Judging Joey (20 page)

Madeline felt more lighthearted than she had in a long time.

When she got home, to her surprise, she smelled the chicken roasting in the oven and she could have sworn the aroma of her brown gravy wafted in the air. Rusty bounded for her and after the obligatory pets and nose kisses, she dumped her bags and headed for the kitchen. Something was out of sorts because her uncle would never break their cooking pact and venture on using the oven or stove by himself. When she reached the kitchen, she instantly knew why.

Laura was stirring the gravy at the stove. A frilly apron covered her pretty beige slacks and protected her amber sweater. She leaned over and opened the oven door to check on its contents. Madeline caught her uncle’s smile as he sat at the kitchen table and watched Laura. Madeline choked back instant tears of happiness. She had seen him look at her aunt in a similar way. Suddenly, the truth dawned on her. Laura and Uncle Mark’s relationship had somehow climbed to a different level.

“Maddie, honey! I didn’t hear you come in. Laura, Maddie’s here.”

Laura turned around and smiled as she closed the oven door. “I hope you don’t mind that I started dinner. You had done all the hard work already. I just threw together a simple salad.”

Her uncle chuckled. “Truth was I was getting grouchy cause I’m hungry and didn’t want to wait much longer.”

“No, that’s fine. Sabrina’s coming with dessert. We’re going to walk the dogs first. By the time we come back dinner should be done. Oh, and George is coming for dinner, too. I think those two are quite serious. Wouldn’t surprise me if I will be shopping for a bridesmaid dress soon. It’s kind of weird, but tonight’s going to be like a celebration dinner. Wait till you hear this . . .”

Her uncle and Laura exchanged glances, then Laura said, “I just have to run next door and get . . . the wine, yes, that’s it. Be back in a few.” She turned off the burner under the gravy and raced out.

Laura’s behavior struck Madeline as odd, but she didn’t want to waste a moment before telling her uncle the news. “You’re never going to believe what happened today.”

“Honey, before you tell me, there’s something I want to discuss with you before Laura comes back. Why don’t you have a seat?”

Madeline sat in a chair, a sinking feeling surrounding her. Something was wrong. Was he sick? She couldn’t bear that.

He patted her hand. “Don’t look so worried, Maddie. You know I’ve been having trouble paying the bills lately. Your aunt’s medical bills have wiped out our savings. I might lose the house. I can’t lose the house, Maddie.”

She squeezed his hand. “You’re not going to. That’s what I wanted to tell you. Most likely I will be rehired next year. My principal told me himself. Isn’t that wonderful?”

He brushed his knobby hand across her cheek. “That’s wonderful. I had no doubt. But this is my burden, Maddie, not yours. I appreciate all of your help, but . . . well, I’ve made a decision and I hope you’ll be happy for me, for us. I’ve asked Laura to marry me and she’s accepted. She’s a wonderful woman, Maddie. I’ve always been fond of her, and after all these years we’ve fallen in love.”

“Aunt Patty . . .”

“. . . was the love of my life, but sometimes life gives us a second chance at happiness. And Saint’s alive, I’m going to take it.”

“Aunt Patty would want you to be happy again, Uncle Mark. She liked Laura, too. I’m sure she’s smiling down from heaven right now telling you to go for it.” A surge of happiness for her uncle rushed through her.

“Yes, that’s what I think, too. Maddie, the other thing is we won’t need two houses. Laura has agreed to sell hers and move in here so that you won’t be uprooted. Her house is paid off and the money she gets will help with this house. It’s the answer to all our prayers. How do you feel about it?”

Madeline sat back in the chair. “Wow, it’s all kind of sudden. I think it’s very selfless of Laura to sell her place and move here so that I won’t have to move. I’m sure after I get used to the idea, I’ll think it as wonderful as you do.” She leaned over and hugged him. “I want you to be as happy as you’ve always wanted me to be. Let’s call Laura and tell her to forget about the wine. This calls for that bottle of champagne we’ve been saving for a special occasion!”

