Page 77 of A Dangerous Proposal

“I’ll just be dealing with the boxes. Come get me when you’re ready.”

Angela waved her hand over her shoulder, much more interested in Jax than what Madison was doing.

Madison chuckled and then tackled the mess in the foyer. Starting with the boxes that were obviously Jax’s, she carried them up the stairs, stopping to prop the baby gate against the wall in preparation for being installed later. She smirked, wondering what Alex would think coming back to his beautiful home ‘toddler-fied.’

It took a depressingly short amount of time to carry the boxes upstairs. Once Jax’s room was ready for bedtime, she returned for her things.

She left the boxes containing items she didn’t need, like towels and kitchen utensils, in a neat pile by the bottom of the stairs. She would take them to the storage unit later. Madison hoisted the remaining two boxes that contained her toiletries and the very few items of clothing that had escaped destruction.

Stopping outside the master suite she set the boxes on the ground, alongside the bags of clothing she’d bought from thebig-box retailer to hold her over until she had time to replenish her wardrobe.

Hurrying downstairs, Madison followed the sound of banging to the kitchen. She found Jax sitting on the floor, happily drumming on an assortment of upside-down pans with wooden spoons, while Angela sat watching from the kitchen table.

“I’ll wash them before I leave,” she said hurriedly.

Madison waved her off. “Don’t worry about it. Thank you so much for watching him.”

“I have to make a confession.”

Madison’s stomach tightened.

Please don’t let this be something bad.

She had instantly liked Angela and wasn’t sure she could take another setback today.

“I usually leave by three, but when I got Alex’s message, and then Liev mentioned the wedding, I stayed late so I could meet you.”

Madison’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Well, I’m glad you did. I’m not sure how I would have gotten all that done if you hadn’t been here.”

Tucking her purse under her arm, Angela smiled. “I’m happy to help whenever I can. I’ve always loved babies.” She kissed Jax on the head. “See you next time, sweet boy.”

Once Angela was gone, the house seemed empty, even with Jax’s symphony on the floor. It was an odd feeling to know that she lived there now. It was her “home,” but she still wasn’t comfortable exploring without Alex.

When Jax began rubbing his eyes, Madison loaded the pans into a dishwasher that looked like it had never been used. The freebie detergent pod was still taped to the inside, for goodness sake. Madison made a mental note to check on the basics… like laundry detergent, an essential commodity with a toddler.

Madison decided that a quick sink bath was acceptable for the night because, frankly, she was too tired to do the whole bath production Jax loved. Laying him in his bed, she prayed this was a night that he actually went to sleep without fighting.

Sitting on the floor next to the low bed, she read Jax his favorite book,Barnyard Buddies,which fortunately, like Dino, had been safely in Jax’s diaper bag while their home was being ransacked.

“Big day, huh, buddy?” Madison said quietly. Jax didn’t look up from where he was chewing on Dino’s front leg.

After a few minutes, Madison put up the safety rails and gave him a kiss. Turning on the lamp in the corner, she sat on the edge of the full bed, practically holding her breath.

But all the excitement must have worn the toddler out. After only ten minutes, he’d stopped squirming around and was breathing evenly. Picking up the video baby monitor, Madison crept like a ninja to the door, and with one last peek at the sleeping boy, she pulled the door shut with a quiet click.

Madison moved the baby gate across the stairs, just in case Jax got past the other safety measures, and headed back to the kitchen. She grabbed the pre-cut chicken and vegetables she’d picked up earlier and started a quick stir-fry.

The sizzle of food hitting the pan filled the room, and she took a slow sip of her wine as she stirred. This kitchen was three times the size of the one in her townhouse and full of top-of-the-line appliances that looked brand new. She took another sip of wine.

Housekeeper and luxury kitchen. This arrangement is looking better by the minute.

Once the meal was done, Madison plated a portion for herself but then hesitated, unsure what to do with the rest.

Was Alex expecting dinner? Should she leave it out or put it away? She didn’t even know what time he normally camehome, and she doubted he was the type to reheat leftovers in the microwave.

Pressing her lips together, she scooped the extra food onto a clean plate and slid it into the refrigerator, covering it with a napkin—because, apparently, Alex didn’t own a single food storage container or a single roll of cling wrap.

Sitting at the large kitchen table, she picked at her food. Eating alone wasn’t unusual. Most nights after Jax went to bed, she did just that. But this wasn’t her townhouse, and something about sitting in Alex’s kitchen by herself felt strange, like she was waiting for something… or someone.

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