Page 16 of The Hand That Holds Me
I wasn’t convinced but didn’t say anything else.
Caroline always saw the best in a situation and I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Not a pessimist, per se, just a realist.
“You’re right. I’m worrying over nothing. Now, help me sort these offers into something that I can give some consideration to.”
We spent the next hour going over the offers and finally deciding on Literacy and Senior Development. It was definitely area that I was passionate about and where I could make a difference.
Now, to bite the bullet and give Lucas a call to let him know that Maddie Johnson is the newest employee at MSJ Media. I just hope this decision doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass.
Ihad been sitting at my desk for the last two hours, refreshing my email and looking at my phone almost constantly, checking to see if Maddie had made contact yet.
Get a grip!
She is going to freak out over the initial offer and knowing Maddie, like I hoped I did, she would meticulously review the offers until she had pro and conned the entire list. I also hoped that she accepted the position created especially for her.
Hell, they were all created for her. Each position chosen was an area that I thought Maddie would excel in without feeling like a hamster in the corporate wheel, with some positions thrown in that she wouldn’t want in order to make it look more authentic.
I had Jason’s input on every turn and actually got Jason and Lisa to Skype, in order to make sure that the family that Maddie had and the family she would gain put all animosity aside, for her sake.
Maddie lived a life full of love from the family that took her in and wrapped her up tightly after Sara’s death. I never wanted my beautiful girl to ever feel unwanted again.
I started to think back to when Jason took me in after my fathers’ death. It didn’t take him long to tell me about Sara and Maddie. Looking back, I realized he was not only trying to teach me a lesson about being a man by bearing his own shame, but he looked at me as a kind of second chance.
The intercom interrupted my thoughts “Mr. Walters, Maddie Johnson is on the phone for you. Would you like me to connect the call?” the altered, artificial voice of my secretary calls out into the silence.
“Yes, please put her through.”
My heart raced like I’d just ran a marathon. This call would tell me if all of my hard work paid off.
“This is Lucas Walters. How can I help you Ms. Johnson?” I purposely used the “Ms.” to see if she remembers me. If that brief period of time we spent together stuck with her as much as it did me.
“No Miss. Just Maddie, Lucas. I guess it really is you. I wondered when the package arrived this morning if it was you, or another Lucas Walters.”
“It’s me. I am glad you called me back about the job offers. Do you have a decision?” holding my breath, I prayed that she would take the chance.
“I hoped I could schedule an appointment to sit down and talk with you about the offers you sent.”
“No appointment needed, Maddie. How about we meet for lunch today and I can answer any questions you may have.”
“Today? Um…sure. I can meet you whenever is best for you.”
“How about one o’clock today? Del Sol at Peachtree Plaza should give us privacy to discuss business.”
Her silence made me panic. Did I go overboard with the restaurant? I wanted something nice and fairly close to her apartment.
“That sounds nice. I’ll meet you there at one o’clock…Oh, and Lucas?”
“Yes Maddie?”
“Thank-you for the opportunity.” Her voice sounded strong and confident.
“You are welcome but the job offers are all due to your brilliance and civic commitment Maddie. Remember that.”
After I hung up the phone, I stared off into space for a few minutes, smiling that my plan was beginning to work. It was just a matter of time before I was thoroughly entrenched in Maddie’s life.
I arrived at the restaurant fifteen minutes early to ensure we had the best table and to try and calm my nerves. I’m normally in control, but the thought of forever with her was making me crazy.
At precisely one o’clock, Maddie walked in wearing the most amazing blue sheath dress that highlighted her delicious curves. She wore high heels that accentuated the muscles in her legs and pushed her ass out, making my mouth water.
