Say It with Roses

Madison had zeroed in on Stuart before he asked the question. She couldn’t help but be attracted to him. He seemed to be all muscle and about six-three. His features were classically masculine and she liked his closely cropped, curly black hair.

But...she still felt it was better to steer clear of him right now, all things considered. “Look...” she began deliberately. “I’m sure you’re just trying to be friendly, but I’m actually rushing to make a deadline right now.”

Stuart’s brow furrowed. Suddenly it had gotten frostier in the coffee shop than it was outside. “Got it. Then I’ll leave you to it.”

Madison offered him a strained smile and turned back to the book. But she noticed that Stuart was still standing there, prompting her to look up. “Is there something else?”

“Actually, there is,” he said. “I know all about the situation with your ex and Holly. But that’s between you and them, not me.”

“I never said it was about you,” she responded, blinking in surprise but attempting to downplay it. “That’s over and done with.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Stuart said honestly. “Seems to me you still have a chip on your shoulder, and you’re somehow taking it out on me by association.”

“That’s crazy!” Madison refused to admit he was right. At least not while he had her on the defensive.

“Is it? I’m pretty good at reading people, especially when they seem to have a one-track mind.”

She shot him a dismissive look. “You don’t know anything about my mind. Just because you’re a writer doesn’t give you the right to psychoanalyze me.”

Stuart’s head snapped back as though he had been hit in the face. “You have a good point there. Maybe I’m misjudging you. Just seems like I keep getting the brush-off when I’m trying to be friendly.”

“Well, maybe you should stop trying so hard,” she tossed back at him. “I’m sure there are other women in town you can strike up a conversation with. But right now I happen to be busy doing my job. If that somehow offends you, I can’t do anything about it.”

“No, I suppose you can’t,” Stuart said, deciding to cut this short before saying something he couldn’t take back. “I’ll let you get back to it and try not to bother you anymore.”

He waited for a second or two, as if to see if she would try to get the last word. But there was no comeback. Apparently she was satisfied that she could declare victory over him.

Stuart knew this was a losing battle. And since he didn’t like to lose, he saw no reason to torture either of them further. He turned and headed for the door.

Madison watched as he was leaving. She had a mind to call him back, air out some of their differences, but thought better. What was there to say, really? He seemed like a nice guy and was certainly very good-looking. But that didn’t mean they had to be friends.

Especially since it wasn’t what she wanted. Not when his presence made her feel unexpectedly giddy and nervous. She was still trying to put past regrets behind her.

She sipped more coffee and turned back to the book. Suddenly it became more laborious to read than ever.

She wondered how much Stuart Kendall had to do with that.

* * *

That night, after tucking the girls into bed, Stuart stretched out on the living room sectional and video-chatted with Holly on his iPad.

“Hey, sis.”

She flashed him a big smile on a beautiful face that reminded him of their mother’s. “Back at you, big brother. Or maybe I should say lean and mean brother of mine.”

He chuckled. “Whatever works. How’s the wedding planning going?”

“Great, although it’s much more work than I thought it would be. How are the girls?”

“Growing up way too fast,” he said honestly. “I know they’re only seven, nearly eight, but next thing you know, they’ll be eighteen. I don’t even want to think about them dating and all that.”

Holly laughed. “It’s an inevitable part of life. You’ll get used to it when the time comes.”

“Yeah, we’ll see about that.” Stuart paused thoughtfully. “So what’s the deal with your old friend, Madison?” He already had a pretty good idea, but he still wanted to try to gain a little added insight from Holly.

“Why, did she say something?” Holly’s black eyes grew wide.

“Actually, it’s just the opposite. She hasn’t said enough,” he complained. “I’ve tried to be there if she needed someone to help her get acclimated to Portland, since she was once your friend and all. But she clearly isn’t interested in being friendly with me.”

“Sorry to hear that,” Holly said. “But it’s understandable. She’s probably feeling a little weird right now, knowing that her ex-fiancé is my current fiancé and that we’re about to walk down the aisle. You’re my brother, and she probably sees that as an extension of me.”