Sabrina and George soon arrived, and because of all the news they had to share, they decided to let the dogs run in her uncle’s spacious backyard while they toasted and sipped champagne. Madeline filled Sabrina and George in on Uncle Mark and Laura’s news, and then Madeline told them of her own exciting news.

Sabrina hugged her. “I told you it would all work out. And Joey coming to your rescue like that. How romantic!”

George held up his glass and toasted the air. “I have to hand it to him. Looks like he’s trying to do the right thing by everybody.”

Madeline had to agree. She had never figured Joey for being one to think of others, but going to battle on her behalf to set the record straight impressed her enough to wonder if she had been wrong about him all this time. Perhaps he had truly grown up to be a caring considerate man instead of the wisecracking football jock in high school. Or maybe he never was the inconsiderate narcissist she had believed him to once be.

Throughout dinner, Madeline observed her uncle and Laura as a soon-to-be married couple, then studied Sabrina and George, and Madeline realized she was missing something. She wanted to share those special moments and glances with somebody that she loved, someone who loved her back. Suddenly she thought of Joey and realized that although it had only been a short time, she already missed him. He had been respecting her wishes and hadn’t attempted to contact her.

She had been a fool. How thoughtless of her to throw his feelings back at him! It took less than a minute for her to begin to devise a plan. Somehow she was going to make things right between them and show that she was wrong about him and their relationship.

By the end of the evening, her idea had formed and she would need the help of the four people at her house to carry out her plan.

“Laura, thank you so much for deciding to sell your house once you and Uncle Mark are married. But I have an idea.” She put her hand up as soon as her uncle began to interrupt her. “What if I buy this house? Uncle Mark, you and Laura can live in her house.”

Uncle Mark’s mouth dropped open. Laura’s eyes widened. Neither said a thing.

Sabrina filled the uncomfortable silence. “But you couldn’t afford their house, Maddie. Good intentions, but impractical.” Sabrina shook her head and smiled at Madeline as if she’d just announced she was cutting off all Internet connections.

Madeline laughed at their shocked expressions. “Hear me out. Sabrina, didn’t you mention to me recently that there are several teachers at work looking for apartments closer to school so that they can cut their commute time? What if I would get a roommate, maybe two? There’s plenty of room here. They will pay rent and help with utilities. I can afford a mortgage then.”

Her uncle ran his hand through his hair. “Maddie, you might have to check with the township on zoning laws. Besides, I can’t have you pay for this house. It’s your inheritance.”

“Well, I couldn’t afford market value on my salary alone, but, Uncle Mark, it’s time I gained some independence. We could work out a fair price, maybe with a financial advisor or lawyer.”

George piped in. “I could help you with that. Free of charge, of course.”

Madeline gasped in surprise. “How generous. I can see why Sabrina is so fond of you.” She caught her friend’s blush before continuing, “I’ll check with the township about the zoning issue. Then I could pay a monthly
rent
, and with roommates paying rent, it would help pay off the debt incurred by all the medical bills. When I have paid off the agreed price, the house becomes mine free and clear. What do you think?”

Her uncle stroked his chin, nodding. “I think it’s a capital idea. I have been on a payment plan with the hospitals and doctors so I can continue that I suppose. But, honey, don’t you think you’re counting your chickens before they hatch? I mean, you’re not tenured yet. You can’t be certain you’ll have a job next year.”

“That’s true, but I’m tired of looking at the glass half empty. Someone told me I should try looking at life with the glass half full. And if it doesn’t work out, then I’ll have to make adjustments.”

Her uncle’s eye brightened. “That’s a wise person you know. Seems to have rubbed off positively on you. That’s someone I’d like to meet.”

Madeline pondered over what harm it would be to tell them. After all, everyone in this room loved her or at least cared about her. So why not reveal her feelings? “Joey. He said it. I always thought it was because he seemed to have everything handed to him, but then I began to think maybe positive thinking had a role in his life too.” She drew in a deep breath. “So do we have a deal?”

Her uncle and Laura looked at each other and nodded.

