She blinked, her long lashes clinging together where they were still moist. But her eyes, wide and sparkling, showed surprise. Another blush swept over her cheeks. She giggled. “Thank you.”
That sound jolted him. Now it was his turn to feel warm. Inwardly, he groaned. What the heck is happening here? It’s business. Nothing more.
***
Less than a half hour later, Madison stood beside Dex on the doorstep of the former owner of King’s Department Store. She’d peppered him with questions as he drove here in his vintage mustang convertible.
“It’s called a classic.” He corrected with a forgiving grin in his voice. “My father’s. He left it to me.”
She liked when he smiled, even if he wasn’t doing so at the moment. “Are you sure you don’t know more about her?” she asked now.
“Not a fan of mine. No real firsthand knowledge of the woman, I’m delighted to say. She preferred I stay in the lab. Suited me perfectly. Charlie was the buffer between her and the rest of the employees. Well, as much as she could be.”
Nada! Back to square one.
“We’ll take Priscilla aside and talk to her. I don’t want Mrs. King-Baxter having anything to do with this.”
Her heart sank. It was the one reason she’d agreed to join him. She needed information. Who better than the woman who had run King’s for years? Surely, she’d know the history of the baby blanket created by her own store.
One step closer, yet so far away. Maybe she could steal away and talk to the woman alone. A sliver of hope emerged.
As they waited for someone to answer the peal of the doorbell, Dex turned to her. His easy smile warmed the cold inside her. She glanced up at him, holding his gaze for a split second. A small thrill shot through her.
Looking away quickly, she clamped down on a fresh wave of the giggles. Why are you nervous around him?
“I can’t thank you enough, Madison, for doing this for me.”
“Sure…Dex.” The bubbles of laughter rose.
The door jerked open. “Yes?” The man of short stature and long neck appeared to look down at them, but it was physically impossible to do. “And you are?”
“Dexter Snodgrass. From King’s. Is Priscilla King here?”
“You mean, Priscilla King James.” His bored tone made her cover her mouth. “And you?”
“Madison. Avenue,” she said and then promptly burst into laughter.
His eyebrows shot up. “Is this a joke?”
“No, no,” Dex chimed in. “Madison, stop. This is serious.” He grabbed her around her shoulders to try to halt her from making an even bigger fool. “He’ll toss us out. Look at him.”
She laughed harder. “That’s…what I’m doing.”
Dex looked from her, to the butler, and back at her again. He chuckled. “Quit it. Knock it off.” But he caught her silly nervous habit and couldn’t stop himself.
“What in the world is going on here?” An elegant woman barged around the butler and confronted them. “Dexter? You? Why are you here? And who is this?”
At the stern, frosty tone, Madison felt the blood drain from her face. The humor washed away, too. Now, she shook. This was the infamous Mrs. King-Baxter? How in the world could she crack this woman?
The arm around her tightened slightly. “It’s all right,” Dex said in such a soothing voice she believed him. He turned to the older woman. “Mrs. King-Baxter, you look lovelier than ever. Rico did a brilliant job with the hair.”
She touched the perfectly coiffed honey blonde hair, relaxing a tad. “Thank you.”
“Thank Shane,” he whispered under his breath. “My cousin taught me how to do that.”
“Well, come in then. You came to see me?” She was in control, nodding to the butler. “Refreshments? Coffee or tea, perhaps.”
“Oh, you’re so…kind.” Dexter nearly choked out the last as he ushered Madison in ahead of him, his warm hand pressing against her lower back. Another unexpected thrill raced through her.
What was going on with her? Chills? Was she coming down with something? She brushed a strand of hair back, trying to check her forehead for a fever. Cool as ever.
“I heard Priscilla was working here today. Do you think she’d have a moment to speak with us?”
The woman’s gaze traveled the length of Madison and rested on her face. “And you are?”
“Forgive me,” Dex said. “How forgetful. This is Madison. She’s…my assistant for the moment.”
Madison breathed a sigh of relief when Mrs. King-Baxter relaxed.
