“I’ve interviewed every person on our staff, and no one will admit they stole the tequila. I even tried to trick them into confessing, and nothing.” Penny threw her hands in the air in frustration.
Maggie and her sister were sitting at a window table in Sit and Sip, drinking coffee and sharing a muffin. The usual Monday morning crowd was lined up at the counter while the sidewalks outside bustled with people on their way to work. Maggie fiddled with the heart-shaped pendant around her neck as she considered an explanation for the missing liquor.
“Our employees are a tight bunch. Not a one would throw the other under the bus,” Penny said, breaking off a piece of muffin. “Believe me, I used all my best interrogation techniques.” She popped the morsel in her mouth and chewed ferociously.
“You should talk to Derek about joining the FBI.”
“There’s nothing they could teach me.”
They shared a laugh at the truth in her statement. Penny could be intimidating when she wanted something. And she was uber-observant.
“What’s that? New necklace?”
“Buddy gave it to me last night.”
Penny whistled as she held the sparkly pendant in her hand. “That’s some chunk. It must’ve set him back a few thousand.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. Maybe a couple of hundred. Buddy couldn’t afford something that expensive.”
“I’m telling you this isn’t a cheap piece of jewelry. Where’d he get it?”
“In Columbus. I’m not sure where. But I’m sure it hadn’t cost much. He works on commission, remember? He has to watch every cent.”
“You should stop over at the Jewel Box and get an appraisal. You might need a rider on your insurance policy. Did you ever get your engagement ring appraised?”
“No, I need to do that.”
“You always say Buddy can’t afford things, but he sure has spent some serious cash on you.”
“The diamond belonged to his grandmother. He had it reset into an engagement ring so it didn’t cost him much. And as far as the necklace, I guarantee it’s not as expensive as you think.”
“Want to bet?”
“No, I’m not betting you.” They fell into a comfortable silence as they ate the muffin and sipped coffee. Maggie watched the people walking by the shop, raising her hand in greeting to Sam Smiley and Arthur Hansrote as they crossed the street to City Hall.
“So how’s your new boarder?”
“Settled in, I guess.”
“You guess?”
Heat flushed Maggie’s face. She was embarrassed and feeling a bit guilty for avoiding Travis. “I wasn’t home when Carly and Brody moved him in, and he was still asleep when I left this morning. It’s best we avoid each other as much as possible.”
“That’s not going to be easy. Your house isn’t big.”
“I know. But I figure if I leave early enough and—”
“You’re being stupid. Why are you avoiding Travis?”
“I don’t want to fight with him.”
“But that’s your thing. That’s what you do.”
Maggie’s cup stopped midway to her mouth. “That’s what Travis does,” she hissed.
“No . . .” Penny leaned across the table, poking her finger into Maggie’s shoulder. “That’s what you both do. It’s your jam. You love getting under each other’s skin.”
“Untrue. He always starts it.”
“And you love dishing it back at him. Builds the sexual tension.”
Coffee spewed from Maggie’s lips. “You’re insane,” she protested through the napkin pressed to her mouth.
“It’s your way of flirting. Kind of primal.”
“What?” Maggie slammed her coffee cup to the table.
“You’ve seen those nature documentaries. A male and female wildebeest snip and snarl at each other, and then next thing you know, they’re mating.”
“When have you ever watched a show about wildebeests?”
“Okay, maybe that’s not a good example, but I watch the birds and squirrels in my backyard, and they’re always fussing at each other. It’s foreplay.”
“And that’s what you think Travis and I do?”
“Absolutely. You both get off on it.”
“You’re sick and I’m not listening to this anymore.” Maggie slung her purse over her shoulder, grabbed her paper cup, and shoved her chair against the table. “Travis Kane hates me, and that’s why he picks fights with me. I only play along to defend myself.”
“There’s a fine line between love and hate.”
