Page 66 of The Billionaire's Secret Heir

Chapter Twenty

Becka almost fell asleep while Madi was changing her into pajamas. Hours playing in the sun with Beckett’s family had left her satisfied and exhausted. Madi stroked Becka’s hair back from her face and whispered a quick prayer over her, watching as Becka’s eyes drifted closed. It was strange. Though Madi knew that Beckett couldn’t be Becka’s father, she still felt like she saw him reflected in the little girl’s face.

For as long as Madi had been caring for Becka, strangers constantly told her how much Becka looked like her. And though she was related by blood, Madi knew that she and Calista looked nothing alike. It sounded a little silly and definitely unscientific, but maybe children started to reflect the people who loved them.

As she picked up the baby monitor to meet Beckett by the pool, Madi hesitated in the little seating area Beckett had created in the master bedroom. Though she normally read the Bible at the kitchen counter or out on the sofa while Madi played, this small space meant so much to her. Beckett had helped create it with her in mind. The familiar threads of doubt and fear rose up, making her question if she deserved this kind of life, or deserved being loved by Beckett. Could it possibly last?

She took in a deep breath. God’s love was really the only thing that would last. She might get hurt if she fully opened herself up to a relationship with Beckett. But she loved him and would hurt if she didn’t and might regret not trying for years to come.

The doubts had dissipated, but the fluttery feeling of nervous excitement only grew stronger as she walked toward the pool. Just like their other evenings they had spent out by the pool, Beckett had reached the area first and turned on the fire and water features. Tonight, she could see the flickering of candles as well, and he had turned off the outside lights from the house, creating a much more intimate—and romantic—atmosphere. Beckett saw her coming and jogged over to the gate, swinging it open for her with a wide smile. Her heart jolted and she couldn’t help smiling back.

“Hey,” she said, feeling suddenly shy.

“Hey, yourself.” Beckett put a hand on the small of her back and led her over to the glass-topped table instead of the lounge chairs where they usually sat and talked.

Madi sat down and Beckett flashed her another grin. “Be right back. I had everything almost ready, but not quite.”

“Okay?” Madi’s uncertainty leaked into her voice. She was acting like a teenager on a first date.

What’s wrong with that? In some ways this was acting like a fresh start for them, one where they both knew all the facts, more of the past, and there weren’t any surprises. Other than the good kind. Because Beckett had a few surprises planned, if his mischievous grin was to go by. This definitely felt more like a date than the other nights where they casually hung out by the pool. Madi realized that they really hadn’t been on an official date—not the typical kind. They had spent time together here and they’d had dinner at his brother’s house.

And yet … she loved him. She knew that without question. She still had to bite back the fear about what that meant, but she didn’t doubt it. The few torturous days trying to ignore him since the hospital only served to make her more sure. Music suddenly filled the air and Madi recognized the sound of Jasmine Commerce, a singer-songwriter she had told Beckett she loved. He must have installed speakers out here sometime in the last few days. She smiled, appreciating how he was a man totally about the details.

“Now I’m ready.” Beckett came back through the gate, pushing a rattling bar cart.

Madi smiled. “Where’d you get that?”

“How do you know I didn’t already have it?”

“I saw your house. There’s hardly any furniture and I definitely didn’t see a bar cart. I thought only hipsters and millennials got into the bar cart craze.”

“It’s practical,” Beckett said as he rolled the cart to a stop near her chair. “And I think you’ll stop making fun of me when you see what’s on it.”

She did. Because by the time he finished unloading the cart, the glass table was loaded with sliced meat and cheeses on a cutting board, a fresh mozzarella and tomato salad, and what looked to be fresh baked bread and herb butter. They had eaten a few hours before, but just simple hot dogs and hamburgers from the grill. Madi had hardly finished her hamburger, busy chasing after Becka. Her stomach growled.

Beckett smiled. “I was afraid you might not be hungry enough for this. Guess I didn’t need to be worried.”

“I would eat even if I weren’t hungry. This looks amazing, Beckett. And I am actually starving, as you clearly heard.”

For a few minutes, conversation stilled as they ate. Beckett poured water from a pitcher that held sliced cucumbers, lemons, and mint leaves. The night air was warm and the taste was surprising and refreshing. She met Beckett’s eyes frequently as they ate and his gaze almost seemed to smolder with hope, happiness, and what looked a lot like the love she suspected that her own eyes showed.

“I’ve got one more surprise if you still have room,” he said.

Madi groaned. “Barely. You should have warned me. This is all amazing. Did you make all this?”

Beckett gave her a sheepish smile. “Will it take away from the moment if I say that I ordered it all?”

Laughing, Madi shook her head. “Not in the least.”

“Great. Because I totally ordered it all. You haven’t seen me in the kitchen and there’s a reason. Even slicing cheese and bread is a little too much for me. But I can order with the best of them. And I happened to find something that I thought you might really love for dessert.”

On the lower level of the cart, Beckett had a silver dome, which he lifted to reveal two plates with what looked like miniature cakes on each. He set a plate in front of her and then slid his chair around so that he sat close beside her instead of around the corner of the table.

“You felt too far away,” he said.

Madi couldn’t help but smile. She slid off her sandal and let her foot rest on top of his under the table. “I’m not complaining. Now, tell me about this amazing—and adorable—cake.”

“I know you appreciate coffee and chocolate, so this seemed like something you’d love. They are chocolate espresso baby Bundt cakes with a sweet cream glaze.”

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