“But I thought you said things were cool between the two of you when she left Houston?” Stuart asked.

“They were—are.... But that doesn’t mean there aren’t still hurt feelings. She probably needs a period of adjustment to fully accept the reality that Anderson and I are together.”

“So during this adjustment, am I supposed to just avoid her? Or risk being shot down every time I attempt to engage her in some conversation?”

“Don’t avoid her,” Holly stressed. “Madison is really a nice person to get to know, just as you are. Give her some time to come around. My sense is that she could use a friend like you there, and she’ll come to realize that, if she hasn’t already.”

“I doubt that she has yet,” Stuart said with a little chuckle. “But I’ll take your advice.”

“That’s what little sisters are for,” she told him. “You two will be best buds, and maybe even more, before you know it.”

“Let’s just stick to best buds right now, if it ever happens. I’m not looking for romance. Been there, done that and you see where it’s gotten me.”

“It’s gotten you two beautiful, precious little angels who I’m sure you wouldn’t trade for the world,” Holly said.

“Very true,” he conceded. He couldn’t imagine his life without Carrie and Dottie.

“So let’s not allow Fawn to spoil that any or keep you from finding someone right to share your life with.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said. That didn’t mean he was anywhere close to being ready to throw himself back into the dating game. And certainly not with Madison, who obviously had her own demons she was busy wrestling. Stuart eyed his sister. “At least you’ve found someone to love you. I’ll settle for that for the time being.”

“You can be so sweet at times,” Holly said, blushing.

“Just at times?” he teased her.

“How about the majority of the time?”

“I’ll go with that and not press my luck.”

She laughed. “Good answer.”

Stuart laughed, too, feeling better about things now.

Chapter 3

It was the night of Valentine’s Day, and Madison was visiting her next-door neighbor Jacinta Poole. She and Jacinta had become good friends in recent weeks and Madison welcomed having a female friendship in Portland.

Jacinta was a year older and divorced. She was a professor of liberal arts at Portland State University and a longtime resident of Portland. Jacinta handed Madison a goblet of wine and the two sat at the table in the breakfast nook.

“Thanks for inviting me over,” Madison said as she reached for the glass.

“I figured you could use some company,” Jacinta said, brushing her Senegalese twists to one side of her head. “This is the day your ex is marrying your friend, right?”

“Yep, as far as I know.” Madison gave her a thoughtful look. She had poured out her heart to Jacinta last month, expressing both sorrow and relief that her life was headed in a different direction. Now that her ex, Anderson, had made it official with Holly, it truly was time to put this behind her once and for all. After all, why should the two of them be happy and not her? She deserved to find a man who could truly appreciate her.

Jacinta seemed to read her mind. “Don’t let it weigh you down, girl. If he chose to marry someone else, that’s on him, not you.”

“You’re right,” Madison agreed. “Guess it really hit home now that there’s no turning back.” Not that she had seriously considered going back to him since the moment things soured between them. She had too much self-respect to want to be with someone who couldn’t and wouldn’t commit to her.

“Honestly, I wish I’d known before I walked down the aisle that my ex would turn out to be a jerk,” Jacinta said with a laugh. “Believe me, I would’ve run in the other direction as fast as I could.”

Madison couldn’t help but laugh. “Guess it really is better to avert disaster before it happens.”

“That’s what I’m talking about,” Jacinta said. “This is a day for you to celebrate that you avoided what could have been the biggest mistake of your life.”

“You’re so right.”

They clinked glasses to toast the moment.

“You’re in the right city to find a real man,” Jacinta said. “Portland is swarming with eligible bachelors.”

“Oh, really?” In fact, Madison recalled reading something once about Portland being ranked as the first or second city in the country with the most single men. She couldn’t help but think of Stuart as one of those eligible men. Or was he spoken for? Holly had suggested months ago that he was still dealing with his ex-wife who left him. Was that still the case?

“Some of them just happen to teach at PSU,” Jacinta told her. “I’d be happy to introduce you around.”

“Though the idea is tempting,” Madison said, “right now, I think I’d rather let him come to me than go after him.”

