by Beth Carter
Madison crossed her legs. “When I finally decided to date again, I met an IT guy who appeared to be nice, stable, and had a good job. But he was extremely impatient with Betsy. He didn’t like kids. At. All. He hated noise and wasn’t exactly a ‘Let’s go to a zoo or theme park kind of guy.’ Needless to say, that relationship ended within months and I’ve been solo ever since.”
“Lucky me,” Adam said.
Madison cocked an eyebrow. “Do you like zoos and theme parks?”
“Love both. In fact, our firm just landed a contract to build a new theme park at the edge of town. It’s top secret until we roll out the announcement and break ground, so mum’s the word.”
Madison made a cross sign over her chest. “You have my word. That’s exciting.”
Adam lowered his voice. “We’re going to have the biggest roller coaster in the United States, and now that we’ve met, you’ve inspired me to beef up our kiddie section. Maybe you and Betsy can give me some ideas for kid-friendly rides.” He scratched his head. “I guess we should add a petting zoo.”
She couldn’t believe her ears. I’ve had the worst luck and the best luck in the span of days.
Adam continued. “The project will take at least a year. You and Betsy can attend the grand opening next year. If that’s okay with you, of course.”
Next year? He thinks we’ll be dating next year? Madison did her best to contain her excitement. “Betsy would love that. So would I.” She leaned back in her chair and relaxed for the first time since she had been fired. This was going to be a wonderful Christmas after all.
“Ready to see the hotel? We can carry our wine glasses.”
“Sure.” Madison stood, slightly wobbly from the wine and an empty stomach.
Adam took her hand and led her through the crowd.
CHAPTER 10
Madison marveled at the twinkling, white lights encircling many of the marble columns. “I feel like I’m in an enchanted forest.”
Adam smiled. “How about an enchanted hotel?”
She bobbed her head. “Definitely.”
Adam held her hand as they passed a bongo drummer playing, what else, Little Drummer Boy. A crowd gathered around him in one section of the room near a towering Christmas tree and giant burgundy, green, blue, gold, and silver presents.
He pointed out the executive business center complete with counters and charging centers for laptops. “This is a popular area, as you might imagine.”
Nodding, Madison said, “Everyone is plugged in these days. Good thinking.”
They continued along a modern black, gold, and silver rug covered in interlocking circles, which Adam pointed out, led toward the guest hallways and conference areas.
“I smell chlorine,” Madison said.
“Wait until you see this pool.” Adam led her down another hallway and motioned toward a peanut-shaped pool.
“That’s really cool.”
Adam pointed toward the hot tub. “I could jump in there right now. Doesn’t it look relaxing?”
Madison’s mind wandered. I bet he looks great without a shirt. Why is my mind going there? This is our first date. She did her best to avoid stepping on the slick, wet concrete as Adam led her back around yet another corner.
He pointed toward a restaurant called Decelerate where a tanned, gorgeous twenty-something hostess stood at a station taking guests’ names. “We’ll eat here. The food is delicious, and the ambiance is soothing, especially during this hectic time of year.”
“I love the name.” Madison peered at the mural on the walls and ceiling which had a Colosseum-like flair. “Your attention to detail is incredible. I’d have to come here several times to take it all in.”
“Good. That’s my plan.” He winked. “Are you hungry or do you want to continue the tour?”
“I’m starving.”
Adam stepped toward the podium and greeted the hostess. “Two for dinner.”
“Sure Mr. Donovan. Follow me. Your favorite table is available.”
The hostess seated them in a perfect corner booth overlooking the striking Redbud Canyon skyline surrounded by a few skyscrapers, trees, hills, and canyons. After handing them brown leather menus and a wine list, the hostess said, “Your server will be right with you.”
Madison was glad she had worn the red dress. The hotel and restaurant were upscale and likely didn’t exactly feature her weekly tuna casserole fare. The Redbud Canyon Hotel was also somewhere her ex never would have taken her.
She glanced out the window. “The view is breathtaking. I love the cityscape combined with nature.”
