she’d left on the bathroom counter. “Hello?”
“May I speak to Mrs. Sam Winston, please?”
Puzzled, Maddie frowned at the foreign accent. “This is Maddie Winston.”
“Maddie, my name is Vivi Jardin. I hope you will not mind my phone call.”
Her stomach dropped; her heart began an uncomfortable pounding in her throat. “I hope I don’t, either.”
“I would not have called, except you are the only person who can possibly help me with my problem,” Vivi said.
Maddie pulled her towel more closely to her. “What problem would that be?”
“I do not know if you are aware of this, but your husband has canceled his plan to buy our company, Jardin Wineries. Did he mention that to you?”
“Briefly.” Maddie wasn’t going to discuss Sam’s business dealings—but she wasn’t going to correct Vivi’s use of the term “husband,” either.
“It puts my brother, Jean-Luc, and me in a terrible position, to be honest. We can’t find another buyer on such short notice, and as much as I hate to say this, we find ourselves financially embarrassed. We were counting on Sam to buy our company so we could pay off creditors, you see.”
“I think you should speak to Sam about this.”
“Well, that’s the problem. According to his lawyer, Sam wants to concentrate on matters at home, specifically his two children.” Vivi’s voice lowered silkily. “We understand that. We wonder if perhaps we could lure you into having a honeymoon vacation in our country, where you could see our wonderful vineyards, and perhaps get an idea of everything Sam is giving up?”
Maddie stiffened. Giving up. During their separation, Sam had told his parents this winery was the chance of a lifetime. Now he’d given up his dream, when she had selfishly coerced him into hers. She hadn’t meant for that to happen.
If Joey had waited one more day to call, Sam would have what he’d worked so hard for. His dream.
No, that was all wrong, too. Sam had the right to know about his children.
“It is not uncommon for companies to woo the family of the prospective buyer,” Vivi continued. “We are aware that Sam has a family with needs that must be considered, and we are prepared to work with you, if there is any chance at all you believe Sam might still be interested in purchasing us.”
Oh, there was no question he’d be interested. Sara had said that Sam was like a kid in a candy store over the possibility.
“This deal is important to us because Sam is an interested foreign buyer, you see. And he has the financial resources, as well as an international reputation for his business acumen and knowledge of the industry. Jean-Luc and I were only too happy to have an American buyer who would help us with our cash flow problem, and yet allow us to maintain our name and company position.”
“I see,” Maddie said slowly.
“Is this something you might consider? We would be more than happy to arrange a vacation here in lovely France for you and Sam, and a tour of our vineyards.”
“I could mention your idea to Sam,” she said reluctantly. “I don’t know that I have any sway with him.”
“Thank you,” Vivi said. “You would like France.”
“Oh, I couldn’t come, though I appreciate the invitation,” Maddie replied, distracted. Her nipples started to tingle and burn, surprising her. She was letting down on her own! It was time to nurse her babies. “I’m afraid that’s too far for me to travel right now.”
“What a shame,” Vivi said softly. “France is such a wonderful country. So romantic.”
“Yes, I’ve heard. Goodbye.” She switched off the phone and hurried to the audio baby monitor, which she snapped on. The sound of crying reached her ears. “Mom?”
“No, it’s Sam. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, but I think the babies need to…need me.”
“I think you’re right. I’ll bring in the troops.”
By the time Sam entered with two wailing babies, Maddie was seated in a striped chair. She took one from Sam, cooing to it as she put it to her breast. The baby latched on with no problem, sucking hungrily. Maddie beamed with joy. “Did you see that?”
“Uh, yes I did.” Sam shifted, keeping his finger tucked into Hayden’s mouth so the baby would be pacified long enough for his brother to feed. “Pretty amazing.”
“Yes, it is.” Maddie felt like she sparkled all over with pride. “What good boys they are!”
“Their mom’s pretty amazing herself.”
Amazing? Not really, when she had so many doubts about almost everything these days! But she could push herself, for Sam’s sake. “I just received a very surprising phone call.”
“Oh?” He looked at her, and Maddie thought he was so handsome. The truth was, she wanted him all to herself, but that wasn’t right.
“Vivi Jardin called.”
“Vivi!”
He didn’t look pleased. Maddie pushed away the jealousy and reminded herself to be amazing. “She is upset that you rescinded your offer.”
“Then she needs to discuss it with me.”
“I told her that.” She swallowed, brushing her baby’s cheek with a light finger. “She said that she and her brother wanted to bring me over there to see the vineyards. Apparently, the Jardins are in some financial difficulty, and want to hang on to you as a buyer. She made no bones about wanting to romance me as part of the package.”
“If I want you romanced, I’ll take you to France myself.” His frown deepened.
“I don’t want to poke my nose into your business, Sam. But wasn’t this something you wanted?”
“Past tense.”
“The only reason you changed your mind was the babies, right?”
“Not exactly.”
His eyes shifted, and she knew he wasn’t telling the truth. Her heart felt as if it were turning inside out. “I’d like to see you achieve something you want,” she said softly. “I know how much it means to finally have what I always hoped for.” She stared down at the pretty baby, her soft, plump dream come true. “I’d like that for you, too.”
“Maddie, I’m focusing on you and the children right now. Everything else is peripheral.”
I cost him that. Selfishly. He’d had no choice in fatherhood. “Sam, it’s too uneven.”
“I’m happy, Maddie.” He stared at her. “I don’t know what else to tell you.”
She
