Page 106 of Deception

Clayton searched for the right words. “For me, it’s admitting I don’t have the power within me to stop gambling, but that God does.”

56

Saturday morning Madison woke to sunlight streaming into the bedroom. The early morning sun had been one of her favorite things about her room when she was a kid. Her grandfather had always teased her about not wanting to waste her daylight hours. She glanced at the clock. Had she really slept until eight?

She curled up under the Dutch girl quilt that was as old as she was. Nadine had made it for her, and Madison savored the love that had gone into every stitch. Until her grandfather died, this house only held fond memories for her.

She would miss him. He’d been the only constant in her life. The only man Madison had totally trusted. The only man who hadn’t rejected her.

Until now she’d held last night’s memory of Emerald Mound and Clayton at bay. It’d been such a magical time with the night sky and then the full moon. She hadn’t expected him to kiss her, but when he did, it’d been like fireworks exploding inside her.

Why had she thought Clayton might be different? She must have “stupid” stamped in giant letters on her forehead. Did he really expect her to believe he’d taken some vow not to kiss a woman? Men didn’t do those kinds of things. At least none of the ones she’d ever known.

Except ... he’d looked so guilty and sad. Almost as sad as she’d felt.

No!The truth was he’d lied to her like every other man in her life. Except her grandfather. Now she and Clayton had to work together to find out who was trying to kill Dani.

Workplace romances rarely worked out anyway, not that she was looking for romance. Her face grew hot remembering the way she’d returned that first kiss and then wanted more. She’d known better than to get involved with Clayton. Once they wrapped up Dani’s case and she finished the original case that brought her to Natchez, she’d be leaving.

But until then, they would be spending a fair amount of time together. Maybe she should google how to maintain a business relationship after a kiss. Groaning, she threw back the quilt and climbed out of bed. Staying there only brought more thoughts that she didn’t need.

Madison called Dani to check on her, and the call went to voicemail. Alarmed, Madison quickly dialed the room phone and the bodyguard answered. “Is Dani okay?”

“She is. The doctor came by and canceled whatever he was going to do this morning and said she could take a shower. An aide brought a shower chair, and that’s where they are.”

If the procedure had been canceled and she’d been cleared to shower, she would probably be discharged in a day or two. Madison asked the bodyguard to relay a message that she would be by to see Dani by noon—at the rate Madison was moving, it would probably be that long before she could get out the door. But first, coffee and breakfast.

She slipped into a robe, and the wonderful aroma of coffee met her as she padded downstairs. Nadine must be in the kitchen. She was, but she wasn’t alone. Bri sat at the island, her hair a tangled mess, and looking as though she could use a shower.

“Good morning,” Madison said.

Nadine handed her a cup of black coffee. “This young lady was asleep in a small car in the drive. Says her name is Bri. Not sure what kind of name that is, though.”

“It’s short for Briana,” the younger woman said. “My mom thought it was a cool name. Me, not so much, and I shortened it.”

“I’m glad you decided to take me up on my offer,” Madison said. “And Dani will be too. But why didn’t you ring the doorbell? Why sleep in the car?”

“I didn’t want to be a bother. How is Dani?”

“She’s improving.” But she’d gained a stalker, all because of Madison. “I plan to bring her here as soon as she’s released.”

“Sweet.”

Madison opened the refrigerator. “Let’s see what’s in here that we can have for breakfast.”

Nadine shooed her away from the door. “I remember the last time you made breakfast—I’ll make it.”

“I was twelve years old,” she said with a laugh. Madison refused to budge and found a pound of bacon and a can of biscuits in the refrigerator. After she put the biscuits in the oven, she laid several slices of the bacon on a microwave rack and eyed Bri. “Cheese omelet?”

“Sounds good.”

“How about you, Nadine?”

“Yes. This I must see.”

Twenty minutes later, Madison set plates in front of Bri and Nadine and then one on the other side of Bri for herself. She waited anxiously for Nadine to taste her omelet.

“Why, this is good,” the older woman said. “When did you learn to cook?”

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