Long Way Home

By Diana McKinley

Living in her home town of Cleveland, Tennessee allows Madison McHenry to help her father battle the ravages of Alzheimer’s. It also keeps her close to Cole Patterson and Rhys McCloud her stunning best friends who are the focus of Madison’s dreams, hopes, and fantasies; if they only wanted her as much as she wants them.

Little does Madison know, however, that while she was pining away for Rhys and Cole, there was another man watching and waiting for her.
Firefighter Wesley Carlson has observed the dance between Madison, Cole, and Rhys for years. Patiently waiting for Madison to give another a chance to love and cherish her. When he finally sees that spark in her eyes that tells him her internal walls are crumbling, Wes takes the chance, inviting Madison to experience enduring love. Only then do Cole and Rhys see what’s slipping away from them.

As Madison’s new happiness collides with her previous hopes and dreams, she and three very determined men will be faced with difficult choices that will impact them all.

CONTENT WARNING: Explicit Sex

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diana McKinley
• Release date: Oct 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311179845

Diana McKinley

As a lover of the written word, in all its forms and variations, Diana McKinley is excited to enter the realm of authoring erotic novels. Through years of reading and looking for strong male and female characters alike, across a myriad of genres, she decided that sometimes you have to write the tale in your heart in order to finally see the kind of hero or heroine you've been searching for. She loves humor and a happy ending though sometimes her characters have to go through insurmountable odds together to achieve their bliss. She hopes that there will be something for everyone who relishes a satisfying erotic story in her books. Come along on the journeys and enjoy the ride! You can learn more about Diana's writing at http://dianamckinley.com/

Book preview

Chapter 1

Madison McHenry sat in silence amid the rowdy Friday night crowd at The Loft, watching as it happened before her eyes yet again. It was to be expected. She heaved a heavy sigh, wondering why on God’s green earth she was surprised. Hell, Madison thought, maybe she really was a masochist and just in denial over the fact. That would have to be the only reason she continued to subject herself to the torment that had been at the center of her life for the past twelve years.

She ran her hands down the sides of her glass of water, letting the condensation on its exterior wash away the sweat that dampened her palms. A quick glance around the boisterous pub showed that everyone perched at the bar area was engaged in conversation and full-on flirtation. Madison realized she could make her escape now, without either of her best friends realizing she was leaving. And she had to, because she couldn’t endure another minute of watching the two obvious, buxom women flirting with her friends – Cole and Rhys - while they worked.

It was a dance Madison had watched for years, and she was at a loss each and every time it happened. Some good-looking woman would let the guys know she was up for a night of great sex, and sure enough, Cole or Rhys would take her up on the offer. And there had even been a few times the two had paired up with one of the eager women and left arm in arm with the night’s current bed partner. It was enough to make Madison heartsick.

And she was, she finally admitted to herself. Sitting there in their pub, in the corner booth she always claimed as hers, Madison admitted that her heart actually hurt. She had waited for years for them to see her as more than just their friend, their pal. The longer she waited though, the greater the ache became. And it seemed tonight was that last proverbial straw for her. The night when Madison knew there was no hope.

Some small voice within her whispered that this had been a long time coming – years in the making. Maybe, because it had taken her that long to grow up from the kid she’d been when she first appeared in Rhys and Cole’s world. They had been the older jocks who had swooped in and saved her one fateful day, and Madison had thought they’d hung the moon ever since.

For the last nine months, however, Madison had begun to pull away from them, perhaps subconsciously, in a bid to both protect herself and to prepare herself for the inevitable. She’d come to their restaurant less and less, sought out their company, whether individually or together, with far less frequency too. They’d made no comment on the change in her behavior, and Madison saw that as a huge sign that they were encouraging her to step away from them. As if they were saying – go, Madison, and spread your wings. Without us.

Madison wiped at the slight moisture that formed in the corner of her eyes. Yeah, she admitted to herself, this hurt a lot. To finally say to yourself that it was time to give up on love and the dream of love, was a hellacious step to take. But it was either that or continue pining away for what could never be hers. Either way, she was going to hurt. With or without them.

