Free Finding Madelyn by Suzette Vaughn

her , anymore .” Fredric stood behind the heavy desk, papers scattered across it. His dark eyes glinting with something Galen couldn’t pinpoint.
    “Why not ? ” Galen matched his tone and volume .
    It was the week after the dance, and Fredric ha d heard the gossip around town, mostly from his own secretary. His son out with Madelyn Mur ph y, in his car. Holding hands when they walked down the street.
    “It’s disgraceful. If you had half the sense God gave a skunk, you’d know that.”
    The fight had just started but Galen had been expecting it . Fredric expected him to be a good son and date someone like Rita. Money, a name, and connections.
    “I don’t see anything wrong with Maddy. Unless you’d like to point out her faults.” He pressed his fists onto the desk, keeping them far from his father. If this went as far as blows he’d hurt as bad as Fredric. And Mama would have a fit.
    “You know her faults, and don’t play even stupider.” Fredric turned toward the window and ran his hand across his face. “You don’t marry down , son.”
    “So , that is what this is all about?”
    “Of course.”
    “I don’t care about social standings. I don’t care about the money—.”
    “Well you should. How about if I just stop paying for anything until you start thinking straight.”
    “I’ll get a job.” Galen calmed his voice further.
    “ You think so? Who’s going to hire you.” Fredric matched his stance, with fists on the desk but the edge was still in his voice.
    Galen thought a moment. “Uncle Will.”
    Fredric leaned back and laughed , nodding his head . “That he will. Go ahead and get a job down there, you’ll last less than a week.”
    
    Maddy made it home without the past disturbing her. Galen had sparked it this morning but tonight he’d brought her some peace too. He was going through the memories himself and that alleviated some of her personal anguish.
    She hoped that she wouldn’t be leaving her home anytime soon. It was a beautiful old place and she loved it. Mostly because it was hers. It wasn’t stately, but it also wasn’t a two room shack. She shook her head over the last thought, apologizing to no one that could hear as she unlocked the door.
    The front door squeaked, the floorboards creaked, and it felt like home. She went through the three-foot square foyer and straight into what would be a dining room if she used it as such. Instead, it was her library. Pine bookcases full of books lined the front wall around the window and the six feet that connected to it on the southern wall. A small drop leaf pine table where she ate was on the opposite wall flanked by a door to the restroom and one to the kitchen. She’d left the paint the same pale blue as when she’d moved in.
    She took the food into the kitchen and stored it in the little fridge. For someone who owned a diner, the kitchen was small. Just big enough for her and maybe one other person to be in comfortably. She didn’t need more than that and she didn’t plan on sharing it with anyone.
    From the kitchen, she could see the dock at the end of her property. The porch was screened in , allowing her to sit out there for most of the year. Normally she went to the dock instead of the porch but it was still a wonderful spot. There was also another door to the restroom from there and one to her laundry room on the south side.
    She started laundry before flopping down on the sofa in her parlor. The little room was open to her library and consisted of nothing more than the sofa, a chair, the fireplace, and a radio.
    It’d been her house for two years and the furniture was sparse but still more than enough for her. The sofa in the parlor had been added when Frank continued to come around. Sitting at the kitchen table wasn’t the way to make a guest feel welcome. Not that she wanted anyone to feel too welcome to her home.
    The guest room finished off the first floor, with only a three-quarter bed, a dresser, and a