Heart of the Falcon

by Francis Ray

  Seeing them disappear, Daniel’s thoughts returned to Madelyn. He wanted to be with her in the morning, to hold her, to eat breakfast in bed with her.

  “Here’s your coffee, Mr. Falcon. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes,” said the housekeeper, handing him a cup. She looked toward the empty staircase. “I’ve never seen a woman more happy to be cooking breakfast for her husband.”

  “Did Mother make this coffee?” he asked mildly, taking a sip. “It’s not half bad.”

  “I bet your father thinks it’s the best coffee he’s ever tasted,” Mrs. Hargrove noted before going back into the kitchen.

  Daniel followed, his brow furrowed. He didn’t particularly care for sweets, but he had downed a half dozen cinnamon rolls yesterday because Madelyn had helped make them.

  He placed the cup on the counter. “Nothing for me, Mrs. Hargrove. I have an early appointment.”

  “You’re sure?” she questioned. “The whole-grain muffins should be ready to take out of the oven shortly.”

  “No, thank you,” he said, opening the back door leading around the side of the house to the garage. “My appetite is craving something sweeter this morning.”

  * * *

  “Good morning.”

  No man had a right to look so gorgeous in the morning, Madelyn thought. His chiseled features were perfect. His glorious hair was secured at the base of his neck.

  Daniel’s smile faltered when she didn’t say anything. “I didn’t catch you at a bad time, did I?”

  “No,” she answered, wondering if she’d ever come close to stopping loving him.

  He shifted uneasily. “I brought your car back, in case you needed it to do some errands, since it’s Friday and you have the day off.”

  “Thank you,” she answered, still not moving aside to let him in. Loving Daniel was one thing, opening herself up to more heartache was quite another. She held out her open palm.

  “I thought we might have breakfast,” he said.

  “I don’t feel like getting dressed.”

  “I could go get something.”

  “Too much trouble. Besides, breakfast food gets cold easily.” She wiggled her fingers impatiently.

  Another frown worked its way across Daniel’s brow. “I bet Dad didn’t have this much trouble getting Mother to cook his breakfast.”

  Madelyn’s eyes widened. She pulled Daniel across the threshold and closed the door. “Felicia cooked breakfast?”

  “Pancakes, bacon, sausage patties, the works.” Daniel smiled. Dimples winked, and it was all Madelyn could do not to sigh and ask him to do it again. “Her coffee wasn’t half bad, either.”

  Madelyn folded her arms and eyed him suspiciously. “And you thought you might come over for some of the same?”

  A flush rose up in his face. Madelyn could just imagine what he was thinking. Trying to settle her own erratic heart rate, she said, “This may come as a surprise to you, but all women can’t cook.”

  They looked at each other and burst out laughing. “With Felicia as a mother, I guess not. Come on, I’ll see what we can find,” she said.

  After taking off his jacket, Daniel followed her into the kitchen. “If the selection isn’t any better than when you were sick, we better risk it being cold.”

  Throwing him a frown, Madelyn opened the cabinet and took out a box of instant Cream of Wheat and grabbed a pot. “It’ll have to be hot cereal, croissants, cinnamon rolls, and juice—if there’s any juice left.”

  Daniel opened the refrigerator. Sounded like a plan to him. “No juice. You need milk with that?”

  “Yes.” Pouring a small amount of milk in the pot, she turned on the gas burner. “Grab the croissants and cinnamon rolls in the plastic container. I’ll slice the bread for the toast.”

  In a matter of minutes, they were seated and eating. “How is it you can cook bread that tastes this good and not much of anything else?” Daniel asked, on his third piece of toast. The only thing left of his two cinnamon rolls were a few crumbs.

  She grinned. “I love fresh-baked bread. I took time enough long ago to learn the old-fashioned way, before quick-rising yeast. The whole process soothes me.”

  “What were you and Matt doing while Kane was learning to cook?” asked Daniel.