She grabbed her purse and reached for her wallet. Madison drew out a twenty and placed it on the table, even though the guys always refused her money. She swung her legs to the side, ready to stand and make her getaway, when a tall shadow fell over her. Madison looked up into the clear blue eyes of none other than Wesley Carlson.

Great, she thought, with added discomfort. Just great. Could her life not get any more complicated?

Madison, Wesley said in his deep baritone voice. Mind if I sit?

Um, I was just leaving, Wes. Maybe some other time.

Something tells me there won’t be another time. He arched an eyebrow at her and smiled.

God help her, Madison sighed wearily. That megawatt smile of Wesley’s could charm any woman within a hundred miles. Probably had, too. So why did she feel immune?

Maybe it was just her crumbling heart that had her ready to avoid the man every woman she knew at work and beyond fantasized about. They loved to talk about the hunky fireman, and all the ways they envisioned him putting out their personal fires. Wesley and her two best friends, that was. She’d had to listen to women ogling Cole and Rhys for far too long as well.

Cole was the larger of the two men. His height of six foot five and his muscular build seemed to bring ladies to their collective knees. Cole had always been a big guy, even back in high school, and Madison had watched him workout over the years with religious devotion so his body didn’t turn to mush. But she thought his sandy blonde hair, which refused to be tamed, and his warm brown eyes took the cake any day over his physique. Cole just exuded kindness, and Madison knew she could get lost in those eyes if only he’d let her.

Rhys, however, was the more serious of the two. He was two inches shorter than Cole, but just as strong. And the fact that he grew a beard twice as fast as Cole seemed to make women assume that *he was the more dangerous of the two men, and therefore the one they wanted a night with, come hell or high water. Madison knew his gruff persona was just that - an external shell that he wore to protect himself. She had run her fingers playfully through his shorter dark brown hair many a time and watched Rhys’s green eyes crinkle at their corners when he truly let his guard down and smiled at her. There were days she thought she had lived for that smile.

Madison, Wes called her name again, drawing her focus back to him.

Wes, look…

Just a few minutes, Madison. Please? He gave her his best impression of puppy dog eyes, and finally saw Madison’s shoulders lower a tiny fraction. Come on, he cajoled, even as he sank his long frame down onto the cushion opposite her.

Oh, all right, she sighed and moved back to the center of the padded bench. Just a few minutes. I really have to go.

Without eating your dinner? Wesley eyed her untouched hamburger and fries.

I decided I wasn’t really hungry.

Mmm-hmm, he hummed and grinned.

Stop looking at me like that.

Like what? Wesley chuckled and raked a hand through his thick, dark curls. Then his gaze lowered to Madison’s lips.

Madison tracked the movement of his hand and then she refocused on his eyes. Like that.

Wesley laughed again and nodded. I’ll behave. I promise.

You had better, she warned. Madison drew in a deep breath and leaned back against the padded seat. The faux red leather squeaked under her slight weight as she got comfortable. So… how are you? It’s been a while since we last saw each other. When was it?

The 5K charity run for the nursing home last month, I think. How’s your dad, by the way? Wesley leaned forward and propped his arms on the table, giving her a sincere look as he inquired about her father.

Madison’s features softened considerably at the mention of her dad. He was her only living parent, but early onset Alzheimer’s was slowly stealing their remaining years with one another. The previous year, Madison had been forced to make the most difficult of decisions of placing him into an assisted care home, after he forgot his way home one afternoon and drove until he had run out of gas.

The neighboring state’s highway patrol had called her, telling Madison just how far her father had gone that day. Madison had immediately called Rhys, and he and Cole raced to her place without delay. The three of them had hauled ass to go get her dad and bring him back home.

He’s good, Wes. Madison offered him a smile. Has more lucid days than those where he can’t recall his name or surroundings. His doctors have him taking several new medications, and they seem to be helping him hold on to his memories for now.

That’s really good to hear, he said and nodded. I noticed him cheering you on at the race that day. He seemed to have his bearings about him.

Yeah, she grinned, remembering how her father had stood by the finish line and yelled to anyone who would listen that she was his girl.

