The Education of Madeline Read Free Page B

but it seemed to be the only way to keep her sanity together during this strange conversation.
    â€œI’m thirty-two years old,” she said. “Now, don’t look shocked. You can tell I’m not a girl in the first blush of womanhood. There are no marriage prospects in this town for a woman like me, and circumstances tie me to this town sure as Excalibur was stuck in that stone. I admit to being curious about…what goes on between men and women. I’ve read textbooks, but that’s just the scientific explanation. Just once, I want to experience true physical contact with a man while I’m still young enough to enjoy it.”
    It all came out in a rush, but after she was done, it was as if a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She was finally able to take a deep breath.
    â€œJust once?”
    His softly worded question brought a flush to her cheeks, even more than her own bawdy proposition.
    â€œI don’t expect more than that.”
    Oh, but that was a lie, and she knew it. Deep down where her dreams lay gathering dust, a long-ago wish rumbled to life. She tried to stuff the wish back into its hiding place, but it scratched and wailed, refusing her the chance to ignore it.
    I want more. I want it all. I want a husband and children.
    â€œAnd you said you would pay me for a month’s wages?”
    Madeline had to mentally shake herself to focus on Mr. O’Neal’s question.
    â€œYes, I also have repairs that need to be made to the house. I’m willing to compensate you for all your…work.” She swallowed a lump and kept her gaze locked with his.
    He finally looked down at the floor and leaned his elbows on his knees.
    â€œI realize this is out of the ordinary,” she said. He croaked something between a laugh and a snort. “And I appreciate that you are considering my offer,” she continued.
    He stood and wandered over to the window overlooking the backyard. Her eyes strayed to his wide shoulders, powerful arms, and back. A man worked hard to get muscles like that. Mr. O’Neal obviously worked very hard.
    His back tapered down to a waist that led down farther to that perfect derriere. His behind was well shaped and as firm as the rest of him. A tiny shiver of longing erupted from within. Longing to run her hands across those shoulders, down those arms. To feel the sinews and bone that made up that perfect specimen of man. Her palms actually itched, so she flattened them against her knees.
    â€œI am more than willing to make any repairs you need, and I truly appreciate the offer of room and board.”
    Madeline sensed there was more coming, and she was going to be disappointed with the rest of it.
    He sighed and leaned against the window frame. “But I can’t say yes to the rest of your business proposition.”
    All the hope that had been building collapsed like a house of cards. It was okay. Really. She hadn’t expected more. Really. But she had so wished for more.
    â€œYet.”
    That one word stopped her crashing spirits. Yet .
    â€œWhen do you think you might ah…that is…make a definite decision?”
    â€œI’m not sure, Miss Brewster, but maybe we can agree to wait a week.” He finally turned to look at her, and the absolute masculinity in this man struck her again. His black hair had dried into waves that looked as soft as silk. His eyes were pools of azure that shuttered his secrets from the world.
    â€œA week is perfectly acceptable to me. Thank you, Mr. O’Neal.”
    Teague walked over and pulled her to her feet. His hands were calloused and hard, practically engulfing hers, which were not a petite, feminine size. She tilted her head to look up into his eyes—something she hadn’t done for nearly twenty years to another human being.
    â€œI’ll stay here and work for you on two conditions. First is that you call me Teague.”
    â€œTeague.” She repeated the