Sweet Treats and Deadbeats

CHAPTER 8: Future Prospects and Past Mistakes

CHAPTER 8: Future Prospects and Past Mistakes

Madison

I touched Sophie’s shoulder to wake her up for school. She still hadn’t gotten to the point where she could get up to the alarm clock. Hell, I hadn’t even gotten to that point yet. We were doomed to be a family of over-sleepers.

“Wake up, sweetheart. We have to be at the shop in an hour.”

Sophie groaned and put her pillow over her head, once again proving that she was indeed my child. She mumbled a quick, “go away,” before going back to sleep.

I pulled the covers off of her bed. “Now! You have fifteen minutes to get your tush to the shower. Don’t make me come back,” I warned, leaving the room.

Thankfully, Noah was already awake when I entered his room. Unfortunately, he wasn’t using the time to get dressed. He was down on the floor playing with the train set Declan had given him during one of his dinner visits, which were starting to seem like Christmas mornings when it came to gift giving. Even though I tried, I couldn’t stop Declan from spoiling my babies.

“Noah Thomas Smith, you have five minutes to clean up your toys and join me in the bathroom.”

“I coming, mommy. Is Dex here?” he’d started using Sophie’s nickname for Declan, too.

“Um, Declan is going to have breakfast with us at the shop.” It made me feel a little uneasy that my babies were so used to seeing Declan every day. What would they do when he left us?

After I bathed and helped him get dressed, I went back to check on Sophie. She was sitting in front of her new mini vanity trying on different Lip Smackers lip glosses. It made me have an ‘I miss my baby girl’ moment.

Surprisingly, Declan’s sister, Laurie, helped me pick out the vanity pieces and decorated it last week. Laurie and I still weren’t friends because she went out of her way to put me down, but I couldn’t truly hate anyone who was kind to my babies.

“Good morning, baby girl. I see you’re wearing the sweater I bought for you at the mall. The green looks lovely with your dark jeans,” I said, taking a seat on her bed.

“Thanks, mommy. I can’t wait until I can wear the starfish earrings Dex gave me. Only two more weeks,” she squealed.

I sighed. Every since the fight at Sophie’s school and our talk, I’d been feeling nervous. That day, Declan and I were about to f**k in my office when my phone buzzing interrupted us. The school had only informed us of a fight, so I had been a wreck thinking someone had hurt my little girl.

Of course, Declan insisted on driving me. I was stunned when he got out of the car and walked with me to the school’s office. I knew Principal Waters thought it was weird, but thankfully he kept his suspicions to himself.

“Just remember, no fighting, sweetheart. If someone is mean to you, tell a teacher. I don’t want you getting in trouble. You’re smart, beautiful, and I love you,” I said, hugging my daughter.

“I love you too, mommy. I promise to be good. Besides, Dex said he’d take us to the Space Needle if I make honor roll.”

I groaned. “Declan and I will have to talk about that.”

Since Tina was already at the shop, we took off after I got dressed. Sleeping with Declan Walsh gave me more confidence, and it showed in the way I dressed lately. Today, I chose a scoop neck royal blue, sleeveless dress with purple cardigan.

I brushed my thick hair out and left it to hang down my back. Underneath my clothes, I wore a coffee-colored silk bra and panty set, another Declan gift. He’d said some s**t about how he loved unwrapping me. After a spritz of Marc Jacobs, another Declan pick, I was out the door.

Noah and Sophie sang along to a CD all the way to the shop. The concert was next weekend and somehow Tina had gotten out of it, so Declan was taking us instead.

Sweet Treats officially opened at six, but most people just got their breakfast to go. The tangy-sweet smell of apple fritters assaulted me the minute I stopped in front of the shop. I almost groaned thinking of how much weight I would gain if I ate one.

Ryan didn’t come in until nine, but he was a godsend. Not only did he bake like Betty Crocker, he also knew how to pitch in and get s**t done. In the short time he’d worked for me, I’d already become fond of he and his little girl, Cynthia.

