Trouble Walks In (11 page)

“Relax, Bro. It's not gonna be some kind of nudie bar scene.”

“We don't even have a nudie bar in Old Brookfield.”

“I know that. No boobs or babes at your party. Bros only.” He wrapped three more cookies in a paper towel for later. “The five of us, lots of laughs, a bit of razzing, and beers. Probably, lots of beers. Besides, isn't Maddy taking Jordan out for some kind of bachelorette thing?”

“She is…” Gavin said slowly.

“For all you know, Maddy could get her a stripper,” Ronan teased. “You know, one of those
Magic Mike
guys.”

Ronan had only said it to razz Gavin, but instead, he ended up with an unpleasant image of Maddy dancing with some half-naked, greased-up muscle head.

“She would never do that.” Gavin glowered momentarily but then paled a bit. “Would she?”

“She better not,” Ronan muttered.

“It would be easy enough to find out.” Gavin shot a glance at Ronan before putting the milk away. “Her little party is tonight. They're going to dinner and then drinks at Skinners.”

Ronan recalled his last text with Maddy.

“Skinners, huh?”

“Yeah,” Gavin said with a grin. “How about it? Wanna grab a burger and a beer later?”

“Are you suggesting that we spy on your fiancée and crash her party?”

“Not exactly.” Gavin raised his eyebrows and leaned both hands on the counter of the kitchen island. “Besides, it's not really a party with only the two of them. But if we just happen to bump into them…what could be the harm in that? The girls are staying with Jordan's mom tonight, and it would be a shame to let babysitting like that go to waste.”

“I do owe Maddy a beer,” Ronan murmured.

“That so?” Gavin arched one eyebrow. “You two drinking buddies now?”

“No,” Ronan said too quickly. “I mean, we're friends, but I wouldn't exactly classify her as a
buddy
.”

“How would you
classify
her?”

Ronan stared at his brother for a solid thirty seconds.

“I have no idea,” he said wearily. He ran his hand through his hair and let out a growl of frustration. “I mean, don't get me wrong, Gav. I do have ideas. Lots, and
none of them
put her in the buddy category. She drives me nuts. She's stubborn, brilliant, funny, and laughs at my dumb jokes. Bowser even likes her.”

The dog's ears pricked up at the mention of his name.

“That's great,” Gavin drawled. “I'm thrilled that your partner likes her, but what about you?”

“Me?” Ronan grabbed the paper-towel-wrapped cookies and stuck them in the pocket of his coat. “What's not to like? She's not only all the stuff I said before, but she's the sexiest woman I've ever known. I didn't think it was possible for her to get more beautiful, but she does. Every damn day she's prettier than the day before. She's full of surprises and doesn't take crap from anyone, including me. Her independent streak turns me on
and
frustrates me.”

“So that's a
yes
to liking her?”

“Aw hell, Gavin, of course I like her,” Ronan shouted.

He rose from the stool, grabbed his bags, and headed to the door that led out to the backyard. Bowser was at his heels, as usual. Frustration bubbled up as he fought through the tangled web of emotions he'd been attempting to identify for the past few months.

Emotions that had gotten too strong and pervasive for him to ignore.

“You want to know the truth of it?” He wrapped his hand around the doorknob but couldn't bring himself to look at Gavin. “I think I
love her
like her.”

“Well, I'll be damned,” Gavin whispered. “Could it be possible? Has the ultimate ladies' man finally found
one
woman he can be satisfied with? Weren't you the guy who said he'd settle for one woman when hell froze over?”

“I did say that, didn't I?”

“Yeah, a bunch of times.” Gavin's smile faded. “Are you sure about this?”

“She's it, Gavin.” Ronan let out a curt laugh. “I can't think about anything or anyone else. I'm hooked, man.”

Gavin closed the distance between them, his expression serious. Outside of their brothers, Rick had been Gavin's closest friend, and Gavin felt particularly protective of Maddy. In some ways, he felt an unspoken sense of duty to make sure that his fallen brother's loved one was taken care of.

“Have you told her how you feel?”

“Are you kidding?” Ronan said with a short laugh. “I just figured it out for myself.”

“Ronan, you're my brother and I love you, man, but…” Gavin paused for a moment as though choosing his words carefully. “Maddy's been through hell, and I don't want to see her get hurt again.”

“I'd never do anything to hurt her, Gavin.” Ronan squared his shoulders and leveled a deadly serious gaze at his brother. “Don't you know me at all? I just told you that I'm in love with her.”