“Okay, I can respect that,” Jacinta said. “Especially since I’m kind of in the same boat.”

Madison chuckled. “Didn’t I see you come home the other night with a good-looking guy?”

“Yes, I’m seeing someone,” Jacinta admitted, “but it’s pretty casual and I think we both know it’s going nowhere in the long run. And, really, that’s just fine right now, since I’m way too busy to become too emotionally invested in a man.”

Madison wondered what her excuse was. She’d love to become emotionally involved with a man, but only if he would truly appreciate her, unlike Anderson. She just wasn’t sure such a man existed. At least not in her universe.

She would simply have to bide her time and not put herself out there only to get nothing but heartbreak in return.

“Let me refill your wine,” Jacinta said, “and we can watch a DVD.”

Madison smiled. “Sounds like a plan.” It certainly beat sitting alone at home, with only a stack of books to review as her constant companion. She hoped that maybe by next Valentine’s Day she would have someone in her life to share the joys of romance.

* * *

Stuart watched gleefully as the girls played with Grace in the park. She had a way with them, and he had no doubt that someday Grace would be a fine mother to her own children. He only wished Dottie and Carrie had a real mother around who they could count on to be there day in and day out. In spite of them being well-adjusted and seemingly content with their real mother long out of the picture, he still felt that maternal affection was something all children needed. But he was doing his best to try to be everything they needed with some help from Grace.

They were two weeks removed from a trip to Houston where they had attended Holly’s wedding. Carrie and Dottie had served as flower girls and Holly was every bit the blushing bride. Anderson seemed to love her dearly and had been fully accepted into the family.

Stuart thought about his father and was glad that they’d had some time to visit while they were in Houston for the wedding. They had never been as close as he would have liked, as both were bullheaded at times and not always on the same page. But things had been improving lately between them. Both had lost someone dear to them, albeit in totally different circumstances, giving them common ground.

The fact that his father adored Dottie and Carrie went a long way in Stuart’s book, as they needed their grandfather as much as he needed them.

Stuart wondered how long it would be before Holly gave his girls a cousin or two. He had no doubt that Holly wanted a family, and Anderson seemed of the same mind.

It made Stuart consider the possibility of one day giving Carrie and Dottie siblings. He was sure they would love that. So would he. Of course, he would first need a woman in his life who felt the same way. Neither seemed on the horizon at the moment. But he had decided to try to keep his mind open, even though Fawn had done her best to turn him off women forever.

Stuart snapped out of his reverie when Dottie tugged on his hand. “Come play with us, Daddy,” she pleaded.

He smiled. “Are you sure I wouldn’t be in the way?”

“I’m sure.” She giggled. “Plus Grace said she has to leave soon to study.”

“Well, in that case, I’ll be happy to fill in for her,” he said enthusiastically. He allowed her to take him by the hand and lead him over to where Carrie and Grace were.

* * *

On Monday morning in the first week of March, Madison was at her desk working on a review when Giselle knocked on the open door and entered.

“I see you’re busy as usual,” she said.

Madison didn’t deny it. Her work was the perfect way to keep her mind occupied. “I like to make my deadlines.”

“And you always do.” Giselle sat down in a chair beside the desk. “I loved the review you wrote on Linda Bloom’s latest romance.”

“She’s a great writer,” Madison said.

“I agree,” Giselle said. “And it doesn’t hurt that she includes plenty of passion in her novels for folks who aren’t getting enough in their real lives.”

Madison batted her lashes. “Excuse me?”

“Sorry if I offended you,” Giselle said sincerely. “That wasn’t my intention. But it’s obvious that you and I are very much alike—burying ourselves in work and fitness while not having much of a love life, if any. If I’m way off base—”

“You’re not,” Madison admitted. “My social life is pretty much nonexistent these days—by choice.”

“I’m sure there’s a story there,” Giselle said hopefully.

Madison sighed, not wanting to go there. “Yeah, isn’t there always?” She paused before saying, “I love my job, and if it can sometimes act as a substitute for real-life romance, then so be it.”

