Echoes of Summer (10 page)

Stephen frowned. “I wasn’t trying to buy my way in. I just wanted to do something nice for him.”

Madison nodded. “I know. This is just really new to me, and I’m not sure how to deal with it all.”

Stephen glanced at the clock on her wall. “Are we still planning on meeting at three to go over the proposal?”

“Yes.” Madison was glad he’d changed the subject. Trying to keep their personal life — or whatever this was — between them and their professional life separate was hard. “I’ve just about finished the presentation from the notes you gave me. I think I can get them done before then.” She dropped the flower petal into the trash on her way around her desk. Then looked back at Stephen. “I’ll see you at three then.”

He nodded and left her alone in the office with his flowers and too many memories of that last summer echoing in her mind. She picked another petal, fresher and squeezable again. “May the fourth,” she whispered as she moved the flower’s lips. “Too funny.”

***

Stephen left her office more confused than ever. She seemed to like the flowers, and he was glad, but why couldn’t he give his child a present? It wasn’t as if he planned to spoil the kid. He had missed seven years of his life and felt like he owed Milo something for that. But he supposed she was right. And Madison knew him best. If he wanted to be a part of Milo’s life, he’d have to do it on her terms.

He probably had some sort of parental rights, but if he tried fighting for them, she would dig in her heels, and he’d ruin any chance of having her support him in the relationship with his child. Besides, a part of him wanted to see if he could possibly pursue a relationship with Madison.

The more he saw her, the more he wanted to get to know her again. They had been such good friends, and though having sex had changed things between them, in a bigger way than just becoming parents, he’d been gone so soon after they reached that stage that he was sure she had lost all feelings for him. And getting her to give him a chance now would be much harder than starting a relationship with a stranger.

He had their past mistakes to overcome as well as navigating this new parental aspect. He vowed to do his best to make things right with them, and if he could make her fall in love with him again, that would be the best option out there. Going about it too strong would backfire. He would have to work at it through his relationship with Milo and keep things professional here at work.

He squared his shoulders as he walked back to his office. He could do this.

When three o’clock rolled around, he knocked on Madison’s office door. She waved him in while still talking on the phone. He brought his chair around to the other side of her desk as she continued her conversation, and he opened his laptop to get things ready.

Her small dish with chocolates was empty, and he frowned. He didn’t really need the candy, but it had become a habit, and he missed it. He knew there had been a bunch earlier. He’d seen them when he’d talked to her that morning. Had she eaten them all?

He pushed the thought out of his mind when she finished her call and turned to him. As they talked about the presentation and the upcoming schedule, he reflected on how good she was at her job. It was a pleasure to work with her, but the more he watched her and the closer they worked together, the more he longed to reach out and take her hand.

She wouldn’t appreciate that though, so he turned his attention back to the project, and they finished it in record time.

“I think the pitch will go really well. Mr. Carlson will have another client signed soon,” Stephen said.

“I hope so,” Madison said as she closed the program down. She yawned and wiped her eyes. “Sorry. Didn’t sleep much last night.”

“Too much on your mind?”

She nodded. “Yeah, and Milo couldn’t stop talking. I think he had a great time yesterday. Thank you for that. You handled it really well.”

Stephen smiled. “I enjoyed it. He’s a good kid.” He reached for her hand and was relieved she let him take it. “Thank you for doing such a good job with him. He’s lucky to have you as his mother.”

Madison nodded and didn’t speak. He released her hand, not wanting to force himself on her or make her pull away from him because she felt pressured. “Are we still meeting tonight for dinner?” he asked.

“Yes, Milo’s excited.”

Well, at least that was a start. Of course, Madison probably wasn’t all that excited about going to eat at a fast food restaurant with an indoor playland. He would have to ask her out to dinner, just the two of them. If she’d accept.

He hoped she would.

“I’ll see you there, then.” Stephen stood and walked toward the door of her office.

***

Madison watched him leave and opened her top drawer to get out her stash of chocolates she’d hidden. It had been silly, but she’d loved seeing him search the bowl for a treat to steal and find nothing there. She’d make sure the bowl was full again tomorrow, but having that little bit of control again helped her feel at peace. She peeled the wrapper of the Butterfinger and popped it in her mouth as she prepared to leave for the day.

Though work was over, she wished she could stay there since leaving meant she had to take Milo and herself to eat with Stephen. Milo was excited because they rarely went out for dinner as it was much cheaper to cook at home. And for them to go to one with a playland was even better. It felt like such a splurge, and she worried Milo would think Stephen was cool just because he could buy him things.

But would Stephen be an actual parent and set rules and consequences, or would he be all for the fun and bend the rules? He’d been that way as a kid, getting into trouble and sweet-talking his way out. It was no surprise he was so good in marketing. He could sell anything and convince you to see his way.

She would have to be firm and make sure he understood his role with Milo wouldn’t be all fun and games. He needed a father figure, not just a big boy at a playdate.

Chapter Fifteen

The next few days moved smoothly. Milo and Madison had seen him each day, and Stephen thought he was making progress in the fatherhood department. But he couldn’t crack Madison’s shell at work.

She was very professional, and they worked well together, bringing in two more accounts with a couple more being very likely to sign within the next few weeks. They had met for lunch once, and when he’d tried to offer to buy her meal, she’d refused. But they had discussed Milo more than business, so she wouldn’t let him write it off as a business lunch either.

