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The next day, fate intervened to create chaos. His most important client was in town for two days with his CFO and wanted to discuss financing for a new contract. Rick had never refused business and didn’t intend to start now.
Hoping Madison had returned from her latest shift, he called her.
“What’s going on Rick? We just landed. We’re still on the tarmac.”
“Madison, I need your help. Come to my house right away, please.”
“Oh my God! Who’s hurt, sick—”
“Nobody. Don’t worry. Mom left last evening. Denise needed her right away. I picked up the kids from school and stayed with them.”
“Okay, great.”
“Today, I have an important client who wants to meet. I can’t stay home. I need your help.”
“Rick, I’m post-flight. I have to go home and sleep.”
“You can sleep at my house. Please, Madison. I don’t know what else to do. The children need you.”
He heard her sigh heavily.
“Okay, I’ll go home, shower, and then go to your place.”
“Great. Thanks. Have to go.”
His intercom buzzed, and his receptionist announced his guests had arrived earlier than expected.
“Take them to the conference room. Notify Carl and Donna. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Cursing, he called Madison. No one answered. Probably bad reception. Unable to waste time, he called the school. “Goodafternoon, Dr. Fernandez. This is Rick Lambert. I need a favor. I am stuck at work. Can you keep Mark and Michael until our friend, Ms. Madison Howell picks them up?”
“No problem, Mr. Lambert.”
“Please have Mark call her and ask her to come to the school. I’ll be unavailable for several hours.”
“We’ll do.”
“Thank you so much, Dr. Fernandez.” He made a note to send another donation.
After wrapping a tie around his neck, he grabbed his navy blazer and headed to the conference room where his CFO and I T director should have started the meeting with their guests. In the hallway, he stopped in his tracks and texted Madison.
Sorry for imposing this on you. And thank you so much.
As expected she didn’t answer. She would see his message when she disembarked. At last he was ready for his meeting.
Three hours later, he called Madison and frowned, seriously worried when she didn’t answer. He tried Mark’s phone.
“Hi, Dad.” He could hardly hear his son’s voice.
“What’s going on, Mark? Where’s Ms. Madison?”
“She’s sleeping on the couch in our room. Mickey and I are playing with Douby. We’re being very quiet.”
“Ah, don’t go outside if—”
“We can’t even go downstairs,” he murmured. “She locked the door. We have cookies and water. She set her alarm for 6 for dinner.”
“Perfect.” Rick exhaled in relief.
