by Lois Richer
She was learning to be independent and that meant remembering Jesse could only ever be a friend.
Maddie was never going to let anyone get close enough to hurt her again.
Chapter Four
Jesse groggily pushed his way out of a solar-butterfly-filled dream to answer the impatient summons of his grandmother’s doorbell.
“Coming,” he called, as he dragged himself up from the sofa where he’d spent the night. He needed a shower, a shave and a change of clothes, but because the doorbell kept up its persistent ringing he yanked open the front door, desperate for silence to quell the pounding in his head.
“Good morning.” A vibrant Maddie stood on the doorstep, black hair gleaming in the brilliant sun. She wore a bright pink cardigan over a demure sundress splashed with tropical flowers.
“Morning.” Next to Maddie’s beauty Jesse felt like scum.
“I’m sorry to wake you. It’s just that I need to be at work and I figured you’d need a ride to your truck and... Are you all right, Jesse?” Her glance revealed her concern.
“I’m fine. I had a restless night and fell asleep on the sofa.” He translated her frown. “Don’t worry. The puppies were fed, three times.”
“Oh. Good.” She stood there, gripping the handles of her green bag, obviously waiting for...?
“Sorry. I’m still a bit muzzy.” He opened the door wide. “Come in.”
“Thanks.” Maddie’s cheeky grin made him feel much better. “I’ll put on some coffee if you’ll change the puppies’ papers.”
“Mmm...” He licked his lips. “Did I mention I think you’re an amazing woman? And that I love coffee?”
“I understand.” She laughed, more of a carefree giggle really, but it suited her. “Strong double-creamed coffee coming right up.”
“Thank you,” he whispered, then paused as a new thought crossed his mind.
“Something wrong?” Maddie set her bag on the hall table.
“You, uh, said you didn’t cook.” Jesse didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but he needed coffee to get him going in the morning and he sure didn’t want to have to drink slough water. He kept his head averted. “So can you...?”
Hmm, not the most delicate approach.
“Can I make decent coffee?” Maddie said for him. He lifted his head and found her green eyes laughing at him. “Yes. I had to learn because Liam didn’t drink coffee.”
“And you’re—ah, how shall I say it?” He widened his eyes.
“I can make coffee, Jesse. Very good coffee.” Her narrowed gaze dared him to argue. Then she laughed. “Have to because I’m addicted to the stuff, remember?”
“I said you were amazing, right? And very talented?” He winked at her, closed the door and led the way to the kitchen.
Maddie opened a cupboard, selected a fresh container of coffee and opened it. Jesse paused for a moment to inhale the aroma of the fragrant grounds before he entered the laundry room to the whine of the puppies.
Thoughts of a hot, steamy cup of java kept him going as he restored the room to a semblance of cleanliness. He was about to snitch a cup of brew to sip before he mixed the formulas when Maddie appeared with a trayful of bottles and a very large steaming mug.
“I’m not the only coffee addict, am I?” she teased.
“Nope. Thank you.” Jesse sipped the perfectly creamed coffee and allowed it to slide down his throat, hoping it would zip directly to his bloodstream. Then he set the cup aside, scooped up a puppy and began the now familiar ritual of feeding one hungry mouth after another.
“Even though you don’t have triangles on the floor, I’ll help you.” Maddie giggled, then pulled a stool from the hallway and perched on it.
“But your dress—” he warned.
“Will be fine.” She smiled at him, took a drink from her own steaming mug, then spread a large towel in her lap and lifted a puppy.
Jesse found something sweetly intimate about sitting here with Maddie in the early morning, tending to the puppies and sipping coffee together. It made him recall those daydreams he’d once had, silly imaginings of sharing his life with Eve. In fact, she was probably doing that right now. Only she was sharing with Rob, his best friend and the music minister in what Jesse had once called his home church. A lump lodged in his throat.
Lord, how could I have been so wrong about everything?