There we go, Wesley murmured.

What? Madison shot him a perplexed look and angled her head.

That’s the smile I was hoping to see tonight.

What in the world are you talking about? She blew out a breath and shook her head, staring down at her untouched dinner.

I’m talking about you, Madison, looking far too sad and too alone in here on a Friday night. Why is that, you suppose?

You said you were going to behave, Madison warned him in as dry a tone as she could manage.

Wesley laughed, completely undeterred. I am.

This is your idea of behaving? She tried to sound stern, but God help her, Madison could feel the smile coming. Wes’s grin told her she was in trouble, because he was slowly wearing her down and getting the reaction he wanted. How could she tell him there really was no wearing down left to do? Her heart was already so bruised it wouldn’t take much to turn it into mush that night.

Hey, I have been told I can be charming.

Oh, I’m sure you have, Madison retorted and smirked. She pushed her long, light brown tresses over her shoulder and chuckled at the look on his handsome face.

Not working for you though, is it?

Not at all, Wes. Sorry. Maybe on a different day, I’d be all ears. But tonight, I’m just…

Hurting, he supplied and watched the surprise flit through her hazel eyes.

W-What? she asked, her voice growing softer.

I’m not blind, Madison. I’ve watched this same scene play out time and time again over the years. And I, for one, think it’s a damn shame. He looked on as pain flashed in Madison’s eyes just before her walls of defense slammed firmly in place. Yep, he’d seen this before all right.

Look, I really have to go. I’ll see you later. Madison snagged her purse and tried to leave the booth.

Wesley’s hand shot out and he wrapped his fingers around Madison’s wrist, halting her hasty escape. Wait, Madison. Please don’t go. Just listen to me, before you go running out that door. Please, he said again. It was a word he didn’t use very often, if ever. But with Madison, Wes was willing to use it again and again if he had to, so she would listen to him.

She closed her eyes briefly, and then Madison returned to the center of the cushion. She stared at her purse, as if that would give her the courage she needed to face him. Several moments later, Madison lifted her gaze to Wesley’s.

Thank you, for not leaving me here by myself. Wesley kept her wrist in his hand, and he began a slow sweep of his thumb across Madison’s soft skin. He could feel her pulse beating erratically, so he continued the soothing motion.

Madison gave him a tight nod, but she remained silent.

Listen, I could pussyfoot around what I want to say all night, but that’s not my style. I’m a straightforward kind of guy, Madison. You know that.

Again she nodded, but didn’t say a word.

For years, I have watched you with good old Cole and Rhys over there. The three of you are tight as can be, best friends through and through. Ever since you were a kid in junior high, the three of you have been there for each other. And I know that you value their friendship greatly. Tell me if I’m wrong about that.

You’re not wrong, she all but whispered. Madison’s jaw ticked faintly, giving away her need to say more.

And I also think that you’ve been in love with them for just that long.

Madison jerked in his hold, but Wesley had been prepared for her ire and her flight. His right hand shot out and he grasped her other wrist, holding Madison in place so she could hear it all. It was long past time, in his humble opinion, for someone to put it all out there for her so she could move forward.

You do love them, Madison, Wes said in a quieter, gentler tone. Only you don’t want to break up their friendship, or lose them in the process of something more developing. So you’ve always hid your feelings deep down. And every time they date someone else, it chips away at your heart just a little bit more. How am I doing so far?

Madison looked away from him, staring out of the window into the darkness. Tears gathered in her eyes, but she sucked in a deep breath, refusing to let them fall. She would not, could not, do this here. She was in Rhys and Cole’s pub for God’s sake, she told herself. Get it together!

Madison, Wesley called her name so softly it felt like a caress. Look at me, beautiful.

She swallowed hard past the softball-sized knot in her throat and turned her moist eyes back his way. Stop, Wes. Just stop.

No, baby. I’m not gonna do that. Not anymore. You see, I happen to like you quite a bit. I have for years. And I know firsthand what it feels like to have people ignore you, just look right past you.

You? Madison croaked. She cleared her throat and tried again to finish her question. You have women following you around everywhere you go.

