Page 45 of Smuggler’s Cove (Twin Lights #1)

Chapter Eighteen

To Date or Not to Date

T wo weeks moved quickly. Closing the book for the Holiday Preview that was to come out in September had taken up much of Madison and Olivia’s time.

And with the preparations for the summer rental, the renovations, and the festival, there hardly seemed to be enough hours in the day.

Madison comforted herself knowing that things would slow down in a matter of days.

Speaking of days, it was only two days until her date with Captain Eriksson.

She had hardly any time to get nervous about it, but when she saw the day marked with a big star on her daily planner, she realized she hadn’t given it enough thought.

Now she was in ultra-overdrive. What was she going to wear?

The white wardrobe was not going to fly anymore.

At least not at the marina. Maybe a pair of white capri pants, but the “Good Humor Ice Cream Man” look was over.

She wondered if she should call Viggo and ask him what the dress code was, if there was any at all.

They had only spoken briefly at the beginning of the week, when they decided on a time.

He was going to pick her up at six thirty.

In his “clean and organized” pickup truck.

He apologized profusely for not having a “proper vehicle,” but he had originally purchased it for when he was working on his house.

Since the renovations had been completed, he hadn’t given much thought to his mode of transportation.

He usually rode his bike to work, unless the weather was wet and windy.

Madison assured him a ride in a pickup truck was acceptable, and she would wear a disguise.

He chuckled at her sense of humor. With that in mind, Madison searched a costume store for a pair of black-rimmed glasses with a big nose and mustache.

That would be a true test of his sense of humor, and would certainly break the ice, if there were any to be broken.

She decided to phone and ask him what to wear. It was time she got over her insecurities and put on her big-girl pants, white or otherwise.

He answered on the second ring. “Ms. Wainwright.” He couldn’t resist calling her by her proper name. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Captain Eriksson.” Madison grinned. “I was wondering if you could advise me as to the attire required for dinner on Saturday.”

“According to my information, you are the fashion expert.”

“That might be true, but I want to dress appropriately. I take it, it’s not a gala, so I can ditch the sequins and high heels.”

He laughed out loud. “You would be correct. I was planning on One Willow. They have their dining deck open now, and the weather forecast is mild.”

“I am familiar with the place. Olivia and I had lunch there on our first visit.”

“And I was hoping to take you somewhere special.”

Madison stopped herself from saying Anywhere with you would be special. Instead, she replied, “The setting is beautiful, the food was excellent, and I am happy to return.”

“Great. Chef Nick always has something interesting on the menu.”

“I am looking forward to it. See you at six thirty.” She ended the call before the conversation would continue to awkward silence.

She called out to Olivia, “Wardrobe check.”

Olivia trotted into Madison’s office with a pad and pen. “Which edition?”

“Mine. Saturday night.” Madison was blushing.

“How about white silk pants and that gorgeous turquoise tunic that you’ve never worn?”

Madison snapped her fingers. “You are right! I must have bought that two years ago, and it’s been hanging in my closet waiting for an opportunity.”

“I think that might have been you waiting for the opportunity.”

“Very funny. But you know what I mean. That will be perfect. And shoes?”

“You have those beautiful Dolce Vita silver ballerina flats.”

“Perfect! What would I do without you?”

“Run buck naked?” Olivia chuckled.

“Not so fast, my friend.” Madison gave her a devilish grin.

“Aren’t we being cheeky?” Olivia returned the expression.

“Back to work.” Madison playfully shooed Olivia from her office.

Later that evening, Madison decided it was time to tell her brother about her dinner plans with Viggo. It had been excruciating to keep it from him, but she wanted to be absolutely certain that it was going to happen before she subjected herself to his ribbing.

“Linc, I have something to tell you,” Madison began her confession.

“About your date? Or that you ate a loaf of bread when you were at the house last week?”

“Date?” Madison asked with suspicion.

“Maddie. Madison Wainwright. Have you not learned you cannot keep a secret from your brother?”

“But how?” Madison was at a loss for words.

“Your mood, for one thing, and the star on the wall calendar in your kitchen pantry.”

“That could mean anything,” Madison said with confidence.

“Yes, but it means only one thing, considering you will be in Smuggler’s Cove on Saturday.”

“Okay, okay, you got me.”

“You could have said something.”

“I suppose, but I wasn’t sure if it was really going to happen.”