He had been a teenager when his then girlfriend got pregnant with her. They were only seventeen. The mother didn’t want a child and threatened to have an abortion, so Ryan promised that he would take full responsibility if she just had the child. When little Cynthia was born, it was discovered that she had diabetes; and that had made the biological mother and her grandparents give up full custody.

With the help of his grandparents, Ryan had managed to finish high school and work. He was currently going to community college to become a veterinarian. He interned with Dean a couple of days a week.

“Mommy, Dex is here,” Noah yelled, before jumping out of the car.

My mouth ran dry as I watched my best friend and lover walk over to us. He had about a day’s worth of stubble on his gorgeous mug. The low slung khaki pants and blue polo shirt fit him to perfection.

The minute I stepped out of the car, he pulled me into his arms. His lips went for my mouth, but at the last minute I turned my head so he ended up kissing my cheek.

Noah and Sophie started singing, “Dex and mommy, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G...”

Declan licked my earlobe before picking both Sophie and Noah up and carrying them into the shop. I stood in a dazed stupor until a familiar voice broke through my haze of lust.

“Get that cheesy grin off of your face, Madison. I swear you and Declan are worse than a group of horny teenagers,” Tina said, smacking me on the arm.

“Declan and I are just friends,” I mumbled weakly.

She laughed. “Sure. You two are the only ones that believe that bullshit. Even Noah and Sophie probably know better.”

I opened my mouth to retort but nothing came out. Okay, if I was honest with myself what I felt for Declan seemed to be more than friendship. But what did that mean? I for one had no earthly clue.B

“Oh s**t,” Tina mumbled, looking behind me.

I turned to see what had caught her attention. When I saw whom it was I giggled. Sheriff Ross Crawford, her latest suitor. He had fluffy golden hair and kind blue eyes which were hidden behind stylish eyeglasses.

Last week, he came to the shop to pick up an order of donuts. Sometime between eating a bear claw and paying his bill, he fell head over heels in love with T. The only problem was that he was a little shy and a lot boring. I had sat in on a conversation he had with Sophie about NASA. He had used so many complicated words that I needed a Tylenol after.

Tina groaned as she watched him fumble and drop his keys. He was in shape and not a bad looking guy, but he was clumsy as hell. Apparently, the only reason he was elected sheriff was because he had an advanced degree, solved the budget crisis, and happened to be the only qualified person who wanted the job.

“Morning, Ms. Smith, Tina. Can I get a dozen of your chocolate croissants to go? I can pay extra,” Ross said in that poetic voice of his, never taking his eyes off of Tina.

She mumbled a curt, “sure”, before disappearing inside. Poor Ross’ face fell. I put my arm through his and made small talk as we walked inside.

Declan gave me his, ‘why is that fucker touching you’ look. I waved to let him know it was nothing. Lately, Declan had become very overprotective of me. He had almost s**t bricks when he’d found out Jimmy was in my night school business class.d

I took most of my classes online, but every Wednesday I had classes at Port Townsend Community College. It was fun because I was learning so much and making friends. I’d never really realized how much I had missed out on by wasting my life with Tom, until I had stepped into the classroom.

My professor said that I had the highest grade in class so far. When I told Declan, he bought me a dark brown leather satchel with my name inscribed in gold and a brand new top of the line laptop. Initially, I had declined the gifts, but he and his magic c**k had a way of making me agree to any damn thing.dec

Sophie immediately glommed onto Ross, thus leaving me free to talk to Tina. Noah was busy showing Declan the baseball Dean bought for him. Between Declan and Dean, I wasn’t ever going to have to buy my babies another present again.

I went to the kitchen where Tina was deep-frying the fritters I’d made the night before. I took out a box and started getting Ross’ croissants ready. Ross was really a nice guy. He was sweet to my babies, held the door open for women, and tipped well. If Tina refused to be nice to him, I would pick up the slack.