Yeah, I do. He nodded, not trying to deny her words whatsoever. But, how many of those women want to have sex with me, thinking I can give them a night to remember, and how many want to really get to know me? Build a relationship, something lasting with me? Hmmm? Not many, Madison. Not many at all.

But you’re… She spluttered, unable to actually say the words.

Wesley gave her another of his heart-stopping grins. Go on.

Wes, you’re beautiful. You could have anyone you want.

No, I can’t, he said, his voice dead serious as he stared into her eyes. You’re beautiful too, you know? Yet, you’re not with the ones who stole your heart a long time ago. Love’s funny like that. The heart falls and it takes the mind quite a while to sort through it all. To decide if it’s even plausible or a lost cause.

I know, Madison conceded heavily.

Yes, you do. And I want to see that sadness in your eyes come to an end.

Wes, she sighed, I am absolutely no good at playing games. You do know me, so you know that’s true too. So, spell it out for me. What are you suggesting?

That you and I go out with each other.

Madison’s eyes widened considerably.

Wasn’t expecting that, I see. He curled his fingers around until he turned Madison’s hands over. Then he laced their fingers together and just held on. I’m serious here, Madison. What do you have to lose?

Wes, I’m in no way ready to start a relationship with you or anyone else. Everything you said about me is… Well, it’s true. How would it be fair to you to start something that I have no way of following through with? I like you. I do. But hurting you, in any way, is not something I want to do.

That just tells me I’m on the right path here, Wesley said in a determined voice.

Wes, didn’t you hear anything I just said? I can’t date you. You deserve better.

And that’s where you’re wrong, beautiful. Anyone who didn’t have my best interests at heart would have said, ‘Sure, Wes. Come on home with me. And while you’re at it, let’s hit the bedroom too!’

Lord, Wes! she breathed and chuckled softly. Hush, before the people in the next booth hear you. They have children with them, for goodness sake!

Do they now? He feigned a look of innocence and glanced over his shoulder.

Behave! Madison chastised and pulled on his hands still laced through hers.

Wesley laughed and turned back to face her. Yeah, they’ve got three little rugrats with them. Good call there. His expression softened and he gave her hands a gentle squeeze.

Madison felt the motion all the way to her core, and it made her blink away the slight moisture that still clouded her vision. Wes…

Shhh. Let me finish, okay?

You’ve opened all of Pandora’s boxes tonight. Go for it, Wes. Madison could only smile in chagrin at the unexpected turn of events that night. Who would have thought Wesley Carlson was even slightly interested in her? Or had made a study of her for so many years?

I think I will, he said with assurance. I don’t intend to pressure you for more than you care to give. That’s not what I’m after, and I know it’s not what you’re about either. You’re not someone who jumps in the sack with the first bloke who walks by, and it’s just one of the many reasons I respect the hell out of you. What I want, Madison, is simply a chance. Go out with me and let’s expand on our friendship. If it turns out that we like each other and enjoy our time spent together, we’ll do it some more.

That’s it? You just want to spend time together? Madison asked cautiously.

Yep, that’s all. To begin with, Wes qualified.

Ah, here we go. What’s the condition?

There isn’t one. Wesley lifted Madison’s left hand and let his lips graze across her knuckles. She trembled and so he did it again. There’s always a beginning to every relationship. So, we start with the small things. And if, someday, we want more, we can reach for it. Together.

But I told you, I can’t promise you anything, Wes.

I know that. And I also know this: that they say you never know what you had until it’s gone. So, if you and I start to go out, it’s entirely possible that those thick-headed guys over there, the ones you’re so crazy about, might just realize what they’re letting slip away. So as I see it, you win either way. Either you come out of this with me on your arm or, you finally get to know once and for all if Rhys and Cole will get a fucking clue and declare themselves to you.

Madison’s mouth fell open and she stared at Wesley in absolute shock. He smiled as he released one of her hands and used the tip of his index finger to slowly push her jaw up. She snapped her lips together as she began to shake her head.

Wes, this is a horrible idea. You’ll just get hurt. No, let’s not go out.

