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.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œWell . . . it’s not at all what I expected, let alone pictured myself visiting.”
    John glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “Are you forgetting that you’re the one who wanted to come home with me? Now you act like being here is a huge inconvenience.”
    â€œI didn’t mean it in a bad way, sweetie,” Madeline said, trying to make nice. “Actually, this whole Southern experience has a certain appeal . . . in a rustic sort of way.”
    John knew she didn’t think much of a town like Nedine, and he hadn’t expected her to. She’d been born and bred in New York City, and the home where her aunt had raised her—an elegant brownstone situated on a tree-box–lined street in Harlem’s Strivers’ Row—was so lavish it had once been featured in a local style magazine. Her worldview had been jaded by fancy homes, tall buildings, bright lights, and fast-moving people. Even though John loved the excitement of the city and was as sophisticated as any Manhattan urbanite could be, he was still a country boy at heart, and that’s where he and Madeline would always differ.
    As they continued to drive down the hot, dusty road, John thought about how much his life was going to change once he moved back to Nedine in another month or two before opening the bank. Although the bold venture was going to make his life busier than it had ever been, John was looking forward to being home again, surrounded by family and friends. Nedine was going to provide a much-needed balance in his life that the hustle and bustle of city living couldn’t. It was also going to allow him the opportunity to take things slow, settle down, and perhaps start a family, which was something he’d been thinking about while traveling on the road yesterday.
    John glanced over at Madeline’s attractive profile, and he wondered if she was really marriage material. He also wondered what kind of wife she would make and what kind of mother she would be. He wasn’t even sure if she wanted children, because they’d never had those kinds of discussions. Most of their conversations centered around business, which jazz spots they’d go to, which restaurants they’d try, and what new sexual positions they’d explore.
    He knew that after a year of being with this woman he should know the answers to what she wanted in life beyond a successful career and a good time out on the town, and the fact he didn’t made him pause.
    â€œI thought you said we’d be there soon,” Madeline said, breaking John’s thoughts. “This town is small, but it’s taking us forever to go from one end to the other.”
    John pointed in the direction of tall, luscious trees in the distance. “Well, you’re in luck. My parents’ house is coming up right around this bend.”

Chapter 4
    J ohn could see that Madeline was impressed as they turned onto the private road that led to the grand estate his parents owned. THE SMALL PROPERTY was written in black calligraphy on a large white placard that hung from a tall pole, announcing entry to all guests coming to visit.
    John eyed Madeline closely as they approached the majestic brick colonial-style structure, where he’d been raised. He took inventory of her facial expression, which was one of awe. He chuckled when he saw her eyebrows nearly rise to her forehead. He studied her as she admired what was old hat to him—an expansive, professionally landscaped yard, which complemented the abundant rose and azalea bushes and magnolia shrubs his mother had cultivated over the years—all flanked by a massive wraparound porch, which greeted them as they walked up to the front door.
    John had told Madeline that he’d grown up in comfort and that his parents had money, but he could see that she hadn’t expected the type of wealth she saw in front of her, especially after taking in