“I know what you’re going to say, Madison, and the answer is, ‘hell no’.”

“What’s wrong with him, T? You never want to date any of the guys that hit on you. I’m starting to suspect that you may be a lesbian.”

The words were barely out of my mouth before she kissed me. It was awkward, nothing like when I kissed Declan.

“Was that as horrific for you as it was for me?” Tina asked, pulling away.

I wiped my lips and sighed with relief. “I wouldn’t say it was horrific…”

“What’s ‘horrific’?” Declan asked, walking into the door.

“I kissed Madison to prove I wasn’t a lesbian,” Tina replied flippantly, before smacking my ass and walking out the door.

Declan’s face went from confusion to anger before settling on pure male fascination. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my lips. Now this is a kiss, I thought, tangling my hands in his unkempt hair.

“Yum, you still taste of Tina. I almost feel like I’m having a threesome.”

I wriggled free. “How do you know what Tina tastes like, Declan? If I find out you’ve been putting your lips on anyone else, the only threesome you’ll be having is with your left and right hand.”

He threw a muscled arm around my shoulder and smiled. “So…that means there may be a threesome in my future. No offense, but Tina isn’t my type. We’ll have to pick someone who looks more like you.”

I licked my lips. “Who says it will be a woman? I’ve always been intrigued by the thought of having two men at once. How would you feel if Jimmy joined one of our…sessions?”

Declan recoiled so fast I almost fell on the ground. “Don’t even joke about that s**t, sweetheart! In all honesty, I never want to share you with anyone, male or female.”

I blushed. “Um, I feel the same way, but someday you’ll find someone you really love and want to spend your life with. When that time comes, I’ll step aside and be your supportive best friend.”

He picked me up and set me on top of the counter. “I really love you. Why can’t you get that through your little stubborn head, Madison?”

“I…” That was all I got out before he unbuttoned my cardigan and threw it on the floor. He managed to unzip my dress before I realized where we were.

“Not here, Declan. Follow me,” I said, dragging him to my office, which luckily was located in the back. Declan and I had been very busy lately so our trysts tended to be rushed.

“f**k! I can’t wait to get you in a bed again. I can’t even look at carrot cake without getting hard,” Declan groaned.

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t mention that! I still haven’t forgiven you for allowing me to break my no bed rule.”

He chuckled and tossed my dress over my head. I glared at him until he picked it up off the floor and hung it properly. “Sorry,” he whispered before attacking me again.

“You look amazing in that set. I knew it would compliment your coloring. Damn you taste good, too,” he mumbled.

I arched my back and held on as Declan’s skilled hands explored my quaking body. His lips nibbled at my mouth, while his rough hands palmed my breasts.

“So beautiful,” he repeated.

My office wasn’t fancy by any means but it was comfortably furnished. I pulled away from Declan and went to spread a thick blanket over the stuffed blue chenille sofa. I felt his eyes on me, so I put a lot of extra motion in my hip movements.

When the couch was arranged, I turned to him. Keeping eye contact, I stripped out of my bra and undies. Declan threw off his clothes so quickly that if I had of blinked, I would have missed it.

I laid down on the couch and crooked my finger. “Come here, Declan. I have a position that only you can fill.”

He pounced, raising my hands above my head. “Well, it sounds like it may be a hard job, but if you’re sure I can do it…”

After that we were all over each other; hands, mouth, skin, tongues, you name it. When Declan thrust into me, I cried out. He was just so f*****g big. I never got used to being filled so completely to the brim.

He just smiled and put his hand over my mouth. “Quiet, sweetheart. You don’t want everyone to know the boss is getting f****d back here, do you?”

When he thrust again, my eyes rolled back in my head. I had to bite down hard on my lip to keep from crying out. He looked straight into my eyes as he bit, then sucked, my n*****s into his hot mouth. As he pumped his big d**k into me, he continued to kiss my quivering upper body.