Madeline jumped up to hug them. “Super!” She clapped her hands together. “Now the next part of my plan is to win Joey back. And I’ll need all of your help.”

Chapter 19

During the week, Madeline enlisted the help of Sabrina and George. She called Alex, and then spoke to Caitlin. After swearing them all to secrecy, the second part of her plan began to take shape. Through Alex, Madeline learned that Joey would be in the following Friday for his weekly Safety Officer visit.

She thought Friday would never come, but she was too busy starting on the financial and legal arrangements for buying the house that she didn’t have much time to worry about it. She had called about the town’s zoning laws concerning potential roommates. Since she would not be renting out what the town considered a legal apartment, it wasn’t an option for her. She and her uncle had decided on a fair monthly payment instead to satisfy everyone.

Aside from her regular schoolwork, she also had to coordinate part two of her plan.

By the time Friday morning arrived, Madeline felt comfortable with everything. She had convinced Alex to arrive with Joey before the school day began so that she could talk to him then. Otherwise, she might not have a chance until lunchtime or the late afternoon on her prep. She’d risk not bumping into him at all in that case. Since he was sticking to his word about not trying to mingle with her during the school day, he could very well leave for the day before she had a chance to speak with him.

She could have called him herself, but she didn’t want to come on too strong, or appear desperate. The last thing she wanted him to think was that she was like all the other girls he had dated. She also wanted to surprise him.

Madeline arrived at work earlier than usual and got her usual morning set-up out of the way. At precisely eight-fifteen, Joey appeared at her classroom door.

“Alex said you wanted to speak with me about something?” He leaned against the door in full uniform looking—dare she think it?—quite hot. His smile gleamed at her. His eyes had that certain sparkle as if only he were in on a funny joke.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d come.” Her heart began to pound against her chest.

He chuckled. “Are you kidding? Both my sister and Alex threatened me with bodily harm if I didn’t. They make a scary pair. Even with a weapon on me, I wouldn’t want to run into those two together in a dark alley.” He continued to grin, the tiny lines she found endearing forming around his eyes.

“Oh . . . I didn’t want you to feel forced . . . hmm, this isn’t going exactly as I had planned.”

He flew to her side and placed his hands on her arms. “Hey, I was kidding. No threats were necessary. I’m glad you wanted to see me. For whatever reason. I know you want to keep things cool, but I’ve been going crazy. I’ve missed you so much.”

Now that was exactly what she had wanted to hear. Her pulse beat more rapidly. “Are you busy tomorrow?”

His touch grew more possessive and the tone of his voice deepened. “Whatever I have planned, I’ll cancel.”

She smiled at that. “I’m buying my uncle’s house.” She briefly filled him in on her uncle’s plans with Laura. “Now’s a good time for Rusty to have another dog as a companion. Can you meet me at the dog park tomorrow morning at ten? Some of the shelter volunteers are bringing dogs for Rusty to meet. I’d like your opinion.”

He ran his hands up her arms, looking around for any onlookers before moving in closer. She remained fixed and he arched a brow. Confusion moved across his face but he didn’t press her for more of an explanation. “Sure, anything for Rusty.”

And for you
, his eyes told her.

“Super,” was all she could manage.

Joey had a fitful night’s sleep. He got up early, went to the park to shoot some baskets, only he and a few determined joggers around. Then he went home, showered, then stopped at the local coffee shop for a bagel and a jumbo cup of caffeine-black. When he finished, he went to the dog park and waited.

He glanced at his cell phone. Nine o’clock. That gave him an hour to figure out what Madeline really wanted to talk to him about. She hardly needed him to find Rusty a friend. Even though he knew a lot about dogs since he had wanted one for as long as he could remember, Madeline was the true expert. She owned one and she volunteered at the dog shelter once a week. He knew she didn’t need him for making a decision about who to pair Rusty up with.

More people began to arrive at the park and turned the dogs loose to run free once they had closed the gate. The dogs were mid-sized here. Down a ways to the left there was an area for small dogs and right next to where he sat to the right was the area for large dogs. But Madeline had told him to meet her here where she let Rusty run.