“My, Dexter. I never thought I’d say this to you,” she flicked a disparaging glance at his white lab coat, “but you do have taste in some things.”
“Mrs. King-Baxter,” she tacked on the last, “I’m Madison. It’s so very nice to meet you. I can’t tell you how impressed I am with how you kept King’s going all those years.” If memory served her, the articles on the Internet did state the woman ran the operation for nearly two decades after her husband died. However, she’d done a lot of damage since. Let’s not focus on the bad things, dear. Her adoptive mother’s voice came back to her now.
“I’m a legend,” she boasted, smiling. “It wasn’t easy, not with three daughters to raise.”
“Mrs. K., you bragging again?” a pretty older woman said, coming into the foyer. “Ah, Dex, I thought I heard your voice.” She gave him a big hug. “Now, you’re looking too thin. No more hiding in your lab, you hear? You come by the house and I’ll fix you up with some of your favorites.”
He grinned. It stole Madison’s breath away. “Will do.”
“Really?” Mrs. King-Baxter snorted. “No fraternizing with the help.”
“I am the help,” she pointed out. “And we’re family, whether I like it or not, Mrs. K.” She rolled her eyes. “Now who is this pretty little thing you have here, Dex? Oh my!” She pressed her hands to her round face. “Grace Kelly, in the flesh? Beau-tee-ful.”
“Dolly, this is Madison.” He stopped and realized what he just said. “Dolly Madison!”
She giggled and the other woman did, too. “Nice to meet you.” She held out a hand. The other woman pumped it up and down.
“You, too, sweetie. My, ain’t you a sight. Dex, you bring her by any time.” She winked at him. “Nice. Very nice. Better than Candy Hightower.”
He winced. “Ah, let’s not discuss—”
“Your former fiancée? Sure, I can do that. You were too good for her, by the way.”
Dex had been engaged? Madison’s mouth grew dry. What had happened?
Mrs. King-Baxter cleared her throat. “Dolly, are you through yet?”
“Not by a long shot, Mrs. K. But I’ve got to take the little bitty one home so Prissy can get some work done.”
“Ruby? She’s leaving?” Distress echoed in her voice.
“Conked out.” She snapped her fingers. “Like that. Must have been all the peekaboo games you played with her this morning. Who would have thought you could be almost human?”
Strangely, she didn’t take offense. “Yes, my weakness. Grandchildren can do that to you.”
Dolly looked heavenward. “Thank you. But did you have to make it decades before she finally came around? Oh, the pain and suffering.”
Madison giggled. Dex chuckled. The tension eased out of both of them.
“Hey, what’s all the racket in here?” A strawberry blonde woman popped her head around the corner of the adjacent room.
“Prissy,” Dex said, relief in his voice. “Just the woman I wanted to see.”
“Dexter Snodgrass, you came up from that dungeon lab of yours to see me? Wow! Wonders never cease.”
“Funny, real funny.”
So this was Griffin James wife! Hmm… She seemed more approachable than her hubby. And more likeable.
“Come in then,” Mrs. King-Baxter said on a sigh of resignation. “I must say my farewell to my sweet Ruby. Thank goodness she didn’t get her father’s disposition.”
Doll
y grabbed Madison’s and Dex’s elbows, steering them on either side of her toward the room where Priscilla had rushed back into. “That one.” She tsked, nodding toward the older woman’s back as they followed her. “Still gets her little zings in now and then. But never you mind, Madison. Ever get in that situation again, just say something about the grandbabies being cute and adorable and all that jazz.”
“Diversion?” Dex asked. “Why haven’t I ever thought of that before?”
“Ah, Dex, honey, you’re one of those brainy types. Never had much cause to interact with people, emotions, you know, issues.”
Madison liked this down-to-earth woman who told it like it was. “Not like you, right?”
“You got me there, sweetie. I’ve been dealing with bosses and families all my life. Some easier to work with; others, like her, not so much. But I had Charlie to help raise and then the girls, so I had lots of fun along the way, too. Now, I got my Eddie to love up on. I’m a lucky girl.”
