Madison's Children. Linda Warren

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      He seemed very stern, very disciplined—a by-the-book type of man. Cait had said he’d been in the marines and later had joined a search-and-rescue team in Houston. He’d only returned to High Cotton because of his children. Cait hadn’t said anything about the mother, but she must be a fine piece of work.

      Her sister Skylar thought Walker was a hunk. Maddie rolled that around in her head for a moment. He was tall and impressive, with broad shoulders, caramel-colored eyes like Georgie’s, brown hair that curled into his collar, lean, sculptured features, and a body that rivaled Arnold Schwarzenegger’s.

      Her taste ran more to indoor guys in tailored suits and J. Crew shirts, who didn’t wear cowboy boots, Stetsons or risk their lives in the line of duty.

      That described Victor, the man she’d been dating in Philadelphia. Tall and thin, Victor never got his hands dirty. As a doctor, he was very meticulous and fastidious in everything he did, even away from the hospital. He was fifteen years older than Madison and at times he made her feel like one of his children, which irritated her. But he was a compassionate, caring man and that’s what had attracted her.

      Wasn’t it?

      Victor wasn’t a muscled, gun-toting-hero type like Walker. The constable was all muscle and raw power.

      He was too…too manly.

      She almost laughed out loud at the description. Could a man be too manly?

      As she entered the kitchen, Gran was telling the kids about Solomon, their pet bull. Maddie and Cait had raised him from a baby when his mother had died. Solomon was now quite large, and it wasn’t uncommon for him to be at the back door waiting for her in the mornings. He wanted feed and he didn’t like waiting.

      She never knew how he got over the board fence until she saw him jump it one morning. Solomon’s father had had the same bad trait, and it had led to his demise. Maddie wanted to break Solomon of the habit. So far she hadn’t had any luck.

      “Can I see him?” Georgie asked. His upper lip sported a milk mustache and his cheeks were smeared with chocolate from the chocolate chip cookies. He was so cute. How could his mother leave him?

      “No, Georgie,” Haley told him. “We’re going to find Mama.”

      “Oh.” Georgie stuffed more of the cookie into his mouth.

      Ginny saw her standing in the doorway. “Did you get Ms. Belle?”

      “Yes,” she replied, walking farther into the room. “She hasn’t seen Brian since he left High Five for the oil fields and she doesn’t have an idea where he might be.”

      “Oh.” Ginny hung her head and Maddie’s heart broke for her. It was time for a heart-to-heart and she didn’t want Georgie to hear them.

      “Gran, would you take Georgie to the veranda? Solomon might make an appearance.”

      “Oh, boy.” Georgie bounced up and down in his chair.

      Gran took his hand, which was covered in chocolate, and quickly reached for a napkin to wipe his hands and mouth.

      After that, Georgie wiggled one arm into his jacket, but seemed unable to get the other one inside the sleeve. Maddie came to his rescue and zipped the Windbreaker.

      “Come on, little one,” Gran said, leading him to the door. The screen banged behind them.

      Maddie took his seat. “Ginny, I’m not trying to pry, but is Brian the father of your baby?”

      “Yes, ma’am.” She still hung her head.

      “And you think he’ll take responsibility for the child?”

      “Oh, no, ma’am.” Ginny raised her head, her voice sincere. “It’s not like that. I mean, Brian dropped me after…well, you know. I just want the money to get us to Lubbock and Haley’s mom. I’m planning to keep my baby.”

      The dream of a young girl who hadn’t a clue about life. Maddie wondered how she’d manage.

      She looked at Haley, who was playing with her glass. “Haley, does your mother know you’re planning a visit?”

      Her caramel eyes turned dark. “That’s none of your business.”

      “Watch your mouth,” Etta said before Maddie could form a response.

      Maddie shot Etta a silencing glance and said, “She doesn’t, does she.”

      Haley clamped her lips together and no response was offered. Maddie had her answer.

      She stood. “Haley, you’re a minor, and I had no choice but to call your father.”

      “You bitch.” The words were fired at her with such venom that it took her aback for a second.

      Etta tapped Haley’s head with her wooden spoon. “Any more words like that, young lady, and I’ll wash your mouth out with soap.”

      Haley rubbed her head and glared at Etta.

      Maddie took a breath and sent another silent message to Etta to cool it. She’d felt the sting of that spoon many times as a kid and knew that Etta meant well, but Haley wasn’t in their family and not theirs to discipline.

      She focused on the fury in Haley’s eyes. “I’m doing what’s best for both of you.”

      “Dad will take Ginny home and her dad hits her all the time. He’ll make her lose the baby and the baby is all she has.” Haley’s words were delivered with all the fervor of a brokenhearted little girl.

      Ginny touched her arm. “It’s okay, Haley. We don’t have any money so we have to go home.”

      “It’s not fair.” Haley crossed her arms over her chest.

      “Your father will do what’s best for you,” Maddie tried to reassure her.

      “He doesn’t even want Georgie or me, and he bums us off on Aunt Nell all the time.”

      “Haley…”

      “You don’t know my father. You have money, so just give us some so we can go to Lubbock.”

      All kinds of questions tumbled like broken glass through her mind. Was Walker taking the pain of a failed marriage out on his children? Haley seemed to hate him. What had Walker done to warrant that? Did he not want custody of his kids? Maddie now had misgivings about calling him, but if anything was amiss, Cait would have said so.

      “I want to help you. I really do, but—”

      There was a knock at the front door.

      “Please don’t make us go home,” Haley begged, tears glistening in her eyes.

      Maddie’s heart dropped like a rock, and she felt like the bad guy. But she had no choice. “Stay here while I talk to your father.” As she hurried to answer the door, she wondered how СКАЧАТЬ