Marry Me at Christmas (Fool's Gold #19)(53)

Shelby leaned close. “All this talk of babies is making me want to insist on bottled water. Something is going on with the birth rate in this town.”

Madeline chuckled. “You know it’s not in the water, right? I mean, do we have to have another talk about the birds and bees?”

“Very funny.” Shelby looked at Madeline’s phone. “Oh, look. You just got another text.”

Madeline felt herself blush. She’d left her phone on the table, but had turned off the sound. Silly, really, but Jonny texted her a dozen times a day. Fun little messages that he was thinking of her or telling her about how negotiations were going on the Dean Woodley project. It was day two of dating Jonny Blaze and she had to say that, so far, it was pretty terrific.

Last night they’d gone out to dinner and then he’d stayed at her place. It had been magical. Now she glanced around the table to see if anyone was paying attention.

“No one knows,” Shelby said quietly. “I haven’t said anything.”

Madeline saw that Shelby was right. Everyone else was talking and no one had noticed the text or her friend’s teasing comments.

“I’m just not ready to go public,” Madeline admitted. “I don’t know what people are going to say.”

“They’ll be happy for you.”

She nodded, but on the inside she was wondering if they would all be questioning what he saw in her. She wasn’t famous or beautiful or exotic. She was an ordinary woman living in a small town.

Larissa hurried into the restaurant and joined them. “Sorry I’m late,” she said, plopping down next to Taryn.

Taryn looked at her. “Let me guess. You were doing something for Jack.” She turned her attention to the table. “I love that Jack has found his career one true love in coaching, but to hear that one talk, he’s saving the world.”

“Starting a football program at Cal U Fool’s Gold is a big deal,” Larissa said, “but that’s not why I’m late.” She reached into her large tote and pulled out postcards. “I was picking up these.”

She handed one to Taryn first, then passed the rest of them around the table.

Madeline saw it was a “save the date” card for the surprise anniversary party Larissa was throwing for her husband. “Valentine’s Day 2016,” she read aloud.

“What day of the week is that?” Shelby asked.

“Sunday,” Larissa and Madeline said together.

Shelby shook her head. “I guess Larissa would know that because it’s the day of her big party. How do you know it?” Her expression brightened. “Oh, it’s a wedding gown thing, right?”

“Uh-huh. Valentine’s Day is very popular with brides. I know the date of every significant holiday in 2016, not to mention every Saturday from May through September.”

“All the women in my life are impressive,” Taryn said with a happy sigh. She turned to Larissa. “Big party?”

Larissa grinned. “Only the best for Jack.”

“Dear God, you’re renting out some stadium, aren’t you?” Taryn leaned over and hugged her friend. “If it makes you happy, then it makes me happy, too.”

Madeline watched everyone chat with Larissa. Talk turned to other weddings and upcoming events. Taryn looked at Madeline.

“So,” she said. “About Jonny Blaze.”

Madeline froze. How had Taryn figured it out so quickly? She knew Shelby hadn’t said anything, which meant what? They’d been spotted together? Madeline had the obviously “I’ve been having amazing sex with a fantastic guy” glow?

“He got in touch with me this morning,” Taryn continued. “He said he’s willing to donate a bunch of toys to the drive, but they aren’t ready and that you would know about them. That they need to be painted first?”

Madeline’s relief was immediately followed by guilt and panic. In all the excitement of taking things to the next level with Jonny, she’d totally forgotten about the toys. So while the world didn’t know they were having sex, she was a horrible person for not following through on Christmas gifts for needy kids.

“I forgot,” she said, pressing a hand to her chest. “Oh, no. Children aren’t going to have toys because of me.”

Taryn pulled her phone out of her handbag and entered her password. “Don’t be silly. No one’s Christmas is going to be ruined. We’ll organize a paint party. Let me look at the Sprouts’ calendar to see what’s what. We have an activity day planned already. It’s only a couple of days before the end of the drive, but it can’t take that long for paint to dry.”

Shelby was already texting. “Let me check with Destiny and Starr. I’m sure they can help.”

Bailey was on her phone, as well. “I’m sending myself a note. Taryn, once you get the date and time nailed down, I’ll put out the word in town. Madeline, let me know how many more people you’re going to want. Eventually, we’ll hit the point of diminishing returns.”

Madeline swallowed against the tightness in her throat. Of course, she thought with relief. She wasn’t in this alone. There was no way her town was going to let children be disappointed on Christmas. She could screw up and someone would always be around to help her figure out a way to make it better. She still had to deal with the fact that she’d forgotten about the toys, but that was for later. Right now the more important problem had been fixed.