“f**k,” I whisper-yelled, feeling him smile against my chest.

“I thought that was what we were doing,” he grunted.

I wrapped my legs around Declan’s waist, digging my heels into his toned ass. He was f*****g me so hard the couch was moving. All of a sudden, he hit that special spot deep within me that only he could find. I came hard, biting down on his chest.

“f**k! Declan… that was amazing,” I panted, moving my hair off my face.

He surprised me by pulling out and flipping me over. His c**k was even bigger and harder when he entered me from behind.

“I never get enough time with you, sweetheart. I just want to make sure that you’re always thinking of me,” he groaned.

After that, he pulled out all the way, then slammed into me relentlessly. All I could do was whimper and bite down on the arm rest. One of Declan’s long fingers rubbed my c**t as he gyrated his hips. My body milked him until he came. We both collapsed at the same time.

“Oh…my…”

“God!” He finished for me. “Seriously, the stuff we do is like…epic f*****g. If it were a sport, we’d be gold medalists.”

I basked in the afterglow for a few minutes before I remembered where we were. Then I groaned so Declan would get off of me. He carried me into my private bathroom. When we got there, he peed while I brushed my teeth. It was all very…

“Holy s**t!” I shrieked. We were becoming like a f*****g married couple. I didn’t even want to voice that, so I brought up the other issue that was making me have a panic attack. “We…you…we forgot the condom again.”

Declan shrugged and grabbed a washcloth and soap so that he could wash up. “You’re on the pill. We’ll be fine.”

I couldn’t believe how nonchalant he was acting. “The pill is not one hundred percent effective! We’ve been careless before. What if…I got pregnant?” I asked, swallowing thickly.

He put on his boxer and khakis before answering. “If you did get pregnant, we’d deal with it.”

I flinched as I cleaned up and put on my clothes. Declan was seriously starting to piss me off. “Deal with it? I want you to know that I could never abort or give any baby of mine up for adoption.”

He tugged on his hair. “What the f**k, Madison? I never said anything about abortion or adoption. I meant I’d support you and the baby. I already love Noah and Sophie a bunch. I know I’d love my own child just as much.”

I sniffled and wiped my teary eyes. “I’m sorry, Declan. I’m just stressed and crazy. I don’t think we have anything to worry about. I’ve been taking my birth control pills religiously since Noah was born.”

He walked over and kissed the top of my head. “Would it be so bad…if you were carrying my child?”

I cautiously stepped out of his arms. “Yeah, it would be! I love my babies, but they’re a lot of work. Now that I have the shop and school, it would be impossible. Don’t worry, though. We’re fine. I’ll try harder to remember the condoms from now on.”

The light that had been in Declan’s eyes died. “I’ll just… I’ll just go see if Noah and Sophie are ready. Natalie should be here soon,” he said before leaving.

I studied my reflection in the mirror. My pupils were dilated. I had a faint glow that mixed nicely with my flushed skin. My lips were swollen prettily. Even though the reflection staring back at me was pleasant, but I felt like a monster.

Was Declan hoping to get me pregnant? I knew it was hard for him knowing that he’d lost his own baby but… If he asked, could I deny him?

Stupid b***h! Of course, you’ll deny him! What would you do with a newborn baby at this stage in life? I thought irritably.

After brushing my hair and retrieving my cardigan, I returned to the kitchen. Tina rolled her eyes and smirked as I passed. Declan was at a table eating a scone while my babies laughed at something he said.

Suddenly, I had an unwanted vision of him holding a green eyed, dimpled baby in his arms. It scared me so badly that I jumped when T touched my arm.

“Whoa, calm down. You were staring at Declan so hard it looked like you were trying to read his mind. So… guess what?”

“What?” I croaked.

She eyed me curiously before continuing. “Ross asked me to the movies and I accepted. He said that he may be able to erase that speeding ticket I got in Seattle last week.”

Despite myself, I giggled. “That’s harsh, T. Please be nice to Ross. The guy really likes you.”

