Page 39 of A Love Unexpected

The principal greets us and gives us a quick tour of the school, leading us to the first class Madden will read to. As we enter, I see that a local news station is already set up in the back of the room. The crew waves to us quietly.

This is the type of attention politicians love. Madden has been talking about reading to these kids for weeks, though, so I know he’s genuinely excited. I’m positive he would gladly do this even without media coverage.

Madden takes his seat in front of twenty-four adorable, rambunctious kindergarteners and animatedly chats with them about our state. One little girl tells him all about the Kansas state bird, the Meadowlark. Then a boy with freckles shows him a picture he painted of a sunflower. Eventually, everyone quiets down and Madden reads a children’s book to them, explaining how Kansas came to be a state. He patiently answers questions as the kids raise their hands excitedly.

A smile creeps onto my face. He is a natural. I almost can’t handle the cuteness. My ovaries are about to jump out of my body, drag Madden into a janitor’s closet, and demand a baby from him.

What is with me today? Who knew that a man dressed in 1870s garb would be such a turn-on for me?

We circuit through the various classrooms–the news crew following silently–and interact with the kids. Madden even takes his lunch break with them. By the end of the day, we’re both exhausted and I’m ready to get home and change into some sweats. Despite my tiredness, today was incredible. Honestly, it was the most fun that I’ve had in a long time.

Three weeks after our Kansas day escapade, we’re downtown at a chic little coffee shop called The Bean. Our weekly coffee dates have really helped us get to know each other and I find myself looking forward to them each Wednesday.

“How are your parents doing?” Madden takes a sip of his steaming hot coffee. “Sorry I haven’t made it over to their house in weeks.”

“That’s okay. They understand that you’re busy.” I shrug. “My birthday is next week, though. They were hoping we might come over for dinner to celebrate.”

He smacks his palm to his forehead. “I never even asked when your birthday was.”

I laugh. “To be fair, I don’t know your birthday, either. Mine is Friday, by the way–February 23rd.”

He pulls out his phone and types it into his calendar. “Good to know. Mine is March 20th. So you’re a month older than me.” He bites his bottom lip to hold back a smile.

I cock my head to the side. “What’s so funny about that?”

“It’s just… well, you’re kind of a cougar.” He tries unsuccessfully to contain his laughter.

“Oh, stop! One month doesn’t make me a cougar. And if I remember correctly, you were the one who begged me to marry you.”

His mouth opens in mock horror. “Your comebacks are so savage sometimes. But, to answer your question, I’m free to come to dinner Friday.”

“Thank you. My parents will be thrilled.”

“Now I just need to think of the perfect present.” He brings his hand to his chin and makes a show of pondering about it.

I shake my head from side to side. “Oh, no you don’t. No presents.”

“Come on! You’re not one of those low-maintenance girls who hates presents, are you?” He feigns a pained expression.

“If you must get me a present, you can get me a Pomeranian puppy.”

His smile disappears. “Don’t you dare even joke about that.”

On Friday, Madden walks me out to the parking lot so we can drive to my parents’ house. He has had a strange grin on his face for the last hour and I’m getting very suspicious as to why. But then I spot it in the slot next to his Audi: a shiny white car with an oversized, pink bow on top.

My eyes fly wide open. “Where’s my Buick?”

“I replaced it. Happy birthday!” Madden beams.

“You did not buy me a car. Madden, this is way too much!” I shake my head.

He shrugs. “It’s just a Honda Civic. No big deal.”

“It’s a brand new car! What am I supposed to do with it two years from now?”

“The car is already paid for. You can keep it. And, honestly, you driving a Buick while I’m speeding around in my Audi kind of made me look like a crappy husband.”

I scowl at him. “My Pomeranian better be in there.”