Page 96 of Hearts Aweigh
Daisy gasped.
Althea squealed. “It’s like a scene from a movie.”
Gerry’s pencil scratched as she made furious notes. “She’d make a good heroine.”
Emily observed the unfolding drama with amusement. Fifty years as a navy wife had sucked all the romance out of helicopter landings. She was about to say as much but stopped at Daisy’s reaction. The unflappable composure so synonymous with their genteel member had been replaced by horror.
“Are you ill, dear?” Emily gripped her friend’s arm.
Daisy pressed two fingers to her temple. “She’s far from a heroine, Gerry. I’m sorry to say you are looking at my ex-daughter-in-law.”
“Where is everybody?” Spencer stood at the office door and surveyed the empty space. Had Abby taken Madeleine on an excursion? She was probably still avoiding him.
He searched the suite. Would he find them in the Kids Kingdom? Or perhaps the splash pad. As he passed the dining room table, a hand reached between the chairs and grabbed his ankle. He yelped like a surprised cartoon character. A head with curly red hair poked from under the table.
“Shhhh.” Abby pressed a finger to her lips. “Maddie will catch us.”
“Excuse me?”
She tugged at his ankle, pulling him off balance. He hunched to steady himself and met his incorrigible nanny’s face peeking at him.
“We’re playing hide-and-seek. She’s upstairs checking the bedrooms, but she may have heard you squeal.”
“I’d hardly call that a squeal. I was merely—”
“Aaaabby.” Madeleine’s voice echoed from the upper landing.
“Don’t give me away.” Abby released him and ducked into her hiding place.
“Daddy”—the pitter-patter of Maddie’s feet sounded on the stairs—“have you seen Abby?”
His daughter hopped down the last two steps and ran to his side. Spencer noted her lopsided ponytail, the faint red stain of fruit punch on her collar, and the radiant smile. She looked messy and carefree and adorable. The way a childshouldlook. And it was thanks to the woman hiding under the table.
Envy pinched him. He wished he could be the one with rumpled clothing and a happy smile, forgetting the suffocating strictures of protocol.
Madeleine eyed the table and grabbed one of the dining room chairs. It seemed hide-and-seek was coming to an end.
A brisk knock interrupted the discovery.
“Someone’s come to visit.” Spencer took Maddie with him, drawing her away from Abby’s hiding place. Might as well help her prolong the game. He reached their suite door and opened it.
A woman stood on the other side with her back to him. Tall. Stylish. Dressed in black with a large couture bag slung over her shoulder like she was shooting a commercial.
His smile faded.
His ex-wife, Priscilla Rothschild, turned with an all too familiar smirk. “Long time no see.” Her husky voice greeted him.
“Mommy!” Maddie launched forward and hugged her mother’s long legs.
Priscilla bent a fraction and patted her with one hand. “Hello, my darling. I hope you’ve missed me.” Her gaze traveled to Spencer. “Both of you.”
“What are you doing here?” His voice sounded calm despite the maelstrom swirling inside him.
“I’ve come to visit my daughter. And you too.” She tapped his chest, waited for him to move, then sailed inside. “What a charming suite, Spencer. Although I imagine the decor doesn’t fit your taste. Am I right?”
Maddie scampered close behind. “My room’s upstairs, Mommy. I—”
Priscilla laid a finger over her daughter’s lips. “The adults are speaking, darling. Don’t interrupt.” She turned to Spencer. “Has the porter delivered my things? I’m dying to freshen up.”
