Say It with Roses

by Devon Vaughn Archer

  Was she?

  * * *

  The next day, Stuart took the girls to school. He gave them both a kiss on the cheek before sending them off to join their friends.

  On the way home, he thought about Madison calling yesterday. It really was nice to hear her voice, which had a pleasant inflection to it. Maybe even sexy in a way.

  He had read the piece on him and thought she had done a fabulous job. She had her own way with words, and she seemed to have covered the bases readers wanted to know about an author.

  She made me look good, something all authors want, he thought.

  Even Lyle thought the article was wonderful and hoped to use it in future negotiations.

  Could be that Madison had become somewhat of a good luck charm to him.

  * * *

  At two o’clock, the photographer showed up at Stuart’s house. “I’m John Gregg,” he said. There was a camera bag strapped across his shoulder.

  “Nice to meet you, John,” Stuart said, looking up at the twenty-something tall man with long hair. “Come on in.”

  “Thanks.” They stepped into the foyer. “I have to say I’m a big fan of yours.”

  “Good to know,” Stuart said politely.

  “So where would you like to do this?”

  “In my study.” Stuart led the way.

  “I should only need a few pictures and then I’ll be out of your hair.”

  Stuart was counting on that, as he had to pick up the girls shortly and run some errands. He had dressed casually for the photographs, since that was how he would normally dress when writing.

  The photo shoot was over in less than ten minutes.

  “I’m sure Madison will let you know which photo the editor settles on for the cover,” John said. “But I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them.”

  Stuart smiled. “I’ll wait to hear from Madison.”

  He saw the photographer out and then grabbed his keys and left, knowing that between the girls and errands, there was still plenty to do before the day was through. He wondered if any woman would be able to handle a busy single writer with two growing girls.

  Or was that too much to ask?

  Chapter 6

  Stuart was in his study writing when the phone rang. He grabbed it off the desk and saw that it was his father.

  “Hey, Dad.”

  “Hey yourself,” Robert Kendall said. “I was just reading the article about you in the magazine you sent. Nice piece.”

  “Thanks.” Stuart smiled. Compliments rarely came from his father, as that just didn’t seem to be in his DNA. At least not where it concerned Stuart. He believed that, for whatever reason, Holly had always received more of their father’s praise. Yet Stuart knew that deep down inside he had earned his old man’s respect, whether he showed it or not. “Most of the credit goes to the interviewer,” he told him.

  “I doubt it,” his father said. “She could only work with what she had. In this case, it was you.”

  “Good point.” Stuart had clearly caught him in a generous mood and wouldn’t complain one bit. “It seemed like a great opportunity for some added exposure.”

  “I agree. One can never have enough of that, especially in your business where there aren’t enough truly great writers.”

  Where is this coming from? Stuart asked himself. Great writer? He had expected a cursory commendation, but not this. He wondered if Holly had talked to their father, which would explain his behavior given the soft spot he had for her. Stuart had sent her a copy of the magazine as well and, as expected, she had loved it.

  “I appreciate the compliment,” he told his father. “I’ve certainly paid my dues and I’m happy to be where I am today.”

  “As you should be,” Robert said. “Same is true for your sister.”

  “I’m proud of her, too.”

  “You know, she’s one up on you,” Robert told him.

  Stuart frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “She finally found herself a man and is settling down,” his father said. “And you, well...it’s high time you got back with the program and found someone who can make you happy.”

  “I am happy,” Stuart said uncomfortably. “I have the girls and my writing—”

  “Right, but no one to cuddle up to at night. You deserve to be with a woman who won’t stab you in the back. Don’t be afraid to hop back in the saddle, son.”

  “I’m not afraid,” Stuart said, trying to convince himself more than anything. “Yes, Fawn definitely left a sour taste in my mouth for relationships. But I’m still willing to put myself out there when the time is right.”

  “The time is right now,” Robert told him bluntly. “Your girls need a mother figure in their lives so they don’t think all women are like Fawn.”

  “I doubt they think that.” He knew they had taken a liking to Grace and didn’t feel she was anything like their mother. But they also thought of her more as a friend than a substitute mother.

  “My point is that before you know it they’ll be out the door and you’ll be old like me, wondering where the years have gone,” Robert said. “Find someone to love and, more importantly, to love you and the girls with all her heart, and it will make you complete.”

  “Like it did for Holly?” Stuart asked.

  “Something like that,” Robert responded. “I’ve never seen her so happy and I want to say the same thing about you.”

  “Got it,” Stuart said and sucked in a breath. Even if he didn’t necessarily like being pressured, he understood that his father meant well. “I’ll see what I can do about that.”

  “Okay. And if you ever need to have some time away from the kids, send them down here to stay with their granddaddy.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Stuart said, remembering how much they had enjoyed visiting their grandfather and Holly in February. But he would never send them away to get rid of them while he focused on his romantic life. On the contrary, should he start dating anyone seriously, he would want her to be a big part of his girls’ lives. They were a package deal.

