Seaglass (11 page)

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Mom.”

She straightened up and walked slowly past her father and into the hallway. She expected him to follow her and she was not disappointed.

“You’re not welcome here if you’re going to cause upset.”

She kept herself calm and schooled her features not to show the devastation his words were causing internally. She knew words were his preferred weapon and she was determined not to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flinch.

“I’m not here for you.” She responded with as much disinterest as she could muster.

“I’ll have you banned from returning.”

Now, she stopped and turned. In response, she only raised an eyebrow; a trick of intimidation she’d learned well at his heels.

“Don’t try and cross me.”

She didn’t even turn back to face him. She knew she was getting under his skin. The sad fact was that had not been her intention. All she wanted to do was spend a few quiet moments alone with her mother, but as had been his habit their entire lives, he injected himself into every facet of their relationship.

Madeline guessed it was only fitting that her mother was dying the exact same way that she’d lived; totally and completely under his thumb. She’d dealt with her grief over her mother’s lack of ability to protect her a long, long time ago. Still, there were moments it reared up and grabbed her by the throat. A mother was supposed to put their child’s safety first. And her mother hadn’t.

Her therapist, Dr. Carey, had tried to explain to her that her mother came from a different time; a different era. She didn’t have the same opportunities and choices. Madeline understood, but she could never forgive. Her mother had stood there, silent, while her father had ripped her to shreds throughout her childhood.

She burst through the doors of the hospital and into the crisp autumn weather of New York. It was milder than Colorado, but there was still a bite in the air. She zipped up her fleece jacket and walked to the parking lot to retrieve her rental car and pulled out her phone, dialing Knox immediately.

“Maddie?”

“Hi.” She said and felt herself sinking into his comforting voice.

“How are you?”

“I hate it here.”

“I know. I wish you’d let me come with you.”

“Knox, there’s no point yet. When she…” Madeline felt her voice hitch, but pressed on. “When she dies…they’ll be time then.”

“I just don’t like you dealing with those assholes alone.”

She let out a watery laugh. “I’m okay. I’m tough.”

“Yeah. You are.”

She could feel his love through the phone. “How are you?”

“Fine. Nothing going on here.”

“God, that sounds wonderful.” She sighed with happiness thinking about the perfect little town waiting for her. “I’d better go. I still have to find a hotel.”

“You’re not staying with your family?”

“Let’s just say I’d rather walk barefoot across broken glass.”

“Got it. Hey Maddie?”

“Take care of yourself.”

“You too.”

xXx

“When are you going to tell her about your eyes Knox?” Kayla said as she watched him drown his French fries in ketchup.

“Well, obviously not now. She’s a little preoccupied.”

“I know.” She said as she pointedly spooned up her cottage cheese. “How’s she holding up?”

Knox pushed back his plate in a gesture of frustration. “I don’t know. She sounds horrible.”

“Poor thing. I can’t believe this has gone on for almost a month.”

“I never thought I’d wish for someone to die, but—“

“No, I get it. I was thinking the same thing.”

“It’s not good for her…being there.”

“How’s her father treating her?”

“She doesn’t really talk about it. I feel like I’m prying.”

“Do you think you should just get on a plane?”

“I asked her that, but she said to wait. I don’t want to keep asking. If she wanted me there, she’d let me come.”

“I don’t think she knows what she wants.”

“Maybe.” He balled up his napkin and threw it on his plate. “I gotta get back to work.”

“Me too. The Hudsons are listing their place with me. Moving to Florida.”

“Wow. That’s great Kay.”

“I’m happy to have the listing but I think it’ll be an uphill battle.” She paused for effect. “They’re hoarders.”

“Really? I never would’ve guessed it.”

“Yeah and they’re really sensitive about the stuff. Every time I suggest thinning things out, they freak.”

“Good luck.” He said as he unfolded his long limbs from the booth.

“Knox, don’t think I didn’t notice your total dodge of the subject I wanted to talk about.”

“Noted.” He smiled as he walked away and out the door.

Kayla scoffed at him and then ate the rest of his fries.

“She’s dead.”

Knox felt a jolt go through the phone, as if he’d been shocked by it, rather than by the sound of her voice.

“I’m sor—“

“You don’t have to say that. I’m fine.”

“Okay.” He exhaled slowly.

“Funeral’s tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Okay. Let me see if I can book a flight for tonight—“

“You don’t have to come. It’s fine.”

Knox could feel his patience growing thin. “Do you want me there?”

“I mean…it’s just such short notice…he did it on purpose, you know.”

Knox could hear the exasperation and exhaustion in her voice. “Maddie? Do you want me there?”

He held the phone tightly to his ear, waiting. He heard her clear her throat and realized she was crying. He closed his eyes and wished like hell he could leap across the country in a single bound and hold her tight. He wanted to be there for her, but more importantly, he wanted her to want that.

Finally, after clearing her throat a second time, she replied.

