Page 97 of Back To Our Beginning

“Well, I love you. I think you’re wonderful. And I’m so glad you came back into my life.”

Maddie was wearing her heart on her sleeve. I leaned over the console, cupped her cheeks, and closed my mouth over hers. She parted her lush lips just a bit. Not too much. My girl didn’t want to make a scene here in the town square. I continued to caress her cheeks with my thumbs as I lifted my head. “I love and adore you, Maddie. You have given my life new meaning.”

I saw her eyes start to glisten. “Take me home,” she whispered.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I pulled out of our parking spot and headed toward her house. My house was nice, but her house felt like a home.

“Why couldn’t Ruby make it?” I asked.

“There was a problem with a delivery. Not only were they late, but they also tried to short her. Apparently, it was a mess. Ruby had to stick to her guns and go head-to-head with the supplier.”

My lips quirked. Ruby wasn’t like Maddie’s sister, Evie, but she was no slouch when it came to getting what she wanted. I chalked it up to Ruby’s red hair.

I held her hand as we drove through the picturesque street of Maddie’s neighborhood. I parked out in the street in front of her house. Her Jeep and this Escalade would not fit under her carport. She handed me the Down Home Diner box as I helped her out of the big SUV.

“Leftovers?” I asked.

“Yeah, and something for you. Those ladies adore you.” Her eyes were twinkling.

“Well, I think they’re pretty wonderful.”

We walked up to her house. I unlocked her door, and we went inside. She immediately turned on the A/C and took off her sandals, then went to settle down on the couch. I frowned.

“You pushed it, didn’t you?”

“Maybe an eensie little bit,” she admitted. “But it was fun.” She yawned.

“Bedtime?”

“It’s not even four o’clock,” she protested.

“Sorry. Should I have said nap time?”

“Probably,” she agreed, as she yawned again.

“Let’s get you to bed.”

“’kay.”

I held out my hand and she took it. I pulled her off the couch and when she swayed, I swept her into my arms and walked toward the bedroom.

“I could have walked… but I do like it when you carry me.” She nuzzled her face into my neck.

“Then this works out, since I enjoy carrying you.”

I set her down so that she was sitting on the side of the bed. She pulled off her blouse, then went to work on her bra. I turned away and went to her dresser to get a set of pajamas. I still didn’t know why she felt uncomfortable being naked around me, but that was one thing I intended to get to the bottom of today.

When I turned around with the pajamas in my hand, she was standing up just in her panties. She waved her hand at me. “I don’t need those.” She gave me a weary smile. “When you’re here, panties or naked is good for me.”

I was happy as hell, but I didn’t understand. “What changed?”

She slipped under the covers. I went over and made sure they were adjusted the way she liked them.

“I’ll tell you what changed after my nap, ‘kay?”

Her pretty brown eyes were barely open. “Okay, love.” I brushed a soft kiss against her lips. “Sleep tight.”