“Why?”

“Because of my crummy track record.”

“For someone who is always harping about looking ahead and not behind, you are such a hypocrite.”

“I never said that I should do what I say.” Madison laughed.

“You got me there. Well, I hope you will have a good time.”

“That makes two of us.”

“Make that four of us.”

“Four?”

“You, me, Livvy, and Viggo. We are all going to have to suffer the consequences if you don’t have a good time.”

“And this is why I did not mention it.” Madison would have stuck her tongue out if she were in the same room with him.

“Seriously, I really hope you have fun. You deserve it, Maddie. You have been working hard and have had a spate of ne’er-do-wells. It is time for you to enjoy the company of a man, who, in my humble opinion, appears to be a decent gent.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your input. Besides, Hannah is a big fan of his, too.”

“Hannah, eh? You told her before you told your own brother?” Lincoln feigned being insulted.

“It’s a girl thing.” Madison chuckled. “I have to go. Mario and Luigi are giving me the stink eye. Time for dinner.”

“One more thing. I plan to drive down on Saturday morning. Going to leave around seven thirty. Do you want a ride? Or, if you want me to bring anything down there for you, let me know.”

“Seven thirty is a tad early for me, but yes, a suitcase of clothes would be swell. I’ll leave it with my doorman.”

“You got it. See you on Saturday.”

“Love you!” Madison said as she signed off.

It was almost eleven, and she was still wide awake. She decided to use the time to pack the clothes she wanted Lincoln to take to the house. It took about an hour, and by then, she was ready for bed. As she pulled the covers over her shoulder, she whispered, “One more night to go.”

Mario and Luigi curled up against her and began to purr.

As she drifted off to sleep, she made plans for the rest of the summer. If all went well, she would work remotely three days a week and go into the office on Monday and Tuesday. There was no reason why it wasn’t a possibility. They managed during the pandemic; they could manage now.

Friday morning arrived, and Madison was relieved she had slept well.

Finally. She glanced over at the open suitcase on the floor and blinked several times.

“What are you guys doing?” Mario and Luigi had made a very nice, comfortable bed for themselves on her neatly folded clothing.

“Not this weekend, kids, but I am making plans so we can spend most of the summer at the house. Is that alright with you?” Mario yawned and rolled over, signaling it was time for Madison to rub his belly.

“And what about you, Luigi? No belly rubs or no summer house?” Luigi stretched and then flopped over.

“A-ha. You also want to be in the fresh air?” She scrunched their faces and gave them kisses on the head.

“Marvin will be looking in on you guys this weekend, so you be nice to him.” Mario and Luigi were very mellow cats unless there was a sudden loud noise. But most people are bothered by that, as well.

Madison went to her closet and slid past one piece of white clothing, then the next.

“This is getting boring.” She decided on a pair of white jeans, and a white crewneck sweater with white Mary Janes.

“I wonder what people would say if I showed up in a pair of regular jeans and an orange sweater?” She chuckled to herself. “Maybe next week.”

She went through her usual morning routine of fixing her first cup of coffee, feeding the cats, showering, and getting dressed.

Olivia greeted her in the office with a cup of coffee. “Ready?”

“As I will ever be. Hey, did you know that Lincoln knew about my date?”

“No, but he was tossing questions at me like, how you were getting on with Captain Eriksson, and why were you in such a great mood lately.”

“Why does everyone keep asking me why I am in a great mood lately? Have I been in a not-so-great mood?”

“Perhaps it would be better to say you’ve been bubbly lately. Effervescent.”

“Aren’t I always?” Madison pouted.

“Not like this. You’re actually quite serious most of the time.”

“Huh.” Madison pondered. Is that how people saw her? Had she been going through life looking like she lacked joy? Did she lack joy in her life? Madison didn’t want to think about it too much, afraid the answer would make her sad, like she had wasted so much of her life.

She shook herself out of her thoughts. “What do we have to do today?” she asked Olivia.

“Planning meeting.”

“Ugh. On a Friday?”

“Yes, the publisher wants to put everything on the board so he can take his summer vacation.” Olivia rolled her eyes. The publisher got all the credit, made the most money, and was barely visible.

“We, too, shall have our summer soirees,” Madison promised.

She called a few members of her staff to come into her office. “We need to put something on the board for next spring’s edition.”