Chapter Twenty-Two MADISON
Chapter Twenty-Two
MADISON
A short while later, I looked up at the chalkboard mounted on the wall behind the counter at Firehouse Café.
“Should I try the turkey cranberry brie sandwich or the spinach feta pinwheel?”
I looked at Janet, and she looked back at me, her lips twitching with a smile. “Well, what are you in the mood for? The turkey one is sweeter.”
“I think I’ll take the spinach pinwheel. I love feta. Actually, I love all cheese.”
Janet chuckled and called out my order to whoever was in the kitchen behind her. After that, she prepped me a coffee. “This is the first time you’ve ordered lunch here,” she observed.
“I got a job,” I whispered-shouted as I leaned across the counter, unable to keep my lips from stretching into a gleeful smile.
“Oh, this calls for a hug.”
She rounded the counter, and before I knew it, I was enveloped in her warm embrace. She smelled like sugar cookies and cinnamon, and her hug felt so good I almost burst into tears. I gave her a tight squeeze as I gathered myself together.
“Thank you,” I said when I stepped back. “I kind of needed that.
“Anytime.” Janet returned to the other side of the counter.
“Janet gives the best hugs,” a voice said.
I glanced over my shoulder to see Maisie and another woman approaching. Maisie stopped beside me. “What’s the hug for?” she asked.
“I got a job, and I’m super excited,” I explained.
“Awesome!” Maisie lifted her hand in a high five, and I tapped my palm against hers. “This is Paisley,” she said, gesturing with her chin, her brown curls bouncing as she did.
“Nice to meet you. Your names almost rhyme,” I observed.
The woman beside her nodded. Maisie caught Janet’s eyes when Janet handed over my coffee. “Paisley, this is Janet. She owns this joint and gives the best hugs. If you’re having a bad day, come here. You should charge for those, you know,” she said, looking toward Janet.
Janet flashed a quick smile. “Nice to meet you.”
“You must be new to town,” I commented. “Everyone who’s from here knows Janet. I’ve only been here a few weeks, and I feel like I’ve known her forever.”
Paisley laughed. “I just got here yesterday. I got hired on with the new hotshot crew.”
“You’re a hotshot firefighter?” I couldn’t keep the surprise out of my voice.
Paisley’s lips twitched with a quick smile. “I am. I love it.”
“Women are the best firefighters,” Maisie said with confidence. “Trust me, I know. All the guys tell me women are the best under pressure. Graham will be your superintendent, and he rocks.”
“Oh, I know Graham. He’s my neighbor,” I offered.
“He seems like a good guy,” Paisley said. “I hope most of the guys don’t mind having a woman on the crew. I can already tell Russell isn’t thrilled.”
The bell jingled above the door, announcing the next customers. “Oh, hey,” Maisie said.
Our heads swiveled collectively in the direction of the door and back.
Beck, who I recalled as Maisie’s husband, entered with another guy and strode immediately to Maisie’s side.
He dusted a kiss on her temple. He held a toddler in his arms, and the little boy wiggled, thumping his feet on Beck’s thigh. “Mama!”
Maisie leaned over and tousled the little boy’s hair. She glanced at Paisley, then me. “This is our oldest, Max.”
“Have you met Russell?” Beck asked, glancing from me to the man with him.
I’d discovered men in Alaska were, well, manly, and this guy was no exception. He was tall and fit with dark blond hair and brown eyes. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Madison.”
“Russell Dane.” He dipped his head in acknowledgment.
“You must be a firefighter,” I offered. I knew with certainty this had to be the Russell that Paisley had just been referring to. Whether she would admit it or not, I could practically feel the chemistry between them sparking in the air.
“I am,” he replied, his tone low. His eyes flicked to Paisley. “Good to see you.”
“And you,” she said politely. “Well, I need to get going,” she added, seemingly out of nowhere.
I knew by the flicker of confusion in Maisie’s eyes that she had no idea Paisley had anywhere to go. “Don’t you want to get some coffee first?” she asked, a glint of mischief following that flicker of confusion.
“I’ll have to get some next time. I forgot I have an appointment.” Before anyone could add anything, Paisley dashed out of the café.
Maisie shrugged. “Sit with me,” she said to Beck. “Janet, can you get Beck his usual?”
“I want the special espresso that I didn’t know was special,” Beck added.
