Read Then Came You (The Wilde Sisters #2) for Free Online

feeling the little princess was not going to relinquish the master bedroom to her, but that was okay.
    She followed a racing Maddie down the hall to the guest bedroom. Instead of a king, the bed was a comfortable queen. Donned with white bedding and dozens of pillows, it was perfect. This room, too, had doors that led to the pool and ocean and even had its own bathroom. The shower had a measly four showerheads placed strategically on the fancy tile wall and no boudoir or giant tub, but she’d survive. Thyme would rather soak in the Jacuzzi outside and take in the view rather than play in the bathroom, as lovely as it was.
    “Which room do you want, princess?”
    “I want the one with the big bathtub. Please?”
    “Sure thing.” Thyme laughed. “It’s yours. After all, the Montgomerys are your—” she stopped herself just in time. Too excited to notice any slip of the tongue, Maddie ran through the suite giggling.
    “Can we go swimming now?” Maddie opened up her suitcase in the entryway where the bellhop had left it.
    “Slow down, sweetie. Let’s get our clothes unpacked and some food in our bellies. We haven’t had lunch yet and it’s nearly dinnertime. There’s plenty of time to swim.”
    “Okay.” Maddie sighed and skipped toward her room.
    After their clothes were hung up and put away in the dresser, Thyme checked out the contents of the kitchen.
    It was well stocked with a variety of fruits and vegetables, crackers, granola bars, and kid-friendly food like mac and cheese and hot dogs. And three cans of whipped cream. Thyme laughed.
    After a quick meal of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and mangos, they put on their bathing suits and swam in the pool. Then the ocean. Then the Jacuzzi. Maddie wanted to swim in her giant bathtub as well but Thyme suggested a quick shower to wash off the sand and chlorine before going to bed.
    They both slept well, Maddie’s first restful night since her parents died. No nightmares or crying for Mommy. They repeated their water-hopping the next day, and the day after. For three days Maddie and Thyme played in the sand, swam, and splashed in the pool, and lived the life of luxury.
    And not once did Grayson call, text, or stop by for a visit. No message saying he was super busy and hoped everything was okay. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
    Sage’s warning came rushing back to her. No, she wouldn’t get hurt by the inconsiderate jerk, but Maddie would.
    Maddie continued to ask about her parents, if they would come back as friendly ghosts or as her fairy godmother, and little droplets leaked from her eyes at random times during the day. Thyme’s heart broke over and over for the little girl. She was too young and innocent to realize she had no one in her life, and that her biological father had abandoned her moments after meeting her.
    The sweet angel was holding up better than Thyme could ever have imagined. Thyme, however, was a wreck. She’d cry at night for Maddie’s loss and the struggle she’d have when, older, she’d learn about her parentage. Hopefully by then she’d be living a very happy life with Grayson. As if. The man had completely ignored them, foisting them off to his butler or chauffer or whatever the heck Armand was. Sure, they were living in the lap of luxury, but Maddie needed more than that. Could he provide for her in a way she needed? With love and affection?
    Pissed beyond measure, on the fourth day she picked up Armand’s card and called.
    “Hey, Armand. I was hoping you were available today.”
    “Oh, Ms. Wilde. I was wondering when you would call. Do you and Miss Maddie want to go shopping? Go snorkeling? Enjoy a sail around the island?”
    “Um, no. Not today. I was hoping you could bring us to visit Mr. Montgomery.”
    Silence.
    “Hello? Armand?”
    “Pardon me, Ms. Wilde. I wasn’t expecting that request. You would like to visit Mr. Montgomery at his work site, yes?”
    “Yes. Please. Thank you.”
    “Very well. I will pick you up in