Before she could answer, Natalie and Ambrose walked into the shop. Since it was on her route and she worked there, Natalie took my babies to school some days. I paid her in cash and food, even though she insisted that she’d do it for free. We all laughed when Ambrose high-fived Noah and they both began doing some crazy dance.

Over the past few days, I’d tried to bring up Joey, but Natalie would either get upset or shut me out until I dropped it. When he wasn’t in Seattle partying with his bimbos, Joey was staying at Declan’s house.

As usual, poor Natalie was dressed like an elderly woman. She’d chosen a gray pantsuit and white button down. Her thick eyeglasses were on a chain and connected to the top of the blouse. Tina and I had taken her shopping last week, but she’d only ended up picking out more matronly clothes in awful colors.

She, Tina, and I talked for a while as Declan entertained the children.

“So, Natalie. Declan is taking us all out on his boat on Saturday. You should come with us and bring Ambrose. Declan’s sister Laurie and his friend Joey will be there.”

“Joey! Is that lowlife still here? I haven’t seen him lately,” she huffed.

Tina and I shared a look. “Um, yeah. He’s staying with Declan.

So…what do you say? I’m sure Ambrose would love it,” I said, crossing my fingers.

“Okay, but please don’t let me be alone with Joey. I…I don’t like him at all,” she replied.

Tina sighed. “Just spit it out, Ali? Is Joey Ambrose’s father?”

I groaned. Tina could be really blunt sometimes.

Natalie’s face turned bright red. She sputtered and groaned. “How did you…know? I knew someone would figure it out one day. Please, try to keep it secret.”

I was confused. “Why don’t you just tell him? He may not be the best guy, but I’m sure he’d support you monetarily at least.”

She took off her glasses and wiped away some stray tears. “I…I tried once, but he made it clear he didn’t remember sleeping with me or want to have anything further to do with me. I couldn’t put Ambrose through that kind of rejection.”

Tina and I hugged her. “It’s okay. We won’t say anything until you’re ready, but I can’t keep this from Declan,” I said, apologetically.

She nodded. “That’s fine, as long as you don’t tell Joey. Just…give me time.”

Tina and I agreed. After that, we made plans to have dinner later in the week. Declan and I helped Noah and Sophie put their coats and bookbags on.

The older crowd was starting to filter into the diner. They were gossips and seeing me with Declan only fueled their theories. I put on a polite smile and pretended not to let it bother me.T

Sophie got in the passenger seat and kissed me on the cheek. “Have a great day, mommy,” she said, happily.a

Declan helped Noah and Ambrose in to the back. It was hard getting their seatbelts on because neither of them liked to sit still. Natalie gave me one last pleading look before she got in the car and took off.

“What happened? It looked like you women were having a serious conversation.”

I sighed. “Joey is Ambrose’s father. I swore that we’d keep it secret until Natalie is ready to tell him. Promise me that you won’t say anything, Declan.”

His eyes widened. “f**k! Joey has a kid he doesn’t even know. It’s not right for Natalie to keep that from him. Fathers have rights, too!”

“I know, but she says she tried to tell him and that he doesn’t remember sleeping with her. You know what Joey’s like. Just give her time. I’ll work on it from my end.”

Declan shook his head. “She has a week to tell him. If she doesn’t by then, then I will. Joey is my friend, Madison. He has always been honest with me and I want to do the same for him.”

I groaned. “Okay. I’ll work on it.”

When Declan and I walked in together, the elderly brigade began whispering and pointing. Apparently, we were the big news around town. They wanted to know if we were just friends or seriously dating.

Declan tensed by my side. “I, um, need to go, sweetheart.”

He paid, leaving a generous tip. I’d told him countless times that he could eat for free, but he never listened. I just put his money in a tip jar which I would divide between Ryan and Tina at the end of the week.

