“Sounds good. Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise. Just leave everything to me,” she said as she winked at him. “This is so exciting!”
Chapter 35
Maddie tapped her fingers on her desk as she waited for someone to answer the phone. Once she had her mind set on something, even she could be impatient. She had made sure Adam was showering at his apartment when she made the call so he couldn’t hear her conversation. She made up an excuse, saying that she needed some things from her apartment, so she could keep everything a surprise. She knew she might only have a few minutes before he came to see what she was doing. He had been snooping and begging her to tell him what she was planning every chance he got. It had become a sort of game between them. She was determined to keep it all a secret until the last-possible moment.
She heard a click on the line and a familiar voice said, “Hey, Maddie. How are you, chica? How are things with your man, Adam?”
“Hey, Sancha. I’m wonderful! Everything is going so well that I have to pinch myself every day to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
“Oh, Maddie, I’m so happy to hear that!”
“How are you and Mel doing?”
“We’re fine. We just sold another house and we’ve been really busy with the closing and all. Business has really picked up lately. It’s a buyer’s market, you know.”
“That’s great. I’m glad to hear it. In fact, I think I want you to tell me all about it in person.”
“What was that? I think there’s something wrong with the line. I thought for a minute that you said you want me to tell you about it in person.”
Maddie laughed. “There isn’t anything wrong with the line. You heard me right. I think I want to bring Adam to meet you and Mel.”
“Oh my god! We would love to meet him. Please come.”
“Well, you said you’re really busy and I don’t want to impose. It can wait until another, less-busy time.”
“No! No! We’re never too busy for a visit from you. How long has it been? I can’t even remember the last time we…” Her voice trailed off.
“I know. It’s been too long,” said Maddie with a hint of sadness in her voice.
Sancha’s voice sounded like she was on the verge of crying, which also made Maddie want to cry. She missed her best friend. They tried not to dwell on the fact that they hardly ever got to see each other in person.
Sancha cleared her throat and said, “So there is no more discussion about it. You and Adam are welcome to come and visit any time that you want to. You know that.”
“I know.” Maddie hesitated and said, “Do you think it’s safe?”
Sancha sighed and said, “I don’t have to tell you that there are no guarantees. It’s as safe as anywhere you go, I suppose. We’ve been safe here for several years now. Nobody knows where we are except for the people in the underground. So there’s no reason to believe you would be in any danger. The KTP would probably never suspect you would come back to this part of the country anyway.”
Maddie tried to keep the sarcasm out of her voice as she said, “Well that’s real comforting.”
“You know what I’m trying to say, Maddie. I wouldn’t tell you to come if I didn’t think it was reasonably safe.”
“I know. I know.”
“We really do want to meet Adam. And I would love to see you again, my friend. I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too, and I really want you to meet Adam as well. I also wanted to show him what RTP has done in our lives. He’s trying to learn to master it, and he’s having trouble believing that he can manifest the ‘big things.’ ”
“So many people have that same problem. It’s settled, then. When are you planning to come?”
“Is Sunday too early?”
“No, that’s perfect. We’ll prepare for your arrival.”
“Don’t go to any trouble. I know how you can be. Don’t knock yourself out cooking a bunch of food and making a big fuss over us coming. Just getting to see you all will be enough.”
“You know I love to entertain guests. This is going to be so much fun. I can’t wait!”
“Me too!”
“Send me your itinerary with your flight number and arrival time when you get a chance.”
“Will do. We’ll see you Sunday then!”
“See you Sunday!”
Maddie clicked off and began making all of the flight and rental car arrangements. If she was lucky, she could get it all done before Adam came looking for her.
Chapter 36
Maddie deftly remained secretive when she made the arrangements. The only thing she did tell Adam was that they were flying out early Sunday morning, and they were headed to Albuquerque, New Mexico. She had only agreed to tell him the destination so he could look at the weather forecast and pack accordingly. Even when they got the rental car at the Albuquerque airport, she still wouldn’t tell him exactly where they were going, so he tried to relax and just go along for the ride.
As they left the airport, Adam admired the New Mexico scenery. It was different than anything he had ever seen—a strange mixture of mountains and high desert, beautiful in its own way. The view of the rolling foothills with the silhouette of the Sandia Mountains was awesome. They were enormous, imposing, and beautiful all at the same time. The strange yucca plants, prickly pear, and saguaro cacti made him feel like they were visiting an alien planet. Adam had never traveled far from the East Coast. This was all very new to him. Maddie explained to him that New Mexico is known as “The Land of Enchantment.” Indeed, it was an enchanting and fascinating place.
After they drove for a while, it appeared to Adam that they were heading toward the outskirts of the city. They came