“Jesse?” Maddie’s hand on his shoulder jerked him back to the present.
He pushed away the feelings of betrayal and teased, “Still here. Did you think I’d fallen asleep?”
“No. But the puppy has and there’s another waiting to take his place. Drink your coffee. It’ll wake you up while I fetch you another dog.”
She scooped the puppy out of his hand before he could object, and by the time he’d taken a small glug of coffee, she replaced it with another starving mouth and a fresh bottle.
With careful manipulation Jesse managed to wedge the pup and bottle in one arm so he could use his free hand to hold his cup, as he struggled to clear his brain of dreams that could never be.
Eve and I weren’t perfect together because she never believed in me. Not really. Otherwise she’d never have blamed me for not helping Scott. How could she have thought I was working with him to feed my ego?
But she was right. I am to blame.
“So what do you have planned for today?” Maddie’s gentle query brought reality’s return as she selected another pup and began feeding it.
“Get my truck tire fixed.” Jesse discovered that as long as he kept his eyes on Maddie, the day seemed full of potential. “It’s very good coffee. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled and that simple stretch of her pink lips lifted the heaviness from his heart. “I wish I didn’t have to ask you to look after these fellows, but I didn’t know who else...”
“It’s fine. I’ll catch some sleep later.”
“What were you thinking about just now, Jesse?” she said in a very quiet voice. “Or should I ask whom?”
Normally he’d have brushed off the question or made some goofy response, but the compassion on Maddie’s sweet face wouldn’t permit a response that was less than honest. This must be why Emma loved Maddie, because of her caring concern, even for him, someone she barely knew.
“You don’t have to tell me,” she said in a self-conscious tone. “It’s just that you’ve heard so much about my pitiful life that—”
“Your life isn’t pitiful,” he said sternly. “It’s full of quilting and Wranglers Ranch and Gran’s store and your child. By the way, where is the Ark Man this morning?”
“Noah’s having breakfast at Wranglers. Sophie’s making his favorite—waffles made in triangles, with blackberry syrup.” Maddie arched her eyebrows. “You don’t want to tell me your thoughts.”
“It’s kind of you to ask, but...” Though moved by her offer, Jesse didn’t want to drag her down with his sad history.
“You don’t think I’d understand.” Maddie’s whole face expressed her hurt before she ducked her head.
“No.” He hated that he’d offended her. “It’s me. I don’t like to talk about my past.”
“Me, neither.” Her focus rested on something beyond the laundry room. “I’m trying to concentrate on the future, on my new life.”
“As a widow, you mean?” He didn’t quite understand why, but Maddie had suddenly tensed, as if whatever was in her past was painful.
“More as a new person, an independent person who is strong enough to build a good life for herself and her son.” She frowned. “I’m trying to forget my past but—sometimes it seems like there are things you’ll never be able to forget. Do you know what I mean?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “In a way I suppose I’m trying to do the same.”
&nbs
p; “To forget the boy who died.” Maddie said it gently, as if she thought the words would hurt him, but it wasn’t the words that hurt Jesse. It was knowing he’d failed Scott. She handed him a puppy and a bottle and said, “You need a fresh group of kids to work with.”
“No!” The word exploded out of him. Maddie blinked in surprise.
“Then why work at Wranglers Ranch?” While she waited for his response Maddie started feeding another dog.
“My parents raised four sons. My brothers are still there, ranching with Dad.” Jesse didn’t know why he was telling her this. He’d never shared a lot of personal details with anyone. “I was kind of an oddball kid. Never quite fit in. But then I had this...experience I guess you’d call it.”
“Oh.” Maddie blinked but said nothing more as she waited for him to explain.
“I’d been riding the hills and I stopped to rest the horse. I was lying on the grass, watching the clouds float past. Ever done that?” Would she understand? Jesse had never shared these memories with anyone, including his former fiancée. Because he’d somehow known that Eve wasn’t the type of woman to lie on the grass and daydream about clouds.