Before he left, I stood on my tip toes so I could kiss his cheek. He looked surprised and smug at the same time. There was some loud mumbling, but I didn’t mind. It was more important that Declan knew I wasn’t ashamed of him. Some of the townsfolk were none too nice. They still blamed him for his wife and baby’s deaths and were sometimes vocal about it.

“Have a wonderful day, Declan. Call me if you need me. Also feel free to bring Brando over to my house for dinner later,” I said loud enough for the nosy patrons to hear.

The light returned to his gorgeous green eyes, along with a huge smile. “I’ll be there. Um…,” he leaned in to whisper in my ear. “I love you, Madison,”

I said it back, and then he was off.

“What can I get you?” I asked, turning to Susan Waters, the Principal’s wife.

“Whatever it is that put that look on your face, but I doubt it’s on the menu,” she quipped, smiling brightly.

I blushed and threw myself into work.

Ryan showed up early and began baking. The business was doing better than I had expected, so I was planning to hire some new staff soon.

Laurie showed up an hour later. She didn’t officially work for me, but she helped arrange and box items. She also took time out of her busy schedule to spar with Ryan and offer me fashion advice.

“Paisley is all the rage, Madison, but you need to tan if you have any hope of pulling it off,” she said, snagging a low fat grain muffin. It had been her idea to add them to the menu.

Ryan snorted as he rolled out the dough for fresh garlic bread. “If you ask me, men like something more…natural.”

Laurie tossed her long, straight blond hair behind her shoulders. “No one asked you, loser! The w****s you date probably couldn’t tell a Fendi original from a knock off.”

“Laurie, please apologize. Remember what Declan told you,” I pleaded, reminding her that she was on a short leash with her brother.

“I’m sorry, Ryan,” she grumbled.

He laughed. “It’s fine. I don’t take it personally. You’re a b***h to everyone.”

Something flashed in Laurie’s blue eyes. “How’s Cynthia? I promised I’d paint her nails again. It’s a wonder how someone like you spawned such a beautiful child.”

I left them to continue their argument. Laurie tried to pretend she was this stone cold ice b***h, but she had a soft spot for kids. Trust me, it was her only redeeming quality.

Around one, Ashley Clifton came into the shop. Her bruises were healing, and she looked much better than she had the first time I’d seen her. Tina greeted her before going to take orders.I grabbed a plate and took a seat across from Ashley. She surveyed me warily as she bit into the fresh baked stromboli and salad I offered.

“Hey, Madison. How are you and the kids?”

I sighed. “Ashley, why won’t you take my offer? The upstairs apartment has enough room for you and the baby. Noah and Sophie would only be up after school and I’d clean up after them. Business is great so hiring you will be no problem. You’d be helping me out.”

She shook her head and touched her protruding stomach. “We do fine camping out. You know, you sound just like your dad.”

I choked on my water. “Neal? You know him.”

“Yeah, he stumbled upon my tent one night. His cabin is nearby. He keeps leaving me food, and money, and inviting me over,” she said, taking a big bite.

A few days ago, Neal had tried to talk to me in from of Ted’s store. I was mean to him, but now I felt bad. Maybe he was trying to change.

I turned back to Ashley. “You have two choices: You take my offer or I report you to a social worker. Outside and in the middle of the woods is no place to raise a baby.”

She stopped eating and looked around the shop. People were pointing and whispering. I glared hard until they looked away. I knew what it felt like to be embarrassed and alone.

“Well, I guess I have no choice then. I accept. I don’t have furniture, though,” Ashley said, quietly.

I squeezed her hand. “It’s all taken care of. My aunt left me lots of stuff that we’re not using. You can start work next week.”

I called Laurie over and asked her to take Ashley out shopping for bedding, clothes, and stuff. She looked at Ashley for a moment before accepting. After helping Ashley into her car, she came back inside.

“Thanks so much, Laurie. I would do it myself, but the shop is too busy. Here’s my credit card. Don’t go crazy. I have a limit.”

