Tall, Dark & Lonely (Pyte/Sentinel #1)(22)

“Do you love him?”

“I think I like him,” she hedged. She just met the guy, but couldn't say that because Jill would think she was putting down her relationship with Seth.

Jill nodded. “Just don’t rush into it. I know I messed up and I regret it. I wish I hadn’t. I wished it had been with a nice guy. Just….just be sure, okay?” She looked sad.

Madison hated seeing her sad. She knew Jill cried at night over what happened. She really wanted to slap Candy upside the head for this. Instead she threw a balled up pair of socks at Jill. “Hey come on, no crying. You don’t want that boyfriend of yours to think that you cry over him.”

That got her attention. She jumped up and ran to the mirror, pushing Madison over to check her lip gloss. She looked very pretty and very fifteen.

She smoothed down her dress. “We should go downstairs. They’ll be here any minute.”

“I can’t wait!” Jill giggled.

They walked downstairs, talking and laughing. Grandma met them in the foyer and smiled. “One of my favorite guys is in the living room waiting for you, Jill.” Grandma loved him as well. He made her job easier and who wouldn’t love that?

Grandma lowered her voice. “We have a surprise guest tonight.”

“Who?”

“Oh, you have no idea how happy I am that he’s eating with us. Listen, I know your special friend is coming over tonight, but I need to sit him between you and Joshua. You two seem to irritate him less. I’ll sit your friend across from you which is more proper for a dinner anyway.”

“Who?”

A buzzer went off. “Oh, that’s my roast!” Grandma hurried down the hallway, leaving Madison to wonder. It had to be Reverend Michaels. Grandma was constantly trying to get the man to stay for a meal. He was nice and she did enjoy talking with him and Joshua loved playing chess with him. Hmm, having the Reverend here wouldn’t be bad. Candy was too much of a coward to make a scene in front of him.

Joshua walked out of the living room fidgeting with the tie Grandma most likely made him wear. “You really should go in there. It’s rude to make your friend wait for you.”

She froze. “He’s here? Why didn’t Grandma tell me?”

He shrugged. “Probably ‘cause I’m the one who let him in and she didn’t know.”

“Joshua, you are enough to drive me to drink.” She playfully pushed him on her way to the living room.

David sat on the couch, making conversation with Mrs. Adle, the resident widow. She was a sweet old woman who liked nothing better than to talk about her grandchildren.

“Oh, look who’s here.” Mrs. Adle smiled in Madison’s direction.

David’s blue eyes lit up. He pushed his shoulder length blond hair back as he walked over to kiss her on the cheek. Madison ignored Joshua’s gagging noise. “I’m sorry I didn't know that you were here yet.”

“It’s fine. I’ve had the pleasure of talking with Mrs. Adle so I can’t complain.” Mrs. Adle beamed. Madison ran her eyes around the living room. The good Reverend wasn’t here yet and thankfully neither was Candy.

David didn’t know much about her. She really should have warned him, but she couldn’t force herself. This was a nice guy and Candy would send him running for the hills. He was so old fashioned. He already told her he hated guys that went to strip clubs. What would he think if he found out that her mother worked at one?

Grandma poked her head in. “Dinner is on the table.”

David gestured for her to lead. She walked into the large dining room. It was the second largest room in the house, the kitchen was the first. It was custom designed for Grandma years ago when she decided to turn the house into a boarding house. The table was long enough to sit sixteen.

“David, why don’t you sit here? Oh, and Madison you sit here.” Grandma gestured to the third seat away from the end where she sat.

Madison stepped around the chair and was about to sit down when the chair was pushed in behind her, helping her scoot forward. David was such a gentleman. She looked over her shoulder, smiling “Thank you,-" the last word caught in her throat as she looked at the one man she hadn't expected.

Ephraim.

Chapter 5

“You’re welcome,” Ephraim said. He took the seat between her and Joshua. Joshua grinned hugely at Ephraim.

“I mashed the potatoes!” Joshua announced.

“Then I believe I shall have a double helping,” Ephraim said, making Joshua’s day.

Madison couldn’t help but notice David and Ephraim eyeing each other.

“Help yourselves, please,” Grandma said as she started passing the bowls of food around. That reminded Madison to make introductions.

“Grandma, this is my friend David. David, this is my grandmother, Mrs. Buckman.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” David said smoothly.

“David, this is Ephraim.” David’s smile faltered a touch before he pulled it back.

Ephraim stood and extended his hand. “I reside here as well,” Ephraim explained. David noticeably relaxed.

“I’m sorry you probably won’t have the chance to meet my daughter Emma, Madison’s mother, she called and said she would be delayed.”

Madison exhaled slowly and relaxed. “Are you okay?” Ephraim whispered.