you, too. Bye.”
Maddie ended the call and put her phone back in her pocket. “He’s worried he is inconveniencing you, but I told him it was fine.”
“It is absolutely fine.” Sadie’s phone dinged with a text message. “I just need to finish wrapping the dresser to deliver it tonight. I’ll get Ned to help us load it and then we’ll be off.”
“Sounds good.” Maddie turned her attention to the books and began again to sort the stacks.
Sadie looked at her phone as she headed back to the dresser.
It was a text from James.
Are you sure you’re okay giving Maddie a ride home? I have some errands to run, and they are taking longer than anticipated. I thought my parents could drive her, but they can’t.
Sadie smiled as she typed her response.
No problem. As she said, I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean it.
She turned to be sure Maddie wasn’t around to see what she typed next.
I was actually just going to text you and ask if I can deliver the dresser when I come. Maddie saw it and fell in love with it. I played dumb and didn’t give away that it’s for her. You can still surprise her with it.
That sounds perfect. Thanks again.
He ended his message with a smiley face emoji that made Sadie giggle. A man not afraid to use emojis. He did have a teenage daughter, which might explain that, but still. It had Sadie giggling like a teenager as well, something bubbling up inside her that she hadn’t felt in a really long time.
Joy.
* * *
It didn’t take too long for Sadie to get the dresser wrapped up and her employee and friend, Ned, helped her load it. With the delivery tied tight into the back of Sadie’s truck and with Maddie in the passenger seat, they were on their way to James and Maddie’s house.
True to her word, Maddie hadn’t mentioned the trapdoor again, certainly not in front of Moira or Kenny or anyone at the shop. But there was a new energy buzzing from the young woman. Sadie had to admit, she felt the same kind of vibration. Although she wasn’t sure it was entirely from them finding a secret door in the floor of her shop. More of it was from knowing she was about to see James again. And she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t more than curious about what his house looked like.
James had been a wide receiver in the NFL. It wouldn’t be surprising if he had a mansion somewhere outside of town.
“Turn here,” Maddie said. She’d been guiding Sadie on the drive.
As Sadie turned into the driveway, she found herself chuckling inside. The house was gorgeous, and not surprisingly, settled on the edge of the lake, but it was far from what most people would expect. A beautiful ranch-style craftsman house, but not a mansion. Sadie couldn’t help but notice that the lights on inside glowed as the sun made its way down in the sky, not unlike her windows, which beckoned her home every evening.
“You can park around back,” Maddie said.
“Okay.” Sadie followed the driveway that curved around the side of the house and led to a large concrete area for parking. A workshop the same design and color as the house was behind it, not far from where a small dock sat in the lake, two yellow Adirondack chairs side-by-side on the shore before it.
Two black labs lay in the grass not far from the dock. Their ears perked up when they saw Sadie’s truck, but the second they eyed Maddie as she got out, their faces lit up with doggie joy and they trotted toward her.
Sadie got out of the truck and shut the door.
“Hey, puppies. How are my dogs?” Maddie said as she rubbed their ears. The dogs spun around, happily receiving the love their owner gave.
“This is Chip and Joanna,” Maddie said, each dog’s ears perking up at the sound of their names.
Sadie chuckled. “Your dad said you were an HGTV fan.”
“I am. Fixer Upper is my favorite.”
The door of the workshop opened, and James stepped out. Sadie had to fight back an audible sigh, not to mention the handyman fantasy again. What was it about a man in jeans, a t-shirt, and work boots? It didn’t hurt that his jeans fit him perfectly in all the right places and his shirt looked as if it had been tailored for the muscles in his chest and arms. His hair was a bit mussed as if he’d run his hands through it while working. He looked as if he hadn’t shaved in a day or two, the short beard a look Sadie liked very much.
Sadie shook her head. It was not the time to let her thoughts go any further down that path. The man’s daughter was right there.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, Mads.”
He was rubbing his hands on a cloth that he then tucked into the back pocket of his jeans.
“It’s good to see you, Sadie,” he said, his tone sending a shiver through Sadie as if he’d touched her.
“You, too.” She moved toward the back of the truck, if anything to give herself something to do besides ogle the man or think of how just his voice made her all upside down and sideways.
