Suddenly the papers on the table became clear. “Your foster brother is taking you to court over her decision.”
Eyes glassy, Madison nodded. “He threatened to claim I exerted undue influence over her to gain her trust, which is ridiculous. It’s just that his own mother doesn’t trust his motives or what he’d do with the house if left to his care. That’s her sole reason for choosing me. I know what she wants, and I’ll respect her wishes.”
Though Alex sensed there was more to the story, he had enough information for now to know what needed to happen next. “We’ll fight him,” he said.
“We?” she asked, stiffening.
“We.” He wasn’t going to argue with her about it either. “Do you have a lawyer?”
She visibly swallowed hard. “No. But I can make some calls.”
“Or you can let me make one for you. I’ve got one on retainer.”
“Of course you do,” she muttered.
He ignored the dig. His wealth had never appealed to her, which, he admitted, had always been part of her allure. Someone who liked him for himself. At least the part of him he’d allowed her to see. He’d kept most of the real Alex shut off, as he always had when it came to most people. Except for the few times he’d dropped his guard.
He folded his arms on the table and leaned forward. “You can Google a lawyer or you can let me call the best. Your choice.”
She glanced down. “I can’t afford the best.”
“I can.”
She looked up, gaze narrowed. “Why are you offering?”
“Because I can afford to pay and you can’t. And because…” He paused. And forced out the words. “Because, despite what you believe, I care.” And he did. He cared about her and always had, which was part of what had sent him running in the first place.
“You have a funny way of showing it.” She slammed her hands on the table, shoved her chair back, and rose from her seat.
And here they were. He’d known they’d reach this point eventually, he just hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. “Sit down,” he said, not looking around to see if they were causing a scene.
“What’s the catch?” she asked.
“Why are you so suspicious?”
Her eyes, which had been glittering in defiance, dimmed. “Because in my experience, nobody gives something for nothing in return.”
And that, he thought, was sad. She might be referring to the people in her childhood, but he’d been the latest to disappoint her. That truth made him want to help her even more. “No catch, Madison. I want to help you.”
She lowered herself into her seat, slowly and obviously reluctantly. But he had her in front of him again. He reached out and grabbed her hand, her warmth seeping into his skin. A shudder rippled through her, telling him she wasn’t immune despite the walls she’d erected to keep him out. And she didn’t pull away. He allowed those small indicators to give him hope.
She let out a sigh. “Why are you suddenly back in my life, pushing for dinners, wanting to help me, claiming you care?”
Her eyes filled, and his gut clenched at the sight, reminding him of her pain-filled expression when he’d callously broken up with her months ago.
“Because I do.”
“People who care don’t treat each other the way you treated me.”
His hands curled into tight fists in his lap, beneath the table where she couldn’t see. “I know and I’m sorry.” The word came out easier than he’d thought it would.
“You’re what?” she asked, obviously stunned.
He didn’t blame her for being surprised. “I’m sorry.”
That one word took the heat out of her eyes, and for that he was glad. After years of people catering to his every want and need, he wasn’t a man used to apologizing. He didn’t do it often, but he’d needed to do it now, bigger and with more feeling than he’d given her so far.
“I’m sorry I threw you out of my hospital room,” he said on a deep breath. “You didn’t deserve for me to break up with you that way, and I regret how I handled things.”
But not that he’d done it, Madison thought, her heart cracking a little more. Still, an apology from Alex was a big deal and something she’d never thought she’d get. “Thank you.”
He nodded. “Now can I call my friend Jon? He’s a damned good attorney.”
She needed help but hated to take from anyone. Years of being dependent on others for the very basics had taught her to value her independence and ability to care for herself. But this situation wasn’t typical, and it wasn’t just about herself. Franny had plans for her land that Eric didn’t support, and Madison would be damned if she’d let him get his hands on the power of attorney and undermine all the good that could come from those intentions.
Her last foster family was unusual in that they had money. They didn’t rely on the state checks, as many of her past families had done. Franny had taken Madison in because she’d wanted a teenage girl around, and Eric had always resented the attention showered on her. As adults, that resentment hadn’t waned. When Daniel had passed away, he’d left the bulk of his money to his wife, but he’d given both Madison and Eric a stipend, something Eric had also begrudged her. The money wasn’t much, but the very idea that an outsider could get her hands on family money galled Eric. He was as nasty to her now as he had been as a child.
Eric worked in construction. He’d owned his own company but had driven that business into the ground during the recession. Still, he had powerful connections with people in their town who wanted his resort idea to go through. And he needed the money it would generate to get himself back on top.
He also had his grandparents’ substantial inheritance, if he hadn’t run through that cash just yet. He meant to get his way. Which meant allowing Alex to pay for top-notch legal counsel was probably a smart move. Not that she liked owing him anything, but there was more at stake than her own ego or sense of independence.
“Okay, you can make the call,” she said. “And Alex?”
“Yes?” he asked.
She met his gaze. “Thank you. Somehow I’ll pay you back.”
“You’re welcome, and I don’t want your money.”
She wasn’t about to turn a gracious gesture into an argument.
“I’ll handle it first thing tomorrow morning. Now will you relax and eat, or do you want it reheated first?”