  The very notion made him think of Madison, even though they were just becoming friends. They had only gotten together once and that was for the interview. For all he knew, she didn’t even like children. But she had mentioned that Carrie had a cute voice. Was that a good sign that she was amenable to being with someone with two irresistible daughters?

  * * *

  Madison dusted furniture while half watching the television. She was thinking about her big move to Portland and how things seemed to be falling into place now. The job was going well. She’d made a few friends and had even begun to venture out and discover some interesting things about the city and its surroundings. She loved that there were competing rivers and the majestic Cascade Mountains, with the Pacific Ocean and the beach less than a two-hour drive away. It seemed as if there were almost too many things to do. If only she had the time to do them all.

  Or had someone special to do them with.

  Someone like Stuart might be nice, she thought. He had offered to partner with her for bicycling. Maybe she would take him up on it if he was serious.

  He could even bring along his girls on their bikes, if he wanted to. So what if people mistakenly thought they were a happy family? She certainly didn’t want to give a false impression, but she couldn’t be blamed if his ex-wife had chosen to look elsewhere for companionship.

  The chime of her cell phone snapped Madison out of her daydreaming. The caller ID showed it was Stuart.

  She smiled at the thought of hearing his voice. He was probably calling to talk about the magazine, which officially came out this week, though he had received contributor copies last week.

  “Hello there,” she said softly.

  “Hi,” he
said. “Are you busy?”

  “Nothing I can’t finish later.”

  “I wanted to thank you for the interview. Everyone who’s read it, including my father, seemed to think you did a hell of a job making me look good.”

  She chuckled. “Uh, I think you did that all by yourself.”

  “I doubt it,” Stuart said. “You have a way of making people feel comfortable opening up.”

  “I could say the same thing about you,” she surprised herself by admitting.

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “You should.”

  “All right, I will.” He gave a little laugh. “I was thinking, now that the issue is out successfully, we should celebrate.”

  “Oh?” Madison switched the phone to her other ear. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Do you like jazz?”

  “I love jazz,” she told him. She had a huge list of songs by the jazz greats on her iPad and computer.

  “Great! I have a buddy, Chad, who is a jazz musician. He plays at the Rooster Club down on Broadway,” Stuart said. “I think we should check it out.”

  Was this a date? she wondered. Or was it a get-together between business associates? Either way, she was up for it.

  “Yes, let’s do it.”

  “May I pick you up at six?” he asked.

  “Six is fine.” She gave him her address and they talked a little more before she cut it short. Though she enjoyed talking to him, Madison needed some time to shower and get ready for their outing. It would be her first time going to a jazz club since she’d moved to Portland and she honestly couldn’t think of anyone she would rather go with.

  * * *

  Stuart made arrangements for Grace to stay with the girls till he got back. He was excited about this opportunity to take Madison to hear Chad do his thing. Moreover, it gave them another chance to spend some time together and get to know one another.

  He parked in front of the town house, went up to the entrance and rang the bell. After a moment or two, the door opened and Madison was standing there.

  “Hello,” she said with an effervescent smile.

  “Hey.” Stuart took a good look at her and his jaw practically dropped. She wore a one-shoulder draped fuchsia dress that accentuated her amazing figure, along with matching stylish platform pumps. Her long hair rested on one side of her beautiful face. Whatever perfume she was wearing, it worked its magic on him. “You look incredible,” he told her.

  “Thanks,” Madison said. She was equally taken with Stuart, who looked sexy in a navy blue suit and black shoes. She loved the woodsy scent of his cologne, as well. “I could say the same thing about you.”

  He blushed. He usually took comments about his good looks in stride. But it actually meant something coming from her. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, all set.” She was eager to spend some time with him, without work matters getting in the way.

  Stuart grinned. “Then let’s go enjoy some music.”

  He opened the passenger door of his Mercedes and she got in.

  “Nice ride,” she couldn’t help but say.

  “Gets me where I want to go,” Stuart said simply.

  “So does your bike,” Madison pointed out. “But it’s not quite as luxurious.”

  He chuckled. “True, but it sure can get you through tight spaces when there’s a traffic jam.”

  She laughed. “Yes, I’ve noticed that too since being here.”

  “If you stay long enough, you’ll see a lot more of what makes Portland such a special place to live.”

  “Really?” Madison faced his profile. She couldn’t help but wonder if that included seeing more of him. And maybe even his little girls.

  “Yes,” Stuart said.

  “Such as?”

  “Better to keep you in suspense so you can enjoy it as time progresses,” he told her deftly.

  She frowned playfully. “Not fair.”

  He laughed. “Okay, I’ll play fair. There’s the Rose Festival, the Lan Su Chinese Garden, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the art museum, the jazz festival, the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, the farmer’s markets, the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. I could go on and on....”

