Taken by Storm (Give & Take) - By Kelli Maine Page 0,81
I was wondering if the two of you would be willing to come stay at the hotel for a while? Maddie, your dad could relax and recuperate and maybe you could help me organize the fiftieth anniversary party I booked?” She groaned. “And I need help talking Beck out of playing the cello for the couple’s big dance.”
It was perfect. MJ smiled like he might burst. “Thank you,” she mouthed to him, standing on the other side of her dad’s bed.
“It sounds like a grand offer,” Mr. Simcoe said. “I’m not sure how much help I’d be to your Merrick though.”
Rachael sat on the side of his bed. “You know what he needs more than anything? A man with a level head to guide him, to keep him from being impulsive and doing stupid things.” She laughed. “I think you’re just the one for that role.”
Maddie’s dad took her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about him over the years. I’m ashamed I never gave him the chance to prove himself. Now I know the kind of man Enzo Rocha really is. I’d be honored to help in any way I’m able.”
“Fantastic,” Rachael said, squeezing Maddie’s dad’s hand with both of hers. “We’ll get you settled in when we spring you out of here.”
MJ shook her dad’s hand. “I’m relieved to see you doing so well. I’ll have you out fishing at Turtle Tear before you know it. I remember a score I have to settle.”
“I haven’t been fishing in years, but I’m the one who taught you, so don’t you go thinking you can land more fish than me.”
“As long as I don’t have to clean them,” Rachael said, sticking out her tongue. “I’ll help eat them though.”
MJ bent his finger, summoning Maddie to him. “I have something to tell you.”
Maddie gave her dad a hesitant glance. He grasped her shirt sleeve and tugged. “Get out of here with your young man. Go do something fun. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Merrick wants to come up and say hello when they’re done reopening and stitching the wound on his knee,” Rachael said, and shivered at the thought.
“See, Peach, I’ve got company coming. Beat it.”
“Okay, okay!” Maddie got up and followed MJ to the elevators. “Are you sure Rachael’s okay with this and you didn’t twist her arm?”
He pushed the button for the lobby. “Are you kidding? She jumped at the chance to have you stay and bring your dad.”
The doors closed and he pulled her against him. She could tell he had something to tell her that he couldn’t hold in any longer. “What?” she asked.
“You know Archibald’s family home, the Weston Sugar Plantation?”
She prodded his dimples with her fingers and smiled as he grinned. “Yes.”
“Mads, I own it. Merrick bought it for me as my first project.”
Maddie couldn’t believe what he was telling her. “What?”
“Yeah. It’s in bad shape, but he’s having Joan help me renovate it, and he’s going to teach me everything he knows about running the business.”
She squeezed him as hard as she could. “I’m so happy for you. So proud.” She looked into his eyes, and blinked back tears. “You have your dad, MJ. You’re out from under Enzo’s thumb.”
He kissed her. “So are you. You’ll be safe at Turtle Tear.”
Maddie’s thoughts went to Nadia. She’d been on the island and nobody knew. Anyone else could do the same. But, MJ had given her and her father a place to stay with friends. They wouldn’t be alone. “It’s going to work out, isn’t it?” she asked.
“It already has.” He picked her up and pressed his lips against hers, spinning her in a circle. The elevator jolted under them, coming to a stop.
Maddie laughed.
“What?” MJ asked.
“I like it when the ground moves under my feet when you’re kissing me.”
He spun her around again. “Baby, I promise to always make your world shake.”
Epilogue
I can’t believe we’re here,” Rachael said, holding a map of the 150,000 acres that MJ now owned along with the plantation house and several outbuildings.
Maddie pulled at the strap of the hardhat on her head. It was tight and uncomfortable, but MJ threatened to punish her if she took it off. She wasn’t sure what he had in mind, but she was tempted to toss the hardhat to the floor to find out.
He stood with Merrick and Joan at a drafting table, pouring over blueprints. He hadn’t told her what he was going to do with the property, but she knew he was making it into