Page 48 of The Hand That Holds Me
“Hey. I need to head back to Atlanta for the next day or two. Do you want to come back with me or would you like to stay? The jeep is in the garage and has a full tank of gas if you need to go anywhere.” He said, pulling me from the tornado of thoughts swirling inside my head.
“Is everything okay? Is there a problem at home?”
“Everything is fine. I have a few things I need to take care of but can be back on Thursday afternoon to pick you up if you want to stay and relax.”
“I would love to stay of that is okay. I need this time to think and I’ll be fine on my own for a few days. Thank you for everything you did for me Josh. I can’t ever repay you for your kindness.” I said as I gave him a kiss on his cheek.
“I have a friend stopping by this afternoon to get something inside the garage. I expect them to be here in an hour or so,” he said as we made our way back into the cozy little beach house.
“No problem. I think I’m going to put my suit on and go for a swim. The day is getting hot and the water must feel amazing. Tell your friend to grab what they need and I won’t make a mess while you are gone.”
“Make yourself at home. I put you in the guest room so you would be comfortable. Stretch out, watch TV, read a book or six on your kindle. Just be happy Maddie. That’s all I ask,” he said as he let himself out the front door.
I heard his car crank up and pull out of the driveway, leaving me alone with my thoughts again. I wish I had brought my cell phone so I could call Lucas but my pig-headedness made me leave it behind. I looked up the number to the office and pushed talk, hoping I found the nerve to speak when he picked up.
“MSJ Media, this is Carol.”
“Hey, Carol. Its Maddie. May I speak with Lucas?”
“Maddie, I hope you are feeling better. Lucas took a few personal days off. I thought he would be at home taking care of you. You were so pale yesterday. He was so worried when he left yesterday afternoon.”
“I forgot he was taking today off. I lost my cell somewhere. Can you give me his phone number? I want to ask him to bring a few things by later this afternoon.” I hated lying to Carol but was not going to discuss my Lucas problems with her.
She rattled off the number and wished me well as I hung up the phone. I didn’t have the nerve to call him right now, so I tucked my phone into my beach bag, grabbed some water and snacks, and headed toward the beach.
I would call him when I could figure out a way to start the conversation that would determine our entire future, or lack of one, together.
Iwas surprised to hear from Caroline so late last night but when she called and gave me his number, I was grateful for her faith in me. I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk to Josh but if I wanted Maddie, I needed to make the call.
Josh and I talked for over two hours and after he heard me out, he relented and gave me the address where they were staying in Florida. He also told me if I hurt Maddie again that I would have to deal with him. It made me angry to hear him defendmyMaddie but I now understood better the depth of his friendship and love for her. His heart isn’t in love with her anymore so I can accept his feelings for his friend.
I called Carol at six and told her I would be taking a few personal days off then I fired an email off to the legal department to get the remaining contracts signed and draw up proposals for the new sponsors Maddie had secured.
I wanted the literacy program to keep running while Maddie and I worked out our problems. She had worked so hard to build a program that would be so beneficial to the community and I was determined to keep in moving in the right direction.
After throwing some clothes into a bag and letting Jason know where I was headed, I got on the road headed to Mexico Beach. The entire drive down gave me the chance to go over all the mistakes I had made with Maddie and all the ways I would make it up to her.
Ambushing her in her peaceful place may backfire on me but after I spoke with Josh, we both agreed this was the best way to get her to talk to me without running. I realized Maddie needed someone who could take control of the stressful situations and allow her to shine.
I pulled up to the address and found the garage unlocked, just as Josh had told me it would be. His text a couple of hours ago told me he had headed back to Atlanta and Maddie was at the beach swimming. I had spoken with Caroline and I knew she had talked with Maddie this morning.
I pulled my car into the garage and changed into my swim trunks and t-shirt before I headed to the beach to find Maddie. I was anxious to see her and the fear of her rejecting me had me nauseous. The two-block walk to the ocean was a pleasant one and I was surprised at how quiet and peaceful this community was. Panama City Beach wasn’t too far away and the difference between the two was night and day. The beaches here are almost deserted compared to the tourist destinations the surrounding communities have marketed themselves as and there were no tall high-rises to block the view of the ocean.
I can understand why she ran here, I just hate she ran with another man. Josh is a good friend to her and Caroline and I made a vow to get to know him better. He is obviously very important to Maddie so I want to make a point to befriend him.
As my feet hit the sand, I began to scan the beach for her, hoping to catch a glimpse of her before she saw me. I needed to see her to slow my swirling emotions. I had to have her back in my arms again.
Her small, curvy figure appeared from the water, walking toward a towel and umbrella she had set up not too far from where I was standing. The small black bikini she was wearing left little to the imagination and I was angry at the thought of other men seeing her wearing so little. She was alone here and I was worried someone would try and hurt her. My protective instincts toward her were at an extreme level but I couldn’t allow my caveman tendencies to push her away.
She was almost back to her towel when she glanced my way, stopping in her tracks. The look on her face was a mix of fear, hurt, and love. It was the latter I was banking on. She didn’t move an inch as I slowly walked up to her, willing myself to not touch her.
Her mouth opened and closed a few times but she said nothing, just stared at me with unshed tears in her eyes. I did that. I caused her pain and this was my chance to make things right.
Slowly, I reached out for her hand, hoping for just a touch of her soft skin. She allowed me to link my fingers with her and I exhaled an audible sign of relief. The feeling of her hand in mine was making my heart beat faster and the cold drain from my soul, warming me with her presence.
“What are you doing here, Lucas? How did you find me?”
“I talked to a friend last night who told me where you were. He advised me that I should get my ass down here and make things right with you. So, here I am. Can we talk Maddie? Please?”