A twinge of envy poked at Madison. What would it be like to have such a sunny nature? To see the rainbow in every instance?
She’d been taken in and adopted by a single church lady who worried constantly about the sky falling on them. Her adoptive mother loved her, but kept her wrapped up in invisible layers of protection from the bad world that could encroach at any moment.
There hadn’t been a day that went by that her mother didn’t tell her how fortunate she was to have Madison in her life. A gift from heaven, she often said about finding her only child.
But there was also the fear that hung in invisible clouds around them. Her dear mom waited for the other shoe to drop. It wasn’t if something would happen, but when it would happen.
Let’s not focus on the bad things, dear, was more of a mantra to convince herself to stop the anxious thoughts than a way of life.
On the surface she conducted her life as normal; however, underneath it all, she expected the worse to happen. Maybe it was fear of the dreaded disease that had robbed her of her own mother at an early age. Madison had never known her grandmother or any other member of her family. They were all departed by the time she’d come around.
Her mother had been left scared and alone and clung to Madison like a life line.
So how could Madison ever approach the subject of finding her birth mother? She couldn’t cause her more anxiety or hurt the woman who raised her.
Madison sighed. An ache whisked through her, missing her dear mom, flaws and all, and still longing to find out who she was and why she was left on the church steps.
“Look what a terrific job Prissy’s doing on the house. It ain’t seen so much life in years. Light and airy, don’t you think so, Dex? Oh my, Mr. K. would be so happy at the improvements, coming out of the dark ages. That woman went into mourning and stayed there for over twenty years.”
A tug in her chest made Madison see Mrs. King-Baxter in a slightly different way. A single mom raising her three daughters all by herself. Albeit she had the store and had money, but she reminded her of her own mother’s struggles.
She didn’t want to like her or understand her. Madison just needed information from the woman who once ran King’s.
Now how in the world was she going to ask questions without raising suspicions?
Chapter 5
Dex groaned inwardly. He wanted to get right to the task at hand. However, there were too many people around, namely Mrs. King-Baxter. Not the nicest person and certainly not the person to talk King’s business in front of. She’d wanted to destroy the store only a short time ago.
He still couldn’t quite understand why. Competition from Charlie? Couldn’t accept she’d failed where her stepdaughter succeeded in running the store?
Either way, he didn’t trust her with any information about the products he was working on for the store.
And he certainly couldn’t mention how he’d fight tooth and nail for the director of product development position. She’d laugh in his face; she’d done it often enough in his current job. No seemed to be her favorite word.
Rounding the corner to the living area he’d only seen a time or two before, he stopped in his tracks. “Priscilla, this can’t be the same room.” Where had dark and dingy gone?
“It’s a work in progress,” she said, gently lifting the sleeping red-haired little girl and cuddling her close. The child moved and uttered a sound. “It’s all right. Mommy’s got you. Dolly and Edward are taking you to Aunt Charlie’s and Uncle Alex’s. You’ll get to see Faith and Hope once you wake from your nap.” Prissy’s voice was soft and soothing.
Madison gasped. Dex turned to her and witnessed a rush of tears come to Madison’s eyes. She met his gaze and it was his turn to suck in a sharp breath. He read yearning and loss at the same time.
Something sliced through him. It scared him. He hadn’t felt something like that ever. How could she make him feel so much in such a short time? Shaking his head, he jerked his glance away.
“Sweet, ain’t it?” Dolly asked. She sniffed a couple of times herself. “Our Prissy, all grown up and a momma herself. And one of the best ones, too. Her daddy ain’t too bad, either.”
“Griffin,” Madison said in a low voice.
“Big teddy bear when it comes to the both of them.” Pride throbbed in Dolly’s voice. “He’s come a long way.”
“And how,” Dex muttered, having faced him a time or two and seen the amazing differences in him since Prissy and he had Ruby. But, this morning, he’d been all business and didn’t cut Dex or Madison, it seemed, any slack.
“Here, let me take her,” Mrs. King-Baxter offered, holding out her hands. “She loves her grandmother—don’t you, my sweet Ruby.”
