Page 14 of Tangled Passion

Madelyn shrugged. “I think I’ll be back for the fireworks.”

“But you helped make some of the food,” Pearl said.

Madelyn impulsively hugged the older woman. “And it was fun. Thank you.”

Pearl stopped her before she made it to the door.

“Do you have any more recipes you could give me?”

“Absolutely. I’ve got several,” Madelyn said. “I’ll write them down for you.”

“I’d appreciate it,” Pearl said and turned back to the sink as Madelyn fled, going out the opposite door Garrett was blocking.

Garrett wanted to stop her but was afraid to scare or upset her as he did the night before. He’d wait until his brother was back to help him.

Garrett guessed his volatile emotions would settle after they had her between them, and she understood she was going to be theirs. But until then, he felt like he was hanging from a ledge by his fingertips.

Jesus, he needed his brother.

Chapter Eight

Madelyn drove back to the lodge after her trip to town. She’d spent a few hours looking around. There were several shops she planned to return to, but she didn’t want to drive up the mountain in the dark, so she left before she could see everything.

After parking her car, she made her way up to her room without anyone stopping her. She locked the door, put her purse and bags on the mattress, pulled out her phone, and called her son.

“Hey, Baby, I’m just making sure you made it back all right?” she said.

“Yeah, Mom. Sorry I didn’t text.”

“I’m just glad you’re back and you’re okay. Thank you for coming to see me.”

“I wish I could have stayed longer.”

“Me, too.”

She tried and failed to hide the emotions in her tone.

“Don’t be sad, Mom. I promise I’ll see you soon.”

Madelyn drew in a silent breath. The last thing she wanted to do was make her children worry about her.

“I know you will. Good luck and have fun at the conference, Sweetheart.”

“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Baby.”

Madelyn sat on the side of the bed and gripped the phone in her hand. She wanted to call her daughter in the worst way but knew she’d be able to tell she was upset and would worry about her. She needed to keep busy and tire herself out. She knew tomorrow would be a little more comfortable because she’d be able to stay in her room more.

****

Later that night, Garrett came from the side of the lodge to find Madelyn. She sat alone on the top of the hill next to the building, watching the fireworks go off over the lake in the back. He was spellbound by the way the lights reflected off her features. Whenever he saw her, she became more beautiful and harder to resist.

“You got back just in time.”

Madelyn jerked her head up when he came to stand beside her, looking down at her. She wrapped her arms around her knees and hugged her legs to her chest as if to protect herself.

“I’ve been back. I’ve just been in my room.”

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