Madison shifted in her chair. "I hadn't thought about it yet. Maybe some jeans and a sweater."
"Task number one. New clothes. We'll drive into the city after breakfast. Task two? Let's talk about talk."
"Talk?" Madison's fork paused in mid-air. "Now I don't speak correctly?"
"You speak fine. We just need to tweak things a bit. First, let the man talk. Find out his interests. If they aren't your interests, well, just pretend they are or that you're fascinated by what he's saying." She smiled. "And whatever you do, do not, I repeat, do not have sex with him tonight. Men like Tanner Marks like to strive for things. Compete. Win. You need to be a prize he wants to work for."
Madison clapped her hand to her forehead. "It shouldn't be this difficult. I'm shocked the human race hasn't died out if this is what it takes to get a man interested in a woman. Do they all have such weak egos?"
Sherry laughed. "Luckily, no. And it's only in the beginning, when you first get to know them. They need some encouragement, that's all."
Madison frowned. "Sex on the first date is bad? I thought men really liked sex. The few times I've had sex they seemed to like it."
"Sex on the first date is bad. You don't want him to think you do that with every guy."
Madison gave up on her eggs. "Can't I just tell him I don't? I told him I'd only been out on twenty-six dates."
Sherry groaned. "He won't believe you. And now would be a good time to mention that you should try and keep an air of mystery around you. He doesn't need to know every little thing about your life."
Madison felt her indignation rise. "He won't believe me? That seems harsh. I don't assume he's a liar."
"Well, you should," Sherry countered. "Women lie to men about their sexual experience, so he'll be suspicious of a thirty year old that's not far from a virgin. And yes, my friend, men lie. Some lie like dirty dogs to get in your pants. They'll say or do anything that will get you to go to bed with them. Remember Todd Baker? He took me out my senior year and got in my pants, then showed up with Tracy Gildbrand at the game the next day. Asshole."
"Tanner wouldn't lie to me." Madison was sure of this.
"He probably wouldn't, but you need to know that many men do. Reality is a heartless bitch."
"Says the woman who creates fantasy weddings for other people. Do you give this pep talk to your brides?"
"A version of it. I tell them even if the wedding is a disaster, they're still just as married."
Madison's eyebrows rose. "Maybe you're the heartless bitch."
Sherry shrugged. "I'm simply managing their expectations. Perfection is not a reasonable expectation."
Madison sipped her coffee and leaned over in her chair to make sure her father was still in the living room. "I hope you're right. I like Tanner and I don't want to scare him off."
"Oh, that reminds me. Don't talk about gross, bloody stuff, Star Wars, Star Trek, Dr. Who, global warming, or grisly death of any kind. Got it?"
"That's pretty much all I know. Science and geeky stuff. Besides, we've already talked about gruesome things." Sherry shook her head and frowned. Madison sighed and capitulated. Perhaps she should be taking notes on her hand so she could remind herself in the middle of the date. "What should I talk about?"
"Him. Ask him about his interests. Movies, books, sports, his childhood. Men love talking about themselves. Do that and he'll think you're wonderful."
"Okay." Madison pushed her plate away. "I can do that."
"You can do what, sweetheart?" Madison's dad entered the kitchen and headed straight for the coffee pot.
"Oh, just go shopping with Sherry today. What do you have planned? How's Aunt Carole?"
Her father smiled. Madison's mother had died when she was thirteen and Greg Shay had done everything he could to be both parents for his daughter. Madison never doubted his devotion and love. It had been an easy decision when he'd asked her to come home to help him with his practice and eventually take over.
"Your aunt is doing well. She's says it's cold and rainy in Seattle, but then it rains all the time there."
"Is she going to come visit this spring?" Aunt Carole usually spent a week in Montana for Easter.
A strange expression flitted over her father's face but was gone in an instant. "Not this year. She has some things going on at work." Her father added cream and sugar to his coffee and absently stirred the hot liquid. "In fact, she was asking if I could come back and spend some more time with her. She needs some advice and has asked me to help."