“Yes.”

He released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. I’ll call you when I land.”

xXx

“Well, I gotta hand it to ‘um, they picked a beauty of a funeral home.” Ed said as he and his son walked side by side up the front steps of the Greenbriar Funeral Home.

Knox’s only response was a grunt. He was concentrating on the ground beneath his feet and hoping against hope that he wouldn’t trip and make a fool of himself. When his father had insisted on coming, he’d felt like a child that couldn’t do anything by himself anymore, but then Ed reminded him, a little sternly, that Madeline was his friend too and he wanted to be there for her as much as for his son.

“What’s the plan?” Ed asked as he pulled open the heavy mahogany door.

“Private service for family only until ten o’clock. Then open to the public before heading over to the church.

Ed positioned them in a corner of the richly appointed lobby. Knox looked around wondering how and why all these people would come. Didn’t they know the Roberts family’s dirty little secret? It made him seethe with rage that behind the closed double doors was a precious woman that they’d treated worse than a dog for her whole life. This was nothing but a show for the crowd.

Finally, the doors were opened by two identically dressed men with appropriately subdued demeanors. The crowd was instructed to form a line and proceed to the casket, and quickly move along. Ed and Knox walked over and stood in line.

Soon, they entered the main room and the cloying scent of funeral flowers assaulted his senses. He could make out the casket at the front of the room atop a platform. He turned his head and sucked in a hard breath as his eyes locked onto Madeline’s. Of course he couldn’t see her clearly, but he knew—in his heart he knew she was looking directly into his eyes too.

The great expanse of the room kept conversation impossible for the moment, but he didn’t need to speak to her. Her eyes said enough. He wished he could’ve leapt across the rows of chairs and pulled her into his arms. He wanted more than anything to spirit her away from here—from all the anger and hostility that bubbled just beneath the surface of a carefully constructed façade.

Instead, he shuffled along until he was face to face with Maddie’s dead mother. It hit him hard that Maddie looked like her mother. The bones of the face were similar and Knox found himself wondering if Maddie’s mother had the same brilliant blue eyes as her daughter. Well, it wasn’t worth wondering. Whatever might’ve been was too late now. Instead, he knelt alongside Ed on the kneeler provided and said a quick prayer. He didn’t feel the least bit bad that he did not pray for the recently departed, but instead for her daughter. It was a prayer and a promise. From this moment on, he’d do the job they’d failed so miserably to do themselves. He’d love and cherish Madeline Roberts for the rest of their lives.

Ed and Knox rose from the casket and followed the line of mourners until they were face to face with the family. This was Knox’s first chance to get a close up view of Madeline’s father. He was surprised by the man’s short stature. His daughter seemed to tower over him. Knox spared the widower a brief handshake and a mumbled word of condolence before he turned to Maddie. He didn’t speak; he only opened his arms and let her come to him. She didn’t hesitate. He felt those lean, taut arms wrap around his neck and hold tight.

“I’m so happy you’re here.” She whispered into his ear.

“Me too.” He answered as she slid back from him and released him. He watched as her eyes tracked to the left and landed on his dad.

“Ed.” Her voice was strangled and Knox could clearly see the surprise in her face. “Ed, you didn’t have to come all this way—“

Ed cut her off. “’Course I did.” He answered in his gruff manner. “I wanted to see you, darlin’ and tell you how sorry we all are about your mom.”

Now, the tears that had threatened to spill over, did. Two twin tears tracked down her cheeks. Knox knew it wasn’t for her mother, but instead for the shock and wonder that people so cared for her.

“Kayla’s so sorry she couldn’t come, but with the three kids—“

“No, it’s okay. She already called. I understand—“

Ed stopped her by holding on to both of her hands so that he had her full attention. “You are in all of our thoughts and our prayers, Maddie.”

Knox watched as Maddie nodded solemnly. Another fresh tear broke free and cascaded down her cheek.

Knox and Ed moved next to Maddie’s brother, Peter and offered their words of condolence. It surprised Knox to see that Peter was a slightly younger version of his father. In fact, if James Barrow’s hadn’t had a full head of salt and pepper hair, Knox would think they were brothers. He wondered if Peter took after his father in other ways, too. He knew Maddie didn’t have a close relationship with her brother, but beyond, he knew precious little.

As Knox and Ed moved toward the exit, he cast a quick glance back at Maddie and saw that she’d shored herself up as she robotically hugged and shook hands with the rest of the mourners. He let his gaze wander past Maddie and to that of her father. James Roberts had moved closer to his daughter and put an arm around her shoulder, which given their height difference, looked a little comical. That, however was not what drew his attention; instead, it was the look on Maddie’s face. Knox was betting that her father had never touched her before in such a way. Maddie was no fool to James Roberts and his endless methods of manipulation, but right now, under these circumstances, her face shone with childlike pleasure at her father’s touch.

xXx

“Well, that’s over.” Madeline said as she pulled her high heeled black pumps from her feet with a sigh of relief.

