Bright green eyes stared at me, surrounded by long, thick eyelashes and high cheekbones that tightened as she smiled. Her lips were heart shaped, with a red shade that complimented her tanned skin. I recognized her the moment I saw those eyes. Madeline, Ron’s baby cousin.

“Your mom said she wanted some air before dinner,” Ron said as he led his cousin into the dining room. He picked up an appetizer, and each accepted a glass of wine from one of the workers. Madeline offered him a dazzling smile, and the worker nearly tripped over his shoes as he walked away.

“I’ll check on her. I’m glad you could make it,” I said and turned toward Madeline. “How long has it been since we’ve seen each other? Years?”

She tilted her head in thought. “Six, Ron and I decided.”

Six years. She had been 19, just going into college, when I had last seen her. But she hadn’t been this beautiful, or else I would have remembered to check up on her. In fact, she had always been Ron’s weird younger cousin, with a head too big for her body and a voice to manly for a girl.

“Well, I hope you enjoy the evening, Madeline,” I said.

“Speaking of that, what’s this about?” Ron asked. “You’ve never had such a fancy party before. I didn’t even think you knew how

to throw a party.”

“I don’t know how to throw a party; that’s why you hire people who do,” I said. I considered telling him the truth, just to ease the shock a little, but I knew that was mom’s place, not mine. “You’ll find out soon.”

“Apparently, the gossip here is saying that you’re getting married,” Madeline said. She smiled at me. “I have a talent for listening to gossip wherever I am. It’s a useful trait in the entertainment business.”

“Definitely no marriage here,” I said and excused myself. I had to make sure mom was okay. A small hand touched my shoulder, and I turned to find Madeline’s face inches from my suit.

“It’s Maddie, by the way,” she said. “Last people to call me Madeline were my high school teachers.”

“Maddie, then,” I said. “Excuse me, Maddie; enjoy the party.” I watched as she walked toward a group of chattering men. Maddie had grown since I last saw her.

I found mom sitting on the steps outside the house. The guests had all arrived, and soon dinner would be served, and then the truth revealed. I sat beside her and tried my best not to think about it, but it was the only thing my mind had room for. She grabbed my hand.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, my voice strained.

“A little heat flash,” she said. “The important question, though, is how are you? I know this is the last thing you wanted to do.”

I wasn’t sure if she was talking about the party or planning my own mother’s death.

“I’m fine,” I lied. “If you’re uncomfortable, we can postpone, you know.”

“Absolutely not,” she said. “I’m already beyond happy that so many showed up. Everyone is having a good time, so you can relax and at least enjoy yourself a little bit, couldn’t you?”

I made sure her shawl was wrapped properly around her as the wind bit at our skin. How could she ever expect me to enjoy myself?

“I’ll try,” I promised.

“So you won’t be too much of a grump?” She smiled and squeezed my hand. “There are plenty of beautiful women in there, you know.”

“So I’ve noticed,” I said almost absentmindedly. “Have you taken all of your medicine for the day?”

“It’s almost six, of course, I took my medicine,” she snapped. “Gavin, I know what I’m doing. I’ve been doing this for two years.”

I paused; had it really been two years already? It felt as if it was yesterday that the Dr. Marxx had given us the first diagnosis. Life had sped up significantly afterward, from selling the company to finding Dr. Lemonis to building her house. A huge part of me felt that this was going to be our regular life, for years to come. But it seemed it would be ending in just six months’ time. Two years had flown by quickly; would the six months be gone just like that as well?

“Gavin,” she whispered, her voice soft. “I have only one wish before my time is up.”

“A wish?” I faced her. “Anything, Mom. Just name it, and it’s yours.” I expected a vacation to her favorite mouse-themed theme park, or maybe a trip to an island. She had always wanted to go snorkeling. Even a trip to Europe would have been special for her; she had an obsession with medieval castles and their haunted histories. Speaking of haunts, maybe she wanted to go ghost hunting at the country’s most haunted hospitals. With mom, her wish could have been anything.

“Find a wife,” she said. “Before I pass, I want to see you happy with a wife.”

I felt as if the wind had punched me in the face. “A wife? Why?” I asked.

“You’re so lonely; it’s obvious. The only friend you have is Ron, and something tells me that’s mutually platonic.”

Tags: Claire Adams Romance
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