She decided to spend some time with Franny and see what kind of day today was before putting her in the car. In the meantime, her aide would pack up the car.
“Franny?” Madison walked into the kitchen.
Franny sat dressed, staring out the window behind the table. She turned and looked at Madison. “Gracie, what took you so long to get here?”
Madison sighed. Gracie was Franny’s sister who’d passed away five years earlier. “I hit a little traffic,” she said, knowing it was easier to keep Franny settled and calm than upset her with what she didn’t remember.
“We’re going to take you to your new home today.”
Franny didn’t answer.
Madison settled into a chair beside her. The other woman’s hair, brown streaked with some gray, had been brushed and her clothes chosen by the aide. Madison worried Franny would miss Linda once she was in the home, before reminding herself Franny likely wouldn’t remember the aide soon anyway.
“The walls are pale blue, like your room is now. You said that’s one of the reasons you chose the place.”
“I love blue. It’s my favorite color. It was Daniel’s too,” Franny said, and Madison realized she had her foster mom with her again.
“Everything you’re used to having around you, the pictures, and mementos, they’re all coming with you.”
She patted Madison’s hand. “You’re so good to me.”
Madison swallowed hard. “You’ve been good to me too.” She smiled.
“Are we ready? I don’t want to spend any more time here wishing I didn’t have to leave,” Franny said.
Madison stood and held out her hand. Franny placed her smaller weathered hand inside hers, and they walked out to the car.
Eric never showed up, which left the burden of the transition entirely on Madison. But her home aide had already packed up Franny’s most important possessions and necessities, and once Madison brought her to the car, the trip went easily.
Getting Franny settled didn’t go as smoothly. Once they entered the new surroundings, Franny became argumentative and belligerent. It wasn’t something that happened often, but her aide had reported it was occurring more lately. It had led them to push ahead with the move sooner rather than later. Madison hoped the older woman would settle in with her new caretakers easily once she left.
After meeting with the director, she returned to Franny’s room to find her foster mom ranting and yelling at her new nurse, who’d delivered her dinner on a tray.
“Franny, this is Sharon, remember? You met her when we arrived.”
“Get out!” Franny yelled.
Madison stepped closer. “Listen—”
“It’s your fault I’m in here. I hate you,” Franny yelled, grabbing the food tray and throwing it at Madison.
She ducked, and the nurse grasped her arm, leading her out of the room.
Shaking, hurt, and upset, Madison leaned against the wall in the hallway.
“I’m sorry,” Sharon, the middle-aged nurse, said. “This often happens more during the adjustment period. Give it some time, and she’ll settle in.
Madison swallowed hard. “I hope so. Please call if you need me.”
“We will.” Sharon patted her on the shoulder.
Madison left the home, depression surrounding her like a shroud. She climbed into her car and started the motor, resting her head on the steering wheel before starting her drive.
If she were smart, she’d drive home and go straight to bed. But she needed a shoulder to cry on. Riley was pregnant and sick, busy with her new husband and life. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t rely on Alex, but his shoulder was the only one she wanted.
And he was the only person she had in her life who she could imagine turning to.
FIVE
Alex hit the gym on the top floor of his building. He might not play football any longer, but he refused to let himself get soft. Ian gave him access to the gym at the stadium, but working out with the Thunder players still felt like being surrounded by the opposition. It helped in his new job that he practiced what he preached, but he kept fit for himself. He finished his workout and wiped the sweat from his face with a towel.
After gathering his things, he checked his phone and saw a number he didn’t recognize. Whoever it was had left a message. He waited for the elevator and hit play.
“Hi, Alex. It’s Rachel Bradley.” His college girlfriend.
The one he’d thought he’d been in love with. Before she’d hurt him badly. “I know it’s been a while, but I have something to discuss with you. I think you’ll find it worth your while to call me back.” He ended the message without waiting for more, memories of his time with Rachel coming back to him.
They’d hooked up early on at UF, and they’d stayed together for four years. He’d thought they had a future. She’d never had any intention of marrying a football player or living a life that involved long stretches out of town and female fans flocking around him. Of course it would’ve been nice if she’d told him that at any point during their time together when he’d brought up the future. She hadn’t. But she had broken up with him after graduation.
The Rachel he remembered hadn’t been a mean girl. She hadn’t used people to her advantage. She’d just never worked up the courage to tell him he wanted more than she did. And he’d felt like an ass for exposing his heart to someone who hadn’t wanted it at all.
He shook his head, not even curious about why she’d be calling him now. She’d done enough damage and taught him the one solid lesson he’d kept with him ever since, setting the stage for the non-relationships that had come after her. Since Rachel, he’d never been tempted to let anyone in.
Until Madison.
He shook his head, knowing revisiting the past would only work him into a frustrated state. He’d grown up enough, been through enough women to trust that Madison wasn’t the type to hide her feelings from him. She said what she meant and meant what she said. He understood who she was and why. He was going out of his comfort zone to pursue her despite knowing how heavily she was trying to resist him. He didn’t need messages from Rachel screwing with his head, he thought, and hit delete on the call.
He took the elevator to his apartment, surprised to find Madison leaning against his door.
“Madison?”
She raised tear-filled eyes to his.
“Hey.” He held out his arms, and she stepped inside his embrace.