“Thanks for giving Maddie a ride home,” he said as he made his way over to them. “That was thoughtful of you.”
“No problem,” Sadie said as she opened the back of the truck.
“You should see this dresser, Dad. It’s amazing. Sadie said she needs to deliver it tonight,” Maddie said as she walked over to her dad. The dogs followed and sat beside her.
“She just did.” James smiled at his daughter.
Maddie’s face went from looking confused to realizing what her dad meant. She launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around him in a huge hug. “No way! Dad! This is amazing. You got this for me?”
James held his daughter, one hand cradling the back of her head. Sadie could imagine him holding Maddie as a baby, those big strong arms promising to never let her go. An empty space in her heart ached as she watched them. She’d never known her father. What must that be like to feel so safe in the arms of a man who loved you so?
“I did. Although I have to say that Sadie chose it. She said she thought you would like it.” He smiled at Sadie over his daughter’s head.
“I don’t just like it – I love it!” Maddie let go of her dad and jumped up and down with her hands clenched together. She squealed with delight then went about helping them got the dresser out of the truck. They tucked it in the garage with promises from James that he and Maddie would move it into her room after dinner.
“I’m really glad you love the dresser, Maddie, and that we could get it to you today.” Sadie lifted one hand in a little wave. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
She turned to go but James stopped her.
“Sadie. It really was so nice of you to do this. Why don’t you stay for dinner? I made Maddie’s favorite and there’s more than enough to share.”
“Aw, Dad. Is that why you couldn’t come and get me? You did a store run and came home to cook?”
James grinned. “You caught me.”
“I don’t want to intrude on your time,” Sadie said. She was aware he’d taken the week off to have more time with Maddie. The last thing she wanted was to get in the way of that.
“It’s no intrusion,” James said just as Maddie said, “Please stay! I would love it.”
Sadie’s eyes met James’. One side of his mouth tilted up, his head nodding slightly as if to agree with his daughter.
She looked at her watch. JoJo would be expecting her home.
“Please stay, Sadie,” Maddie begged once more.
“Let me just check in with my aunt.”
“Yay!” Maddie spun on her heels and headed into the house, the dogs trotting after her.
“I believe she took that as a yes,” James said, a smile on his face.
“I believe so.”
“She doesn’t like to take no for an answer.”
Sadie smiled. “I can see that. Just let me text JoJo and make sure she’s okay.”
James nodded. “I understand.”
Sadie sent a quick message to her aunt who responded right away with an all caps answer of ABSOLUTELY STAY AND HAVE DINNER! I AM FINE. A line of winking smiley face emojis followed.
Sadie laughed.
“I’m guessing that means she is good?” James asked.
“Well, based on the amount of emojis, yes.”
“Ah, yes.”
“In fact, I noticed you sent an emoji in our text thread earlier,” Sadie teased.
James lifted and eyebrow. “And?”
“I just didn’t see you as an emoji using kind of guy.”
That got a full, deep laugh out of him, one that warmed Sadie’s insides.
Their eyes met and he said, “And just what kind of guy do you see me as?”
Kind. Thoughtful. Great father. A list of things popped into Sadie’s head she just couldn’t seem to get them to come out her mouth.
She looked away, her eyes drawn to a wooden rocking chair in the corner of the garage.
“What is that?” she asked as she made her way over to it.
James followed her.
“Did you make this?” She ran a hand over the arm of the chair, the wood smooth and perfect. “This is incredible.”
She looked at James who simply shrugged.
Although it was brand new, it had an antique vibe to it, the design similar to something made in the early 1900’s.
“I know it’s old school, but I like that. I wanted to make another one and put them both on the front porch.” He tucked his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.
“One for you and one for Maddie.”
James’ mouth formed a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Sadie sensed she was missing something about the chairs but didn’t pry.
“It’s perfect. Such a beautiful piece. And you said you weren’t a craftsman,” she teased.
He did smile at that. “One chair does not a craftsman make.”
“Ah, but you said you were going to make another one.”
He laughed. “I did say that, yes.”
The garage door opened. Maddie’s head popped through it. “Are we gonna eat soon or what?”
“On our way,” James answered. He looked at Sadie. “Shall we?”
She nodded. “Lead the way.”