Maddy quietly slipped up the stairs after retrieving a bottle of water from the fridge. She lingered at the top for a moment, peering at
the double doors of the master bedroom directly to her left, listening
closely for the sounds of deep slumber. Although it was dark, the muted
glow of a seashell nightlight in the hallway revealed two covered figures
fast asleep in bed. She smiled silently to herself as she noted the glaring
differences between her slender mother and her obviously much larger
Aunt Maria, who often jokingly described herself as "pleasantly plump."
But though there were physical contrasts between the two sisters,
each shared common traits of generosity, gregariousness, unselfishness
and-oh yes-an almost irrational love and over protectiveness when it
came to their children. As Maddy gingerly closed the door and entered
into her own bedroom, she nearly laughed out loud imagining Mom
staying awake just long enough to hear Ken's car pull up, followed by
Maddy's key turning in the lock. Ah, well! It was a wonderful feeling to be so
loved and cared for.
She pulled her dress over her head and patted her tummy, hoping that
this evening's indulgence in pasta wouldn't set her back a pound or two.
Thank goodness, Kenny had been willing to walk on the boardwalk; not
only had it been romantic, it might have helped her burn a few calories.
Maddy laughed at the memory of the rolling chair guy, and how he'd
stormed away angrily when neither one of them accepted his offer.
Opening a drawer, she pulled out her favorite Victoria's Secret pajama
set-pink shorts with a matching tank top-one of many presents she'd
received for her birthday. That was one great thing about being born in
March; it meant getting lots of nice spring and summer clothes. Funny she
and Ken had come into the world on the exact same day and year, on
opposite sides of the Delaware River. Did that mean anything significant
or was she just reading too much into a delightful coincidence?
As she patted her face dry and applied moisturizer in front of the
bathroom mirror, Maddy paused as images of her handsome new suitor
flooded her mental gallery-his dazzling smile, the incredible feel of his
muscular physique as she tried to encircle him with her arms, the way he
would gaze at her longingly, then laugh with slight embarrassment when
she caught him doing it-it was all such a refreshing departure, a welcome
surprise, possibly even a gift from above.
And yet, he scared her in many ways, too. Here he was a former Navy
sailor who'd undoubtedly encountered many exotic women in ports all
around the world. Would he really have the patience to date someone like her?
Maddy hugged her pillow as she settled into bed. And what to make of
all these strange sensations? Things had gotten very heated at times during her
relationship with Jake, for sure, and on one occasion they'd even gone a
bit farther than was comfortable for either one of them. But still, Jake had
never elicited the overwhelming desires Maddy now found herself
grappling with.
Right from the moment she saw him, dangling that silly rose in front
of Carmen, she could tell he was different. And his kiss-wow! It was the
kind of thing she'd believed only existed in Harlequin Romance novels.
Was her life really about to change dramatically? Whatever changes were
on the horizon, she fervently hoped they involved Ken Lockheart as she
closed her eyes and finally drifted off to sleep.