Surprise! Surprise!

by Tina Leonard

  Maddie sighed with relief as the woman proudly achieved her mission of water collection. She really was beautiful, now that all her wires were uncrossed.

  “Maddie?” Franny called into the master bathroom.

  “In here.”

  “Are you decent?” her mother asked.

  Maddie smiled. “Come on in. I was just doing something I should have done a long time ago.”

  Franny came into the room, the cordless phone in her hand. “Oh, doesn’t she look regal! I always knew the plumbing would work just fine one day.” She grinned at Maddie, proud of her daughter’s handiwork. “Sam’s on the phone.”

  She gestured with the phone at Maddie, who eagerly took it and shooed her mother from the bathroom. “Hi, Sam.”

  “How’s my wife?”

  His voice sounded a bit disconnected over the wires. “She misses you dreadfully.”

  “I miss you, too.”

  “How’s everything in France?” She dipped a finger in the water, which ran cool and smooth into the basin as she waited for Sam’s answer.

  “Vivi’s just about talked Jean-Luc into giving himself up.”

  “Oh, how heartbreaking for her. I would die if Joey was in trouble like that! I’d have to thrash him, and then lecture him, and he would never, ever go near trouble again. I’m positive Vivi’s too ladylike for that, though.”

  Sam cleared his throat. “Actually, she’s pretty volatile when she gets upset. She has quite a temper on her, which has been a revelation for easygoing Martin. The fact that her brother couldn’t deal with the family business being sold apparently has no bearing on her. She’s all but told her brother that if he doesn’t bring back the money and honor the spirit of the deal worked out between them and me…” He halted for a moment. “Never mind. The rest of it wasn’t pretty.”

  “Oh, dear. I’m sorry, Sam.”

  “It’s not as bad as it could be. Apparently when our folks were over here, poking around and generally being ‘American’, as Vivi politely termed it—”

  “Brash and unforgivably nosy,” Maddie said with a smile.

  “Exactly, but she’s too refined to say that. Anyway, they apparently spooked Jean-Luc. He realized his game could be up at any moment, and skipped with the money.”

  “I guess we have to thank the folks, this time, for their meddling.” She laughed, noticing instantly that Sam didn’t. “How’s everything else, Sam? You sound so tired.”

  “I’m not tired. I didn’t call about Jardin, though. I have something to tell you, which I shouldn’t, but I’m going to risk some old-fashioned nosiness myself.”

  “Oh, my. I am intrigued.”

  He cleared his throat. “Now, I don’t want you thrashing Joey, honey. This is important. He doesn’t want to talk to you about this. Well, he does and he doesn’t. He’s afraid to hurt your feelings, but…Sasha’s pregnant.”

  Ten thoughts flew into Maddie’s brain at once, none of which came out coherent. “I wonder if her belly-button ring will have to come out?”

  “Maddie—”

  “That’s a shame because they’re awfully young, but I know my grandparents said the same thing about my parents, so maybe passion flows in our genes at a young age. Still, it’s none of—”

  “Maddie!”

  “Yes, Sam?”

  “This is your business. You are allowed to stick your nose in. Joey wants you to, but he’s too afraid to call you.”

  “Afraid? Why? I wouldn’t thrash him over a pregnancy. I haven’t been able to beat up on him since he entered junior high, technically.”

  “No, but he’s always listened to his big sister. You’re up on some kind of sibling pedestal that he strains to live up to.”

  “Then why is he afraid to call me?”

  “He’s afraid you’ll be upset that he’s having a child and you…can’t.”

  She stared at the beautiful statue gracing the bathroom, the water streaming in a feminine, earth mother way. “No,” she said softly, “I’m over all that. My children and my husband are all that matter to me, besides our families. My man and my babies make me whole.”

  “I love you,” Sam said, his voice distant over the long-distance line. “I miss you and my sons.”

  “I love you, too,” she said, her heart yearning for something completely different right now. “Sam, you tell Joey his big sister loves him, too.”

  “I will. Maddie, I miss you.”

