Page 84 of Deception

“Men only use you. They play all nice until they get you hooked, and then they walk all over you.”Her mother’s words when she was in one of her depressive states had haunted the few relationships Madison had. And they had always proven to be true.

45

Clayton strode through the entrance. “You okay? You look like you’re a million miles away, and not in a good place.”

Madison relaxed her tight jaw and forced a smile. “Thinking about something my mom once told me.”

“Must not have been good.”

“It wasn’t important.” She tilted her head. “Stairs or elevator?”

“Stairs—I didn’t get a run in this morning.”

She followed him through the door to the stairs. “So, you’re a health nut?” she asked, her voice echoing in the stairwell.

“Me? I’m not the one who ordered yogurt and oatmeal for breakfast.”

Her heart warmed at the way he made her laugh. “Does Dani know we’re coming?”

“I called her after I parked, so yes. She’s been moved out of ICU.”

After they located the room, they paused outside the door, and Clayton turned to her. “I’m going down to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee.” When she started to protest, he said, “I think it’s important for you to have time alone with Dani. It’ll be fine.”

Madison wasn’t so sure. She was already shaky after talking with Hargrove.

“Trust me on this.” He gave her a hug.

After he left, Madison took a second before she pushed the door open, knocking as she entered. “It’s just me. Madison.”

Dani sat in a recliner by the window and returned the chair to an upright position before she turned toward Madison with a smile. Madison’s heart stuttered. For the first time since she’d learned of Dani’s existence, it hit her that this was real—she actually had a sister. A knot formed in her throat, and she took a deep breath to relax it.

“I saw Clayton jogging across the parking lot,” Dani said. “I’m assuming he let you out at the door?”

“Ah ... yeah,” she said, finding her voice. “After the shooting here yesterday, we decided that was the best tactic.” When Dani’s gaze went to the door, Madison added, “He went downstairs for coffee ... to give us a little time to ourselves.”

“He’s a good guy.”

Madison sat in the chair opposite the recliner so Dani didn’t have to keep looking up.

“How long have you known him?”

“Two days?” It seemed much longer to Madison. “Oh, wait, a hundred years ago, he was friends with my cousins, and I would see him when I came to visit Grandfather in the summers. I was probably about eight the first time, and until recently I thought he was a bully.”

Dani gave her a puzzled look.

“My cousins liked to pick on me. I sort of lumped him in with them until he made me remember that they didn’t do that when he was around—he’d threatened to pummel them if they did.”

“Hasn’t changed much, has he? Still the knight in shining armor.” Dani sobered. “I haven’t had the chance yet to tell you how sorry I am about your grandfather’s death.”

“Thank you.”

They both fell silent.

“You’re a park ranger,” Dani said.

“You look much better today,” Madison said at the same time, unable to stand the silence. It looked as though they were alike in temperament as well. “Do you do that too? Rush to fill a void?”

Dani nodded with a sigh. “Especially when I’m nervous. What did you say?”

---