“Spike!” he called with a laugh. “Inside. Now. I figure you’ll glide through it.”
“What am I, a flamingo?” She punched him lightly in the shoulder as he waited for Spike to cross the threshold before closing the door. “You know he’s going to leave puppy prints throughout the house now.”
“Nope. His training is complete. Spike, clean your paws.”
She blinked in shock as the puppy dragged his feet across the welcome mat. “I’m really glad you turned out to be a dog whisperer. When I had the idea, I was, like, fingers crossed.”
Kyle had gone all the way with dog training, determined that Spike and Pierre would find a way to safely co-exist. Madison loved that little guy—and even though he’d been spending more time with Dean and Jacqueline, he needed to have a home here with them, too.
“I excel at everything, you know,” he playfully told her, throwing her up in the air before catching her again as Spike barked madly.
“Kyle, this isn’t funny anymore. Put me down.”
He only curved her closer to his body. “Let me have my moment. I’m enjoying this too much.”
“First the Romance Shrine and now the Prince Charming act.” She sent him one of her pointed looks, but he could see the amusement layered beneath it. “What’s next? My very own personal stripper? I mean, we do have the disco lights and the smoke machine.”
He walked into the salon and dumped her on the sofa. “Stripper, eh? Maybe you’re wishing I’d suggestedMagic Mike.”
When he tugged his Henley up over his abs slowly, she extended her arms across the top of the sofa. “Now we’re talking. You put Spike in his little play area while I grab some bills for the show.”
He certainly gave her a show, which had them laughing at first, until the heat in her eyes was too much for him. Then the show they had was all for them, leaving them spent and breathless like usual.
The snow ceased. They started the movie, sharing the same bowl of popcorn, tangled under the blanket together while Spike snored at their feet.
Sunday dinner was free from the seriousness of last week. But that was down to Dean. He greeted them in a leprechaun outfit, asking for input on his impression as he prepared for their opening on St. Patrick’s Day.
“Dean, your pig Gaelic is good,” Thea told him in all seriousness, “but as someone from a town with a lot of Irish dancers, I’d recommend not doing a jig. It looks more like a leprechaun breakdancing.”
Kyle had busted up along with everyone else, and then Nanine had admitted that she couldn’t understand whyanyone would want to dress up in such a way. Her comment had only made them laugh harder.
Later, Thea had pulled him aside. “Any word? I thought I might have received a thank-you note for the breadbasket.”
He shrugged over the tension in his belly. “Nothing on my end. We’re doing what we’re doing.”
“Madison seems happier,” Thea commented, patting him on the back in that sweet way of hers.
“She’s on the Latin musician high from last night.” He caught Madison watching them. From the assessing look in her eyes, she knew they were talking about her. “I’m hoping it will last.”
“Me too.” She heaved out a breath. “The decision is two weeks away. I’m on pins and needles.”
So was he, and from then on, he had trouble being present. Even Dean belting out his version of “Danny Boy” didn’t have him laughing out loud with the others. He found a position by the bookshelf and watched more than participated.
When Nanine sidled up to him, he braced himself for her to share whatever was on her mind. “You and I have not spoken of this situation. Until now, I did not wish to tell you my feelings. I love that you are fighting the good fight, as they say, but it’s taking a toll. Madison will do her part. But soon the decision will be here. If your plan has not changed matters, you must be prepared to give your blessing to her, as I have, and let her go to a restaurant where her brilliance can be recognized, which I fear cannot happen in Paris.”
Only he knew how much he’d feared this moment and what Nanine would say.
But here it was. His insides coiled tightly, and he had to bite back his first words of protest. He had not allowed himself to think negatively, so he’d tried not to dwell on the fact that Madison was likely receiving coveted job offers from around the world. He didn’t want to think about what itwould mean for her to leave Nanine’s, and perhaps Paris. What it would mean for him. And their family…
“Nanine, my focus is on what I want to happen until the decision is announced.” He kept his voice quiet but firm. “For all of us. Let us leave that as it is for now.”
She kissed his cheek. “I am well aware of your focus, my love. I only ask you to remember the world may not bend to your will. In making the attempt, you risk bending others with you. But I expect you already know that.”
He told himself all the way home that Nanine was wrong. He wasn’t bending Madison along with him. He knew the renovation had demanded a lot from everyone, but he’d added staff and made sure they were trained to handle it. He’d asked her if they were good, to which she’d given him a thumbs-up.
But she was struggling to keep her eyes open as they poured a glass of wine to enjoy upstairs after putting the animals to bed. “Hey! Why don’t we use that big tub in my bathroom?” he suggested, hoping it would relax her. “You know, the one we never use.”
“If it has jets, I’m there.” She was slow to trudge up the stairs with him.
