Baby Lessons

Either that or his banged-up mind was playing tricks on him. He couldn’t be sure. All he knew was that he’d remained stoic during the entire course of the day, even as he’d been hurtling toward the ground and thought he might die right there on the sidewalk, leaving his daughters fatherless as well as motherless, but the sight of Madison Jules in his hospital room—be it real or just a vision—nearly made him weep.
“Are you really here?” he asked, throat thick with emotion.
“I’m here,” she said, and when her voice broke, something inside Jack broke along with it. “I hope it’s okay that I came.”
It’s more than okay, he wanted to say. I need you. I need us. But he didn’t have the right to say those things to her. Not yet—not when there were so many things that had been left unspoken.
“Of course it’s okay.” He attempted a smile.
Madison’s face instantly crumpled, and it was only then that Jack noticed the trails of mascara streaming down her cheeks. She’d been crying...for him...even after the way he’d tried to push her out of his life. Even after she’d tried to kiss him and he’d taken that pathetic backward step away from her. Even after the letters.
She still didn’t know about those, though. Even a concussion couldn’t make Jack forget that very significant fact.
“I just...” She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with a trembling hand. “I was at work and there were sirens and then one of our reporters heard from the scanner that you’d been hurt, and I just had to come. What happened? My God, are you burned?”
“I’m fine, sweetheart. It’s just a little bump on the head. I fell out of a tree trying to rescue a cat named Fancy.” He tried to sit up, but only managed to lift himself an inch or two off the pillow before he fell back down.
Madison’s lips quirked into a half grin. Jack wasn’t sure whether his use of an endearment had brought it about or whether she was amused by the reason for his incapacitation. He kind of hoped it was because he’d called her sweetheart.
“Of course you did.” She rolled her eyes, but her smile grew wider.
God, she was beautiful—the most beautiful woman he’d ever set eyes on. Her smile could light up the entire New England night sky. And standing in his darkened hospital room, backlit by the hallway light streaming through the window on his door, her untamed copper curls almost looked aflame. She was fire, and even though Jack had spent his entire adult life putting out flames, for once he just wanted to give in and let himself burn.
Things that burn come back stronger and healthier than before.
Their gazes locked, and he swallowed hard.
What if she leaves?
As gingerly as he could, he shifted closer to the edge of the bed and patted the empty space beside him. “Come lie down beside me?”
She climbed into bed next to him, kissed his cheek and with her graceful body pressed against his and her hair fanned out on his pillow, just like he’d dreamed about on so many nights, Jack fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
What if she stays?

Chapter Thirteen
To: MadisonJulesQueenBee@LovestruckBee.vt
From: AngelicaKentEOC@FashionistaMagazine.ny
Subject: Job offer
Dear Ms. Jules,
Your recent appearance on Good Morning Sunshine was most impressive, as is your creative and whimsical approach to your small-town parenting column. I particularly love your recent story on diaper bedazzling. It is my understanding that until recently, you were a junior reporter at Vogue, and I’m pleased to say that your fashion experience definitely shines through in your work.
I would like to speak with you regarding a social media editor position here at Fashionista Magazine. Your familiarity with the high fashion industry, combined with your obvious knack for witty repartee—as evidenced by your correspondence with Fired Up in Lovestruck—would be a huge asset to our magazine. The position is available immediately and includes a generous benefits package, as well as a moving allowance. If you have any interest in relocating to Manhattan, please give me a call at your earliest possible convenience.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Angelica Kent
Editor-in-Chief
Fashionista * where high fashion meets fun
The gentle vibration of Madison’s cell phone in the pocket of her polka dot swing dress stirred her to consciousness just as the morning light pouring through the window of Jack’s hospital room was shifting from pale pink to a pure lemon yellow. Her eyes drifted open, and even though years of putting her career before anything and everything else had her itching to read the incoming email, she paused to take in the sight of Jack’s handsome face resting just inches from hers.
She’d spent the entire night in Jack’s hospital bed. By some miracle, the nurse who’d come to check in on him every so often hadn’t uttered a word of protest. She’d just offered a quiet smile and made an offhand comment about how nice it was to see Jack finally content. And weirdly, that was exactly how Madison felt waking up beside him: content. As if she’d finally landed in the place where she was supposed to be—not New York, not her feather bed in Aunt Alice’s guest room with Toby curled at her feet—but tucked right alongside Jack where she could feel his broad chest rising and falling beneath the palm of her hand.
She’d been terrified the entire ride to Burlington in the passenger seat of Brett’s car. He seemed to make an effort to tamp down his enthusiasm over chasing a news story that wasn’t in any way related to a bake sale or a maple syrup festival, clearly sensing that she was upset at the prospect of Jack being injured. Upset was an understatement, actually. She couldn’t stop thinking about Ella and Emma and what would happen to them if they lost their dad. Fate wouldn’t be that cruel, would it?
She knew firsthand it could, though. Fate or destiny or whatever unseen force that had