Then Came You (The Wilde Sisters #2) (17 page)

“Oh, honey.” Eva covered her heart with her perfectly manicured hands, her gigantic rock flashing prisms on the wall. “I think it’s more than that.” She bit on her lower lip, clearly holding back a knowing grin. “Shall we go?”

Maddie jumped up and down with excitement. Thyme didn’t want to be the downer so she pulled on her coat, slipped Maddie’s arms through her little lavender jacket, zipped her up, and kissed her nose. “It’s a big city out there, princess. You stay close to me and don’t let go of my hand. Ever.” Maddie nodded and wrapped her tiny fingers around Thyme’s hand.

They spent the morning poking around boutiques and trying on clothes. Eva insisted on buying Maddie a new dress to wear for the next time she went to a Broadway play. She convinced Thyme to try on a few dresses, just for fun, but Thyme didn’t feel comfortable in the expensive shops.

Eva held out a dress and inspected it with a fashionista’s eye. “The teal and the Grecian cut will look amazing with your brown eyes and gorgeous curves. Go try it on.” She set the dress in Thyme’s arms and turned around to browse through the other racks of clothes.

“Eva, I—”

“Madeline. Do you think the silver or the brown shoes will look better with Thyme’s dress?” She held up two equally gorgeous pairs of shoes that cost more than Thyme’s monthly car payment.

“I like the sparkly shoes.”

“Me too. Good eye, sweetheart.” Eva looped the straps of the shoes around Thyme’s finger.

Clearly defeated, Thyme turned around and headed toward the dressing rooms to try it on. Eva and Maddie were two peas in a pod. Thyme slipped out of her jeans and sweater and unzipped the dress. The cool satin felt soft against her skin and fit her perfectly. Eva definitely knew her stuff.

Turning to see her curvy backside, Thyme nearly tripped over her own feet. Damn. She knew nothing about style or designers but this dress did amazing things to her body. Instead of the obvious hourglass figure she hated, she looked shapely, curvy without being so in-your-face. And no need for Spanx. This puppy pulled her in, picked her up, and pushed her out, all in the right places. And the bright color made her eyes and hair darker, richer, bolder.

Nervous to see what kind of damage something this exquisite would set her back, Thyme picked up the tag but couldn’t find a price. Just a Dior tag. She may not know anything about fashion but the label was synonymous with money. Very carefully she slipped out of the dress and hung it back on the hanger.

As if. When and where would she ever wear something like that? To Maddie’s kindergarten open house? Not likely. She quietly let herself out of the changing room and hung the dress back on the rack.

“You’re not going to let us see?”

“Uh, it didn’t fit. It’s beautiful though.”

“Hmm. I’ve been in the fashion business my whole life and I’d swear that dress would have fit you like a second skin.” Eva tapped her nail against her teeth. “Or maybe I’m losing my touch. Come. I know where we can’t go wrong.” Eva looped one arm through Thyme’s and reached out her other hand for Maddie.

A quick brisk walk—how the woman could walk so quickly in such high heels was a mystery—led them to another boutique. This one had a black awning donned with a silver, fancy capital B. The door opened and an impeccably dressed woman in a black suit greeted them.

“Good morning, Mrs. Montgomery.”

“Sheila. Jane.” Eva nodded to another woman clad in a black long-sleeved dress. “This is my dear friend Thyme. She’d love to look at the new spring line. Can you bring a rack of sixes to the dressing lounge? And tea and cookies for my dear Madeline.”

Maddie giggled and followed behind Eva. Left with no choice, Thyme followed as well.

After a grueling hour of trying on dresses that didn’t have prices, only black tags with the signature silver
B
sewn into the side, Thyme gratefully pulled on her jeans, sweater, and boots. Maddie and Eva had disappeared but she could hear them talking around the corner.

“Thank you, Jane. You can have the items delivered to this address.”

Thyme saw Eva scribble something down and slide the paper across the counter.