“Seriously?” Dex turned to Dolly with raised eyebrows. Talk about a transformation?
“Shocking, ain’t it? The barracuda is now a pussycat. Go figure!”
“I can hear you, Dolly,” the woman said in such a calm voice. “I’m not deaf. Or stupid. Isn’t that right, Ruby?” Her tone remained warm and loving. “Grandmother will walk you out and make sure you’re all comfy and cozy in your car seat.”
“Comfy and cozy?” Dex asked under his breath. “Who is this woman and what have you done with Mrs. King-Baxter?”
Dolly chuckled. “Good one, Dex. You do that, Mrs. K. My Eddie should be there waiting.”
“The limo? When we drove up it pulled in behind us.” Madison pointed out.
“Yep, that’s my honey. Such a love. He’s Alex Royale’s driver, but he’s come to be everyone’s driver when Mr. R. is in meetings or out of town. It’s a family thing.” She smiled widely.
It took a few minutes before Mrs. King-Baxter slowly exited, cradling the sleeping child. Dolly snatched up the diaper bag and a stuffed animal before Priscilla thanked her profusely and sent her on her way.
“May I?” Madison went to follow them, hoping against hope for a few minutes with the woman.
“You’ve got to stay here, Madison,” Dex said. “Remember? The perfume.”
Her heart sank. Roadblock. Again.
“Dex, dinner. Asap. Madison, nice to meet you, honey. You’re invited, too. Dex, you hear that? You bring Miss Madison over to the house and I’ll put out a great spread for you all.”
“Family dinner, Dolly?” Priscilla asked. “How’s that sound?”
“Perfect. I’ll call your cousin, Dex, and Evelyn to come, too. And Rico, Peg, Austin, if he’s in town…”
“And the list grows as always,” Priscilla said, chuckling as Dolly was still calling out names as she went to the foyer.
Dex breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, he could ask her. “Priscilla, I’ll cut to the chase. I need your help.”
“Mine?” She frowned as she straightened up the sofa and then folded a blanket. “Do you need tips for remodeling? I design interiors of houses.” She lifted her hands up and out and shrugged. “Don’t judge by this room. It’s still a work in progress. Mother can’t make up her mind. She’s paralyzed when it
comes to change.”
“Lives in the past,” Dex agreed.
“The grandbabies are helping, but it’s still a chore to get her to let go of what was and what will never be again.”
“It takes time,” Madison said.
Something in her voice sounded wounded. Dex turned to her. She chewed on her bottom lip. But he caught her swift glance and he felt like he was melting inside. Pain throbbed there. It echoed in him. Reaching out, he touched her arm. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
She nodded briefly. “I’d love to see what you’ve done with the place. Should I call you Mrs. James or—”
“Oh, God no! That’s me, but not me, if you know what I mean. Prissy or Priscilla is fine.”
Standing beside Madison, Dex sensed the tension ease out of her. “Before we get the grand tour, that help I was talking about…”
“Sure, Dex. If I’m able. What can I do?”
“Smell Madison.”
“What?” She frowned at him and then matched Madison’s giggles. “That’s an odd request.”
“I meant the perfume she’s wearing.” Briefly, he explained the test tube spilling all over Madison.
Priscilla approached with hesitant steps. “I get a subtle hint.” She drew closer, facing Madison. “Where did you say?”
“This is awkward,” Madison said, standing as still as possible as she tried to suppress more giggles. “I’ll close my eyes.”
“That’s only slightly better,” Priscilla muttered. “Okay. One swift breath.”
“No. You must savor it. Like this.” He leaned in close to Madison’s neck. “Take in each delicate note,” he said reverently, detecting the hint of floral and wood.
“Ah, Dex.” Madison’s voice grew shaky. “I feel like your specimen under a microscope.”
He eased back, just enough so he could look at her. Beautiful! Even more stunning this close. Porcelain skin. Lips, full and irresistible. Clear, green eyes he could get lost in. But it was the vulnerability deep down that he connected with. It shook him to his core.
once upon a romance 07 - finding mr right Page 3