Madison sucked in a breath. "Is Aunt Carole sick?"
"No, no." Her father waved the concern away. "I shouldn't have been so vague. Forgive me. She's having some renovations done and she's asked me to help oversee them. You know how anxiety-ridden your aunt gets about these things."
Aunt Carole was the president of a bank and one of the most capable women Madison had ever known, but certainly home improvement projects could be stressful. Carole had divorced her husband about five years ago and did often turn to her brother for advice.
"I'm sure I can handle things, Dad," Madison assured him. "How long will you be gone?"
"I'm not gone yet." Her dad's eyes twinkled. "I won't leave for a week or two. Not sure how long I'll be away. I'm so glad you're helping with things. It's nice having you here."
"It's good to be back." Madison was surprised, but she truly felt that way. Being in Springwood was a good thing, and she was determined to put her rocky childhood behind her.
Her dad opened the freezer and looked inside, pushing around the contents. "What do you want for dinner? We have steaks and there's chicken in here, too."
The moment had arrived. "I won't be home for dinner actually, Dad. I have dinner plans."
Her dad turned with a smile. "You and Sherry going out somewhere? The barbecue place has a brisket on Sunday nights."
"Um, no. I'm having dinner with Tanner Marks." Madison braced herself for a reaction. Her father never thought the men she dated were good enough. He'd been disdainful of them all. At least the ones he'd met.
Greg Shay's jaw went slack but he quickly recovered. "Tanner Marks is a fine man and a good sheriff." Her father paused. "He has had some issues in his past, but they do seem to be in the past."
"What issues?" Madison frowned. "I wasn't aware of anything."
Madison's father sighed. "He had a drinking problem years ago. He liked to hang out at the local watering hole, have a few too many, and close it down several nights a week."
"I had no idea." It didn't sound like Tanner in the least. Her head swiveled to Sherry. "Did you know?"
Sherry nodded. "I thought everyone knew, honestly. Is it a big deal?"
Madison shook her head. "No, it just surprised me that's all. Dad, you said he had a drinking problem. Does that mean he doesn't now?" Tanner had always seemed completely in control when she'd been around him.
"From what I've heard he hasn't touched the stuff for about ten years. Sober as a judge. He was a wild one back in the day, though. I heard he was the life of the party. People have conjectured that's why he and Abby divorced. His son, Chris, appears to have inherited the propensity to drink. He's constantly in the drunk tank or getting in a fight."
"Tanner's been sheriff for thirteen years," Madison said in amazement. "The town elected him Sheriff knowing he liked to drink? I guess this little town isn't as closed-minded as I thought."
Greg Shay chuckled. "Remember this is Montana. A hard drinking, hard partying man isn't considered a problem as long as he takes care of business. And Tanner Marks has taken good care of this town. Sheriff Tunney used to keep some rotgut whiskey in his desk and drink during the day. No one thought a thing about it."
Madison rubbed her chin. "Alcohol addiction is complex. It's not just genetic factors, but environment and personality." She looked at her dad. "How did I not know this? Was it a well-kept secret?"
"Why would you know?" He shrugged. "You were too young to hang out in bars. No one thought muc
h about it so they didn't gossip about him. He wasn't a man to fall over his own feet even drunk so even if you saw him it wouldn't have been obvious."
"Does this bother you?" Sherry queried. "It was all so long ago I didn't think it was a big deal. You could always call him and cancel."
Madison shook her head. "It doesn't bother me in the least. Can you imagine the strength of character he must have to overcome his body's desire for alcohol? I'm not even going to go into how serotonin and dopamine can play into addiction."
Her father nodded. "You make a good point." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Have a good time tonight."
"Thank you, Dad." Madison smiled.
"Thank you for growing up into such a fine young woman. Now if you ladies will excuse me, I'm heading over to Harvey's today. I'm helping him work on that bookcase he's building." Her father hurried out of the kitchen and Sherry grabbed Madison's hand.
