Page 61 of Deception

Usually it didn’t bother her that he never sounded like he wanted to hear from her, but today it did. “Call me back when you have time to talk.”

“Madison, why did you call me?”

The muscle in her jaw throbbed. “Grandfather is dead.”

Absolute silence met her announcement. “You’re kidding.”

“No, I’m not.” Like she’d kid about something like that.

“I’m sorry. You ... just caught me at a bad time. And I’m sorry about your grandfather. I know you cared for him.”

And you didn’t.But she bit back the words on the tip of her tongue. “I wanted to let you know before it hit the news.”

“Thank you,” he said. “I assume you’ll be going to Natchez tonight?”

“I’m in Natchez.” She gripped the phone. “Why didn’t you call me back? I left a message when Grandfather was shot.”

“What are you talking about? I never got a message from you.”

“But I called.”

“Well, I didn’t get it.” His voice was sharp—typical. “Where will you be staying?”

Madison had told Nadine she’d stay with her, but the house had been cleared. She could stay in her old bedroom, but she wasn’t sure she could do that. “Probably with Nadine.”

“I’ll be there by seven tonight to help any way I can.”

So much for staying with Nadine.

“I’ll be fine. No need for you to make the five-hour drive.”

“It’s only two. I’m in Jackson, have been for a couple of days,” he said. “I’ll see you tonight. Love you, pumpkin.”

Madison was left holding a dead call, her heart tugging at his pet name for her. It’d been years since he’d called her that.

Clayton joined her back at the patio. “You okay?”

She gave him a shrug. “My dad will be here tonight.”

“That’s good.” He frowned. “Right?”

“I suppose. Our relationship is ... complicated.”

“Aren’t most?”

“I don’t think he wanted to adopt me.”

34

What makes you say that?” Clayton asked. From his own experience, kids knew when they weren’t wanted. It was one reason he watched over Ava the way he did after her dad skipped out.

“A lot of little things, but one in particular.” Madison stood and walked to the edge of the patio. She turned and rubbed her bare arms. “We’d gotten a puppy that was too much trouble—according to my dad. I don’t remember everything that was said ... but one word led to another, and pretty soon my parents were screaming at each other. It ended when he yelled, ‘Getting this kid was supposed to fix your problem!’”

Madison stared down at her hands. “We took the dog back to the pet store the same day.”

He wasn’t sure what to say. While his dad had been difficult, Clayton never felt he didn’t love him. Just wanted to control him. “You thought they would give you back if you caused trouble.”

“H-how did you know?”

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