Page 88 of Smuggler's Cove
“You, me, Livvy, and Viggo. We are all going to have to suffer the consequences if you don’t have a good time.”
“And this is why I did not mention it.” Madison would have stuck her tongue out if she were in the same room with him.
“Seriously, I really hope you have fun. You deserve it, Maddie. You have been working hard and have had a spate of ne’er-do-wells. It is time for you to enjoy the company of a man, who, in my humble opinion, appears to be a decent gent.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your input. Besides, Hannah is a big fan of his, too.”
“Hannah, eh? You told her before you told your own brother?” Lincoln feigned being insulted.
“It’s a girl thing.” Madison chuckled. “I have to go. Mario and Luigi are giving me the stink eye. Time for dinner.”
“One more thing. I plan to drive down on Saturday morning. Going to leave around seven thirty. Do you want a ride? Or, if you want me to bring anything down there for you, let me know.”
“Seven thirty is a tad early for me, but yes, a suitcase of clothes would be swell. I’ll leave it with my doorman.”
“You got it. See you on Saturday.”
“Love you!” Madison said as she signed off.
It was almost eleven, and she was still wide awake. She decided to use the time to pack the clothes she wanted Lincoln to take to the house. It took about an hour, and by then, she was ready for bed. As she pulled the covers over her shoulder, she whispered, “One more night to go.”
Mario and Luigi curled up against her and began to purr.
As she drifted off to sleep, she made plans for the rest of the summer. If all went well, she would work remotely three days a week and go into the office on Monday and Tuesday. There was no reason why it wasn’t a possibility. They managed during the pandemic; they could manage now.
Friday morning arrived, and Madison was relieved she had slept well. Finally. She glanced over at the open suitcase on the floor and blinked several times. “What are you guys doing?” Mario and Luigi had made a very nice, comfortable bed for themselves on her neatly folded clothing. “Not this weekend, kids, but I am making plans so we can spend most of the summer at the house. Is that alright with you?” Mario yawned and rolled over, signaling it was time for Madison to rub his belly. “And what about you, Luigi? No belly rubs or no summer house?” Luigi stretched and then flopped over. “A-ha. You also want to be in the fresh air?” She scrunched their faces and gave them kisses on the head.
“Marvin will be looking in on you guys this weekend, so you be nice to him.” Mario and Luigi were very mellow cats unless there was a sudden loud noise. But most people are bothered by that, as well.
Madison went to her closet and slid past one piece of white clothing, then the next. “This is getting boring.” She decided on a pair of white jeans, and a white crewneck sweater with white Mary Janes. “I wonder what people would say if I showed up in a pair of regular jeans and an orange sweater?” She chuckled to herself. “Maybe next week.”
She went through her usual morning routine of fixing her first cup of coffee, feeding the cats, showering, and getting dressed.
Olivia greeted her in the office with a cup of coffee. “Ready?”
“As I will ever be. Hey, did you know that Lincoln knew about my date?”
“No, but he was tossing questions at me like, how you were getting on with Captain Eriksson, and why were you in such a great mood lately.”
“Why does everyone keep asking me why I am in a great mood lately? Have I been in a not-so-great mood?”
“Perhaps it would be better to say you’ve been bubbly lately. Effervescent.”
“Aren’t I always?” Madison pouted.
“Not like this. You’re actually quite serious most of the time.”
“Huh.” Madison pondered. Is that how people saw her? Had she been going through life looking like she lacked joy?Didshe lack joy in her life? Madison didn’t want to think about it too much, afraid the answer would make her sad, like she had wasted so much of her life.
She shook herself out of her thoughts. “What do we have to do today?” she asked Olivia.
“Planning meeting.”
“Ugh. On a Friday?”
“Yes, the publisher wants to put everything on the board so he can take his summer vacation.” Olivia rolled her eyes. The publisher got all the credit, made the most money, and was barely visible.
“We, too, shall have our summer soirees,” Madison promised.