“Yeah, I know you better than anyone, and that's what worries me.” Gavin's mouth set in a grim line and his brow furrowed. “Bowser has a longer attention span than you do, at least when it comes to romance. You and I both know that commitment isn't your strong suit. You've never been in a truly committed relationship before.”

“Look who's talking,” Ronan drawled. “You were practically a monk until Jordan came back to town.”

“Come on, Ronan.” Gavin sighed. “All I'm asking is that you tread lightly with Maddy. She puts on a tough front but…”

“I know,” Ronan said firmly. “I won't hurt her, Gavin. In fact, I'm going to try to talk her into staying for Christmas.”

“Jordan's been working on that too. And for the record, if you do screw up with Maddy, it won't be me you have to worry about pissing off.” Gavin pointed at him. “It will be your future sister-in-law.”

“I got it.” Ronan held up one hand. “I'm as worried about me messing it up as you are. I feel like I've had my head up my ass ever since she came back into my life. I don't know which end is up. One minute I want to kiss the life out of her, and the next she frustrates the hell out of me. I don't know if I should scratch my watch or wind my ass.”

“Welcome to the club, Ronan.” Gavin laughed and clapped his brother on the shoulder. “That sure sounds like love to me.”

Maddy peeked in the window of the flower shop that had once been owned by her mother and now belonged to her oldest and dearest friend. Jordan was busily restocking pink roses in the refrigerated flower case on the far left wall, and it looked like she'd been doing it her entire life.

Still sweaty from her run, Maddy almost didn't stop, but she and Jordan had so much to catch up on. She suspected that Jordan would take a sweaty hug now rather than wait. Maddy was about to go inside when the swinging door at the back of the shop opened and Jordan's two adorable little girls came scurrying out, papers clasped in each of their hands.

Her heart clenched in her chest when Lily and her little sister, Gracie, went running to their mother to show her the pictures they had drawn. Maddy had always wanted children but Rick hadn't, and she'd never pushed it. Then again, she hadn't pushed about getting married either. They had both been happy with the status quo, but seeing Jordan with the girls again stirred up Maddy's maternal instincts. Maybe Imogene was right; maybe there was still time.

What if Ronan…

Maddy blinked and shook her head. What the hell was wrong with her? She had to shake off these ridiculous thoughts and focus on Gavin and Jordan's wedding. That's why she was in town. She was here to support them—not to hook up with Ronan.

Liar
, whispered a tiny voice.

She yanked open the door and jumped into the little shop with a flourish. Jordan and her girls spun around in shock, but their looks of surprise were swiftly replaced with outright joy.

“So, who's ready for a winter wedding?” Maddy shouted as she jutted both thumbs at her sweaty chest. “This girl is!”

“Maddy!” Jordan shrieked. She ran over and practically tackled Maddy with a giant, bouncy hug. Lily and Gracie joined in, one on either side of the two women. “I'm so glad you're here!”

“Me too.” Maddy laughed. She released Jordan and bent at the knees, pulling both girls into her arms before letting go and looking them up and down. “Now, when did you two go and grow up? I've only been gone a year, and you practically look like teenagers.”

“Nu-uh.” Lily shook her head furiously. “I'm only eight and three-quarters, and Gracie is six and a half. Mama and Daddy Gavin told us we aren't allowed to grow up too fast.”

“Six and a half,” Gracie repeated, holding up six fingers.

“Those halves and quarters are super important, aren't they?” Maddy rose to her feet and smoothed Gracie's unruly blond hair. “But once you get to my age, you start to round down, not up.”

“Girls, why don't you go clean up the crayons and hang your pictures on the corkboard? Meemaw will be here in a few minutes to take you to her house. I heard that she set up a playdate for you—her friend's grandchildren are in town as well.”

“Hooray!” The girls squealed before disappearing into the back room.

“They're gorgeous, Jordan. With you as their mother, that's no big shocker.”

“Thanks. They're a couple of spitfires, alright. They keep us on our toes.”

“Still no sign of your ex?” Maddy asked, referring to Jordan's asshole of an ex-husband. “Has he tried to see the girls at all?”

“No.” Sadness edged Jordan's eyes for a moment. “We haven't heard a word from him in months. He called once or twice after he got out of rehab, but then…nothing. It's probably better that way. The child support shows up on time, but that's about it as far as contact goes. Honestly, Gavin's been more of a father to them in the past year than Ted
ever
was. The girls are happy. If they ever want to see him, I'll help them do that—but for now…we aren't rocking the boat.”