Yes, we’re going out. With each other. Starting tonight. He countered each of her statements with a wide grin.

Have you ever been injured on the job? Ever gone into a burning building and had a beam fall on your head? Because you are not hearing me or getting what I’m saying at all? Madison couldn’t believe that Wes was really willing to go through with his plan, knowing good and well she might not be able to open her heart to him. A heart that she had locked away that very night.

Wesley threw back his head and laughed. Loudly enough that he drew looks from all around the packed restaurant. Even from the bar, where Rhys and Cole were still working.

Madison felt her cheeks flame and she looked quickly away from them and back to Wesley. Wes, are you insane? Should I call someone for you?

Hell yes, I’m crazy - about you! Have been for years, Madison. Come on, now. Get up and come with me.

Come with you where?

Out to dinner, of course, he said, as though his idea was obvious and it was Madison who was the slow one to catch on. Wesley stood, releasing her hand only long enough to take his place at her side. Then he extended his upturned palm to Madison again and patiently waited. Dinner, pretty lady?

Wes, we are in a restaurant.

But I want to take you somewhere else. To a place where you might actually eat your food. Come on, Madison. Don’t be sad forever. Live a little and give yourself permission to be happy for once.

Oh, Wes. Madison closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath. When she reopened her eyes, she saw that he hadn’t budged an inch. Wesley still stood smiling at her with his hand out and ready. All she had to do was take it.

Madison heard his words replaying in her mind over and over again, that she would come out the winner, no matter what. But she wasn’t one to hurt another soul and would avoid it at all cost. Wesley’s idea sounded all well and good going in, but Madison was realistic enough to know someone would be hurt or disappointed before this was all said and done. And she didn’t want to be the cause of that.

Maybe because she knew firsthand what such hurt felt like. Long-term. Wes had also hit the nail on the head when he’d blatantly stated that she had pined away for Cole and Rhys for years. Maybe no one would get hurt. Because surely if they felt for her, what she did for them, they would’ve told her by now. A dozen years was long enough to give someone a chance at having your heart. Wasn’t it, Madison asked herself?

Oh, all right, she finally said. Let’s have dinner and talk. Just talk, Madison added and arched an eyebrow at him.

Food and conversation. Exactly what I suggested.

Nothing deters you, does it?

Not when I’m in it to win.

His voice lowered and became downright sinful to Madison’s way of thinking, as he shared that promise with her. She slipped her palm in his and let Wesley pull her to her feet. Madison tipped her head back to look up into his eyes, and saw his smile grow. She gasped softly when Wesley bent to brush a kiss across her forehead.

Now, that’s more like it, he said in approval. Wesley tucked her hand in his and then led Madison toward his truck in the parking lot. Something he’d wanted to do for a very long time.

CHAPTER 2

What in the hell? Cole Patterson ground out to his best friend and business partner. He threw the towel he’d been using to mop up a spilled beer over his shoulder and braced his hands on the polished wood surface before him.

I don’t know, Rhys McCloud muttered. He watched as none other than Wesley Carlson took Madison’s hand in his and strolled pretty as you please with her out of their pub. What in the hell, indeed?

Cole left his place behind the bar and went over to the booth that they always saved for Madison. The one that placed her right where he and Rhys could keep an eye on her and make sure that just such a thing didn’t happen. And it always took their collective watch to keep the bucks at bay, because Madison was a stunning beauty. It only took one look in her direction for most men to zero in on her like a moth to a flame.

Cole found her food untouched, her glass still full of water, and a damned twenty dollar bill tucked under the edge of her plate. Madison knew better than to leave money at their place. He’d told her not to often enough.

He snagged the plate and her drink, and stalked back over to where Rhys stood, looking none too happy. Cole handed the items off to a waitress passing by and settled his hands on his hips, trying to decide what his next move was. No way in hell was he letting her just go off with the one man in town guaranteed to turn Madison’s head.

Her SUV. She wouldn’t leave her vehicle, and that had to mean they weren’t going anywhere together if they were in separate cars. Cole walked out of the restaurant and stood looking out at the packed parking lot. His eyes landed on her shiny white Pathfinder, sitting front and center.