Stomping her foot in frustration, Maggie grabbed the last of the muffin before she rushed through the coffeehouse door. Her sister was certifiably nuts, and she wasn’t going to listen to her delusions anymore. If her theory was true, why hadn’t he made a move? Their animalistic foreplay, as she called it, would have resulted in a sexual encounter by now. Travis hadn’t touched her in all that time and didn’t seem the least bit interested in doing so.
Why did everyone keep implying he had feelings for her? She didn’t see it. The only reason Travis had anything to do with her at all was because of Carly. Their daughter was the last thread that bound them together. Once she left for college, they’d have no reason to speak at all. Maggie looked forward to the peace that would bring.
After driving halfway to the Brass Rail, Maggie realized she had left her cell phone at home. She hoped he was still asleep. Carly had left a note on the kitchen table, letting her know a home health aid was coming today to help Travis and that she would be home early. Finals were this week and students could leave after completing their exam.
Maggie slid her key in the front door lock as smoothly and silently as possible so not to awaken the beast in her guest room. With any luck, she could slip in and out without running into him.
The house was quiet. Travis wasn’t in the living room or kitchen where she had left her phone. It was just a matter of grabbing it off the kitchen counter and getting outside before he detected her presence. After their last argument in the hospital, she’d resolved that the only way this thing could work would be to avoid him as much as possible. It wouldn’t be fair to Carly if they were constantly at each other’s throats. It was best they steered clear of one another.
After dropping the phone in her purse, she clicked off the overhead light and turned the corner into the living room. Her toe rammed into something hard and unmoving. It was Travis’s wheelchair.
“Whoa there.”
And Travis was in it.
“What’s your hurry?”
She stumbled back, pain hammering in her big toe. “Jeez,” she whined, limping over to a kitchen chair. “Where did you come from?” She fell into the chair and pulled her foot into her lap, rubbing her big toe through her sneaker.
“I heard someone come in. Thought I better check it out.”
Travis wore a blue plaid robe over a white T-shirt and grey sweatpants. A baseball bat lay across his lap.
“What were you planning to do with that?” She pointed, still rubbing her foot.
“Protect the homestead.”
She burst out laughing. “In a wheelchair?”
“I played baseball in high school, remember? Had a pretty good swing.”
“But you’re in a wheelchair.” She dropped her foot to the floor and folded in half, forgetting the pain.
“Why are you laughing? It doesn’t matter about the wheelchair. I could’ve busted somebody good with this thing.”
“And ripped out your stitches or reinjured your ribs.” She reached out and took the bat from him. “You don’t have to guard the house. We’re perfectly safe here. We’ve never had a break-in.”
“Announce yourself next time and I won’t have to grab the bat.”
“I didn’t want to wake you.”
“I’ve been awake since before you left this morning.”
He’d been sound asleep when she peeked into his room. Flat on his back with his eyes closed tight. Had he been faking to avoid her, too?
“Well, okay.” The pain in her toe had dulled to a mild throbbing. “I thought you were asleep.”
“Where are you going?”
“I open up today.” She glanced at the wall clock. “In fact, I’m going to be late if I don’t get moving.” Draping her purse strap over her shoulder, she grabbed her keys off the table and headed toward the door.
Travis hooked her wrist as she passed. “Wait a second. I want to . . .”
“What?”
“. . . say something.” His fingers wandered lower and wrapped around her hand. “I, uh, just want to say.” He cleared his throat, tipping his face toward his lap. “I’m sorry about the other day at the hospital.”
“Oh . . . no worries.”
“Seriously.” He looked up and locked his eyes on hers. There was a deep crease between his brows, and his face was ghostly white. “I shouldn’t have said what I said. I didn’t mean it.”
Maggie was stunned to silence.
“I mean, I meant what I said, just not the way I said it.” His hand squeezed hers tighter. “I’ll stay out of your way. Let you and Buddy have your privacy. You won’t even know I’m here.”
“Travis, you don’t have to—”
“I appreciate you letting me come here. You didn’t have to do that. The least I can do is show some respect to your fiancé when he’s here.”