And you think Maddie is? Because of that butterfly?
“I know exactly what you mean. I used to do that, too. Only I made up stories about the clouds.” Maddie’s eyes sparkled. “One was a prince swooping in to carry me away. Another was a house that was a real home. I’d always see a cloud that made me wish for a big happy family.” She looked down, her lashes covering her expressive eyes. “Mostly I dreamed of freedom. Silly things like that.”
Freedom? That tweaked Jesse’s curiosity about the lovely Maddie, but he forced his brain back on the topic.
“Well anyway, I was lying there, watching the clouds, and all at once I just knew that God wanted me to work with kids.” Jesse clamped his lips together. It sounded puerile put like that.
“How wonderful to know your purpose with such assurance.” Maddie’s voice echoed her wide-eyed admiration. “Amazing.”
“It was, kind of.” A rush of relief whooshed out of him. She understood.
“So you became a youth pastor? I know you’d be good at that because you have such a way with Noah.”
“He’s a great kid.” Jesse felt a bubble of pleasure in having shared something so personal with Maddie. “Well, that’s the last pup.” He grinned as he offered her a hand up. “I promised Gran I’d take care of her babies, so when she emails you to ask, and she will, you can reassure her that they’re being well cared for.”
“You’re doing a great job.” Maddie’s fingers clung to his for a moment as she rose unsteadily. “Thanks. My foot went to sleep.”
“Better now?”
“Yes. I need to get to work.” She tossed the towel into a nearby hamper before smoothing a hand over her dress. “If you’re ready, I’ll drive you to Wranglers Ranch now to get your truck.”
“Maddie, you don’t have to worry about me.” A little spot inside him warmed at her thoughtfulness. “I’ll call a cab. I don’t want to make you late for work.”
“I won’t be if we leave soon. A taxi from here will cost you a fortune.” Her forehead pleated in a frown as she checked the plain, cheap watch around her wrist, her concern about arriving late at Quilt Essentials evident.
“What if I tag along with you to Quilt Essentials?” A frown appeared on her pretty face, then melted into an expression he didn’t understand. “No?”
“Of course that’s fine. I’m sure you want to check that I’m doing everything right while your grandmother is away.” Though Maddie said it evenly there was a hint of hurt underlying her comment.
“No, no. That isn’t what I meant.” Why hadn’t he thought before he spoke? “I meant I could be there if you need me to do anything. Then, and feel free to say no if you want to, I thought maybe I could borrow your car to get to the ranch. I promise I’d have it back to you quickly. That way you wouldn’t have to waste time driving me around.”
She didn’t look convinced.
“I really would like to help if I can, Maddie,” Jesse insisted. “You’ve done a lot for me. I don’t know anything about running Gran’s store, and fortunately, I don’t have to, because you’re the one she entrusted that to. But if I can do anything to make it easier, I’d like to.”
Maddie remained silent, her face unreadable.
“On second thought, my plan probably isn’t that great. I’ll rent a vehicle until I get my truck fixed.”
“I think your idea is very generous and I’m happy to lend my car. But could we please leave soon?” Maddie checked her watch once more, frowned and shook her wrist. “This has stopped again.” She walked into the kitchen and gasped at the time on the wall clock. “I have to leave!”
“Let’s go.” Jesse closed the laundry room, grabbed his keys and his wallet and led the way to the front door. “By the time I get back the dogs will be ready for another feeding. I’ll do that, then go check out the truck. Will you need your car before two?”
“I have to pick up Noah at Wranglers at three thirty and take him to swimming lessons. He’s having a special one on one lesson.” She led the way to her car, got into the driver’s seat and, when his belt was fastened, drove toward his grandmother’s store. “We have a quilt shop hop running this week, so it’s going to be a busy day. I hope no one calls in sick.”
“A quilt shop hop? Is that a dance or something?” Her musical laughter made him think of butterflies and rainbows and possibilities.