“Yes, Mrs. Montgomery. Is there anything else Miss Wilde will need?”

“No, I think that is all for today. I’ll be in next week to discuss the charity fashion show. Please call me if any shipments get delayed.”

“Yes, Mrs. Montgomery.”

Thyme slid on her gloves and waited by the front door for the two scheming shoppers. “Tell me you didn’t buy me a dress, Eva.”

“I didn’t buy you a dress. Maddie, are you ready for lunch? You were an absolute angel in there.”

“Can we go to McDonald’s? Can I have a Happy Meal? And a shamrock shake? They’re my favoritest.”

“Eva.” Thyme put her hand on Eva’s arm. “I don’t know how much those dresses are, but I can’t let you spend your money on me. I don’t feel right about it.”

“Well then.” Eva smiled and smoothed a curly strand of hair out of Thyme’s eyes. “You have nothing to worry about. I didn’t spend a cent in there.”

“Eva.” Thyme was not convinced.

“Scouts honor.”

“I highly doubt you were ever a scout.” Thyme laughed.

“You have me there. But my word is gold.”

“So is your credit card.”

Laughing, Eva winked at Thyme and looped their arms together. “You’re perfect for Grayson. Nothing like the other women.”

“Don’t I know it.”

Eva and Maddie held hands and practically skipped three blocks to the nearest McDonald’s. New Yorkers were the oddest people.

***

Maddie had just gotten into the tub when Thyme’s phone chimed. Rummaging through her purse, she finally located her cell and was shocked to see Grayson’s name on her screen.

“Hey.”

“Hello, Thyme.” Always so formal. “I hope I caught Maddie before she went to bed.”

“You did. She’s in the tub.”

“That could take all night. I don’t know how she can play in that thing for so long. Most nights the water is cold by the time she gets out.”

Her heart melted. He gave her baths? Thyme figured he left that work to Rebecca. So he must have made it home at a decent hour some nights.

“I think it will be a quick one tonight. Your mother wore her out.”

“Did you all enjoy yourselves?”

“Well, I think your mother and Maddie had more fun than I did. I was sort of the sidekick. I’m not much of a shopper but those two could go from dusk to dawn. Princess is definitely a Buchanan.”

The other end of the phone was silent as Thyme settled down on to the couch and pulled a blanket around her body. “Grayson?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I don’t have much time. I have another set of interviews in a few minutes. Do you think Maddie wants to say hello or should I try again tomorrow?”

“I’ll ask.” Thyme kept the blanket around her shoulders as she walked to the bathroom. “Sweetie, your da…Grayson is on the phone. Do you want to say goodnight?”

“Goodnight, Grayson! Eva bought me a princess dress today so we can go on our fancy date when you get back,” Maddie squealed from the tub and continued to play with her Barbies.

“That wasn’t exactly the bedtime conversation I had in mind, but it will do.”

“You two have gotten close. That’s nice.”

“Yes. Yes it is.”

After another minute of silence Grayson sighed and said he had to go. To say their conversation was awkward was an understatement. It was almost as if Grayson was hoping to talk to Maddie and not Thyme. It was none of her business how his dysfunctional family communicated, but she considered Maddie her family as well. And Maddie deserved to know she had a father, and grandparents, especially after losing her own family and not having anyone familiar around her. From what Thyme heard about Grayson’s grandmother, Maddie could probably do without learning about Great Grandmother Dearest, though.

When Grayson returned from his trip, she’d smarten him up. So what if he fired her? She’d tell him to grow a pair. The man had too much going on to be scared of an eighty-year-mean-old bat.

The phone calls continued every morning and every evening. Most of the time they were rushed, but it made Maddie happy to hear Grayson’s voice. Thyme told herself she wasn’t jealous that Grayson never asked about her, only Maddie. She was just the hired help, after all. But she missed him. Sleeping in his bed every night, dreaming of his long, strong arms wrapped around her, holding her close to his body, made her long for the vulnerable, confusing man. On the outside he appeared so strong, so capable of handling any obstacle. She didn’t like that he took off for San Diego, but admired his work ethic and commitment to his job and his people.