“He won’t be here much.”
“And I’ll help out where I can.” His gaze bore into hers as the color returned to his cheeks. “I promise not to be a burden.”
“Travis.” She didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t seen this side of him in years—the kind, considerate, respectful side. He had the reputation of being the nicest guy in town, but not to her. His thumb brushed side-to-side over the back of her hand, and the wall she’d built up began to crumble.
“Carly said you had been at the hospital non-stop when they brought me in. I just want you to know how much I appreciate that.”
“You’re her father.”
“And you’re her mother—a good mother. No, a great mother. Not many women would run out on their wedding to tend to an ex.”
He had to stop. Stop being so nice. Stop rubbing his calloused thumb over the back of her hand. Stop being so damned handsome and sweet and perfect right now. She tore her gaze from him.
“That’s, um . . . nice of you to say.”
“It’s all true.”
Maggie stepped back, pulling her hand free of his and tucked it in her back pocket. She had to get out of here. This kind-hearted Travis was making her uncomfortable. She was off-balance and confused.
“Thanks.” Clearing her throat as she readjusted her purse, she glanced toward the door. “There’s food in the fridge. Carly should be home soon.”
She rushed past Travis, barely hearing his softly spoken “thanks,” and ran out the door. Her phone rang as soon as she put the car in reverse. It was Buddy. She tapped the button on her steering wheel as she backed out of the driveway.
“Hi, Buddy.”
“Hey, darlin’. Are you at work?”
“I’m headed there now. Running a little late. Where are you?”
“Had to go to Charleston this morning for a meeting, remember?”
“Yes, I’m sorry.” It was a wonder she could remember how to drive, let alone recall Buddy’s schedule. Travis’s too-nice apology had left her frazzled.
“Darlin’, I hate to bring this up, but I have a little problem.”
“What is it?”
“Our honeymoon trip hit my credit card, and I’m in a bit of a bind.”
How could he be in a bind? He’d had over a thousand dollars in cash with him the night of their rehearsal dinner.
“Since the wedding was called off—”
“Postponed. Not called off.”
“I’ll have to pay another month’s rent and utilities. I wasn’t able to recoup any of the money for our trip since we cancelled at the last minute, and I’m a little short on funds right now. I won’t get my commission check until the end of the month.”
Maggie hated talking about finances. She had always been frugal—pinching pennies was ingrained in her. Buddy, on the other hand, didn’t have the same philosophy when it came to money. He seemed to always be in a bind. He had probably used the thousand dollars on the necklace he’d bought her.
“I’ll lend you some money. I told you I’d pay for half of the honeymoon.”
“No, darlin’, that’s my responsibility, but with the drop in gas prices and taking off a few days and the timing of my paycheck, things are a little tight right now. You’re sure you don’t mind?”
“I’m sure.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
“You always do.” This wasn’t the first time Buddy had been in a pinch. He wasn’t as careful with money as she was, but she would fix that once they were married. Taking care of their budget would be her responsibility.
“Thank you, darlin’.”
“Buddy, it’s okay. We’re getting married. My money is your money and vice versa.”
His sigh told her how hard it had been for him to ask. “Thank you, sweetheart. You’re the best.”
“It’s okay, but you shouldn’t have bought me those beautiful necklaces.”
“I like to spoil my girl.”
“Not if you’re having financial troubles.”
“I’m not really, it’s just that business slowed a bit in the spring.”
“You should’ve told me. How much do you need?”
“I hate asking.”
“Tell me.”
“A couple of hundred bucks? That will help with the credit card bill and utilities. I’ll take care of the rent.”
“Absolutely not. If I hadn’t run out on the wedding, we’d be married and living under the same roof. You wouldn’t have those expenses. I’ll deposit five hundred in your account later today.”
“You’re the best, you know that?” She heard the love in his voice “You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”
“I know.”
“How lucky am I?”
“No, I’m the lucky one.”