Page 81 of The I Do Over

“I know you said she’s alright, but…I just need to check.” Then she remembered all of his animosity toward her parents and paused. “Wait…you talked to Nora?”

“Yeah. Babette gave me her number.”

“But…why?”

He let out a weary sigh, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Maddie, we have a lot to talk about. Call your mom and check on her so you can relax. Then I’ll explain everything.”

She wanted to argue, but there was no way she could focus until she was certain her mother was fine. Quickly dialing, she felt oddly emotional when Nora answered.

“Did you find her, Mr. Channing?” Nora asked instead of a simple greeting.

“It’s me, Nora,” Maddie assured her. “And yes, Knox is here and I’m fine. It’s hard to get service up here. I didn’t mean to worry everyone. Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. Your mom was having a good morning and remembered your conversation the other day and got a little distressed that she couldn’t remember you leaving or how you left things. When I couldn’t get you on the phone, I called Babette because I thought maybe there was an alternate number to reach you at. I feel terrible that I put everyone in a state of panic.”

“You didn’t, Nora. Honestly. The fault is mine. I was out hiking alone and…”

“You were alone?” Both Nora and Knox asked at the same time and Maddie wasn’t sure who to answer first.

“Um…yeah. It’s a long story, but I’m back at the cabin,” she told Nora, “Knox is here and I’m fine. Really. Is Mom okay to talk?”

“Oh, sweetie, I wish she was, but…”

“It’s okay,” she quickly said. “I know. I plan on leaving here Saturday morning. Maybe sooner. Either way, I promise to keep you informed.”

“Please don’t cut your trip short because of this,” Nora pled. “I’d feel terrible if you did.”

“Trust me, I think it would be best for everyone if I didn’t try to be one with nature again for a long time.” Laughing softly, she added, “But we’ll see. I haven’t made a final decision on it yet.”

“Okay. Good,” Nora said with relief. “I’ll tell your mom that I talked to you and that you’re fine and we’ll just plan on seeing you at some point soon.”

“Thanks, Nora.” When she hung up and handed the phone back to Knox, she slumped down on the nearest chair. “Thank you,” she told him, shifting so her robe wasn’t gaping open.

His eyes were focused on her body before he shook his head and went to sit on the sofa. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look a little dehydrated and you’ve got a large scratch on your cheek.”

“Just me being a klutz,” she said lightly. “You know, the scratch, not the dehydration thing.” She explained about the hike, getting lost, and throwing up her snack.

“Have you seen a doctor? Food poisoning doesn’t last this long, Madalyn.” And now he sounded like a chastising parent rather than a lover.

Well…ex-lover.

“Yeah, I um…I haven’t figured that one out yet,” she murmured. “Although, in my defense, I don’t throw up every day, so it’s probably just a lingering virus.”

Knox didn’t look the least bit convinced.

“So, um…you’re here.”

He nodded, his expression grim. “I think it’s time we talked.”

It didn’t seem possible for someone to look like hell and be completely beautiful at the same time, but that was Maddie.

She didn’t try to correct him and didn’t try to make excuses as to why this wasn’t a good time. She simply nodded and got more comfortable in the large upholstered chair.

And looked more relaxed than he’d seen her in a long time.

Which was a little weird.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Because if you’re not, I know I passed an urgent care clinic not too far from here,” he began.

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