  She smiled to herself. He wouldn’t much longer. There was a new mission in her life, and it was one she wanted with all her heart.

  Chapter Twenty

  Sam sat up, astonished when he heard a key grating in the lock.

  He was even more stunned a second later when Maddie breezed in, carting two baby carriers.

  “Maddie!” Jumping to his feet, he hurried over to hug her and help her inside.

  “Meter’s running, Sam,” she said with a joyful laugh. “If we’ve lost everything, you’d better hurry down and rescue my bags from the cab driver. He needs to be paid, and I didn’t stop to get enough francs.”

  Sam hurried to pay the cab driver, his heart soaring. He was back as fast as he could to soundly kiss his wife and then his two babies. “They’ve grown so much! You boys are so big you look like your uncle Joey! I’ve missed you!” He kissed Maddie again. “I can’t believe you flew all that way with two babies by yourself.”

  “Neither could our mothers. They approved of me joining you, but they were terrified of recirculated air in the airplane. And germs in the airport. If they’d had their way, they would have piped the babies under the ocean in a tube, I think.”

  Sam laughed, freeing first Henry, then Hayden from the carriers. “If my mother had warned me you were coming, I would have run the sweeper around the apartment.”

  Maddie kicked off her shoes, giving him a sexy-siren smile. “That’s not what I would have wanted you to do.”

  “You’re right. I would have procured some fabulous French wine, maybe some roses.” He went to sit beside her, so they could be together as they held their children. “I wouldn’t have been able to sleep, I would have been so excited.”

  “You needed your rest. These little guys sleep through the night now, but they sure know how to keep people running during the day.” Maddie smiled at Sam, her head tilted just enough so that he could see the pretty green of her eyes in the dim apartment light.

  “You’re beautiful,” he told her. “Somehow, you look different.”

  “I feel different.”

  “What made you decide to come back?”

  “I needed you. And you sounded tired, troubled. Two sets of shoulders carry the burden much better than one, Sam. I want us to share the good times and the bad. It’s what we’ve never really done before, and I know we can now. I’ve put the tears away for good. No more waterworks and regret for me.”

  “You didn’t come all this way just to bawl out your brother? He should be here in about five minutes.”

  “Why?” Maddie asked, bouncing Henry gently as she looked at Sam.

  “He and Sasha are getting married this afternoon. He didn’t call you?”

  Silently, she shook her head. Sam could see that she was confused.

  “That’s not the real reason you’re here?”

  “I’ve told you why I’m here. It’s because of the good times and the bad. It’s because we’re going to grow together in this marriage, and even when everything we try to build burns down around our ears, we’re going to help each other find the new growth just beneath the charred surface.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way. I’ve been so turned in on myself, Maddie. All I could think of was how disappointed you must be in my inability to provide for you.”

  “What?” Outrage made her voice a yelp. “Sam Winston, how could you think such a thing?”

  “Probably the same way you worry about giving me more children. I’m fine with these two. I always was. In fact, I was fine with none, except that I blam
ed myself for not being able to get you pregnant then.”

  “That doesn’t matter anymore.” Maddie smiled at him, her gaze warm. “And Sam, please don’t ever think I need to be provided for. We will take care of this family, you and I. Together.”

  She sat back down again, hugging him close. He put his arm around her shoulders. “Does this mean I can give you what I tried to give you a few weeks ago on our second honeymoon?”

  Banging on the door halted her answer. Maddie stared at Sam, her eyes huge in her face. She might not want to get involved in her brother’s affairs, but he could tell it was eating at her something fierce. Reluctantly, he got up to open the door.

  “Maddie!” Joey cried when he saw his sister and his nephews.

  She jumped up, rushing to hug her brother. He enveloped her in a bear hug, careful of the baby she held in her arms.

  “Did Sam call you?” Joey asked.

  “No. I came to be with my husband. He just told me where you’re going this afternoon.” For the first time, she realized Sam had on a dark suit, much like the one her brother wore. She’d thought he was dressed for work. “You’re dressed for a wedding,” she said to Sam.

