RAINBOW’S END: FOUR-IN-ONE COLLECTION

by Valerie Comer, Annalisa Daughety, Nicole O’Dell

  “You mean you haven’t been studying the trails and maps each night?” Grant asked.

  She looked at him with wide eyes. “No.”

  He chuckled. “Good. Us either. We’re going to rely on natural talent.”

  “There’s the guy who sold me the GPS,” Brook said, motioning toward a tall guy standing at the edge of the crowd. “Let’s go see if he can give us some tips on how to use it.” She linked arms with Madison. “Good to see you, Grant. Maybe we’ll see you out on the trails. And Mr. Simmons, why don’t you come over for supper one night soon?”

  Grandpa nodded. “You don’t have to ask me twice. Just give me a call whenever you want me. Preferably when you make some of the chocolate cake I like so much.” He chuckled.

  Grant watched the sisters walk off, Scott trailing behind them. He turned to Grandpa, who was watching him curiously.

  “She’s a looker,” Grandpa said.

  Grant shrugged. “Yeah, but she’s married.”

  Grandpa frowned. “I’m talking about Madison, and you know it.”

  “She might be a looker beneath that perfectly made-up exterior. It’s hard to tell.” Fancy clothes and a lot of makeup, plus those skyscraper heels, screamed high-maintenance. Grant had been down that road before.

  And it wasn’t an experience he planned to repeat.

  Chapter 2

  You’re sure you don’t want to come?” Brook asked. “After all, he’s your dad, too.” Madison shook her head. “I’m positive. I’ll visit him sometime, but not today.” She hadn’t so much as spoken to her dad in six years. And even then it had just been small talk in the hospital waiting room while Brook was in labor.

  Brook sighed. “Maddie, things have changed a lot. You might be surprised.”

  Madison bristled at the use of her hated childhood nickname. “Don’t call me that. And people don’t change.”

  Brook frowned but didn’t say anything. She grabbed her purse from the kitchen table. “I won’t be gone long. Maybe when I get back we can go find a cache.”

  Madison shrugged. “Whatever.” She watched as Brook walked out the back door. Her sister had always been close to their dad. Even when they were kids, Brook was always Dad’s favorite. Madison had been closer to Mama.

  “It’s not too late to catch her, you know,” Scott said from the doorway. “I know she’d like for you to go with her.”

  Madison managed a half smile. “I’m fine here.” She sat down at the kitchen table and leafed through yesterday’s newspaper.

  Scott sat down across from her. “It must be exhausting.”

  She froze at the coolness in his voice. “What’s that?”

  “Carrying around that giant chip on your shoulder. It’s amazing that you can even walk upright.”

  Madison scowled. “I know you’ve never been a fan of mine, but don’t you think you’re being a little harsh?”

  “Oh, this has nothing to do with me not being a fan of yours. It has to do with the fact that I’ve stood by and watched Brook make excuse after excuse for you. While you’re off gallivanting around without a care in the world, Brook is here taking care of things. Who do you think takes your grandmother to her doctor visits? Who do you think sees to it that your dad has plenty of food to eat? Who do you think makes sure there are always flowers on your mama’s grave?” Scott glowered. “And she does it without ever complaining that everything falls on her because you aren’t grown-up enough to face what’s going on here.”

  Madison pushed her chair back from the table and stood, fists clenched. “If Brook has a problem with me, then why did she insist I come and stay for the summer? I think it’s you that has the problem. I thought you and I could play nice for a couple of months for Brook’s sake, but clearly I was wrong.” She turned on her heel and rushed outside. She blinked against the bright sunlight and the hot tears that threatened to spill.

  She’d just wait until Brook came back before she went back inside. She didn’t want to spend another second with Scott. She’d been stupid to come here. One of her friends from the church she attended in Atlanta had offered to let her move in while she job hunted, but she’d been afraid the job search would take too long. And Brook had begged her to come back to Missouri for the summer, so she’d caved.

  At the edge of the driveway, she turned left. Maybe a nice walk would cool her down. Except that it was at least ninety degrees outside.

  “Madison?” A voice called from across the street.

