Page 68 of Smuggler's Cove
“You mean nautical,” Madison teased, and flipped through the pages. “Oh, and we also have visuals.” She peered at the photos of Viggo’s cottage. “Cute place. I like the seagrass décor.”
“It’s appropriate,” Olivia said, grinning.
“Now all we have to find out is if he has a girlfriend.”
“I wasn’t getting that vibe from him,” Olivia said.
“A girlfriend vibe? Isthata thing?” Madison mocked.
“Come on, he was flirting with you.”
“True, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
“I guess we’ll find out when you let him know you are renting a house and you would like some clarification about jetties, wharfs, docks, landings, and all that.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Madison was anxious and nervous. “Plus, he is younger than me. And we know how those relationships worked out in the past. Not great.”
“Do not talk yourself out of this, my dear. I know you too well. If you think something might go wrong, you back away.”
“I most certainly do not.”
“Oh, you most certainly do when it comes to men.” Olivia folded her arms.
Olivia was correct in her assertion that when it came to men, Madison was skittish. And who could blame her after Seth? New York was a tough town, especially when it came to people with a limited moral compass, and eager to “make it big,” regardless of the cost to others and sometimes to themselves.
“Okay. Okay.” Madison took another sip of her coffee. “Let’s take a look at the rental again.”
Olivia went to her desk and forwarded the link to Madison’s email.
A chime signaled it had arrived in Madison’s inbox. Madison quickly opened it and began to swipe the photos. “I hope it wasn’t photoshopped.”
“Oh, please. You go fromyippeetouh-oh.”
“It has been that kind of week. But I have a good feeling about this one.”
Madison went to her early meeting and informed the staff that she was taking the rest of the day off. Most of them were stunned. Madison rarely took any time for herself. She was always working, and most of her employees assumed her career was her whole life. They weren’t that far off the mark. She kept her circle small and didn’t like interacting with too many people. It wasn’t that she was an introvert or a misanthrope, she was just careful. Besides her coworkers and exceedingly small circle of friends, she mostly kept to herself, her cats, her brother and sister-in-law, and her niece. There were a handful of business associates she would occasionally dine with, and there were the numerous industry galas and events, but Madison was always haunted by her father’s indiscretions, and how she reinvented herself. Some people would think it was an admirable feat, but in Madison’s way of thinking, she was on a slippery slope of being a fraud.
Olivia would argue that Madison had every right to protect herself from judgment, and the chance of retribution, but Madison often thought she was lying to everyone.
“You are Madison Wainwright. You earned everything you have: your job, your apartment, and most of all, your life. Few people could pick themselves up and meet the challenges of scandal and financial loss. You went from a luxurious lifestyle to humble and modest. You transferred when you were smack in the middle of college and moved out of town. You graduated at the top of your class, you designed a line of clothes, started a blog, and now you are at the top of your game in the world of fashion. Do not sell yourself short.”
That was one of the many things Madison loved about her friend. Olivia could be quiet and reserved, but she was keenly observant and could articulate her opinions without alienating people. In Madison’s estimation, not only was Olivia the quintessential business associate, but she was also a fierce and loyal friend. Madison would snicker when Olivia would give her the occasional lecture. “You are right. I am spectacular.”
Olivia rapped on the doorjamb. “Ready? We must leave in ten minutes to catch the ferry.”
Madison was genuinely excited. She put her anxiety on hold.What’s the worst that could happen?When the only thing that came to mind was the boat capsizing, she reminded herself she was a good swimmer, they had life jackets, and they were close to shoreline. Besides, there was a very handsome Coast Guard captain that might rescue her. Her thoughts were light and breezy. She closed the door to her office and changed into a pair of white capri pants, white sleeveless turtleneck, and a white cardigan—and of course, her skimmers, which had become her favorite shoes—and plopped a trawler cap over her platinum-blond hair.
Olivia gave her the nod. “Time to go. Lincoln is waiting in the lobby.”
They headed down William and then to Wall Street and South Street, where the ferry landing was located. Boats of all sizes were coming and going. Announcements for Paulus Hook, Belford, and Liberty Harbor rang through the air. Helicopters moved up and down, swirling the water below. There was a sign designated for Sea Streak, the boat that would take them to the Highlands, where Irene was going to meet them. Madison was impressed at the size of the boat. “I don’t know what I thought we were taking, but this is one big freighter.”
Lincoln laughed. “You better get your maritime vocabulary straight. That is not a freighter.”
“Ship. Boat. Freighter. Whatever,” Madison joked.
Lincoln was happy to see his sister in a much better mood when it came to Smuggler’s Cove. He wasn’t sure what brought on the change of attitude, but he’d take it. It was going to be a big project, but nothing they couldn’t handle, as long as there weren’t any more surprises, like a dead body.
It was as if Madison were reading Lincoln’s mind. “I wonder if they have any more information about Mr. Farrell.”
