Page 102 of Deception

“Yes. I thought you knew.” She’d blocked so much of her childhood memories. “I never had many friends because I was afraid they’d want to have a sleepover at my house, and I never knew which mom would meet me at the door when I got home from school. The one full of energy and laughing ... until something happened to make her angry. Or the one who cried all the time.”

“I’m sorry. Sounds like you had a rough go as a kid.”

“I survived.” Madison didn’t know why she was telling Clayton all of this, except he was easy to talk to. Somehow, he made her feel safe. “Grandfather was my rock. He called and checked on me a couple of times a week. Wrote me notes. Came to my martial arts competitions and my horse shows, something my dad rarely ever did even though he’d bought me the horse.”

He turned off the Trace onto a narrow road, and then in a couple of miles he turned into a lighted parking area. The headlights flashed on a sign. “Emerald Mound?” she said.

“Yes. Ever been here?”

“No. What is it?”

Clayton killed the motor. “Emerald is the second largest ceremonial Indian mound in the States. It was built between 1300 and 1600 AD. Want to walk to the top?”

She glanced around. “Do you think it’s safe?”

“I checked—we weren’t followed from Natchez, and no one could know we were coming here. The moon should be rising soon, and you can see it much better from the top of the mound.”

Madison unbuckled her seat belt. “Let’s do it.”

By the time Clayton came to her side of the SUV, she was already climbing out. The air was still, and somewhere to her left an owl’s lonely hoot was answered by another owl. “This way.” He clasped her hand in his.

His touch sent a delicious shiver through her, but as they climbed the mound, she realized it hadn’t been a romantic move—it was to steady her for the ascent. He shined a light on the path, and Madison was puffing a little by the time they made it to the top.

Clayton flicked the flashlight off, and darkness surrounded them. “Close your eyes.”

She did as he said and felt his hands on her shoulders as he turned her.

“Now open them and look up.”

When she did, it took her breath. As far as she could see, an immense span of blackness provided a velvety backdrop for the stars that were like a million fireflies floating in the air.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place ...The verse from Psalms filled her heart. Madison leaned into Clayton, and he put his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he said softly.

How did he know this was exactly what she needed? “Look!”

A streak of light raced across the sky—a shooting star, the first she’d seen since she was a kid.

“Did you make a wish?”

“I always do.” It was always the same wish—to belong. But tonight she added another wish—some way to keep the sense of peace she felt. Suddenly a tiny thread of fear encroached on that peace. Somehow Clayton had found a crack in the wall she’d built around her heart. She should step away, tell him to take her home, but the night sky held her captive.

He bent his lips closer to her head. “Now look this way.”

She turned, and the full moon, the color of a pale pumpkin, filled the eastern sky. “It’s huge.”

“A super moon.”

The magical night wrapped around them as they watched the huge orb rise. She’d never seen anything so beautiful. Or maybe it was who she was with. Madison turned and faced him, placing her hands on his chest. He was solid. Strong. Caring. “Thank you.”

Clayton slipped his other arm around her waist. Madison breathed deeply, drinking in the strength she found in his presence. But something else too. He was going to kiss her. The realization created a stirring in her heart she’d never felt before.

Her lips parted slightly, and she slid her hands behind his neck as he gently pulled her closer. She melted against him as his lips claimed hers.

55

Clayton had kissed many women but had never tasted a kiss so sweet. His heart swelled at the desire consuming him to protect Madison. He broke away and traced his fingers along her jaw.

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