Devon Archer - Say It with Roses

“Yes, you,” Giselle said. “You said you know him, right?”

“I know his sister, but him, not so well,” Madison said.

“Well, here’s your chance to get to know him better,” Giselle told her wryly. “His book, An Act of Murder, will be released in May in paperback. It’ll be a great feature on a local bestselling author and single dad.”

Madison did not disagree that it would be a good article for the magazine. She just wasn’t sure she was the best person to do it. Especially since things between her and Stuart hadn’t exactly been cordial, which was totally her fault. It might make him less likely to want her to interview him.

“I’d love to do it,” she offered halfheartedly, “but I’m really swamped with books to review and a story I’m working on for my column...”

“So I’ll reassign some of your reviews,” Giselle said. “And you can shorten your column if you need to. I just think that you’re the perfect person to interview Stuart and maybe get inside his head to see how on earth he manages to balance a successful career with a home life of raising two little girls. I think our readers would eat up this piece.”

Madison had a feeling this wasn’t something she could turn down, even if she still had reservations about approaching Stuart after giving him the brush-off. But, after all, she really was sincere about wanting to put the past to rest. So forcing herself to socialize with Holly’s brother without getting bent out of shape was a good place to put that to the test. The fact that it was in a professional capacity meant there would be no added pressure on either of them to make it personal.

“I’ll be happy to interview Stuart Kendall,” she told her boss. “Assuming he’s willing. I know some authors prefer to let their words speak for them.”

“From what I’ve heard and seen for myself, Stuart’s not likely to pass on the interview. Especially since you’re someone he knows, even if not too well,” Giselle said confidently.

Madison made herself smile, while the thought of getting together with him made her heart race for some reason. “I’ll try.”

Giselle smiled back and got to her feet. “Great. I’ll set it up.”

“Actually, I’d like to set it up myself,” Madison said, not wanting Stuart to somehow feel that he’d been blindsided into doing an interview with her. “We both ride our bikes in the same area. I’m sure I’ll run into him, and I can approach the subject then.”

“That’s fine,” Giselle agreed. “Keep me posted.”

She left and Madison thought about seeing Stuart again and how both of them might react to it. I have to remain coolheaded and let him see more of the real me, she thought, while hoping that she hadn’t already blown the opportunity.

Chapter 4

On Wednesday, after taking the girls to school, Stuart drove home in his gray Mercedes. He put the dishes in the dishwasher and did a little writing before getting on his bicycle for a few miles of riding. It was the perfect escape from the hard work that had made him a bestseller.

It was a far cry from the early days when writing was strictly a part-time endeavor, and he had to make a living doing the best he could with various jobs. But things began to go his way following his first bestseller a few years ago. After that, he never looked back as far as money was concerned. He’d made wise investment choices and set up trust funds for both girls so they would never have to do without.

The one thing he knew money could not buy them was the love of a mother. Stuart wished he had never gotten mixed up with Fawn, save for the two girls they’d brought into this world.

He rode his bike up the hill easily and was on his way down the other side, staying in the bicycle lane, when he spotted another cyclist ahead of him. It didn’t take much for Stuart to recognize the rider as Madison Wagner. She was moving at a leisurely pace, seemingly enjoying the feel of the wind in her face and the beauty of her surroundings.

As though she had eyes in the back of her head, Madison turned once to look his way and slowed down at the bottom of the hill, as if to wait for him.

Maybe she thinks I’m someone else, he thought. Hate to disappoint her and possibly ruin her day when she realizes she’s going to cross paths with a Kendall.

Given that their previous encounters had been less than ideal, Stuart almost considered turning around and going back up the hill to avoid another letdown. But that would be taking the easy way out. He was up for a challenge.

He cruised down the rest of the way before putting on the brakes, stopping just short of her. “Hey,” he said casually.

“Hey.” Madison gave him an uneasy smile. “Thought that might be you.”

“And yet you still waited?” Stuart said, chuckling. “Sorry, couldn’t resist.”

“It’s cool,” she told him, realizing she hadn’t made it easy for him up to this point. “Look, we may have gotten off to the wrong start.”

“You think?” he asked, raising a brow.

“I was just going through some things and you got caught up in it,” Madison tried to explain.

“I understand,” Stuart said, thinking back to Holly’s wedding. “In any event, I am glad to see that we can at least carry on a conversation.”

“So am I.” She paused while eyeing the handsome man who was checking her out, too.

“Do you want to ride together for a bit?” he asked.

“Sure,” she told him, welcoming the brief respite.

Stuart followed behind her, enjoying the view of her nice backside as she rode. “So what have you been up to lately?” Seemed like an easy enough way to get to know her, if she was open to it.

“Mostly work,” Madison said. “How about you?”

“Same thing—along with trying to keep up with my girls.”

“They’re seven, right?” She seemed to recall Holly telling her that.

“They act more like seventeen sometimes,” he said, chuckling. “They will be eight in June.”

“That’s nice.”

Stuart could tell that she meant it; though he got the feeling she didn’t have any kids. “I’ve been checking out your column and reviews when I’ve gotten the chance.”

“Oh, really?” She looked at him, as they were now riding parallel in an area designated solely for bikes.

“Yeah,” he admitted. “Apart from being a writer, I’m an avid reader whenever time permits, which isn’t often enough. You have some thoughtful reviews and interesting observations in your column.”

“Thank you.” Madison found herself blushing. Most writers she knew were too full of themselves to be bothered with reading anything but their own work. “I try to keep my reviews real and the column energetic so it doesn’t put people to sleep.”

“I think you’ve succeeded.” Stuart grinned at her, wishing they had been able to compare notes sooner, but glad to see they were doing so now.

“I try my best.” She held back and let him take the lead as they reentered the narrower bicycle path. This was the perfect segue to ask him what she wanted to. “I’d like to interview you....”

He glanced over his shoulder. “For the magazine?”

“Yes, a feature story in which you can tell readers about your writing, home life, kids,” Madison said. “I’m sure it would be a hit for your fans and help new potential fans get to know you.”

Stuart could not deny that she had a point. It hadn’t been that long ago when no one was very much interested in his story. Least of all one of the hottest magazines in town. But that was then and this was now.

He did wonder about the timing, though. Had this just come up? Or had she been friendly all of a sudden as a way to butter him up for a damned interview?