  Madison chuckled. “Guess there is a lot to see and do.”

  “You bet,” Stuart said, gazing at her. “I assume you plan to stick around for a while?”

  “Of course,” she responded without hesitation. “I love it here and have no desire to go anywhere else.”

  He smiled, comforted at the thought. “Good to know.”

  “So does this mean you’ll be showing me some of these places and events?” Madison asked.

  “I’d be happy to,” he promised.

  Madison took that as a good sign that tonight could be the start of something exciting.

  * * *

  Stuart followed Madison into the Rooster Club, where he had reserved a front-table seat. He pulled out her chair for her.

  “Thank you,” she told him. She had to get used to a man being a gentleman.

  Stuart sat down. “What would you like to drink?”

  “I’ll have chardonnay,” Madison responded, not bothering to look at the menu.

  “So be it.” He ordered two glasses of chardonnay and then saw Chad coming their way.

  “I see you made it,” Chad said.

  “It was a good time to catch your act again,” Stuart said.

  “And you brought along a friend.”

  “Madison, this is Chad Schmidt,” Stuart said. “Chad, Madison Wagner.”

  “Hi,” she said.

  “Nice to meet you,” Chad said, shaking her hand. “Glad you were able to talk this dude into coming to hear my music.”

  She smiled. “I think it was more the other way around.”

  “Well, you two enjoy the show,” Chad said. “I’ll try not to miss any notes.”

  “You do that,” Stuart kidded.

  Soon the lights lowered and Chad, accompanied by a saxophonist and guitarist, began belting out some of the jazz classics.

  “He’s great, isn’t he?” Stuart whispered to Madison.

  “Yes, he’s fantastic,” she said. She was sure her sister would love this and made a mental note to take her there when Bianca came to visit. “How long have you two known each other?”

  “A few years.” He didn’t want to explain just yet how he had met Chad during the darkest time in his life.

  “Has he had any of his music recorded?” Madison asked.

  “As a matter of fact he has,” Stuart said. “He’s working on getting an album out by the end of the year.”

  “That’s fantastic,” Madison said. “I’ll have to download it onto my iPod when it’s available.”

  “He’ll like that,” Stuart said. He liked it, too. It spoke well of her character that she was willing to support a friend of his.

  They both looked toward the stage as Chad introduced his next song, before saying, “We have a dance floor and I don’t see anyone using it. Maybe now is the time to bring that lady on your arm up here and do some nice slow-dancing to this song that’s perfect for lovers—or friends with benefits....”

  That last comment drew a laugh from the audience, including Madison and Stuart.

  “So what do you say?” Stuart asked her. “We may not be lovers or friends with benefits, but I’d still love to have this dance with you.”

  Madison felt a rush of warmth envelope her at the thought of their bodies pressing close on the dance floor.

  She smiled. “Let’s go for it, if you think you’ve got it in you.”

  He chuckled. “Oh, I think I can hold my own.”

  Standing, Stuart took Madison’s hand and joined a few other c
ouples on the dance floor. While Chad began singing “Wave,” Madison moved easily into Stuart’s arms, which he wrapped around her, bringing them closer together. It was a surprisingly nice fit.

  She put her arms on Stuart’s shoulders as they moved around slowly to the romantic tune.

  Does this feel as right to him as it does to me? Madison wondered. Or was the closeness she felt more a reflection of the wine and atmosphere?

  “This was a good idea,” Stuart whispered in her ear, having taken one of her hands as they moved.

  Madison looked up at his face. “The jazz club or the dance?”

  “Both. I’m definitely enjoying the evening on all fronts.”

  “Me, too.” She wondered if he’d ever come here with his ex-wife. Or perhaps another woman.

  Madison checked such thoughts, realizing none of that mattered. It wasn’t as though they were dating or as if neither of them had a past.

  Chad and the band finished the tune, and Madison hated that being in Stuart’s capable arms had come to an end.

  They sat down and had another drink while listening to more jazz songs.

  “So what other writers have you interviewed since you’ve been in town?” Stuart asked during a break.

  “Actually, you’re my first one,” Madison told him.

  He grinned. “I’m honored.”

  “So am I. You were a great interview. In Houston, most times I had to practically shake the person to get something out of them. But you fed off everything I asked, and then some.”

  “That’s because you asked all the right questions and were able to fill in the blanks on your own.”

  She smiled. “Guess we both made it work.”

  “I think that’s a fair statement.” He smiled at her.

  “We’ll have to do it again sometime,” she threw out, hoping she wasn’t being too forward.

  “Anytime,” he said. “I have a new novel coming out this fall, so that might be a good time to talk about it and whatever else I’ve got in the works.”

  “I’ll plan on it then.” Madison was certain that Giselle would be in favor of doing another interview with Stuart, especially given his popularity.