“My sentiments exactly,” Giselle said, smiling. “Actually, I’ve got a new assignment for you.”

“Oh...” Madison wondered if Giselle would take advantage of her being a workaholic. Should she be flattered or insulted?

“Yes, I’d like you to interview Stuart Kendall for our May issue.”

“Me?” Madison hadn’t meant for it to sound like a question. Or like this was new territory for her, which it wasn’t. She had done her fair share of interviews with authors in Houston.

“Yes, you,” Giselle said. “You said you know him, right?”

“I know his sister, but him, not so well,” Madison said.

“Well, here’s your chance to get to know him better,” Giselle told her wryly. “His book, An Act of Murder, will be released in May in paperback. It’ll be a great feature on a local bestselling author and single dad.”

Madison did not disagree that it would be a good article for the magazine. She just wasn’t sure she was the best person to do it. Especially since things between her and Stuart hadn’t exactly been cordial, which was totally her fault. It might make him less likely to want her to interview him.

“I’d love to do it,” she offered halfheartedly, “but I’m really swamped with books to review and a story I’m working on for my column...”

“So I’ll reassign some of your reviews,” Giselle said. “And you can shorten your column if you need to. I just think that you’re the perfect person to interview Stuart and maybe get inside his head to see how on earth he manages to balance a successful career with a home life of raising two little girls. I think our readers would eat up this piece.”

Madison had a feeling this wasn’t something she could turn down, even if she still had reservations about approaching Stuart after giving him the brush-off. But, after all, she really was sincere about wanting to put the past to rest. So forcing herself to socialize with Holly’s brother without getting bent out of shape was a good place to put that to the test. The fact that it was in a professional capacity meant there would be no added pressure on either of them to make it personal.

“I’ll be happy to interview Stuart Kendall,” she told her boss. “Assuming he’s willing. I know some authors prefer to let their words speak for them.”

“From what I’ve heard and seen for myself, Stuart’s not likely to pass on the interview. Especially since you’re someone he knows, even if not too well,” Giselle said confidently.

Madison made herself smile, while the thought of getting together with him made her heart race for some reason. “I’ll try.”

Giselle smiled back and got to her feet. “Great. I’ll set it up.”

“Actually, I’d like to set it up myself,” Madison said, not wanting Stuart to somehow feel that he’d been blindsided into doing an interview with her. “We both ride our bikes in the same area. I’m sure I’ll run into him, and I can approach the subject then.”

“That’s fine,” Giselle agreed. “Keep me posted.”

She left and Madison thought about seeing Stuart again and how both of them might react to it. I have to remain coolheaded and let him see more of the real me, she thought, while hoping that she hadn’t already blown the opportunity.

Chapter 4

On Wednesday, after taking the girls to school, Stuart drove home in his gray Mercedes. He put the dishes in the dishwasher and did a little writing before getting on his bicycle for a few miles of riding. It was the perfect escape from the hard work that had made him a bestseller.

It was a far cry from the early days when writing was strictly a part-time endeavor, and he had to make a living doing the best he could with various jobs. But things began to go his way following his first bestseller a few years ago. After that, he never looked back as far as money was concerned. He’d made wise investment choices and set up trust funds for both girls so they would never have to do without.

The one thing he knew money could not buy them was the love of a mother. Stuart wished he had never gotten mixed up with Fawn, save for the two girls they’d brought into this world.

He rode his bike up the hill easily and was on his way down the other side, staying in the bicycle lane, when he spotted another cyclist ahead of him. It didn’t take much for Stuart to recognize the rider as Madison Wagner. She was moving at a leisurely pace, seemingly enjoying the feel of the wind in her face and the beauty of her surroundings.

As though she had eyes in the back of her head, Madison turned once to look his way and slowed down at the bottom of the hill, as if to wait for him.

Maybe she thinks I’m someone else, he thought. Hate to disappoint her and possibly ruin her day when she realizes she’s going to cross paths with a Kendall.

Given that their previous encounters had been less than ideal, Stuart almost considered turning around and going back up the hill to avoid another letdown. But that would be taking the easy way out. He was up for a challenge.