Laurie shrugged. “It’s not a problem. I would also love to give Ashley a makeover. Ms. Boyd won’t let me touch her, and Ashley is the next best emergency case. Just, um, could you tell Declan I did this? I know he thinks I’m difficult… but I really want him to be proud of me.”

I smiled. “Of course, Laurie. Declan loves you dearly. Now go. Remember to get the essentials and nothing designer.”

After they left, I took a couple more orders. I was just about to take a break when my cell phone buzzed. Thinking it was Declan, I answered immediately.

“Hello,” I said enthusiastically. The familiar chuckle on the other end turned my stomach.

“Someone sounds excited to hear from me. Tell me. Do you miss me or just my c**k?” I rolled my eyes, remembering all four inches of said appendage.

“What do you want, Tom?”

Declan

“Son, I just need another hundred-grand. Then I swear I’ll be able to pay you back with interest,” Michael said, pleadingly. He’d been on the phone for twenty-minutes trying to convince me.

I was sitting Indian-style on the floor practicing breathing methods and looking at my center; which was a picture of me, Madison, and the kids that we had taken on our last mall trip. The photographer had been convinced we were a family. In a weird non-traditional way, I guess we were.

The line clicked signaling that someone had joined our call. “Declan, is that you? Don’t give your father another damn penny. He’s just going to go to Vegas and squander it on strippers and w****s,” Holly slurred. I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“You’re a f*****g liar! The only reason you sell houses is because you f**k half the clients,” Michael rebutted.

Why does it matter who I f**k, Michael? You can’t get even get it up without Viagra," mom screamed.

“Son, don’t…”

I was done with their s**t, so I hung up. The only reason I’d answered the call because I thought they may be calling to ask about Laurie. She’d gone over to have lunch with my mother a few days ago, but judging from her puffy eyes when she got back, it hadn’t gone well. I tried to talk to my little sister but she had shut me out.

Eventually, I managed to calm down enough to text Madison. She didn’t respond so I assumed that she was busy. Brando was being mopey so I decided to take him for a run. I contemplated the fact that I had a bunch of land and money, but no one to share it with. It was like pulling teeth to get Madison to accept gifts.

As I jogged, I thought about the conversation we’d had earlier this morning. She had made it seem like us having a baby together would be the worst thing ever. Sure, it would be time consuming and stressful but everything worth having in life was a struggle. For a minute, I’d allowed myself to imagine a baby girl with big, brown doe eyes and curly hair, like my sweetheart. Madison had burst my bubble by pretty much guaranteeing that a baby was definitely not in the cards for us.

Now that I was finally clean and sober; I had the time, money, and means to devote to a child. The problem was that Madison was the only woman I could see being the mother of my baby, and she didn’t want any more children. Scratch that, she didn’t want any children with me. I didn’t blame her, though. Who would want a child with a man who’d killed his pregnant wife and unborn baby?

My phone rang, taking me out of depressing thoughts. I knew it was Madison because I’d programmed the phone to play Sam Cooke’s song, “Sugar Dumpling” when she called.

“Declan…I…” I could tell that she’d been crying.

My heart rate sped up. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?”

“Tom,” she whispered, “He wants…he wants supervised visits with my babies. I can’t… If you would have heard the vile things he said to me... That deadbeat motherfucker hasn’t changed at all! I was so f*****g stupid to stay with him as long as I did.”

“Shhh, don’t say that, sweetheart. I’ll give Daniels a call so he can get some information,” I said, wiping my forehead.

How dare that motherfucker come back now, I thought darkly.

“Daniels? Your lawyer? Declan, I can’t afford someone like that…”

“Shut up, Madison. I pay him enough to cover twenty clients. What’s mine is yours, remember?”

She sniffled. “I love you so much, Declan. Thank you.”

I smiled widely. I love you too, sweetheart."

“How about I come over and take you for a drive? Can you take a break?”

“Yeah, I really should. I’m feeling a lot like an overprotective mother bear, so let’s stop and pick up Noah and Sophie, too,” she said.