  An impish smile crossed her brown face. “Anything that kept us out of housework. I was Daddy’s girl. Loved tagging behind him and taking apart things to see how they worked. Matt loved doing anything on horseback, and the girls loved him. His mission was to make as many happy as possible”

  Daniel chuckled. “Your poor parents.”

  Madelyn laughed and took the last bit of her toast. “They loved us and our differences. They’re so proud—” Her face became shadowed.

  Daniel saw the pain in her face, her hand clenched atop the table, and wanted nothing more than to never see her sad again. “I have a couple of hours before my first appointment this morning. You want me to take you grocery shopping?”

  She smiled, but it wasn’t as bright. “Bite your tongue. Shannon and Victoria are still trying to get my brothers into the grocery store and longer than ten minutes in a dress shop. They’re too impatient. I imagine you’re the same way.”

  “You need food,” he answered simply.

  “I’ll do it later on this morning.” She rose, gathering the dishes. “Anyway, it’s about time for another care package from my mother.”

  Daniel took his plate to the sink. “Care package?”

  This time the smile was real. “A tradition that started when Kane went to college of sending a box every month filled with goodies. It continued with Matt, and now it’s my time.”

  “But you’re out of college.”

  “Yes, but I work long hours, and my cooking skills aren’t what they should be. Mama knows it.” Turning on the faucet, Madelyn squirted dish-washing liquid into the rushing water. “She did the same for Matt until he got married to that woman.” Derision coated the last two words.

  Daniel knew “that woman” was Matt’s first wife. Her treachery had almost ruined Matt’s career in the rodeo and had ruined his life until he met Shannon.

  Opening a drawer, Daniel took out a dish towel and began drying the dishes. “The wrong woman can make a man’s life hell.”

  Madelyn looked at him closely. “You sound as if you’re speaking from experience.”

  He shouldn’t have been surprised that she could read him so easily. “Jeanette Pearson. I met her when I was a sophomore at Harvard. Her family had recently moved to Boston. It wasn’t until later that I learned they left San Francisco because of Jeanette’s problem.

  “She was beautiful, vivacious, manipulative, and possessive—only I didn’t know it until I tried to break off the relationship after I got tired of her jealous rages. The next day she slashed the tires of my car.” He balled the dishcloth in his fist.

  “A week later she got into my apartment and trashed the place. She kept calling, begging for me to take her back or I’d be sorry. I thought she meant me personally.” His eyes became shadowed. “She overdosed. She left a note blaming me.”

  “Daniel, no!” Madelyn cried, her hand gently on his arm, her heart aching for him.

  “Her parents blamed me despite knowing Jeanette was mentally ill. She’d tried the same thing with a man in California. The maid found her.” His hands unclamped and clamped. “Instead of getting her the help she needed, they tried to hush it up. She died for their stupidity and mine.”

  “How can you say something like that?” Madelyn questioned. “You had no idea she had mental problems.”

  “One part of me knows that—another part looks at the senseless waste of a life.” He tossed the cloth on the counter. “Love can be as treacherous as it can be beautiful. Sometimes you don’t know it until it’s too late.”

  Madelyn fought hard to keep the despair from her face. He didn’t believe in love—had been hurt by it, had seen his parents’ misery because of it. Love to him was something to be avo
ided.

  Daniel kept on talking, unaware that he was shredding her heart while he went on about how fortunate she was to have grown up with a happy, loving family. Didn’t he understand that for her it would never take the place of being loved and cherished by him?

  “I shouldn’t have told you,” he said. “Don’t look so sad. It was a long time ago.”

  And you’ll remember it always, she thought.

  “Madelyn?” he questioned, his hand touching her cheek.

  “I’m all right,” she managed. “You’d better get going or you’ll be late for work, and I need to get to the grocery store.”

  “You’re sure you don’t want me to go with you?” He frowned. “You don’t want to overdo things.”

  “I promise to take things easy.” Turning away, she went to the front door and opened it. “How are you getting back to your office?” she asked, striving for normalcy.

  “Higgins is waiting for me.” He seemed reluctant to leave. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “I know. Have a good day.”