  She looked up to see Mr. Simmons sitting on his front porch. She managed a smile. “Hi, Mr. Simmons.”

  He waved her over. “Have you and Brook found any geocaches yet? Grant and I logged our first one yesterday.”

  Brook had tried to get Madison to look for one yesterday, but Madison had spent the day working on her résumé. “No sir. But maybe later this afternoon.”

  He grinned. “We had a good time, but I’m afraid I’m beat today. I told Grant he might be on his own part of the time.”

  Madison nodded. Maybe Grant and Brook could hunt for the caches together since they were so gung ho. “That might be a good idea.”

  He motioned toward the house. “Would you like to come inside for a glass of lemonade? It sure is hot out here.”

  Brook could be gone for a while, and Madison had no intention of spending more time with Scott. “Sure.” She followed the elderly man into his sparsely decorated living room. An ancient brown couch sat along one wall. A series of framed photos hung above it.

  Madison peered at the pictures.

  “That’s me and Dorothy on our wedding day.” Mr. Simmons pointed at a black-and-white picture. “It was the happiest day of my life.”

  She glanced at him and grinned. Even though she would never describe herself as a hopeless romantic, there was something very sweet about the old man’s obvious devotion to his wife. “She was beautiful.”

  “Sure was. She went home to be with the Lord five years ago.” He shook his head. “I always thought I’d go first. But He had other plans.” He pointed to a picture of a small blond boy holding up a fish. “That was Grant’s first catch.”

  Madison leaned forward to get a better look. “Wow, he’s so little.” Grant’s blond curls framed his face, giving him an almost cherubic look. Although from the looks of him the other day, he’d outgrown his angel phase.

  “He was four. His dad and I took him. ‘Course when it came time to clean the fish and fry it, he had a fit. Cried and cried. I think he thought he could bring it home like a pet.” He chuckled.

  “Kids are funny.” Madison followed him into a kitchen that made her feel like she’d stepped right into the sixties.

  “How about you? Do you have a boyfriend?”

  She shook her head. “No sir.” Normally she would’ve been put off by someone she’d just met delving into her personal life, but she could tell Mr. Simmons wasn’t being nosy.

  “Brook talks about you a lot. It sounds like you live quite the exciting life.” He poured lemonade into a glass and slid it across the counter to her.

  “I don’t know about exciting. But I travel a lot.”

  Mr. Simmons took a sip of lemonade. “Travel is good. But family is better.”

  First Scott, now Mr. Simmons. It seemed like everyone wanted to shove family down her throat. “I guess it depends on the family.”

  He leveled his gaze on her. “I knew your mom’s parents. Your granddad and I were in the service together. Dorothy and Clarice were high school friends. We ended up living on the same street for a while.” His wrinkled face broke into a smile.

  “Those were happy times. Our kids went to school together.” “So you knew my mama?”

  Mr. Simmons nodded. “You look a lot like her, you know. I remember how she used to give your grandparents fits, always wanting to go to the city. We all expected her to hit the road as soon as she graduated, but she stayed put.”

  It had been Mama’s biggest regret. Staying in Roach, Missouri, and marrying the f
irst boy she fell in love with. Madison had been determined not to make the same mistake, so she’d left and never looked back.

  The back door flung open, startling Mr. Simmons. He steadied his lemonade to keep it from spilling.

  “Hey, Gramps,” Grant said with a grin. His gaze landed on Madison, and he furrowed his brow. “I didn’t expect you’d have company. I was coming to check on you and make sure you’d recovered from yesterday’s treasure hunting.”

  Mr. Simmons shook his head. “I’m taking it easy today.”

  Grant pulled the jug of lemonade out of the fridge and poured himself a glass. He leaned against the counter and eyed Madison curiously. “What brings you over?”

  My brother-in-law thinks I’m pond scum, and I’m too chicken to go see my daddy. “Just a neighborly visit.”

  He wore the same cargo shorts he’d had on the other day, but this time he’d paired them with a T-shirt that was the same icy blue as his eyes. Without a hat, his blond hair was shaggy and curled up at the ends. The curls added a boyish contrast to his chiseled jaw. “Well, that’s nice.” He grinned. “Have you and Brook logged any geocaches yet?”