Unfortunately his messed up grandmother spent the past few decades screwing with his mind, programing him to be her little robot. Thyme didn’t like the insecure, weak man Grayson turned into when Sophia Buchanan was mentioned. He needed to hurry the hell up and tell his family about Maddie or he’d be living under the added strain of the witch for the rest of his life.

***

Grayson

After eight hellish days of interviews, callbacks, project walk-throughs, and a few minor changes to the interior design of the medical center in San Diego, Grayson finally walked through the door of his apartment. All he wanted was to fall in bed and sleep for the next twenty-four hours. Preferably with a small, curvaceous woman with thick auburn curls. He dropped his briefcase by the front door and tossed his keys in the dish on the entry table. 

Loosening his tie as he walked into the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator for a bottle of water and glanced at the oven clock. It was nearly three in the morning, giving him a handful of hours of sleep before Madeline would wake. Grayson unbuttoned his shirt with one hand while the other tipped the water bottle to his mouth as he walked down the hall to his bedroom. Using his elbow to open the door, he finished with the buttons and reached for the light switch, only to be confronted with the smell of citrus.

Thyme.

Grayson waited for his eyes to adjust to the dark and made out her form in his bed. The urge to strip down and join her under the sheets was overwhelming, but she had made it clear their sexual relationship was on a temporary hiatus. The past few days she’d been short and curt with him on the phone. Curling up with her in bed was probably not a good idea. He didn’t agree with her wishes, but he’d appease her for the time being.

Just until he got his life in order.

***

Thyme

“Is it a cereal or waffle morning?”

“Waffles!”

“Your wish is my command. Do you need help picking out your clothes?”

“Can I wear my new dress?”

“No, save it for your special night with Grayson. Jeans or leggings and a long-sleeved shirt. Okay?” Thyme kissed Maddie’s nose. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”

Thyme strolled out of Maddie’s room and into the living room, stopping suddenly, the smile on her face turning into a frown when she spotted Grayson sound asleep on the couch. His left leg hung over the end while his other rested on the floor, along with his right hand. He slept in a white t-shirt and dark gray slacks that had most likely never seen a wrinkle before today. The man was way too big to be sleeping on the fancy piece of furniture and looked incredibly uncomfortable. And adorable.

His hair was unusually and perfectly mussed. His face beautifully scruffy. And was that…drool on the pillow? His daughter drooled too. Heavy sleepers they were. Thyme couldn’t hide her snort, which startled Grayson out of his slumber.

“Sorry.” She bit her cheek, her grin breaking through.

Grayson blinked a dozen times and scratched his hands up and down his face before sitting up. “Good morning.”

“Hi.” Thyme stood awkwardly staring at him, unsure what to say. He looked at her with a similar blank expression. Until his gaze left her face and traveled down her body, slowing at her chest and then continuing the lazy trail to her painted toes. His jaw clenched and he sat up taller.

Realizing she stood before him braless under a thin t-shirt and polka-dotted pajama pants, she quickly crossed her arms over her chest. “I, uh, am going to change and make breakfast. Are you hungry?”

Grayson’s eyebrow and lip lifted at the same time. “Starved.”

Did Mr. Straight-laced-suit-and-tie-proper-gentleman say something seductive? Her cheeks flamed and she darted her gaze around the living room, spotting his suitcase. He must have come home in the middle of the night and crashed on the couch. Because she was in his bed. And he respected her wishes and didn’t try to seduce her. Thyme wasn’t sure if she was happy or upset about that.

“I, uh. Yeah. I’m gonna change and then make breakfast. And, uh, sorry about using your room. I wasn’t sure where to sleep.”

“You can sleep in my bed anytime you want, Thyme.”

Flustered and confused, Thyme turned and fled back to her—his—room to slap on a bra and run a brush through her hair. Not that she cared what she looked like.