  “I’m best man,” he told her, his expression slightly worried.

  “Sam Winston! You weren’t going to tell me!” Maddie put a hand on her hip as she cradled the baby to her chest with the other. “You let me pour my heart out to you, and you were holding back!”

  “I told you the who and the why. I just couldn’t tell you the when, Maddie. Don’t be upset. I knew if you found out the wedding was imminent, you’d be over here in a flash. I thought it was better for you to be in Texas, where you have our families to help you.”

  She blinked, her breath knocked right out of her. “I don’t believe it.”

  “Don’t be angry,” Joey begged. “I didn’t want anyone to know. In time, I’ll tell the folks, but right now, I just can’t. They’re going to be heartbroken.”

  “Yes, they will be,” Maddie said softly. “It certainly feels as though mine is breaking. I told myself I wasn’t going to do this, but doggone it, I am, anyway. It may be coming a little late, and I hate to rain on your happiness, but…” She took a deep breath, glancing at the men who stared at her warily. “Marriage gets rocky, Joey. If this woman isn’t the dream partner you’ve always envisioned, don’t go to the church today.”

  “Actually, we’re not getting married in a church,” Joey said, his face pink. “She wanted a New Age ceremony.”

  “That’s fine,” Maddie said, “if it’s what you both agreed on.”

  He didn’t answer.

  “And babies are demanding. You’re both prepared to give up major chunks of your lives to dedicate to this infant?”

  “I know I am. I’m not totally irresponsible.”

  “Just in the matter of birth control,” she reminded him, keeping her tone gentle.

  “I was certain I wasn’t irresponsible,” Joey assured her. “I’ve heard that lecture so many times over the years from Mom and Dad it’s seared into my head! I…used protection every time. Sasha says sometimes these things just happen.”

  Maddie’s gaze flew to Sam’s. His eyes were as worried as she knew hers must be. She knew her brother so well—there was more going on than he was telling her. “Joey,” she said quietly, “are you upset about not going back to college?”

  His lips twisted into an uneven line. “I didn’t make that swift of grades last quarter, Maddie. I can’t play the fall season. I got suspended.”

  “Oh, boy.” Her knees gave way, and she dropped onto the sofa. She stared up at him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “You were busy with your own problems. It seemed selfish to bother you.”

  She shook her head. “It seems I was the one being selfish. I should have been there for you to talk to.”

  “Neither of you were being selfish,” Sam said. “These are the hard moments families face together. Joey should have been studying harder, and we should have been paying more attention to our marriage so he wouldn’t worry about coming to you when he needed advice.”

  “I have a little late-breaking advice, Joey, now that I’m paying attention,” Maddie said softly. “You don’t have to marry Sasha just because you’re afraid to let Mom and Dad down. They’ll get over it. Yes, they’ll be disappointed, but they’re tough.”

  Sam came to sit next to her, putting his hand over hers, and Maddie felt the connection, the fusing of their lives. “Trust me, when you’ve found love, it’ll be the most wonderful moment of your life,” she told Joey, her heart singing from being able to give him good counsel on something she knew about first-hand. “I want you to be happy. Our parents would want you to be happy.”

  “How do I tell her?” Joey asked.

  Sam and Maddie looked at each other.

  “Just meet her and tell her the truth. I think perhaps you should talk to her about establishing paternity, so that Martin can work up some legal documents where the child is concerned.”

  “Establish paternity?” Joey sank into a nearby chair. “To make sure I’m the father?”

  “Joey,” Maddie protested, her tone kind. “We’re not trying to be hard on you, but we don’t really know this woman. All Sam and I are saying is that it would be best to have this sort of test done. That will give you some more time to think about getting married.”

  “She’s not going to like that idea,” Joey said, scratching his head. “She’s always talking about how cool it will be to be part of the Jardin scene. Jardin is a big deal in France.”

  “How does Jardin fit into her scene?” Maddie asked, beginning to see where this was going but wanting to hear it confirmed.

