Thirty
Don’t cry, Mads.”
She jerked her chin up to find MJ standing in the doorway. Her heart leapt from her chest to her throat.
He stepped inside the room. “How’s your dad? Where is he?”
“Shower,” she said. “He’s good.”
“I know I said I’d see you tonight,” he said, walking toward her, “but Merrick and Beck are here getting their wounds from the wreck checked out. Do you mind?”
With fear lacing her veins, she’d never been so happy to see him. “No. I’m glad you’re here.”
MJ knelt in front of her, scooped her into his arms and kissed her over and over until she couldn’t catch her breath.
“MJ,” she said, pushing him away. “Enzo just called me. It’s not over. He still wants to keep me away from you.”
“What? Why?”
“He says I didn’t listen. I went to Turtle Tear and it’s my fault his secret had to come out.”
MJ stood and pulled her to her feet. “Okay. We’ll call the police. He can’t do this to you.”
“I called them. They told me to hire private security. I don’t even know where we’re going to live. I can’t afford to hire security.” She wiped her puffy eyes.
Maddie saw the wheels in his head spinning a million miles a minute. “I’ll be right back.” He pointed to the chair. “Don’t leave this room.”
He dashed out the door and she sat back down, defeated.
A few minutes later, her dad came back in, dressed in a fresh gown, pushing his IV stand. “I’m back in one piece, Peach, as promised.”
“Good, you stubborn old goat.” She helped him back into bed and tucked the covers around him.
“Knock, knock,” Rachael said from the doorway. MJ stood behind her. “I heard you’re the nurses’ favorite. Are you flirting with them, Mr. Simcoe?”
He laughed. “All old men flirt with lovely ladies. Come in.”
Rachael rounded Maddie’s dad’s bed and bent to hug her where she sat in the chair. “I have something to ask the two of you.” She glanced between Maddie and her dad. “A favor.”
“I’m hardly in any position to grant favors,” Maddie’s dad said, “but you’re certainly welcome to ask.”
“Well,” Rachael said, leaning against the windowsill, “we’ve had some staffing changes at the hotel. Merrick and I both need some help. I was wondering if the two of you would be willing to come stay at the hotel for a while? Maddie, your dad could relax and recuperate and maybe you could help me organize the fiftieth anniversary party I booked?” She groaned. “And I need help talking Beck out of playing the cello for the couple’s big dance.”
It was perfect. MJ smiled like he might burst. “Thank you,” she mouthed to him, standing on the other side of her dad’s bed.
“It sounds like a grand offer,” Mr. Simcoe said. “I’m not sure how much help I’d be to your Merrick though.”
Rachael sat on the side of his bed. “You know what he needs more than anything? A man with a level head to guide him, to keep him from being impulsive and doing stupid things.” She laughed. “I think you’re just the one for that role.”
Maddie’s dad took her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about him over the years. I’m ashamed I never gave him the chance to prove himself. Now I know the kind of man Enzo Rocha really is. I’d be honored to help in any way I’m able.”
“Fantastic,” Rachael said, squeezing Maddie’s dad’s hand with both of hers. “We’ll get you settled in when we spring you out of here.”
MJ shook her dad’s hand. “I’m relieved to see you doing so well. I’ll have you out fishing at Turtle Tear before you know it. I remember a score I have to settle.”
“I haven’t been fishing in years, but I’m the one who taught you, so don’t you go thinking you can land more fish than me.”
“As long as I don’t have to clean them,” Rachael said, sticking out her tongue. “I’ll help eat them though.”
MJ bent his finger, summoning Maddie to him. “I have something to tell you.”
Maddie gave her dad a hesitant glance. He grasped her shirt sleeve and tugged. “Get out of here with your young man. Go do something fun. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Merrick wants to come up and say hello when they’re done reopening and stitching the wound on his knee,” Rachael said, and shivered at the thought.
“See, Peach, I’ve got company coming. Beat it.”
“Okay, okay!” Maddie got up and followed MJ to the elevators. “Are you sure Rachael’s okay with this and you didn’t twist her arm?”
He pushed the button for the lobby. “Are you kidding? She jumped at the chance to have you stay and bring your dad.”
The doors closed and he pulled her against him. She could tell he had something to tell her that he couldn’t hold in any longer. “What?” she asked.
“You know Archibald’s family home, the Weston Sugar Plantation?”
She prodded his dimples with her fingers and smiled as he grinned. “Yes.”
“Mads, I own it. Merrick bought it for me as my first project.”
Maddie couldn’t believe what he was telling her. “What?”
“Yeah. It’s in bad shape, but he’s having Joan help me renovate it, and he’s going to teach me everything he knows about running the business.”
She squeezed him as hard as she could. “I’m so happy for you. So proud.” She looked into his eyes, and blinked back tears. “You have your dad, MJ. You’re out from under Enzo’s thumb.”
He kissed her. “So are you. You’ll be safe at Turtle Tear.”
Maddie’s thoughts went to Nadia. She’d been on the island and nobody knew. Anyone else could do the same. But, MJ had given her and her father a place to stay with friends. They wouldn’t be alone. “It’s going to work out, isn’t it?” she asked.
“It already has.” He picked her up and pressed his lips against hers, spinning her in a circle. The elevator jolted under them, coming to a stop.
Maddie laughed.
“What?” MJ asked.
“I like it when the ground moves under my feet when you’re kissing me.”
He spun her around again. “Baby, I promise to always make your world shake.”