Adam grinned. “I hoped you’d notice. We stood on this very spot and took multiple photos at every angle to capture the skyline.” He studied the wine list. “Would you like more wine?”
Madison knew she shouldn’t. Sometimes alcohol made her clothes come off. She didn’t want to spoil the evening—or maybe she’d make the evening. After hesitating, she said, “Yes, please.”
Adam waved the server over and ordered two more glasses of wine. He peered at the menu. “What do you enjoy eating?”
“Anything and everything. I’m not picky.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I recommend the lobster, steak, or salmon. I’ve had all three and they’re delicious.” He put his napkin in his lap and Madison followed suit.
She studied the menu and huge variety of entrees. “Salmon sounds delicious.”
“I think I’ll have steak.”
After they ordered, they made small talk. Adam asked about Betsy’s school, her favorite activities, likes, and dislikes. Madison was more than happy to discuss her greatest accomplishment. That’s how she always referred to sweet Betsy.
When she finished, Adam said, “I can tell you’re a wonderful mother. Betsy is lucky to have you.”
Madison smiled. “I’m lucky to have her.”
A server delivered their food and Madison ate ravenously.
With his fork in mid-air, Adam asked, “Have you eaten all day?”
Madison shook her head. “Not much. I guess I forgot. I always feed Betsy, though. I’m watching my pen-” She stopped herself from sounding like a total loser to this successful architect. “I need to get some food in my stomach. I’m feeling a bit woozy from the wine.”
Smiling mischievously, Adam said, “The alcohol might loosen you up a bit. Not that I want to take advantage of you—yet.”
Madison grinned. “Not that I want to be taken advantage of—yet.”
“Touché.” Adam’s eyes crinkled.
After they finished their meal, Adam ordered coffee for both of them. “Want to share a piece of pie?”
Madison laughed. “I’d have to smear it on me.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “That could happen.”
She giggled. “It’s a little soon for that and the texture wouldn’t be the best.”
He laughed. “I agree.” He closed the dessert menu. “I’m ordering pecan pie. It’s my favorite.”
“Maybe I can force one bite.”
The server reappeared with a giant slice of pie covered in whipped topping. She placed two fresh forks at the edge of the plate and topped off their coffee. “Enjoy.”
Adam thanked her and turned toward Madison. “You get the first bite.” He stabbed the pie with his fork, carved off a huge piece, and placed the fork inside Madison’s mouth. Whipped topping landed on her cheek. He leaned across the table and wiped it with his thumb.
Shockwaves went through her. It had been a long time since a man had touched her. A very long time. And a charming, wonderful man like this, to boot? She had never attracted this type of guy, let alone one with a gentle, sweet side. Madison stayed firm, though. She wasn’t about to get her hopes up nor have a broken heart on top of losing a job. Things like this didn’t happen to her. She dabbed at her face with a napkin. “That pie’s delicious.”
“Want another bite? I, uh, devoured it.” He laughed. “We can get another slice. I can never get enough pecan p
ie.”
“No, I’m stuffed. But thank you.” Madison placed her hands in her lap wondering how the rest of the evening would go. She couldn’t imagine how it would get much better . . . unless he kissed her. She fought a sudden urge to leap across the table and kiss Adam. What’s gotten into me?
CHAPTER 11
After he paid the bill, Adam reached for her hand. “Ready for the rest of the tour?”
Madison stood and followed Adam down a hallway.
He pointed toward a massive gym. “Not that you need to work out.”
She watched the late-night exercise enthusiasts. “I try to stay healthy, but between my job and Betsy, I can’t ever seem to find the time. I guess that’s one upside to my situation.”
Adam faced Madison. “A glass-half-full kind of woman. I like that. Besides, Betsy’s more important.”
“You can say that again,” Madison said.
“That.”
Madison chuckled and punched Adam playfully for the lame joke.
He turned back toward the equipment. “I enjoy working out. I get on the treadmill, rowing machine, and stationary bike four times a week.”