"I knew you wouldn't care. That's what makes you two so perfect for one another. Your ability to see past the superficial stuff."
"It actually helps me relax." Madison sat back in her chair with a smile.
"How on earth does this help you relax? You won't have to pair your wine with the entree?"
Madison laughed. "It means he's not perfect. It means he has flaws. I can deal with a man who has the occasional dent in his armor. It makes him more human."
Sherry sighed. "I guess I see what you mean. I like that Dan isn't perfect. I like some of his flaws. Like how he snores after he eats pasta and how he's the worst speller in the world."
"I'll just ask him about it," Madison said, lifting their plates from the table and heading to the sink.
"No," Sherry gasped. "You can't do that." She looked scandalized.
"That's a no-no, too?" Madison rinsed the dishes and dried her hands. "Fine. There are way too many rules in dating."
"You'll remember all them. Don't worry."
"I've got lots of things to worry about but I don't think that's one of them. Let's get on the road and I'll let you browbeat me into buying clothes I would never choose myself."
"Deal." Sherry bounced out of her chair. "I know just what you need. We're going to start with your underwear."
Madison groaned. It was going to be a long day. And she liked her underwear just fine.
* * * *
Tanner was shoving a load of towels into the washer when he heard a rap on his front door. Scout, his four year-old German Shepherd lifted his head from where he was lying on the kitchen floor and whined. He wanted to bark and run around but was too well-trained to do it. Tanner walked to the front window, stopping to scratch Scout behind the ears.
"Good boy," he crooned.
One look outside made his gut clench. It was Stacey, Chris's wife. She appeared to be on her own. He opened the door, Scout immediately behind him and ready to rip off a limb if the visitor was unwanted.
"Hey, Stacey. Come on in. How about a cup of coffee?"
Tanner acted as if it was a social call but he knew better. Stacey's features were pinched and she looked like she hadn't had a good night's sleep in a while. Scout recognized her and danced around her legs while she pet him. Stacey picked up one of Scout's toys and tossed it into the living room. Scout went scampering after it with a happy bark.
Stacey entered but seemed to hover in the foyer. He put his arm around her shoulders and led her into the kitchen. She sat down at the table, staring at her purse. He waited while she gathered her thoughts. He liked Stacey and she deserved better than what she had with his son. Tanner had hoped she would be a calming influence on Chris but the opposite effect seemed to have taken place. He was wilder than ever since he married Stacey nine months ago.
"I've left Chris." Her simple statement broke his heart but didn't surprise him. He'd wondered how long she could hang in there. Tanner sat down at the table across from her. Her eyes were bright with tears and her lips trembled. Scout brought his toy into the kitchen, dropping it at Stacey's feet. As if he knew she was upset, he rested his head on her thigh in comfort.
"I'm sorry to hear that, but I had a feeling it might be coming. Where are you staying? What about Annie?" he asked gently.
At the mention of her daughter, she smiled weakly. "She's with my parents. That's where we're going to stay for awhile until I can figure out what I'm going to do." Her face crumpled. "I talked to my mom and dad. I'm going to file for a divorce and ask for full custody of Annie. Don't worry. I'll make sure you get to see her, Tanner. I just can't have her around Chris anymore. I can't trust him."
Alarm shot through him. "Has he hurt you and Annie?"
She shook her head but the tears were starting to fall. "No, but he's so angry, Tanner. He yells and scares the baby. He scares me. I can't take it anymore. He says that everything will be better now that he's working for Fenton, but I need to see it before I can believe it."
Chris had done a number on trust with his loved ones. Tanner knew from experience it would take a long time to build it back up. Working for Fenton wasn't a magic cure-all for what ailed Chris.
He patted her hand. "You did the right thing. Until Chris sees the consequences of his behavior, he won't change."
She lifted her tear-stained face to him, her eyes beseeching. "Will you talk to him again? Try and convince him to go to the AA meeting with you? I want Annie to have her father, but not this way."
She scrubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and anguish filled Tanner's soul. He wasn't sure she would understand that Chris had to want to do this himself.
"I'll talk to him," Tanner found himself saying. "I don't think it will make any difference, but I will. Chris doesn't have any respect for me."
"You're wrong." Stacey shook her head. "He does. He knows you quit drinking cold turkey. But he doesn't have the confidence to think he can do that himself."
Tanner didn't agree with Stacey's assessment but that wasn't the important thing at the moment.
"Do you need anything? Does Annie need anything?" Chris's regular bouts of unemployment had wrecked their finances. Stacey, Chris, and Annie were basically living hand to mouth.
"My parents are taking good care of us. We're okay." She stood, clutching her purse as if it was a lifeline. Scout sprang to life, watching her intently.
Tanner stood as well, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Whatever you need, day or night, you call me. Promise?"
Stacey sniffled and ruffled Scout's fur. "Promise. Thank you, Tanner. I know we can always count on you."
He walked her to the door. "Does Abby know yet?"
Stacey stepped out onto the porch. "I assume Chris will tell her and Fenton. You know Abby and I don't have the greatest relationship."
Abby had never thought any woman would be good enough for her baby boy, hence her chilly demeanor when dealing with Stacey.
"You're probably right. I'll talk to you after I've talked to Chris. Still the same cell number?"
She nodded and headed down the driveway to her old car. Tanner had wanted to buy them more reliable transportation when Annie was born but Stacey had been too proud to allow it. He watched her drive away, impervious to the bitter cold and lost in thought about his herculean task. He'd promised to talk to his son.
And he would do it. He'd promised Stacey. He didn't think it would make a damn bit of difference but he'd try. One more time.
Tanner glanced at his watch and scowled. Finding his son was the issue. What dive watering-hole would be open at eleven o'clock in the morning on a Sunday?
None.
That meant Chris was sleeping it off somewhere. Tanner headed back into the house to grab his coat and keys. He had some drunken, hung-over butt to kick.
"Scout, watch the house for me. I'll be gone for awhile."
The dog barked as if he understood every word, parking himself on the living room rug. He was sprawled as if he didn't have a care in the world. Tanner chuckled as Scout's eyes closed. The dog would be snoring within minutes. Tanner wou
ld love to be as carefree, if only for a day. But he wasn't a dog, he was a father. A father who needed to have a talk with his son. It wouldn't be the last.
Chapter Seven
Madison almost fell into the chair. Her feet hurt, her head hurt, and her credit card was screaming after the workout she'd given it. She grunted with relief and flexed her feet, stretching her toes inside her warm Ugg boots. They had literally shopped until Madison couldn't take it anymore, so Sherry had dragged them both to one of the mall restaurants for a bite to eat. Madison could only hope the shopping portion of the day was complete.
"You need to exercise your shopping muscles more." Sherry laughed, helping Madison stack the purchases in the two empty chairs at their table. "You're out of shape."
"I think my credit card actually caught fire at the last store. I'm sure I'm going to hear from my bank when they see a long list of charges at the mall."
"When they call you can tell them your friend helped you be stylish and sophisticated."
Madison couldn't argue. Although the delicate and lacy underthings Sherry had insisted on Madison buying wouldn't be seen by many, if anyone, the other garments made her feel amazing. When she'd put them on and gazed in the mirror, it was hard to believe it was herself gazing back. The old saying about clothes making the man were true, or in this case the woman.
"I really do need to thank you. I never would have thought to even try on most of what you picked out. They didn't look good on the hanger."
Sherry leaned over the table. "The secret of shopping. Sometimes great clothes look terrible on the hanger. They need a great figure to fill them out. You have one. I swear everything you tried on looked like it was made for you. I almost hate you." Sherry grinned. "And lunch is on me since you took my advice without too much fuss. I expected to have to do much more persuading."
The waitress came to the table and took their drink order. Sherry ordered a Coke and Madison ordered an iced tea.
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