“A shop hop is a kind of tour of quilt shops in the area,” Maddie explained. “Guests bring in a passport that we stamp, and when they have it filled with stamps from different stores, they can enter it for a quilting cruise.”
“A quilting cruise?” For a moment he thought she was joking, but her face said she was quite serious.
“I talked Emma into joining the other shops for that promotion. It’s such good advertising. We’ve had a number of sign-ups for workshops when quilters stop by for the stamp and see what we have to offer.” Maddie bit her lip. “Now I wish I’d kept silent. It makes for a lot of extra work.”
“That’s good, isn’t it? You want more customers,” Jesse reminded her. “That’s another reason you should buy out Gran. She depended on word-of-mouth advertising, but you’re up on current methods of merchandising that make it more fun for the clients. I noticed there’s now a web page for Quilt Essentials. You set it up, didn’t you, Maddie?”
“Yes. In high school I learned I have a knack for computer stuff. But—”
He chortled at her flushed face, amused by her embarrassment.
“You’re a businesswoman.” Jesse said it intentionally, hoping she’d realize what was so plain to him. “It’s obvious why Gran thinks you’d make an excellent owner for her shop.”
“Well, I love working there, but I can’t own Quilt Essentials. It’s too complicated and I’m not good at complicated.”
Jesse thought of Noah’s quilt and wanted to say, “Seriously?” But Maddie pulled into a parking spot beside the store and thrust the lever into Park. She turned to face him.
“I will do the very best I can to keep the store running while she’s recovering. I promise you that. Now I must get to work.”
Maddie gathered up her bag, a lunch container and a change of footwear, orange strappy sandals that showed a daring side to this modest mom, before exiting the car. He walked with her to the front door.
“I’ll wait until you see if there’s something you need help with,” he said as she unlocked the door. “You’re positive you want to let me borrow your car?”
“I’m positive.” Her smile reassured him.
“Then thank you very much.” Jesse watched her welcome two other employees, then explain about Emma’s accident.
“I hope we can sur
prise her with what we accomplish by the time she comes back to Quilt Essentials,” she said to the group, then introduced him.
Jesse shook their hands and tried to ignore their curious glances from Maddie to him.
“I’m sorry to rush, ladies, but we must restock the batiks before we get a rush of clients. Davina, can you get started shelving that new shipment?” She turned from the younger woman to the older one. “Anna, would you cut some more fat quarters from that new Kaffe Fassett fabric collection?” When Anna nodded, Maddie smiled, then added, “I’m going across to the warehouse to bring over some more kits. After Valentine’s Day, if not before, I’ll change the window to an Easter display. Easter’s not that far away.”
Valentine’s? Easter? This was January!
Jesse almost laughed as the women moved to carry out Maddie’s directions. He trailed behind her, out the door and across the parking lot to a space he knew Emma had purchased two years ago for storage. When Maddie noticed him following, she blinked.
“Oh, the car keys,” she said with an embarrassed look. “I’m sorry. I forgot. We’ll have to go back to the store.”
“First let’s get whatever you need here,” he said, and held out his arms. “Load me up. I’m good at carrying.”
“Thank you.” With a distracted smile Maddie selected a number of kits to fill a big cart sitting nearby. “We can sell more than that,” she murmured thoughtfully. Jesse knew she wasn’t talking to him as she selected another twenty premade quilt kits. “When our picnic basket project finishes next week, these will go like crazy.” She dragged a second cart forward and filled it, too. “That’s enough for now.”
Jesse touched her arm, stopping her from manhandling the carts out the door.
“I’m here to help, remember?” He eased them forward, hooked one to the other, then paused to smile at her. “You know what, Maddie? Whoever told you you’re not smart enough to run a business is just plain stupid. You’re quick, you’re intelligent and you know your market. All you lack is a little faith in the abilities God’s given you.”