“Some people shouldn't have kids.” Maddy shrugged. “But you and Gavin aren't among them. Your girls are awesome, Jordan. Are they excited for the wedding?”

“Are you kidding? They try on their dresses every night before bed. Speaking of which, you and I have fitting appointments on Monday. Your dress came in, and Zipsie wants to make sure the fit is right,” she said, referring to the bridal shop owner.

“Yes, ma'am.” Maddy saluted her dramatically. “Maid of honor reporting for duty.”

“You're a lifesaver, you know.” Jordan settled her hands on her hips and smiled before going back to the refrigerated case. “I can really use the extra pair of hands.”

“Where are Cookie and Veronica?” Maddy glanced behind the counter. “I don't hear their usual banter from the back room.”

“They're dying to see you, but they're setting up two weddings today. Business was strong before, but now with the online orders? Forget it—it's totally nutsy.”

“Online?” Maddy followed her and held the door to the case open while Jordan finished what she had been doing. “Get out of here! You started an online ordering service?”

“Yup.” Jordan lifted one shoulder and her cheeks flushed. “It seemed like a natural next step. It has tripled our wedding business.”

“That's amazing, Jordan.” Maddy studied her friend closely, and her heart clenched. “You're really something else, you know that? Man, talk about a woman who has flourished.”

“I owe a lot of it to you.” Jordan closed the door tightly and grabbed Maddy's hand. “You were the one who encouraged me to come home after Ted and I split up. If I hadn't done that, then I wouldn't have this place and I definitely wouldn't be marrying Gavin.”

“Get outta here.” Maddy rolled her eyes and waved her friend off, trying to hide the sudden surge of emotion. She went over and fiddled with the little figurines on the stand at the center of the store. “All I did was give you a little push. After all, isn't that what friends are for?”

“True.” Jordan went to the computer at the counter. Another new addition since she'd taken over. “Hopefully I can return the favor.”

Maddy leveled a narrow-eyed gaze at her friend. “Like how?”

“I dunno,” Jordan said all too innocently. She tapped on the keyboard quickly. “How was Thanksgiving?”

“I knew it!” Maddy pointed at her and let out a loud laugh. “Ronan blabbed to his brother.”

“Only a little.” Jordan held up two hands as if in surrender. “He
might
have mentioned that you two had dinner together, and he
may
have referred to it as a date.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Maddy folded her arms over her breasts and cocked her head. “Anything else?”

Had he blabbed about their little elevator liaison as well?

“No.” Jordan shook her head slowly. “Guys don't talk about the juicy stuff the way we girls do.” She glanced over her shoulder quickly, obviously making sure her kids weren't lurking, and lowered her voice to a whisper. “So, cough it up, Maddy. Did the man live up to his nickname?”

“You know what? He did.” Maddy wagged a finger at her friend and backed toward the door of the shop. “The guy can talk. ‘Motormouth' is wildly appropriate.”

“You're no fun.” Jordan stuck her tongue out.

“Ha!” Maddy yanked the door open, the little bell at the top announcing her departure. “You won't be saying that after our bachelorette night out. Which is tonight, by the way.”

“I know. The girls are staying over at my mother's so that I can sleep in tomorrow. I'm looking forward to our evening, believe me! And then
you
can tell me all about your date with Make-Out McGuire.”

“I'll pick you up at seven. And, Jordan?” Maddy had her body out the door but her head sticking in the shop as she whispered, “He lives up to that nickname too.”

The door closed on Jordan shrieking “I knew it!” and the grin on Maddy's face widened. She laughed loudly as the door shut behind her. With her heart full of joy and the long-forgotten feeling of hope, she headed back to the inn. For the first time in ages, she was looking toward the future instead of the past.

* * *

Ronan sucked in a deep breath and took a moment to revel in the clean, fresh air of his hometown while Bowser hopped out of the front seat of the truck and onto the pavement. As usual, all of Main Street was like one giant Christmas village. Old Brookfield definitely knew how to deck the halls.

He stuck a couple quarters in the meter as a family hurried past him, all bundled up against the cold. The father carried the little boy on his shoulders, and the mom held the girl's hand. A pang of longing flared in Ronan's chest, and he rubbed his fingers against it as though that might make it subside.

What the hell was that?

