“So why would I do this?”
Madison’s breasts moved as her breathing quickened. “For me. You can have me for a while.”
I scoffed. “Maybe you’re no longer worth the effort.”
She lifted her chin. “You don’t have to be so cruel.”
“It appears I have all the cards in this game, or all the sperm.” I grinned as I reached for the button of my blue jeans. “You want to whore yourself out, Madison. Get on your knees and show me what you’ve still got.”
“I hate you.”
“Then the door is right there.”
Seconds passed; the ticking of the proverbial clock echoed in our heads until Madison made her decision.
Falling to her knees, she kept her eyes on the prize.
Julia
Present day
Michael opened the cabin door and stepped inside before opening it wide and welcoming us within. Paula was the first to enter, followed by Margaret, and then me.
Paula shook her head as she took in the old cabin. “This place hasn’t changed.” Warm vapors hung in the frigid interior air.
“You’ve been here before?” I asked.
A smile came to her lips. “Long ago, this was a place where people would get away.”
“Away?”
“You know,” Margaret replied, “kind of like parking without the car.”
My mouth gaped open as I stared at the older woman. “With your husband?”
Paula laughed. “He wasn’t my husband then.”
“Don’t encourage her,” Margaret said. “I’m due years of therapy. This conversation will just add extra sessions.”
I couldn’t help but giggle at the relationship Paula and Margaret had. They were carefree and fun while being able to work well together. As I watched and listened, I made a mental goal of one day being that kind of mother. One day I could make a daughter uncomfortable talking about how her mother and father met while maintaining a healthy relationship—something my mother and I had missed.
Was I really thinking about having children with Van?
Paula’s reminiscing spurred a question. “How long has the cabin been here?”
“Before me,” Paula replied. “Some say over two hundred years.”
Standing in the middle of the room, I spun around, taking in all its sights with the benefit of daylight shining through the old windows. The aged glass was foggy and bubbled. I walked to the window in the kitchen area and rubbed the pane with my glove. Some of the smudge stirred, yet the lack of transparency made me question what I thought I’d seen. “Do you think I’m crazy for wanting to marry out here?”
Margaret smiled. “Some might say you’re crazy for wanting to marry Donovan.”
“Peggy,” Paula reprimanded.
My smile grew. “And those people might be right. I’m sure with my new runaway bride title, some think the same of him.”
“I would bet Mr. Sherman,” Paula said, “would marry you anywhere you choose.”
I remembered what he’d said last night. “He mentioned a fishing hut out on the bay.” I rubbed my gloved hands together. “It would probably be equally as warm.”