  She shook her head. “We’re still making a game plan.”

  He chuckled. “Why am I not surprised?” He turned to his grandfather. “So I guess I’m on my own today then?”

  Mr. Simmons looked from Madison to Grant. “Why don’t you take Madison along? Show her the ropes.” He grinned. “But don’t give away too many of our treasure-hunting secrets.”

  The shadow that crossed Grant’s face was unmistakable.

  Madison jumped up. “Oh, that’s not necessary. I should just wait for Brook.” She could see that Grant didn’t like the idea any better than she did. Which stung a little. She might not be interested in someone like him, but why should he be repulsed by her? She glanced down at the jersey-knit wrap dress she’d gotten at Ann Taylor just a few weeks ago. It was a cheery coral color, and she’d paired it with dark-brown wedge sandals. When she’d looked in the mirror that morning, she’d thought it was a winning combo. But Grant clearly didn’t think so.

  “Yeah, I don’t want to get on Brook’s bad side,” Grant agreed. “But it was nice to see you again, Madison.”

  I know a dismissal when I hear one. She managed a smile in Mr. Simmons’s direction. “Thank you for the lemonade. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.” She brushed past Grant on her way out the door.

  “‘Bye,” he called.

  She waved over her shoulder and stepped out onto the front porch.

  Brook’s minivan was just pulling into the driveway across the street.

  Perfect timing. As long as it meant a few hours out of the house and away from more of Scott’s judgment, she’d be happy to go geocaching.

  Lord, please let my résumé reach the right person so I can get out of here.

  “That seemed a little rude of you.” Grandpa sank into his old recliner and stared at Grant with steely gray eyes.

  Grant shrugged. “Nah. I’m pretty sure she and I would kill each other if we tried to go treasure hunting together. Or anywhere else for that matter. Did you see those shoes? Besides, I signed up to spend time with you, not some hoity-toity girl who thinks she’s better than the rest of us.”

  “Careful not to judge her. I happen to know a little bit about her past, and I dare say she might not be as tough as she seems.”

  Grant narrowed his eyes, but Grandpa didn’t elaborate. He glanced up at the picture of himself that hung above the couch. “Don’t you think you should take that down?”

  Grandpa chuckled. “Now why would I do that? It was your grandmother’s favorite. And besides, that was a good day. Changed the course of your whole life.” He took a sip of lemonade. “Have you decided whether or not to enter the Big Bass Bash in the fall?” The yearly tournament that took place on the Lake of the Ozarks was one of the biggest of the year.

  Grant shook his head. “You know I’m done fishing competitively. Being a guide is enough for me now.” He’d walked away from the sport while at the top of his game, with sponsors clamoring for his business. Grandpa would never understand why, so there was no reason to even discuss it.

  “I wish you’d reconsider. I’ll bet that outdoor network would still be interested in you hosting a show for them. It isn’t too late.”

  But it was too late. Grant had made the decision last year and hadn’t looked back. At least not too much. “Nah. I’m happy with the way things are now. I’m home more, which means I can look in on you.”

  Grandpa grumbled. “I don’t need a babysitter. And I certainly don’t want you to give up a good opportunity because of me.”

  He should’ve known better than to use that excuse. “I really am happier this way. My life is much less stressful.” He’d watched enough of his competitors over the years to know that once you reached the top of your game, there was only one way to go.

  “If you’re sure.” Grandpa held out his glass. “While you’re here you may as well make yourself useful.”

  Grant chuckled and took the glass into the kitchen for a refill. His gaze landed on Madison’s lipstick-rimmed glass in the sink. He grabbed it and scrubbed the reddish stain from the side of the glass. As he scrubbed the glass, he realized he might be able to erase her from the kitchen, but he couldn’t get her off his mind.

  And that worried him a lot more than falling down in the fishing rankings ever had.

  Chapter 3

  The sound of voices brought Madison out of a deep sleep, and for a moment she wasn’t sure where she was. The dream she’d been having about her mama had been so vivid, she could’ve sworn it was real and she was seven again, prancing barefoot in the backyard trying to catch lightning bugs while Mama laughed.