Ronan gathered Bowser's leash around his hand and walked toward the market behind the picture-perfect family. He'd never given much thought to children or marriage, but lately it seemed like no matter where he turned, that's what he saw.
What's the deal with that?

He must have seen thousands of families in the city in his years on the job, and he'd never really paid them much attention. But for the past couple months, almost every laughing little kid and smiling parent caught his eye. It was exactly like when he'd bought his truck. All of a sudden, it seemed like everyone and their mother had that same make and model. Only now it wasn't trucks he was acutely aware of, it was families. For the first time in his adult life, Ronan imagined having one of his own.

He shook his head and let out a sigh.
Oh man. I've got it bad.

The light turned when he and Bowser reached the corner. They stood patiently waiting, but the sound of a familiar laugh caught his attention.

Maddy.

She was walking along the sidewalk on the other side of the street, leaving the flower shop behind. Visiting Jordan, no doubt. She was decked out in her running gear, and her arms were swinging at her sides as she kept a brisk pace. Ronan almost called out, but he was enjoying the view too much to interrupt her. It had been a good long while since he'd seen her look as carefree as she did right that second, and he didn't want to do anything to disturb that.

Ronan squatted down and draped his arm over Bowser, who was also watching Maddy grow smaller in the distance.

“So, what do you think, partner?” Ronan ruffled the dog's ears and kept his voice low. “Any chance a fine woman like that would put up with two slobs like us?”

Bowser turned and licked Ronan's mouth.

“I'll take that as a yes.”

He wiped his face with the back of his hand and rose slowly to his feet, watching Maddy disappear up the steps of the inn. Ronan reached in his back pocket and pulled out the page he'd pilfered from his mother's
Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book
—the same one that Maddy's mother had used for her apple-pie recipe. He unfolded it and checked the list of ingredients for the pie and crust.

“Let's go, man. We have groceries to stock up on and a tree to buy.”

With his partner by his side, Ronan jogged across the street to the market and started putting his plan into action. It was time to make some new traditions, and with any luck at all, he would be making them with Maddy.

* * *

“To a great meal and an even better friend!” Maddy raised her wineglass and clinked it lightly against Jordan's. “And happily ever afters.”

“Hear, hear.” Jordan smiled and sipped her wine.

The brand-new Asian fusion restaurant in neighboring Southington, the one with the drag queen theme, provided the perfect spot for Jordan's little bachelorette outing. The atmosphere was fun and lively, and the food rocked. Their waitress, Charisma, was a stunning drag queen with the most epic blue Mohawk that Maddy had ever seen. As with all of the waitresses at Diva Changs, she sang when taking their order or delivering it. Since Jordan was a bride-to-be, Charisma had just finished belting out the chorus of “Chapel of Love.”

“Girlfriend can sing,” Maddy exclaimed.

Charisma winked, and her purple sparkly eyelashes glinted in the light before she strutted off with their empty plates.

“I love you, Maddy,” Jordan said, laughing. “Thanks for taking me out tonight and for coming into town early to help me out.”

“Hey.” Maddy lifted one shoulder. “Isn't that what a maid of honor is for?”

“This place is awesome!” Jordan giggled and waved at one of the performers. “I'd heard so much about it but never made it over here.”

“Yeah, well, we would have been on time for our reservation if my stupid GPS hadn't glitched up like that.” Maddy sighed. “I'm going to need a new one, which is annoying because I just bought that one.”

“God bless technology,” Jordan said with a small smile. She rested both elbows on the table and peered at Maddy over her folded hands. “Alright, I've been going on and on all night about the wedding, the shop, my girls, and Lord knows what else.”

“And this is a problem because…?”

“Really?” Jordan tilted her head and gave Maddy that
Are you for real
look. “Spill it, sister. What is going on with you and Ronan? And don't try to tell me it's nothing, or you're only friends, because I know you well enough to know that isn't true. Besides—you already admitted that you kissed him, and last time I checked, you don't go around kissing random guys.”

Maddy's smile faded, and an all-too-familiar knot of nerves coiled in her belly. Guilt and uncertainty swirled as she fought to put a name to what was happening with her and Ronan.

“I don't know what's going on with us,” she said with an exasperated sigh. “I'm conflicted and feel like a big, fat, stupid mess.”

“How so?”

Jordan sipped her wine again, and her expression remained curious. There was no judgment, not a whisper of accusation. Maddy let out the breath she had been holding, and the ball of tension in her chest slowly eased as her friend's warm brown eyes met hers.