He kept turning around to search the parking lot, and his neck was getting sore. He checked the phone again. No calls. She hadn’t changed her mind. He cracked his knuckles. She wouldn’t change her mind, would she?

A few minutes later, a swirl of vanilla scent alerted him to her presence behind him before he actually saw her. Then he heard Rusty’s bark. The dog jumped on Joey and put his paws on Joey’s knees and wagged his tail profusely. Joey ruffled Rusty’s fur.

“Good to see you, too, boy. You miss me?”

“He’s not the only one. To miss you, that is.” Madeline was smiling widely. “Thanks for coming. I’m glad you’re early. It’ll give us time to chat. Let’s go in so Rusty can run around.”

Joey opened the gate of the dog park with a creak and held out a hand implying for her to go in first. She’d said she had missed him, in so many words. His gut had told him this meeting about finding a friend for Rusty was a ruse. Now he was certain of it. He said nothing, waiting for her lead. Excitement built in his veins.

Maddie released Rusty from his leash. He took off with a
whoosh,
apparently recognizing another mixed-breed dog.

She let out a hearty laugh. “He’s such a friendly dog. He gets along with nearly everyone.”

“So why do you need my help then?” He didn’t mean it to come out the way it did, like an accusation, so he finished it with a wink.

She turned to him, and suspicion churned in her eyes.

She knows I’m on to her.
He gave her a lazy smile.

“I thought you could give an unbiased opinion,” she said, stammering slightly. “I want to choose a dog from the shelter and everyone who works there will suggest their favorite. The one they’ve grown most attached to. Including Sabrina. I’ve seen the way you’ve been studying the dogs at the park. As a cop I had hoped you’d be the most objective.”

Well, she tied that up in a neat bow.
Guess he’d have to be patient. She’d open up when she was comfortable. He folded his arms in a relaxed stance and smiled. He had all day.

“They should be here soon. Before they come . . . about what I said the last time . . .”

“Yes?”

He saw her visibly gulp before looking around. Searching for someone or something. Maybe it was an avoidance technique. He pressed, “Yes?”

“Oh, I see them coming!”

“But wait . . . what was it you were trying to say?” Okay so much for his award-winning patience. Guess he couldn’t wait five minutes, let alone the whole day.

“It’s too personal. Can you come for dinner later? My uncle and Laura have plans. We can talk in private then.”

He nodded. What choice did he have? He turned to see the crowd walking toward them. He expected to see shelter volunteers, not these people. Each one had a dog attached to a leash.

His eyes did a double-take. He had half-expected to see Sabrina, but not George. They traveled hand-in-hand with two dogs and a young boy followed along next to them holding Pepper’s leash. Joey realized that the boy must be George’s son. Madeline’s Uncle Mark held a woman’s hand. Joey guessed her to be Laura. But most surprising was Alex and his sister Caitlin leading the pack.

They all trekked up to them, exchanged introductions, some handshakes, some hugs and then Madeline began to introduce Joey to all the dogs. There was a German shepherd mix, a sheltie, a collie mix, one dog that looked part pit bull, a bison frise, and a beagle mix.

“We’re going to release them. They are used to this park. The volunteers frequently bring them here.”

Joey raised a brow again, expecting some sort of explanation.

She picked up the clue instantly.

“Not these volunteers, of course. They volunteered to help me.”

Alex cleared her throat. “You’re probably surprised to see me here.”

“That’s an understatement,” Joey tossed back at her.

“George and I spoke and ironed out our grievances. We decided for the sake of our friends and”—she lowered her voice and pointed to George’s son—”we had better do so.”

George nodded. “We’re all adults and since we will probably be running into each other a lot we decided to come to terms, so here we are.”

Joey breathed in the crisp fall air and nodded as if he understood, although he was just beginning to, and observed everyone letting the dogs loose. Then they took off with the dogs, and Joey and Madeline were left alone.