  The ache of sadness washed over her as she came to her senses. Mama was gone and had been for a long time.

  There was a soft tap on the door. Brook poked her head inside the room. “You up?”

  Madison nodded and sat up. “Will be in a minute. Do I hear people out there?”

  “Nothing to worry about. Get up and get dressed. It’s nearly nine.” Brook closed the door behind her.

  Nearly nine? That wasn’t so bad. It wasn’t like she’d slept until noon or anything.

  Thirty minutes later, Madison emerged from Joshua’s tiny bedroom and walked into the kitchen. She needed coffee.

  “Mornin’, sleepyhead.” Grant Simmons was perched on a barstool clutching a glass of orange juice.

  Madison’s eyes widened. She hadn’t seen Grant since last week at his grandpa’s house. She was glad she’d taken the time to put on her makeup and get dressed for the day. She looked around the kitchen. Mr. Simmons sat with Brook at the table, a cat-that-ate-the-canary grin on his face. Scott was nowhere to be found. “I didn’t know there was a party going on, or I would’ve gotten up earlier.” She caught Grant’s smirk and shot him a dirty look.

  “Scott’s mom called an hour ago,” Brook said. “Joshua fell off the monkey bars at the playground this morning and broke his arm in two places.” She sighed. “Scott thinks we should go right away. He’s gone to get gas now. We’re already packed.”

  Madison frowned. “I’m sorry. So will you be bringing Joshua back here?” She had enough trouble sleeping on the twin bed. If she ended up on the couch for the rest of the summer, she’d go crazy.

  Brook shook her head. “No. Actually, we’re going to stay there for a couple of weeks at least. We’d planned to go later in the summer, but now is as good a time as any.” She frowned. “I’m just sorry it ruins our plans for the treasure hunt.”

  Madison shook her head. “Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s not a big deal.” She and Brook had logged three caches so far. Madison hadn’t admitted it to anyone, but it had actually been fun. There’d been a little poem that served as a clue for each cache, and once she’d figured out how to work the GPS, they’d been off and running. Of course, they’d chosen the easiest ones first. But still, she’d b
een proud to write her name in the little logbook and enter the information on the Rainbow’s End website. “Besides, you remember that girl that we met the other day at the coffee shop? Hadley was her name. I think she’s hunting alone, too. So I’ll be fine.”

  “Actually, Mr. Simmons has an idea,” Brook said.

  The old man cleared his throat. “I still haven’t recovered from our hike the other day.” He gestured at Grant. “So since Brook has to bow out of the hunt, I think I’ll do the same.” He grinned widely. “And you and Grant can team up.”

  Madison met Grant’s equally horrified gaze.

  He shrugged.

  “Don’t even think about arguing. I don’t want you traipsing around the trails alone,” Brook said. “And Grant doesn’t mind, do you?” She turned to look at him.

  He grinned. “Of course not.”

  Liar. She could tell he was less than thrilled about the prospect of spending time with her. But it seemed like Brook and Mr. Simmons weren’t going to take “no” for an answer. “Well, great. I guess you’ve got yourself a new partner.”

  He stood up and put his empty glass in the sink. “We should hit the ground running then. I have to work the next few days, so we should make the most of today.” He took in her sundress and sandals. “I’ll give you time to change and meet you back here in an hour.” He turned to Mr. Simmons. “You ready?”

  The old man rose slowly from the table. “Have a safe trip,” he said to Brook. He grinned at Madison. “And I suspect I’ll be seeing you around.” He followed Grant out the door.

  Madison poured herself a cup of coffee. She did not like this turn of events. At all.

  “Sorry to spring it on you like that.” Brook pulled a container of hazelnut-flavored coffee creamer from the fridge and set it on the counter. “Mr. Simmons was outside when I got the newspaper. I told him that we were going to be out of town for a while, and he immediately called Grant.” She smiled. “I think he was looking for a way to get out of the hunt anyway. He only signed up to keep Grant involved with the church.”