Madison said, “That’s an impressive amount of time with your work schedule.”
“Let’s see some more.” Adam reached for her hand. They strode toward four huge conference rooms named Unwind, Regenerate, Chill, and Disconnect.
“I love the names. Who came up with them?”
Motioning toward himself with both thumbs, Adam said, “Me. I was on deadline and sorely needed to unwind. I didn’t have time so I created the soothing names.”
She shook her head. “You think of every detail.”
“It’s my job.” He pushed on a floor-to-ceiling divider that folded into the wall. “Once the divider is removed, this room opens up to make one massive room for banquets, corporate parties, and even weddings—or the dividers stay in place for four separate event rooms.”
“That’s smart and good revenue for the hotel, I’m sure.” Madison traced her finger along the raised black and gold scroll wallpaper. A bank of windows overlooked a man-made waterfall surrounded by fake but realistic trees and greenery. “This is gorgeous—and serene, unlike any hotel I’ve ever seen.”
“Good to hear. Now, that I have your approval, I can relax.” He studied his handiwork. “Honestly, it’s great to have feedback from someone other than the hotel owners and my colleagues. I was the team leader.”
He ran his fingers through his dark hair. “This project helped me focus after my wife left. It was a much-needed distraction. That’s another reason why I came up with the names for the different conference rooms, I suppose. I needed to decompress and practically lived here. Maybe I should have named one of the rooms ‘Adam.’”
Madison detected either sadness, emptiness, or vulnerability in his eyes. She couldn’t stand it one second longer, saw the room was empty, and planted a kiss on Adam’s mouth. Not a probing kiss but not a closed-mouth kiss either. Simply a soft, thank-you-for-saving-me kiss.
Adam wrapped both arms around her neck and returned the kiss with more fervor. “You surprise me, Madison . . . er, what’s your last name?”
She shook her head. “It’s a silly last name.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a color. Why don’t you guess?”
Adam rattled off colors in quick succession—red, blue, green, purple, yellow, pink, orange-”
She held up her hand. “You’ll never guess.”
“Don’t tell me. This is fun.” He stared at the ceiling. “Brown, black, white, chartreuse, tan, gold, maroon, burgundy, violet, teal-”
Madison’s eyes twinkled. “I see you know your colors.”
“Like any good architect.” He put a finger on his cheek. “But I’m beginning to run out of guesses.”
Madison grinned. “It’s Periwinkle.”
He stroked his chin. “Periwinkle. I rather like it. Your surname suits you. It’s almost as pretty as your purplish blue eyes. Your eyes remind me of Elizabeth Taylor’s, by the way. Maybe you should change your last name to ‘Violet.’ No, Periwinkle is more original, like you.”
Adam leaned forward. “Since you broke the ice—” He kissed Madison again and pressed his body against hers.
She wriggled against him until she thought she’d burst with passion but wasn’t about to sleep with Adam on the first date. Madison wanted a second date. And a third. And a thirtieth.
CHAPTER 12
Madison and Adam had been inseparable several weeknights and the following weekend. Betsy’s grandmother had been thrilled to babysit and often brought food over for the two of them or “cooked” with Betsy while Madison enjoyed delicious candlelit dinners with Adam at the Redbud Canyon Hotel. Soon, the employees knew her name. She felt as though she were living someone else’s life.
Over dinner the prior evening, Madison had approached Adam about meeting Betsy. Overjoyed to finally be included in her life, too, he suggested they make the introductions at a Christmas tree farm.
Madison rushed home to tell her daughter she was going to meet someone special while they picked out a Christmas tree.
The following afternoon, Madison’s nerves were shot. She wondered how Betsy and Adam would get along and worried about his reaction to seeing her crappy house. She busied herself with finding holiday decorations as she dug through the red and green box she had tucked away on a garage shelf.
As she examined her Christmas décor, her face fell. They were sparse, old, and worn. And those were the good ornaments. She had picked up several at garage sales or during after-Christmas sales. Then, she spotted the cherished white snowflake ornaments her mother had crocheted. We can hang these in the front.