He cruised down the rest of the way before putting on the brakes, stopping just short of her. “Hey,” he said casually.

“Hey.” Madison gave him an uneasy smile. “Thought that might be you.”

“And yet you still waited?” Stuart said, chuckling. “Sorry, couldn’t resist.”

“It’s cool,” she told him, realizing she hadn’t made it easy for him up to this point. “Look, we may have gotten off to the wrong start.”

“You think?” he asked, raising a brow.

“I was just going through some things and you got caught up in it,” Madison tried to explain.

“I understand,” Stuart said, thinking back to Holly’s wedding. “In any event, I am glad to see that we can at least carry on a conversation.”

“So am I.” She paused while eyeing the handsome man who was checking her out, too.

“Do you want to ride together for a bit?” he asked.

“Sure,” she told him, welcoming the brief respite.

Stuart followed behind her, enjoying the view of her nice backside as she rode. “So what have you been up to lately?” Seemed like an easy enough way to get to know her, if she was open to it.

“Mostly work,” Madison said. “How about you?”

“Same thing—along with trying to keep up with my girls.”

“They’re seven, right?” She seemed to recall Holly telling her that.

“They act more like seventeen sometimes,” he said, chuckling. “They will be eight in June.”

“That’s nice.”

Stuart could tell that she meant it; though he got the feeling she didn’t have any kids. “I’ve been checking out your column and reviews when I’ve gotten the chance.”

“Oh, really?” She looked at him, as they were now riding parallel in an area designated solely for bikes.

“Yeah,” he admitted. “Apart from being a writer, I’m an avid reader whenever time permits, which isn’t often enough. You have some thoughtful reviews and interesting observations in your column.”

“Thank you.” Madison found herself blushing. Most writers she knew were too full of themselves to be bothered with reading anything but their own work. “I try to keep my reviews real and the column energetic so it doesn’t put people to sleep.”

“I think you’ve succeeded.” Stuart grinned at her, wishing they had been able to compare notes sooner, but glad to see they were doing so now.

“I try my best.” She held back and let him take the lead as they reentered the narrower bicycle path. This was the perfect segue to ask him what she wanted to. “I’d like to interview you....”

He glanced over his shoulder. “For the magazine?”

“Yes, a feature story in which you can tell readers about your writing, home life, kids,” Madison said. “I’m sure it would be a hit for your fans and help new potential fans get to know you.”

Stuart could not deny that she had a point. It hadn’t been that long ago when no one was very much interested in his story. Least of all one of the hottest magazines in town. But that was then and this was now.

He did wonder about the timing, though. Had this just come up? Or had she been friendly all of a sudden as a way to butter him up for a damned interview?

Not that it mattered in the scheme of things. The reality was he saw this opportunity as a perfect icebreaker. And it would allow him to dig a bit into her life as well, beyond what he already knew, which wasn’t much.

“I’ll be happy to give you an interview,” Stuart told her with a smile.

“Wonderful.” Madison breathed a sigh of relief. “How about tomorrow at lunchtime?”

He waited a beat as if to consider his busy schedule. Since the girls would be at school and his writing time was quite flexible, there was no problem meeting then, but he didn’t want to seem overeager.

“Lunchtime sounds good,” he said.

“Are you familiar with the Beef Barn on Fifth Avenue?” she asked.

“Yes, I’ve been there a couple of times.”

“Great. I’ll meet you there at one.”

“It’s a date,” Stuart said.

* * *

After leaving Stuart, Madison rode home feeling as though she had pulled off a coup. He’d had every right to turn down the interview request, but he’d been surprisingly gracious. Perhaps he hadn’t given her earlier brush-off much thought after it had happened. She was grateful for that.

She phoned Giselle with the news. “We’re meeting tomorrow.”

“That was quick,” Giselle said.

“No time like the present,” Madison said lightly as she sat on a porch step.

“I couldn’t agree more. I’m sure it will be a nice piece on one of Portland’s most eligible bestselling authors.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Madison said.

“My pleasure,” Giselle told her. “That’s what I’m here for.”