  “It’s a famous company. Vivi and Jean-Luc are very generous, glamorous people in France. I guess Sasha thought marrying me would give her access to some of that.”

  “And Sasha thinks life is going to be fast boats and Lear jets.” She grinned at Sam. “Sasha’s welcome to our debt, if she really wants to be part of Jardin. In fact, why don’t you mention that to her?”

  “Mention what?” Joey’s face was utterly blank.

  “You didn’t tell him, did you?” Maddie asked Sam.

  “No. He had plenty on his mind as it was.”

  Maddie started to laugh. “Tell him, Sam.”

  Sam said ruefully, “Jardin was embezzled by Jean-Luc. We’re trying to recover millions of dollars right now. It could take years, Joey. Truthfully, there isn’t any money for anything faster than a rusty tug-boat or a paper airplane.”

  Then he chuckled. This made the babies start a little as they lay in their parents’ arms, but they didn’t cry out. Maddie thought they were already readjusting to being around their father, which made her proud. She grinned at her brother. “Sam and I are going to rebuild Jardin together, from the dirt up if we have to, into the successful wine company he’s—we’ve—always dreamed of. If Sasha wants in on the ground floor, you can tell her we have some openings for farm workers and bottlers.”

  It seemed like a burden lifted from Joey’s shoulders. “She likes a more glamorous life. I don’t think that’s an offer she’ll take me up on.”

  Maddie and Sam shared a smile. “We don’t think you’ll regret it,” she said. “When the right person comes along, there won’t be a doubt in your mind you’re doing the right thing.”

  THREE HOURS LATER, Joey called with good news. “You were right. Sasha decided marriage wasn’t for her once I told her about the embezzling problem. Funny thing was, it was on the front page of today’s newspaper. She was reading it as I caught up to her in the park.”

  “Joey, I’m so sorry,” Maddie said.

  “I’m not. She acted like I had an advanced case of rabies. The most amazing thing was, when I asked her what we were going to do about the baby, she said she’d started her, um—”

  “Never mind. I know where you’re going.” Maddie interrupted with a grin. There were some subjects even the closest o
f brothers and sisters didn’t have to discuss.

  “The all-clear happened this afternoon, Sasha told me,” Joey said in a rush.

  “Imagine that.” Maddie rolled her eyes. Right after she read the paper, she thought, but she didn’t say it out loud. Babies were a special blessing for people who wanted them; it made her angry that the weapon of fatherhood had been used against her trusting brother.

  “I’m going back to school,” Joey said cheerfully. “In fact, I’m calling from the airport. I’ve got a flight out today. As soon as I land, I’m going to tell the folks about my grades, and that I’m going to work double hard to make it up. I’ll worry about football later. Maybe I’ll play, maybe I won’t, but I definitely want to clear my conscience with them.”

  “I’m so proud of you. Although you should be prepared, Joey. You know they’ll probably switch the full depth of their helpfulness from me to you. I’m out of their reach in France.”

  “That’s okay,” Joey said, and she could hear the grin in his voice. “I need their guidance more than you do.”

  “I have Sam to keep me level.”

  Sam patted her leg, supporting her as he listened to the conversation.

  “Thanks, Maddie,” Joey said. “For everything.”

  She smiled. “No problem. It’s what sisters are for. Remember, I’m just a phone call away. Well, what am I saying? You know very well how to call France.”

  They laughed together at the gentle reminder of Joey’s phone call to Sam when his twins were born. “I never talked to you about that,” she reminded him.

  “Go ahead. Chew my ears off. I deserve it for meddling.”

  Maddie’s face shone with happiness. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you for helping Sam and me get back together.”

  “Anytime,” Joey said. “That’s what brothers are for.”

  WHEN THE BABIES went to sleep that evening, Sam hurried his wife toward the bed. “I’m heartily sick of sleeping alone. I’ve missed you,” he told her. “I thought I would go mad staring up at this ceiling in the darkness. We’ve had too many months apart. Your body was made to fit next to mine, so I hope you’re planning on staying a long time.”