As she sorted through the box, she held her two prized ornaments in the air. They always made her heart swell. Betsy had made reindeer ornaments in preschool using two Popsicle sticks for antlers. Digging through the container, she retrieved a cardboard poster made with imprints of Betsy’s palms. She had drawn faces on the palms and her tiny fingers formed the antlers. She grinned. It looks like we have a reindeer theme.
Tired of bending over, Madison placed the box on the kitchen counter and rummaged through the contents until she found her sparkly gold and silver ornaments. Some were cracked or faded. Still, it was all she had. She laid the ornaments out so Betsy could help hang them later.
Betsy ran into the room. “Mommy, when can we go?”
Madison stared at her daughter’s baggy sweats and striped tee. “As soon as you change. Let me help.” She dressed her daughter in a white snowman sweater, pink leggings, and her favorite, albeit worn, white sneakers that lit up with each step. She stared at her daughter’s shoes. “Those are beginning to look ratty, Betsy.”
“I wuv them, Mommy.”
Sighing, Madison said, “Okay, okay. Put your coat on. Let’s go get a Christmas tree.”
Betsy clapped her tiny hands together and jumped up and down. “Cwismas tree. Cwismas tree.”
“That’s right. We’re getting a Christmas tree.” Madison bent down to be eye level with her daughter. “Betsy, I’m going to introduce you to a nice man I met recently.”
“Daddy?”
“No, honey, not daddy. His name is Adam.”
Betsy danced around the room chanting, ‘Cwismas tree,’ seemingly oblivious to this important moment in her little life.
As they got into the Camry, Madison’s phone rang. It was Adam. “Can you meet me at Target in the holiday aisle? I figured you could use some new decorations for the tree.”
Is this man telepathic? Madison’s heart skipped.“You must have a crystal ball or something. My decorations are, um, in pretty bad shape.” She put her phone on speaker and backed out of the garage.
Adam continued. “We’ll let Betsy pick them out.”
Madison glanced at her daughter who bounced in the seat to the song, Let It Snow. Let it Snow. Let it Snow. “You might be sorry.”
“Chri
stmas is for kids, right?” Adam said.
“Betsy will love choosing the decorations. Good thinking. See you in the Christmas aisle soon.” Madison focused on the heavy traffic. I’m falling for this man—and fast. She attempted to keep her feelings in check because she always waited for the other bough to drop. But she had yet to see a crack in their relationship, not even half a crack. Still, cautious might as well have been her middle name.
After she parked, she spotted a smiling Adam near the entrance. He wore jeans and a subtle red and green plaid shirt. She knew he had made an extra attempt to appear Christmas-y because of Betsy. Tears pricked Madison’s eyes. Happy tears. She held Betsy’s hand as they passed harried shoppers and strode toward Adam.
When they were a foot apart, he addressed Betsy first by bending down and extending his hand. “You must be the beautiful little girl your mom has told me all about.”
“I’m Betsy. Who are you?”
Still holding Betsy’s hand, he said, “My name is Adam. You can call me ‘Adam.’”
Betsy giggled. “You’re funny, Adam.”
Madison stood there perplexed. She wasn’t used to this-this, whatever it was. Happiness, maybe. “Betsy, Adam is the nice man I told you about.”
Betsy twirled on the sidewalk. “Are we going to buy toys?”
Madison shook her head. “Not tonight. Christmas is soon. You’ll get toys then. We’re going to get decorations and then buy a Christmas tree, remember?”
Betsy clapped her tiny hands. “Cwismas tree!”
“This is what Cwismas is all about.” Adam chuckled in an obvious attempt to pronounce the word exactly as Betsy had. Motioning to the left, he said, “I think the decorations are over there.” He reached for Madison’s hand.
She held her breath as they stepped into the throng of customers. There was going to be an outburst. Betsy would have one of her rare tantrums. Something had to go wrong. Her life wasn’t like this.