Knox studied her reflection in the mirror on the closet door as he pulled his tie free from his neck and gratefully unbuttoned the top two buttons of his starched white shirt. He’d kept a watchful eye on her all through the funeral and then at the luncheon that followed at the Roberts family’s prestigious country club. She’d seemed the very picture of a devoted daughter. She’d played the part so well that Knox had begun to question whether or not it was real. It was only when she’d slipped her hand in his and whispered ‘get me out of here’ in his ear that he’d known it was all an act.

Ed, Knox and Maddie had slipped through the crowd mostly undetected and headed back to the hotel. Knox had only nodded in his father’s direction before whisking Madeline up to his room. Now, as he watched her peel her stockings from her legs did he let himself relax.

Knox turned from the mirror and sat down on the side of the bed. “Are you hungry?”

“No. Not really.” She shrugged and stood up to pace the room. She’d never felt so restless; like she couldn’t escape her own skin.

“You didn’t eat much at the luncheon.” He crossed to her and ran his hand down her arm.

She shrugged again. “I’m not hungry.”

“Okay.” He released her and moved to the closet to hang up his suit jacket. He heard her come up behind him. He turned and saw her standing behind him.

“I know it’s probably inappropriate to comment on this at my mother’s funeral, but I’ve never seen you in a suit before.” She ducked her head.

Knox let out a little laugh. “I didn’t think it was appropriate to wear my tool belt.”

“You look great.” She whispered as she ran her hands down the smooth fabric of his crisp, white shirt.

He only raised an eyebrow. Everything about this situation was so surreal; so foreign. He wasn’t sure what to do, or what not to do. Fortunately, Madeline seemed to have a plan.

She stepped closer and inhaled the scent of him; he always smelled so good. It made her a little dizzy. She ran her fingers into his hair at the base of his neck and pulled him down until his lips met hers. She kissed him chastely and then again; deeper. She could feel his intake of breath as his chest was pressed against hers and then his hands were on her hips, commanding her, guiding her.

He moved to the bed quickly and let his fingers search her dress for the hidden zipper. He found it on the side and slowly pulled it down. Maddie stepped out of the dress and stood before him in only her black strapless bra and panties.

“God, I missed you.” He said as he reverently touched her skin.

Madeline watched as Knox closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. She wondered what he must be thinking. Everything he’d seen today had been a grand show for the audience; none of it real. Well, except for her dead mother lying in an open casket. Maddie shook her head. No. She wouldn’t think of that now. Now, she’d be with Knox and let him fill up the giant, gaping wound in her soul.

Knox could feel the power coursing through her. Her muscles practically rippled with energy as she pulled him down on top of her. He knew she was using him to forget, and for right now, he was just fine with that. There’d be time for talking later. He relished in the sweet smell of her skin. He couldn’t resist running his hand along her chest and then flipping their positions so that she was on top of him. They came together; hard and fast. Words were not necessary as their bodies joined together in a primal dance that left them both breathless and drained.

Madeline lay spent atop his chest, panting and wheezing from the exertion. He too, breathed deeply, trying to regain his strength. Her hair spilled over him like a cascading waterfall and it smelled a little like funeral flowers.

Finally she moved over to the side of him and pushed herself up so that she sat up against the headboard. She pulled the sheet up and tucked it under her arms to cover herself.

“I wish we could leave tonight and go back to Colorado.”

Knox pushed himself up to sit beside her. “When can you come home?”

“Not sure.” She sighed and closed her eyes. “I wanted to go back right away, but apparently I’m needed here. I don’t even know why.” She said with a dismissive flick of her wrist.

“What do you mean?”

“He said something about her will. I need to be here for that.”

“Can’t the lawyers handle it?”

“He asked me to stay. Said it was important.” She shrugged as she pushed up out of the bed, gathering her clothes as she went.

“I can stay with you, Maddie. If you want me to, I’ll stay until you’re ready to come back to Touchstone.”

She turned at the bathroom door and leaned heavily against it. “No, you should go. I have no idea how long he’ll drag this out.” She said softly, unable to meet his gaze. She knew if she looked too long into his dark eyes, he’d see just how pathetic and weak she really was. She’d tried to be the strong independent woman that she’d grown into in Touchstone, but when her father had insisted she needed to stay, she’d acquiesced with childlike obedience. It was a Pavlovian response that sickened her, but it was programmed deep within, nonetheless. She gave Knox a little smile and ducked inside the bathroom.

“Okay.” He answered simply. He didn’t know what was happening here inside this hotel room, but the wonderful, sweet, vibrant woman he’d fallen in love with in Touchstone was disappearing. He hoped it was only due to the stress and strain of losing her mother and being forced to endure her father’s presence, but he had to admit, it left him feeling deeply uneasy.