None of the random lies Madeline's mother had fed her over the years made any sense, but she said her mother lying about how her grandmother had actually died finally did. "A few years ago, my doctor suggested I have the birthmark on my neck checked. It turned out to be fine." Maggie turned to mom with a raised brow. "But because of my grandmother's supposed death from melanoma cancer, I elected to have it removed anyway."I still couldn't grasp it; though my heart was already leaping to accept it. Afraid to speak for fear of my voice betraying me, I managed one word. "How?"That did it. Instantly, my eyes blurred, and I felt my throat constrict until something else hit me. All these years I'd suffered an anguish I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, and Madeline had been dealing with thinking she was going mad. All because of her mother.The overpowering emotion I'd begun to feel was clouded momentarily as my insides were suddenly on fire, and I turned to Loretta. "Why?"Maggie . . .
Loretta explained how she also couldn't take the chance of telling anyone—including me. "Her waking to no memory of her past, while tragic, I considered it a blessing, a sign that I'd done the right thing. I knew my biggest challenge would be getting her to agree to leave Huntsville—leave you. I knew there'd be no way in hell I'd convince her to, and if you weren't willing or able to leave with us, she'd be willing to risk her secret getting out. As discreet as you two were when you were sneaking around, I knew it'd be just a matter of time before the townsfolk got word that Nico was now in love with Maggie. It'd raise too many brows and questions."Madeline chimed in to explain about the birthmark. "Mama said it was an afterthought. Since she hadn't anticipated me waking up with no memory, it wasn't until she was getting ready to make her move and get me out of Huntsville that she thought of it.""I figured I should plant the seed early on," Loretta said, shaking her head. "And then
Madeline hugged her mom and their body language said the same thing. It's finally over. As if Loretta, too, had been living under unimaginable stress all these years, wondering when not if the straw would break the camel's back and it all would come tumbling out. She'd said it herself; she knew there was nothing she could do to keep us apart.I watched them, inhaling deeply, my insides filling with pride and emotion. This was really happening. I had my peanut back, and it was all because of her tenacity. Had she not been so bound and determined even after all these years, she may never have caught what she hadn't even known she was chasing. Just like me all this time, her gut kept telling her there was something missing and she needed to get to it.She explained to me as we drove to her hotel room how she'd gotten the room so she wouldn't have to face her mom just yet. She'd told Loretta she was working so she wouldn't be home when her mom got home from her weekend trip."I just nee
"I didn't say that. You did." She ran her hand through my hair. "But it was the first time I'd seen him since I broke up with him." She explained a little more about that but then added something more. "I do remember you being jealous, though," she said, looking up at me all whimsically. "Whose bike did I get on that had you seeing red?"Feeling my brows shoot up in reaction, I searched her eyes some more. There was only one time when this happened, and I made sure it never did again. "You remember that?""I had a visual just today when I realized I couldn't stomach him touching or kissing me anymore, not after this weekend." Going tense again as what she just said sunk in, I felt her fingers caress the side of my head, and just like that, I was able to breathe easily again. "Whose bike?""Some douche named Shane. I couldn't stand the way that fucker looked at you."She smiled. "I know you don't wanna hear about it, but after Ryan said 'you're mine' to me one time and it set off a
MadelineThe coughing in the living room followed by the moaning only made me want to giggle. But I dared not. Mama had warned me what big babies men can be when they're sick, and I'd seen it more than once, but it'd never annoyed me the way it did her. Why they had to moan after every cough and sneeze I'd never know, but unlike Mama, who rolled her eyes when her fiancé Don did it, I thought it was hilarious.Besides, I wouldn't have dreamed of complaining when it came to taking care of Nico. He would have gallantly taken care of me if needed. Not that I'd ever gotten this bad when I was sick. But my entire pregnancy the man went above and beyond taking care of me. That last month when I was on strict bed rest orders, he catered to my every whim. And unlike when it was my turn to do the nursing, between him and Ama, I got some delicious real home cooking"Who's ready for some yummy warm chicken soup?" I asked as I walked into the living room, carrying a tray with a bowl of the hot s
Prologue"No!" I cried out as my throat began to constrict, and it got harder to breathe suddenly. "God, no!"My brothers held me up from going down any further. I could see their panic-stricken faces saying stuff to me, but I couldn't hear anything. There was no sound anymore. I couldn't even hear my own voice, but I knew I was crying out louder than I ever had because my throat was on fire now. I couldn't breathe, and I clutched my chest, still trying to cry out in spite of it all.I was surrounded by paramedics suddenly and other unfamiliar faces saying stuff I couldn't hear either. But I struggled to fight them too until, like the sound, all my other senses gave out and everything went white.2-1/2 years priorI never stood a chance. I should've known it from the moment she officially walked into my life that she'd so effortlessly bring me to my knees. After that night, she became a permanent fixture in my head. Maybe not always in the forefront of my thoughts in the very
Madeline, once again, seemed to be an open book. She held nothing back with eyes that lit up whether she was smiling or speaking seriously about something. She had this air of energy and life and . . . waywardness she carried with her so unapologetically. Even as she sat at the table with the other three women, she was once again the life of the group—from the way she smiled big and spoke with confidence, to the way she listened intently, giving whoever was speaking her full and undivided attention.Ama excused herself to the ladies' room, and I was left there by myself trying to keep my eyes from wandering in the Hellman's direction. When Madeline slid out of her booth suddenly, taking her mother's keys, I breathed in, relieved that she walked outside. It gave me a break from all the restraining I'd been doing.Then she walked to their minivan, which, of course, was parked in clear view of my window. Once again, I was powerless to keep from looking. She slid the side door open and p
"Your motorcycle."This time she did the evil grinning as she glanced down at the bike I was sitting on. I was as stunned as I was amused. Looking her up and down again, I noticed her stance wasn't that of a demure little sixteen-year-old. It was almost as if she'd read my mind and she was challenging me to try and make her blush. Even though I was sure she was Madeline, I didn't want her to know it, so I played it off."You must be Madeline." I took another drag of my cigarette because I needed it, then blew out the smoke slowly. "From what I've heard, you're the wild one."I eyed her, knowing she might not take my choice of words too kindly, but I needed to get the upper hand back."Well, I am Madeline, but I don't know about the wild one. What've you heard?""Oh, I've heard about you." I smiled in a way I knew would not be appreciated, given the implication."I'm more outspoken and possibly too daring for my own good, while my sister's the quieter more level-headed one, if tha