Fuck! he breathed. She’d gone off with Wesley. In his damned truck. What in the hell are you thinking, Madison?

Cole turned and re-entered the pub. He headed for Rhys and motioned with his head for him to follow. Rhys was already there, telling their employee Ryan, to cover the bar for a few minutes. They walked into their shared office and Cole closed the door, keeping their words private.

We were distracted, Rhys said in disgust, thinking of the two women who just wouldn’t take no for an answer and stop hitting on him and Cole.

Yeah, tell me about it. Cole blew out a breath and scrubbed his hand through his sandy blonde hair. It never cooperated with a comb, so his fingers were a good substitute. Her SUV is still here. She left with Wes.

Come again? Rhys gave Cole a look that would have most men ducking for cover, but he and Cole had been together far too long for Cole to even react. They’d been brothers to each other through thick and thin, and built a trust and rapport that superseded all other friendships they’d ever forged. Except their shared friendship with Madison, that was.

Just what I said, Cole answered in disgust. She didn’t touch her dinner and she left with Wes. In his truck.

Well, then… she’ll have to come back for her own vehicle at some point, Rhys said, slowly formulating a plan. We’ll just make sure we’re here when she does and talk to her. Find out what’s going on. No way in Hell am I letting her date Wesley Carlson. That man’s a walking sex machine.

Don’t I know it. Cole looked up at the ceiling, as if that could give him the answers he needed. Why would she just take off like that, without checking with us? Or at least letting us know where she was going? I mean, Madison had to know that we’d close up and see her SUV in the parking lot. Right?

"I don’t think she was thinking, Rhys sighed in resignation. And if Wes was turning on the charm, she was… Ah, hell, I don’t want to think about this. No good can come from her being with him."

I could call Shane over at the sheriff’s department. See if he’s on duty and then have him tell me if he sees Wes’s truck around town tonight while he’s on patrol, Cole suggested. The more time Madison was away from his sight and in the company of Wesley, the more Cole’s blood pressure seemed to rise. Hell, he thought, his temple was already pounding from the impending headache.

Do that. Rhys latched on to Cole’s idea. Shane will keep it quiet for us. Tell him that we’re just checking up on Wes and his date after they left our place. But that’s all.

Yep, Cole quipped. He slipped his phone from his back pocket and called their friend. Shane often kept his eyes open for them when one of their customers left a little too tipsy, and this request wouldn’t sound out of the ordinary. Still, it wasn’t every day they asked for a tail on a fellow civil servant. A firefighter whom Shane had to work with from time to time.

Shane answered on the second ring and Cole quickly made his request. To their relief, he was on duty and promised to see what he could find out. Cole thanked him and then ended the call.

Come on. Rhys tipped his chin at the door to their office. Let’s get back to work. We’ll keep an eye out on the external security feed, so we know when Madison turns up to get her vehicle.

Yeah, Cole agreed, albeit reluctantly. What he really wanted to do was go and camp out in the damn parking lot, right next to her SUV. But he knew realistically he couldn’t do that. He had a business to run, and Friday night before the Labor Day weekend was going to be busy and late. It would probably be three or four in the morning before he saw his own bed.

They returned to the bar, working there for a while before venturing out and talking with patrons who continued to come in for food or to watch one of the games on the oversized, flat panel televisions which hung throughout the pub. Several pool games were going in the back room, with customers laughing and joking with each other while they played and snacked. All in all, a really good night for them.

But no matter who they talked with, or which new pretty face tried to entice them into something more after closing time, all Cole or Rhys could do was watch the clock and the parking lot. After three hours, Cole gave up the fight and he called Shane back. He stepped outside the front door, staring at Madison’s white SUV while he waited for his friend to answer.

Hey, Cole. Sorry I couldn’t call you back right away, Shane said by way of apology.

What gives, man? It’s been three hours. Cole knew he sounded perturbed, but there was nothing for it. He was well and truly worried now.

Damn, so it has, Shane sighed. Look, we had a pretty bad robbery at old man Robertson’s store, and I’ve been tied up with that.

