Cold feet(69)
Author: Brenda Novak

"I don’t care. You came all the way back here, just because I needed you."

"Holly, I came back to help you out as a friend. I’ll be going home in the next few days."

"You can’t leave! What about finding Susan’s killer?"

"I think we might have done that today."

He could tell by the sudden break in the conversation that this surprised her as much as he’d expected it to. "Who is it?" she asked.

"Tye Purcell."

"Madison’s brother?"

"You remember him?"

"I remember everyone involved in the case, Caleb. I’ve been with you every step of the way since we first met. But then, I believe in ’till death do us part.’

Hearing her voice rise, he hurried to cut her off before emotions could escalate any further. "I’m really tired. I’ve got to go, okay?"

"But you love me, Caleb. Admit it, please. You’ll always love me."

"I don’t love you, Holly. Not like you think."

He heard her sniff. "It’s Madison, isn’t it? You’ve fallen in love with her."

Caleb willed her words out of his head, willed Madison out of his heart. "What I feel for Madison is none of your business, Holly," he said, and disconnected.

MADISON TOUCHED Johnny’s arm. He was sitting on the living room floor next to her, playing Candyland with Brianna, but he wasn’t having an easy time relaxing. He kept glancing at the clock and jiggling his leg.

"You okay?" she asked.

"I’m fine."

Brianna squealed at getting a card with double red squares. "I’m going ahead of you," she taunted Johnny.

He shrugged, obviously indifferent to the game, agitation rolling off him in waves, but he took his turn. Madison supposed she had to admire her brother for even playing. She knew he’d only agreed because Brianna had begged him. But Madison had enough on her mind today without worrying about Johnny. Ever since Caleb had told her about Tye this morning, she’d been guessing and second-guessing about whether or not her brother could really have committed those horrible acts. And no matter how shocking, disturbing or overwhelming she found that possibility, her mind kept returning to Caleb.

Caleb’s so handsome, Maddy. How did your date go last night? Her mother had asked her that on the phone earlier.

It wasn’t really a date.

Did he kiss you?

I didn’t call about Caleb. I called to tell you that I’ve got Brianna home, so I won’t be showing the house today.

That’s fine, dear. Do you think this Caleb is ready to find a wife?

Mom, that’s enough!

But it was so nice of him to mow the lawn. They just don’t make men like that anymore. You’ve got to snap him up while you can.

He’s moving back to San Francisco.

When?

Soon. Too soon…

Don’t let him get away, Maddy.

She’d known she could shut her mother up very quickly simply by telling Annette who Caleb really was. But something–misguided loyalty, no doubt–made her reluctant to ruin her mother’s good opinion of him. She hadn’t told Annette that Johnny had been the one to visit the cemetery, either, or that the police were now investigating Tye. What Johnny had done would hardly improve his relationship with her mother. And she didn’t want to break the news about Tye, even to Johnny, until they knew for sure.

"What are you thinking?" Johnny asked.

She blinked and brought her attention back to the game. "Nothing. Is it my turn?"

He scrubbed his face, his palm rasping over several days’ worth of whiskers. "It was your turn thirty seconds ago," he said as she drew a purple card and moved her plastic gingerbread man.

When they were talking privately earlier that day, she’d told Johnny she’d help him get on his feet. She’d promised to let him stay in the cottage after Caleb left, if he’d clean up and begin a rigorous rehabilitation program. But he hadn’t made any commitments. To Madison’s disappointment, the closeness and understanding they’d achieved the night before hadn’t lasted. If anything, she felt Johnny resented her even more for having seen his weakness.

"Come on, Mom, go!" Brianna said.

"Sorry." Realizing it was her turn again, Madison offered her daughter a quick smile and picked up another card. "Oh, no!" She managed a groan for Brianna’s benefit. "I have to go back."

Brianna laughed as she watched Madison move back to the purple "Plumpy" pictured on the card. "I’m going to win," her daughter cried gleefully, clapping her hands.

Madison knew she was way behind Brianna, and even Johnny, on their journey to the king’s candy, but she wasn’t worried about losing the game. She was afraid that, amidst the turmoil in her life, she was about to lose something much more important.

"It’s your turn again, Mommy," Brianna said, her voice full of fresh impatience.

A honk sounded outside and Johnny scrambled to his feet. "That’s my ride."

Madison frowned at him. He’d made a few calls earlier. She’d heard the drone of his voice in the other room while she was reading to Brianna, but he hadn’t mentioned anything about leaving. "I didn’t know you were going anywhere," she said. "Will you be coming back?"

"Not tonight. I’m gonna chill with a friend," he said, heading out.

Madison opened her mouth to tell him he might want to stay close, that they might have a family crisis on their hands. But she knew it wouldn’t change his mind. He was his own walking crisis. And she didn’t want to discuss what was happening with Tye until she heard more from Caleb.

"You’re not quitting the game, too, are you, Mommy?" Brianna asked, clearly not pleased with Johnny’s defection.

Madison sighed as the door slammed behind her half brother, wondering when, if ever, she’d see him again. "No, I’m not going to quit," she said, and took her turn, only to land on the square labeled "Gooey Gumdrop–Stay Here until a Yellow Card is Drawn."

On her next three turns, she drew a green, a purple and then a red card. Brianna giggled each time she couldn’t move, but Madison didn’t think it was funny. The game felt a lot like her life. She couldn’t continue happily on her way until she got over Caleb.

Unfortunately, she’d done exactly what she’d told herself not to do–and fallen in love.

HOLLY TURNED OFF her headlights and let the engine of her Honda idle as she sat behind the wheel, staring at the sleepy little house where Madison lived. Rain thrummed softly on her hood and beaded on her windshield, pearl-like in those fleeting moments when the moon’s pale glow managed to slip through the clouds. Eventually, the drops began to quiver, then roll down the glass like tears. But there were no other sights or sounds to distract her. Only the beacon of light in Madison’s kitchen where she sat alone at the table, bent over something Holly couldn’t see because of the black plastic that covered half the window.