He’d learned so much about Milo over the last few days that he felt he was beginning to know the kid. And Milo had expressed interest in coming to Stephen’s home more than once, but Madison had said no. Yet she still refused to let him come to her house. They always met in public areas in separate vehicles where she could leave on her own terms.

Stephen pushed his rolling chair away from his desk and slid it over to look out the large window lining his wall. Looking down over the city had always helped him clear his mind before, but now he just thought it looked too jumbled and messy. He never thought he’d long for it, but seeing all the building, traffic, and pollution, a small part of him wished he could look out over his grandpa’s fields from the front porch. The same place he’d stood countless times watching for signs of Bea’s family to come back in from checking the cattle out on their grazing lands so he’d know if it was worth starting the beat-up old truck to head over to see her.

He closed his eyes and tried visualizing the serenity of King, Montana, but fell short with the sounds of the air conditioning unit on. He took a slow breath then moved back to his desk to finish the project. A knock on his open door brought his head up, and he blinked in surprise at the woman standing at the door. He’d never seen her in the office, but she looked like she belonged here.

“Are you Mr. Kohalohini?” She struggled over the name just a little but not bad.

“I am.” Stephen stood up and approached her.

“I’m Carrie.” She offered her hand. “Mr. Carlson asked me to check and see if there was anything you’d like help on. Madison called in sick today.”

Stephen wondered if Madison was all right. Hopefully, it wasn’t serious. She had seemed fine last night, but Milo had been a little quieter than usual. Maybe she was taking a sick day on the boy’s account. He pulled himself out of his wonder about Madison and looked at Carrie. “I think I’ll be fine. We aren’t pitching to anyone until next week, and I believe we’re on top of things for the moment.”

Carrie smiled. “Excellent. I’ve been helping Madison on some of the accounts, so if you have any questions later, let me know.”

She turned away then glanced over her shoulder, giving him a quick once-over, and smiled again as she walked back to her office. He couldn’t help following her with his gaze as she left. She was beautiful and friendly, but he didn’t get the same desire to pursue her he would have just months ago. Now it was only Madison who filled his thoughts.

Stephen texted her quickly to see if she was okay and see if there was anything he could do.

Stomach bug. We’ll have to reschedule Milo’s meet-up with you.

Is he sick too?
Stephen asked.

Yeah.

I’ll bring soup tonight. Gimme your addy, or I’ll get it from the files here.

No need. I’ve got soup
.

Madison’s response made him shake his head, even though she couldn’t see.

Not my special recipe. It’s a cure-all. Grandma Iris taught me.

Madison’s response to that made him smile.

You’ve got Iris’s secret soup recipe?

Yup, and if you just tell me your addy, I’ll bring some by tonight. You know you want it. It’s a miracle cure.

Stephen stared at the phone, willing the next text to give the address.

You win
.

Her response brought a whoop from him. That text was soon followed by her address and instructions how to get there.

But you can’t stay long. Don’t want to pass this on to you.

Understood. Get some rest, I’ll be over around 7:00.

He turned back to his desk and pulled open the files. After going over one of the proposals, he smiled at how thorough Madison had been on their plan. He made a few phone calls and sent a few emails then did some research on the latest marketing trends to keep abreast of them. When the knock came again on his open door, he looked up and smiled wide to see Carrie standing there again.

“I was about to head to lunch. You want me to pick you up something?”

Stephen checked his clock and stood to stretch. “I hadn’t even noticed what time it was. That’s nice of you, but I brought something from home.”

Carrie’s smile slipped a little, but she nodded and turned to leave. Stephen wondered if he should work through lunch so he could leave early and stop by the supermarket to get the ingredients for the soup. His stomach rumbled at the thought of food. Maybe he could heat it up and eat it while working. That way he could come to Madison’s aide much sooner.

***

Madison curled over the bowl, hoping the urge to vomit would pass. She’d spent half the night trying to clean up all the pukes from Milo, who hadn’t made it to the bathroom the first time. At least now, he was resting on the couch surrounded by towels and blankets with a bowl in his hand to catch anything else.

She had worried at first that it was a reaction to some nut contamination in something he’d eaten, but he hadn’t shown any other signs typical of his food allergy. He hadn’t thrown up for a couple hours, but he had a mild fever and complained of aching. She hoped her bout with the stomach bug would pass as quickly. When she called Karen to let her know they were staying home sick, Karen said they’d come down with something as well.

Every time she’d had to deal with a sick child on her own through the night, she had longed for the companionship of a husband to help her. To take over when she couldn’t do it anymore. Now that Stephen was back in her life, she wondered if she should possibly give him a chance with her. Not just see how he did with Milo, but to see if maybe there was any chance the two of them could work things out. The fact that he’d checked on her and was going to bring Iris’s delicious soup made her heart thaw toward him just a little more. She touched the cell phone sitting on the armrest of the loveseat, thinking how sweet it was he’d offered to help.

Madison looked around the little house and the mess it was in after this sickness. She would have to clean it up before he got there. When she stood up, a wave of dizziness washed over her, and she sat back down and leaned her head against the back of the seat. It would have to wait. Besides, she had a few hours.

Chapter Sixteen

Madison dozed throughout the afternoon, subsisting on crackers and apple juice and a few ibuprofens. The stomach bug had come and gone, but her body still hurt, and she just wanted to take a long hot bath to soothe her aching joints. She looked at the clock, and figured she’d have time to bathe before Stephen arrived in an hour.

She grabbed her blanket, scattered tissues, and the cracker box, then checked on Milo.