  “I’ll call you later. Rest after you come back,” he told her.

  “Good-bye, Daniel.” He cared about her and the baby, wanted what was best for them, he just didn’t love them.

  Leaning over, he brushed his lips against her forehead, then walked to the waiting Mercedes. Stepping back, she closed the door, feeling empty and alone.

  Chapter 17

  Daniel didn’t expect to see the “walking jewelry store” open Madelyn’s door that afternoon. A Houston Sonics T-shirt stretched across an impressive chest. Daniel remembered his mother wearing one similar.

  “Is Madelyn here?”

  The man didn’t move an inch. “Who wants to know?”

  “I might ask you the same question,” Daniel said, irritated by the man’s attitude.

  “Yeah, but I’m not moving until I get an answer,” the other man said.

  Daniel studied the broad-shouldered man. He wasn’t a threat to him with Madelyn, and if he was that protective of her, Daniel could stand his rudeness. “Daniel Falcon. I believe she’s expecting me.”

  A smile broke across his dark face. He extended his hand. “Hey, man. I have you to thank for helping Madelyn while I was out of town.”

  “She told you about being sick?” Daniel asked cautiously.

  “Sure,” the man said, breaking the handshake and standing aside for Daniel to enter. “My name is Sid Wright. I live two doors down. Madelyn told me you’re a friend of the family.”

  “She did, huh?”

  “Food poisoning is nothing to play with,” Sid said, continuing to the kitchen. “I just got back into town this morning. Saw her car out front on a Friday and came over to check on her. After she told me, I figured she needed a good meal.”

  Daniel eyed the various simmering pots on the stove. “You cooked.”

  “Yes,” Sid said laughing. “Mrs. Taggert’s care package didn’t come today. I thought I better chip in. You like fresh black-eyed peas, collard greens, and candied yams?”

  The tantalizing aromas drew Daniel closer. “Her family must really appreciate you.”

  Sid’s booming laughter filled the small kitchen. “Between you and me, I think it’s the only reason her brothers didn’t send me packing the first time we met. They knew I wouldn’t let her starve.”

  Another person who cared. It wasn’t difficult to feel protective of a woman as warm and gracious as Madelyn. “Thank you for caring for her.”

  At Daniel’s fervent words, horror replaced the smile on Sid’s face. “Geez, no.”

  “Is something wrong?” Daniel asked, already aware of the answer.

  “You hurt her, and I’ll be on you like white on rice.”

  “That was never my intention,” Daniel said earnestly, wondering if others could read his feelings for Madelyn so easily.

  “Keep it that way,” Sid turned off all the burners and removed a covered roasting pan from the oven. “Madelyn is in her office, working on some project with pipelines. I told her I’d call her for dinner. She works with headphones on sometimes.”

  “You’re leaving?” Daniel asked.

  “Three’s a crowd. Madelyn knows how to reach me.” He opened the door. “I meant what I said about not hurting her.”

  “So did I.”

  “I don’t suppose you can cook?” Sid inquired.

  Daniel had to smile, liking the man. “About the same as Matt.”

  “Heaven help us all.” Shaking his head, Sid closed the door.

  A smile on his lips, Daniel loosened his tie, removed his jacket, and went to find Madelyn. Since there was only one other room he hadn’t been in, locating her office wasn’t difficult.

  Headphones on, she was transcribing scribbled notes into the computer. Absently unbuttoning his shirt collar and rolling up his sleeves, he watched her work. She appeared totally engrossed in what she was doing. Every once in a while, she’d stop, prop both elbows on the desk, and stare at the screen, then back she’d go.

  He hated being disturbed when he was working on something, but she needed to eat. Pushing away from the door, he walked over and gently tapped her on the shoulder.

  Her slim hand did a flicking motion, which he was sure meant to leave her alone. Smiling, he tapped her on the shoulder again.

  “Go away, Sid.”

  Gently he removed the headphones. “It’s not Sid.”

  She jumped, swinging around. “Daniel!”