Joey knew he and Alex could easily avoid George, unless they ran into him visiting Sabrina at the school. And that would be rare at best. Joey could make only one conclusion. Madeline wanted him in her life, and if he was, he’d run into George all the time by the looks of how tight he and Sabrina were becoming.

“So what do you think?” She dug her boot into the hard dirt and stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets.

He doubted Madeline was talking about George’s comment. “Hmm?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Which one is your favorite?”

“I like them all, but if I had to choose, I’m partial to Max. Growing up I always wanted a German shepherd, and she and Rusty seem to get along.”

“That was my feeling, too. Okay then it’s settled. Max it is.”

“That was quick. Don’t you want to think about it a bit?”

“Nope. Max was my first choice. You confirmed it. We’ll let them run around awhile, then they can bring the dogs back. I have to bring Rusty home and return later to the shelter to fill out paperwork. Want to come along? Then we can talk while I begin dinner. I was going to make stuffed roasted pork loin. It takes a while to prepare and cook.”

“Sure, why not?” He was always up for an adventure and this one seemed right up his alley.

They stayed at the park another hour, letting the dogs run, giving them water from portable dishes, and all the while, Madeline got the feeling that Joey knew exactly what she was up to. He kept giving her sideways glances and knowing smiles. But how did he find out? Everyone had sworn secrecy. Only Caitlin and Alex might feel obliged to talk, and Madeline doubted they would ruin the surprise.

After all, it was Caitlin who told her about Joey’s childhood dream of a German shepherd and how their parents never wanted a pet. They always said they had enough to do taking care of all their children and it wouldn’t be fair to an animal if they couldn’t give it attention. Joey asked for a puppy every holiday and now that he was out on his own, he wasn’t allowed a pet in his condo. Caitlin had later realized after being a mother herself that her mother would have been saddled with all pet duties shortly after the novelty wore off for the children.

When it was time to leave, Madeline thanked everyone for their help and they took all the dogs back, including Max. Max wouldn’t officially become her dog and Rusty’s companion until she filled out the paperwork.

Joey followed her in his car and soon they glided up to her house. They still had a few loose ends and final paperwork, but it wouldn’t be long before she was living there and her uncle lived next door.

Her boots clicked against the concrete as they pranced up to her door. Madeline’s stomach did a flip-flop and she wondered if the rest of the day would go as planned. So far so good, but Joey remained uncharacteristically quiet, which caused Madeline to question if she was making a mistake. Maybe he was no longer interested in her.

She unlocked the door and they entered. She unleashed Rusty and he galloped to his water bowl.

“This was nice. Thanks for calling me.”

“Really?” She led them into the kitchen.

“Yeah, can’t say I wasn’t surprised. I thought you didn’t want to see me again.”

She shrugged and asked offhandedly, “Want a soda?”

“Sure.”

She popped open a can of cola, poured it into two glasses, then led him into the living room. She didn’t want to address his questions until they were completely comfortable. Besides, this was where she pictured she would reveal her intentions, in front of the gas converted fireplace on the comfy couch, where she felt most safe. It was here she could shed her inhibitions and be okay if he rejected her. She flicked a switch, the fire instantly ablaze.

She put her glass on a coaster on the oak coffee table and grabbed a needlepoint pillow to her lap. She squeezed it as she said, “I shouldn’t have said those things to you. About not wanted to see you again. It wasn’t true.”

“Then why’d you say it?” He looked at her with curiosity in his eyes.

She ran her fingers down the coarse thread of the flower design her aunt had created on the pillow. She followed the outline of a red rose petal. “Fear, jealously. You always seemed to have what I wanted and nothing bad happens to you. Your grass always looked greener.”

“Maddie . . .” He reached over to hold her hand against the pillow.

“I know. It was stupid. I was green with envy that you were born into a great family and had an easy life, but no one can help that. The more I began to know you and not the image I cast upon you, I started to realize that maybe it’s the way you look at life that brings you good things. Maybe it’s time I took charge and began to think more positively and good things will come to me too.” She smiled.