Calling Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance (Modern Conveniences Book 2) by Leah Atwood Page B

self-deprecating laugh. “It’s fine now. The leak was me dropping a gallon jug of water and the lid popping off.”
    He didn’t try to hide his amusement. “Been there, done that, but with orange juice.”
    “I’m not usually so clumsy, but I was rushing around this morning and doing too much at once. One thing led to another and well…”
    Her rambling was cute, but he could tell her nerves were wound tight. “It’s fine, really.”
    “Where are my manners? Come on in.” She stepped out of the doorway, allowing him a passage through. “I’ll be ready in five to ten minutes.”
    Following Madison, he climbed the short flight of stairs. The kitchen was directly in front of him, the living room to his left. A logical assumption would conclude the bedrooms were down the hallway to his right.
    “I don’t have any coffee made, but help yourself to anything in the fridge if you’re thirsty.”
    “Thanks, but I’m fine.”
    “Have a seat anywhere. I’ll be right out.” She hurried out of the room and down the hall.
    Left alone, Archer eyed the common rooms, curious for any insight into Madison’s personality. All the appliances, including the countertops ones, were stainless steel. The kitchen walls were a soft gray, the cabinets a distressed turquoise. He’d noticed turquoise as a trendy color when he’d looked into redoing his kitchen last fall, but this room pulled it off in such a way it would be timeless. The entire effect was bold in an understated way. 
    The dining room continued the same theme, with a turquoise rug under a modern dining table. A china hutch stood in the corner and matched the cabinets. It reminded him of a piece he’d seen at a boutique Tanya had dragged him into. The store sold only handmade items of all varieties, ninety percent of which were dainty and feminine, but there were some reclaimed wood pieces of furniture he’d liked.
    Madison returned. “I’m ready.”
    His breath caught in his lungs when he saw her, a reaction not uncommon he was discovering. A thin line of hair was pinned in a twist on one side of her head and fiery red curls cascaded around it. She’d added a modest touch of makeup to her natural creamy complexion, light enough that it didn’t hide the splatter of freckles on her cheeks.
    “You look beautiful.” He hadn’t meant to confess out loud, but her smile made it worth the admission.
    She glanced down humbly, brushed a curl from her face. “Thank you.”
    He cleared this throat. “We should leave. Landon had to miss his usual time slot, and I don’t want Gran to be lonely. Also, I didn’t tell Gran you were coming today in case you weren’t able to make it for whatever reason.”
    “Do you think it’s wise to surprise her in her condition?” Madison furrowed her brow and waited for him to answer.
    “Gran will be fine. She knows you’re coming at some point.”
    ***
    Archer sat in a chair in Gran’s room, grinning with pride. Gran and Madison had hit it off immediately and hadn’t stopped chatting since he and Madison had arrived. Even though Madison wasn’t really his fiancée, Gran’s approval of her meant a great deal. In a roundabout way, it gave him confidence he could pick the right woman when the time came to settle down.
    For the moment, he was all but forgotten as Gran grilled Madison without her realizing what was happening. Gran possessed the uncanny ability to uncover a lifetime of information over the course of casual conversation.
    Their talk turned to his and Madison’s relationship and wedding. Archer tuned his ears more closely to their words, silently warned his heart to calm down. He started to pray Madison wouldn’t bungle their story, then stopped. Praying for a successful lie seemed sacrilegious and he couldn’t bring himself to finish the prayer.
    “How did you and my grandson meet?” Gran gave him a reproving glance. “He’s been a tightwad with details. At times I’ve wondered if you actually