  “Dinner is ready.”

  Moistening her lips, she rubbed her hands on her sweatpants. “Where’s Sid?”

  “Gone. He thought three was a crowd.”

  Her expressive eyes widened. “You told him.”

  “He guessed.” Daniel laid the headset aside. “I’ll go set the table.”

  Saving her file, Madelyn shut off the computer and followed. He looked better each time she saw him. “Felicia called before she and your father left for Galveston.”

  “They went in Dad’s truck.” Daniel opened the refrigerator, glad to see it stocked better than it had been that morning. “Higgins said Mother had on her first pair of blue jeans and was grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.”

  “I’m glad for them,” Madelyn said.

  “Me too. I called Dominique, and as soon as she wraps things up in Paris, she’s heading home.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Madelyn said, pausing with the plate she had picked up in her hand.

  Setting a glass of milk on the table, Daniel came to her. “Then why do you look as if you’ve lost your best friend?”

  She studied the buttons on his blue pinstriped shirt. “Long day I guess.”

  His forefinger lifted her chin. “Then we both deserve something special.”

  His head slowly descended, his lips closing over hers. Somehow the plate was out of her hands, and they were free to go around his neck—her body was free to nestle against his.

  Slowly his head lifted. “Very special. Now sit down before I forget my good intentions. Do you want some of everything?”

  “Whatever you want,” she said.

  “A dangerous thing to say to a man who wants a woman as bad as I want you.”

  She tucked her head. Want—not love.

  “When is your next appointment to see Dr. Scalar?”

  “Why?” Her head came up.

  “If you don’t mind, I thought I’d go with you. I imagine I should know your exercise schedule as well.”

  She frowned. “Why should you want to know that?”

  “I plan to go with you of course.”

  “You can’t,” she told him, her voice rising. “People would figure out in no time.”

  The plate of food plunked none too gently in front of her. “You don’t want me with you?”

  She heard the hurt in his voice, but she was hurting, too. “That isn’t it. You’re too well known.”

  He sighed. “All right. I’ll start searching for a birthing coach who can give us priv
ate lessons.”

  “I-I’ve thought about that, and I’ve decided to ask Sid.”

  “No.” The word was flat, inflexible.

  “Dan—”

  “No.” Coming down on his haunches, his hand pressed possessively against her abdomen. “I know I messed up. I was a fool to doubt you. This is my child, and I care about the both of you. I know you have a right, but please, please don’t shut me out.”

  “Daniel.”

  He kissed her on the eye, the lips, the arch of her neck. “Please don’t shut me out.” His mouth fastened on hers.

  Thought slipped and faltered under the onslaught of his kiss, the disturbing heat of his touch. His body urged her closer. Her sensitive breasts pushed against his chest, causing them to ache sweetly. Needing to get closer, her arms slid around his neck, bringing him nearer, anchoring him.

  The shrill ring of the phone was like a blast of cold air. Hastily withdrawing her arms, Madelyn looked into brilliant black eyes deep and intense with passion. The shrill, impatient ring came again.

  Pushing to his feet, Daniel stepped back. Grateful to him and the caller, she went to answer the phone in the living room. “Hello.”

  “Addie, are you all right? Why didn’t you call?”

  “Mother.”

  “Why didn’t you call and let us know you had food poisoning and had to go to the hospital?” Mrs. Taggart asked, concern and hurt mingled in her voice.

  Madelyn moistened her lips. Sid must have called her mother. It was a good thing she hadn’t mentioned being admitted. “I didn’t want to worry you.”

  “Mothers are conditioned to worry,” said her father. “On the other hand, I’ve got enough gray hairs.”

  Madelyn plopped down on the sofa, silently thanking her father for trying to defuse the situation. “I won’t do it again.”

  “We’re on our way. We just thought we’d call first,” he said.

  “No, please,” Madelyn almost screeched, then sought to calm herself. So much for thanking him. “I’ve never felt better. My boss gave me today off, and we’re starting on a new project Monday, and I need all the time I have to be ready.”