Janet rolled her eyes. “I know that’s your usual.”
After Russell ordered, they moved over to a small table. Just as I was about to take that moment for a graceful exit, Graham’s mother came walking through the door. Janet brightened.
“Have you met Graham’s mother?” she asked as his mother stopped beside me.
“Oh yes,” Rose replied cheerfully. “I met her the other night. She was having dinner with Allie and Graham.” She looked toward me. “Allie is glad to have a neighbor again. She misses Harold. He was only here half the year, but they got to be friendly.”
“I miss him too,” I said softly, feeling a pang in my chest.
“I’m sure you do.” Rose’s expression softened. She looked at me expectantly as if I might have something to add, but I didn’t.
“How are you liking Willow Brook?” she asked next, a brightness to her voice.
“I love it so far. It’s definitely a change of pace.”
“From Houston?” she prompted. As soon as she said that, I knew she’d had a conversation with someone about me.
“Yes,” I offered politely. I did like it here, and if my job worked out, I could imagine staying here.
“What made you pull up stakes and come here from Houston?”
“I wanted a change of pace. When my grandfather left me his place, it seemed sort of like a sign.” All of that was completely true if perhaps shading it as benignly as possible.
Another group of customers came in, effectively cutting off the conversation. I was relieved. I felt like Rose was trying to assess my intentions toward her son. I didn’t know if she was trying to play matchmaker or scare me away. All of it was complicated by that smokin’ hot night with Graham.
Even if I knew it was a crazy bad idea, I couldn’t help but want more. My body just couldn’t turn off the little engine of desire humming inside. I gave myself a mental shake and decided to enjoy my sandwich to go. Just then, Janet called over, “Did you want this to go or for here?”
“To go, please,” I chirped from where I’d been waiting quietly at one end of the counter.
I managed to escape without any further questions from Graham’s mother.
When I arrived home, I took Wilbur for a walk before I enjoyed my spinach pinwheel.
Then I settled in to do a little background work on the company that had hired me.
I wanted to be ready to hit the ground running when I started.
When my phone rang, I glanced at the screen to see the number for the Houston prosecutor’s office.
Swallowing, I steeled myself, figuring I might as well take this call. Taking a deep breath, I closed my laptop and answered the phone. “Hello.”
“Hi, I’m calling for Madison Glen.”
“This is she.”
“Hi, Madison. This is Harry Dan. If you recall, we spoke a few months ago about your father’s case.”
“I do recall. I was wondering when I might hear from you again.”
“I was hoping we could talk about whether you’re willing to provide a deposition.”
My stomach knotted, and my chest felt tight, but I had no doubts about my answer.
“As I told you before, I would be willing to do that. I’m very sorry this is where it’s ended up.”
“I’m sure you are. This can’t be easy for you.”
“It definitely isn’t, but I appreciate your understanding.
Now, maybe we can talk about what you’d like to cover so I can be prepared.
Also, if you’re not aware, I’ve relocated to my grandfather’s home in Alaska.
If necessary, I could travel, but if we could do this over video conference, that would be preferable. ”
“That works fine. Now, let’s get down to the details.”
After a long two hours, I stood from my computer after ending the call and walked over to stare out the windows.
I was exhausted emotionally and mentally.
I was a key piece in the case against my father.
I would be able to confirm the irregularities because I had kept all the original records.
I hated being in this position. Turning away from the windows, I plunked down on the couch and kicked my feet up on the coffee table.
Wilbur promptly jumped up on the couch beside me. I scratched along his neck as I leaned my head back. I really wanted a glass of wine and maybe a bath. That would be ideal.
Standing, I crossed to the kitchen and poured that glass of wine before deciding to look into starting a fire.
My grandfather had left a stack of wood in the small rack by the fireplace.
I wanted to enjoy this wine with a fire.
Maybe I could metaphorically burn away my worries.
An hour later, I was still staring at the fireplace.
“It can’t be this hard.”
I looked at the logs, letting out a deep sigh just as my phone vibrated over on the coffee table. Turning, I scooped it up to see a text from my hot neighbor.
Graham: Allie wants to know if you’d like some pizza.
Of course I wanted pizza. Maybe Graham could help me start the fire.
Me: I’d love some. If you can come over and start a fire for me, I’ll cover the pizza. We can eat here if that’s okay.