After we hung up, Brando and I ran back to the house. I took a shower while he ate a couple of shredded chicken breasts. I shaved to make my sweetheart happy and threw on some clothes. I also grabbed a box of condoms, just in case. If Madison didn’t want a baby, I wasn’t going to be an ass and keep putting her in danger.

I made it to the shop in record time. Madison was out front talking to one of the elderly bridge club members. The old guy was staring at her t**s, but she was either too nice or too naive to say anything. I growled before stalking over.

“Madison, are you ready?” I asked, startling them both.

She smiled and pulled away. The old guy shuffled into the shop.

“Thanks, Mr. Gino is a p*****t. Last week, he stared at Tina’s ass for over thirty minutes.”

“If he wasn’t so damn old, I’d kick his ass,” I said, really f*****g meaning it.

My sweetheart just laughed as I helped her into the car. We stopped off by Ted's store to pick up some Yoohoo for the kids. Madison was still shaken up, so she decided to stay in the car. She offered me a twenty dollar bill, which I declined.

When I got out, I saw that Neal was out front. He was looking past me to the car where Madison was reapplying lip gloss. I gave him a pat on the back as he walked over. The guy was really trying lately.

I’d promised that I would help him with his estranged daughter. Both Neal and Madison needed each other more than they knew. Even though my family was s**t, I knew that having one was important to a person’s life.

Two men were in the store with Ted. I recognized them as Keith and Dave. They were all assholes who wanted me kicked out of town. They were also loud and usually drunk and disorderly. They all stared at me as I went to grab the Yoohoo.

“Yeah, she wanted me bad. What was I supposed to do? You know she hasn’t had any d**k in a long time. Not too many men want to f**k a chick with two whiny kids,” Keith said.

“Rumor is she’s f*****g half the men in the town. I bet she’s good at certain stuff. I would try her myself, but I like my bitches tight. She must be loose as s**t by now,” Dave said, joining in.

I forgot about the drinks and stalked to the counter. “Take it back and apologize! You shouldn’t be spreading rumors about Madison Smith. You’re nothing but lowlife motherfuckers!”

Ted laughed. “So… You’re the one that’s had her multiple times, huh?” He grabbed a box of condoms. “You’ll need these if you’re f*****g Madison. We wouldn’t want you to get Herpes, now would we?”

A gentle calmness spread throughout my body. I knew what I had to do. I pulled my fist back and punched Tyler Crowley square in the mouth. Noah and Jared came to his rescue, but they were no match for me. I’d taken some boxing lessons, and I used my skills to take them down. By the end, there was only groaning in the room.

Madison ran into the store with Neal and the Sheriff on her heels. Ross took one look at the guys on the floor and then at my blood covered fist.

Then, he sighed. “I’m sorry, Mr. Walsh, but you’re under arrest.”

Ted stood up on shaky legs. “I want to press charges. I always knew he was crazy! He should never have been set free.”

Neal had his arms around a hysterical Madison’s shoulders. “Don’t, please, Ted! Declan wouldn’t just hit you without a reason. What did you do to provoke him?”

I didn’t want her to know. “Just take me in, Ross. I’ll call my lawyer from the station.”

Madison hugged my arm as the Sheriff led me out. There was a crowd forming in front of the shop. I knew I would be all the gossip this week. Before I got into the car, I saw Madison slap Ted. Neal pushed him and pulled her out of the store.

After that, my sweetheart ran to the car. She got details from Ross and then leaned in the window to kiss me.

“I’ll pick you up, later, Declan. You…you and Sophie… I don’t need… You’re so f*****g stupid… I love you.”

When we got to the first red light, Ross turned around. “I’m sorry, Declan. You don’t have to stay. I’m going to book you and let you go. I just needed to diffuse the situation quickly.”

I shrugged. “Hold me. Because if you let me go, I might just go back to that store and kill those men.”