Is he okay? Cole asked, thinking of the elderly man who insisted on keeping his convenience store open late at night, with absolutely no one else to help him.

Yeah, but he’s pretty shaken up. Got clocked on the back of the head. But, I did get a chance to sweep through town before the robbery call came in. I never saw Wes’s truck anywhere. Not in town, the fire station, or even at his house. I went by there first, but no, I didn’t see him.

Well, thanks for all you did, Shane. I mean it.

No problem. You know that. Say, was Wes drunk when he left your place? I’ve never known him to imbibe like that.

No, God, nothing like that, Cole said quickly, grimacing over the conclusion Shane had drawn. He was just with someone that Rhys and I wanted to check on. That’s all.

"Oh shit!" Shane said softly.

What?

"Wes is with Madison?"

Cole’s eyes grew larger and he actually held his phone away from his ear for a moment, expecting to see Shane looking back at him on the screen somehow.

Cole, talk to me, Shane called to him, forcing Cole to place the phone back against his ear. Is Madison with him?

Yeah, Cole muttered. "But you cannot tell a soul. Rhys nor I have a clue what’s going on. Her Pathfinder is still here."

Okay, now I’m insulted, Shane said dryly. Who would I tell and why would I betray your confidence or Rhys’s?

Forget I said that.

"And to answer your own question, you do know what’s going on. If she is out with Wes, then, um… yeah… you two had better be worried."

Cole swore darkly under his breath, but Shane heard every word.

All right. Let me finish up here, and I’ll do another round. Now that I really know what I’m looking for, I’ll check out some of the more prevalent places he might have taken her. I will call back, so sit tight.

I’m staying where her vehicle is, don’t you worry.

Bye.

When Shane ended the call, Cole gave the parking lot one last look before he turned and walked back inside the restaurant. He relayed his conversation with Rhys and then quickly got swept up into one situation after another that needed his attention. Yet still, both men managed to watch the clock and the white SUV that remained vacant.

CHAPTER 3

Oh my gosh! Madison tipped back her head and laughed wholeheartedly. "I cannot believe you did that! It’s clear now. You have had a head injury at some point."

Wesley laughed with her and draped his arm over Madison’s shoulders, pulling her in closer to his side. He was a tall man, almost six foot four, and Madison was tall as well. Yet she fit perfectly against him, just as Wes knew she would. He’d had years to fantasize about what it would feel like to hold her. But reality was so much better than his daydreams.

What should we name him? Or is it a her? he asked.

Oh, it’s a boy, Madison giggled.

How can you tell?

He’s blue, silly. And he kinda looks like a boy to me.

Then a boy it is. Let’s call him Jr.

You wish, buster. Madison held the soft, blue teddy bear out in front of her. The one Wes had blown almost twenty dollars to win for her at the neighboring county’s fair. She studied his face and then said, I think I’ll call him Felix. What do you think?

Felix is fine by me. Wes grinned and kissed the top of her head. God, she smelled like strawberries. Are you hungry? Want a snack?

No, I’m good. A hotdog and fries was enough for me. But if you’re still hungry, we can find food for you and sit over there on one of those benches. Madison pointed to the cluster of seats near the edge of the fair.

Okay, he nodded. Let’s do that. Wes headed for the concession stands and decided on cotton candy. I haven’t had this stuff since I was a kid. He winked at Madison and motioned for her to lead the way.

She chose a bench nearest the trees and sat back, stretching her long legs out in front of her after placing Felix to her right. Madison sighed and let her head fall back so she could look up at the stars. Even though it was early September, nights could be slightly cool there in southern Tennessee, and she was glad she’d worn a light jacket over her short-sleeved shirt.

Penny for your thoughts, Wes said and dipped the cotton candy in her direction when Madison turned her head his way.

She grinned and opened her mouth. Madison watched the way Wes’s eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared when she closed her lips around the wispy confection. He seemed to swallow hard when she licked the sticky residue from her lips too.

You’ve, um, got a little still on you. Here, he said softly and touched the edge of her mouth with his finger.

Madison