Echoes of Summer Read Online Free

placing the baby for adoption.
    Her parents had agreed to help her with expenses and college tuition if she broke off all contact with Stephen, and now, seeing him here, she wondered if she’d made the right choice. He seemed to have grown up to be a responsible adult. Enough Mr. Carlson was hiring him to do what she could have done anyway, if he’d only given her the chance.
    “I was just telling Madison what a fine job the two of you did on this proposal,” Mr. Carlson said, smiling at Madison again. “You’ll be meeting in the large conference room with Doewin at three. Madison will show you your office, and the two of you can fine tune this.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Carlson,” Stephen said. “It was easy working with such talent.” He smiled at Madison, and she was glad he hadn’t winked. Most guys would have. The old Stephen would have.
    “I’ll see you both at two-thirty,” Mr. Carlson said, turning away from them back to his files.
    Madison knew when she’d been dismissed and turned around, not even bothering to wait for Stephen. If he didn’t follow her, he ought to be smart enough to find a corner of the building. There were only three others besides the one Mr. Carlson was in, and the other two had conference rooms and distinct labels on the door.
    Stephen caught up to her before she had passed Kathryn’s desk, but he must have seen something of the secretary’s that caught his attention. “Have you been to Hawaii, Mrs. Donahue?”
    Kathryn’s face lit up. “Yes, we just got back from a two-week vacation on the Big Island.” She put the souvenir away. “I just can’t stop thinking of it.”
    Stephen put his hand on his heart. “Everyone loves Hawaii. Did you island hop at all? I’m from Oahu.”
    As much as she wanted to leave him there, Madison wanted to hear more about Hawaii and what Kathryn had done. Besides, she had to go over the proposal with him once more to make sure they hadn’t missed anything in their rush to get it ready.
    Kathryn gushed over all the beautiful things they’d seen, and Stephen told her of his childhood, growing up in a small town just outside Honolulu.
    Kathryn sighed. “Southern California is similar in many ways, but nothing can compare to the variety on Hawaii.” She looked at Madison. “You really should go, dear.”
    “Someday,” she agreed.
    “I’d be happy to show you around,” Stephen said.
    Madison had heard that from him before and was sure this time was just as empty of a promise. She would never explore any of the Hawaiian Islands with him.
    “No, thank you. I’ll manage on my own.” She took a step away from Kathryn’s desk, refusing to look at either of them since she didn’t want to feel guilty for the rudeness of her comment. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll show you where your office is.”
    She didn’t wait for him, but he said his goodbyes to Kathryn, making her giggle with his “Aloha” as he walked away then easily matched Madison’s stride on the way to his office. As soon as she opened the door, he whistled low. “Nice.”
    Madison kept her teeth tight together to prevent any more negativity from escaping her. Mr. Carlson had obviously prepared for Stephen’s arrival, even if he hadn’t told anyone else about it before yesterday. The desk was equipped with everything he needed from pencils, pens, computer, phone, and the project-display screens for wowing any clients who came to his office.
    “Do you have any questions about your office, any of the equipment, or anything else about the agency?” Madison asked.
    Stephen walked around the room and moved over to the l arge windows that gave him a perfect view of the city below. “Only one.” He took a deep breath. “How do you like this view?”
    Madison stared at his back then turned on her heel and marched out of the room without saying a word. Her mother’s advice to never say anything mean warred with her desire to tell him exactly what she thought, and she knew