Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
She tried to nod, but she felt frozen. Was her ordeal as Mrs. Todd Pershing over?
From the corner of her eye, she saw an EMT lean down and settle his fingers at Todd’s carotid artery. Then the medical technician shook his head. “Nothing. Time?”
Todd was gone? Really? Her torment was finally over? She could walk away a free woman? What came next? And what about Matt? Their baby? Did they have a future as a family?
“Madison!” He shook her gently, but she felt her vision narrowing again. “Honey? Honey! Someone help her. She’s fainting, and she’s pregnant.”
Matt knew?
That was Madison’s last thought before her consciousness slipped away and blackness welcomed her.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The following day, Madison ended her call with Daddy and set her phone aside with a bittersweet smile.
“How is he?” Haisley asked. “Good?”
“Yeah, he’s just not happy I hadn’t told him about the crap I’d been going through with Todd.”
“Obviously the press did, since it’s all over the news.”
“And the vultures want more.” Sighing, Madison gestured to the reporters hanging outside the hospital, just waiting for her discharge. “I wish I could have told Dad myself about the baby. He’s worried.”
After Daddy had asked how she was feeling, he’d asked about Matt. She hadn’t known what to say. She hadn’t seen or heard from him since she’d fainted in his arms yesterday. Other visitors had come and gone. Ramona, Willa, and Sadie had popped in last night to give her all the exciting details about clandestinely recording the Pershing men, hug her, and assure her they would always be there for her. She’d thanked them and cried on their shoulders. Heck, Haisley had flown in from Lafayette and been by her bedside by the time the orderly had taken away her cold, untouched breakfast this morning. So where was Matt? Had she misunderstood yesterday? Had he chosen Graciela after all?
“Of course your dad is worried. He loves you. I’ve always envied that, you know?”
Madison took her hand, her heart breaking for her bestie. “You deserved better than the father you got.”
She snorted. “Sperm donor. He’s no father. So…what are you going to do next? Any idea?”
“Go home, I guess. Figure out how I’m going to pay for Daddy’s medical treatments. He’s paid up through the end of the month. After that? Maybe I’ll bring him home and take care of him myself since I can’t afford to keep him there.”
“You’ll figure it out. And I’ll help you however I can, especially once this baby is born. I’ll be the best auntie ever. I can’t wait to spoil him or her.”
“Since when are you interested in children? You’ve always thought they were snot-nosed curtain climbers.”
She smiled ruefully. “Since you’re having a baby. Yours will be perfect.”
“Aww. You’re the best friend a girl could have.”
Haisley rushed to hug her. “And don’t you forget it, because you’re never getting rid of me.”
Madison squeezed her in return. “I’d never want to. We’re going to grow old together. Rocking chairs, cats, ‘oldies’ music, and cozy mysteries.”
“Screw that. I’m also finding the hot guys in the nursing home and adding them to my to-do list.”
They laughed. Then Haisley backed up, head cocked. “Seriously, why didn’t you call me and tell me you were pregnant? We’ve always told each other everything.”
“I couldn’t. I’m sorry. Everything felt so big and scary, and I worried anyone I confided in could be in danger. Besides, what could you have done except worry?”
“Supported you. Promised you I would be here for you each and every day.”
“I already knew that. You’ve always been here for me.” Tears pricked her eyes.
“Just like you’ve been here for me.” Haisley sniffed. “And don’t start that shit. You’ll ruin my mascara.”
They laughed again.
“It sounds like a party in here,” said a smooth Cajun voice. “Mind if we join?”
Madison zipped her stare to the door. “Jack, Deke, Hunter… Thank you for coming—and not just to see me. I appreciate everything you did yesterday—more than I can tell you.”
Hunter Edgington, Matt’s boss and a former SEAL, acknowledged her with a nod. “When we figured out Todd’s operation, there was no way we couldn’t get involved.”
“Apparently, we’ve only uncovered the tip of the iceberg,” Deke said. “We’re working hand in hand with the opposition party in the House to expose the rest of the operation—who the money flowed to, where the victims went, how it remained secret for so long. People will be implicated, I’m betting all the way up to the president.”
“And if they make a movie, they better find a good-looking son of a bitch to play me,” Jack teased.
“I’m sure they will.” Madison smiled.
“You might be interested to know that Agatha was caught trying to flee the country early this morning,” Deke drawled. “TSA picked her up at Dulles and detained her. Since she fought, I’m betting she has something to hide.”