Martin recovered in the hospital—in London, at the insistence of his father.
Maggie closed her shop early on Christmas Eve, determined to spend the holidays with him, since their plans for a Christmas wedding seemed to have been put on hold. Probably indefinitely, if his father found out she was a commoner, and a Yank to boot.
By the time she escorted her last customer to the door, and locked it after them, she was more than ready for a break. Spencer had taken time off from the museum to help her out, ignoring her protests that he was jeopardizing his new position.
She turned, and smiled when she found Spencer sprawled in the middle of the floor. “Are you sure you won’t get in trouble for taking time off?”
“Just the opposite, Mags.” He let out a sigh, and closed his eyes. “They are more afraid that I’ll leave because of the mess I’m dealing with at the moment. When I asked for some personal time to help you, the director jumped to grant it, as long as I signed a long-term contract, promising I would return after the holidays.”
“How long?”
He grinned at her. “Ten years.”
“Spencer! That’s fantastic.” She dropped down next to him and kissed his cheek. “I’m so proud of you. Thank you, for risking yourself to help me find Martin.”
“I happen to like the Professor, you know. You’re good for him, Maggie. And he’s good for you.”
“I like to think so. What about Grace? Did you ever call her?” His flushed cheeks told her that something had happened. “What? Spill, Knight—immediately.”
“We have been, um, seeing each other—almost every night since you introduced us.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” She punched his shoulder, then studied him. “Do you like her?”
“More than like. She’s perfect, Mags. Well, not perfect, but—I’m babbling.”
“Yes, you are.” She smiled at him. “And I couldn’t be more thrilled for you. I really liked her.”
“She liked you, as well. She—um, she keeps asking if we can plan a double date.”
“As soon as Martin is back on his feet.”
“You would want to—”
“Spend an evening with my best friend, and the woman he more than likes? Absolutely.” She pushed to her feet. “Time for me to finish packing. I want to take the 6:05 up to London...” Her voice faded when Spencer stared past her. “What?”
She turned—and had to grab the edge of the counter when she saw Martin, standing in front of the window.
“So.” Spencer stepped to her side. “Are you going to let him in, or keep gaping at him?”
His words snapped her out of her shock, and she headed for the door.
Martin met her there, and pulled her into a one-armed embrace the second he stepped inside.
“I missed you, love,” he whispered.
Maggie wrapped her arms around his waist, careful to keep from jostling his right arm. The sling forced her to stay on his left side, but she could reach his lips just fine from her position.
Spencer’s loud throat-clearing broke off their kiss. He joined them, clapping his hand on Martin’s left shoulder.
“Good to see you upright again, Professor. I heard you and Maggie proposed to each other. I wish I could have seen that.”
Martin tensed, and she let go of him, bracing herself for bad news. “Maggie. We need to talk about our plans.”
“I understand. Your father doesn’t want us to—”
“I could care less what my father does and does not want. I told him I was marrying you, and he had no say in the decision. I was going to tell you that we can wait, until I’ve healed properly. You can plan a real wedding, if you like. Now that my family knows, I will not be as hesitant to invite—”
“We’re getting married, Martin. Tomorrow, if you’re up for it.” She cradled his cheek, her fingers brushing the frame of his new glasses. “I want to celebrate the holidays as Mrs. Martin.”
He relaxed, smiling for the first time since he arrived. “I would like that.”
“We’ll need witnesses.” She looked over at Spencer. “Do you think Grace would like to be part of a small, intimate, last-minute elopement?”
“Eloping? I always thought you wanted the big, formal wed—ouch.” He rubbed his chest, and stared down at Maggie. “You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
“Then, Grace and I would be honored.”
Maggie stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered. “And if you ever mention my childhood fantasies of a big wedding again, I’ll tell Grace about your childhood dream of being a musical star.”
Spencer paled, and nodded so vigorously she expected him to smack his chin into his chest.
“Congratulations, mate.” He held out his left hand, and Martin took it.
Maggie watched them shake hands, smiling at each other. She was the luckiest woman in the world.
***
After Spencer helped Martin climb the stairs to the flat, and Maggie helped settle him in, she came back down to the shop to finish closing out.
A knock at the front door startled her. Because she had already turned the lights out in the shop, except for the single overhead above the counter, it was easy to see who stood at the front door.
Ashton.
She walked over to the door and unlocked it, but only opened it enough to speak with him.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to apologize, Maggie, and to thank you for believing in me, even when no one else did.”
“You confessed because Ken threatened you.”
Ashton shook his head. “He threatened you, and Martin.” With a sigh, he lowered his head. “Even after I did what he asked, he broke his promise. I should have told you the truth. I should have told you everything.”
“Where are you going to go?”
He shrugged. “Find a place to live, start over. I had hoped it would be here. Thank you again, Maggie.” He turned around and headed down the sidewalk.
“Ashton.” She stepped outside, wrapping her sweater around her as the wind snapped at her.
He stopped, his shoulders hunched. Another storm was predicted for later tonight, but it had been clear for the last few days, giving the stranded tourists time to make arrangements and leave. Time for delivery trucks to make overdue stops.
“Maggie—”
“I have a proposition for you.”
He turned, surprise clear in his eyes. “What?”
“A proposition. A business proposition.” She stepped to him. “You need a place to stay, a chance to start over. I need an employee, and someone to take over the lease when my current tenant deserts my flat at the end of the month.”
“You—you are offering me a position?”
“I already know you’re a fast learner, and that you’re good with people. It will take time for the locals to forget what happened—memories are long, especially when people live in each other’s pocket. If you can put up with the stares, and the whispers for a while, I think you’ll find a home here.”
“If Maggie vouches for you, Ashton, then I will do what I can to help ease your way.” Martin stepped out of the shop, and took her hand.
“I don’t—I don’t deserve this, after what I brought into your life.”
Martin shook his head. “You hardly set Ken on the path that led him here. Part of that was my doing,” he muttered. Maggie squeezed his hand, and he continued. “Your assistance would be welcome, especially since I will be out of commission for some time.”
She made a mental note to thank him for backing her up, and looked at Ashton. “So, what do you say?”
He hesitated, so long Maggie was afraid he’d walk away. Finally, he answered her. “I humbly accept your offer, and hope I don’t disappoint.”
“If you do, I’ll just fire you.” She winked at him, relieved that he finally smiled. “Let’s go inside. We were just about to eat.”
She opened the door all the way, and let Ashton walk in ahead of her. Martin stopped her before she could follow, tugging on her hand.
“Are you certain, love? He has quite a past to shed.”
“So did a certain professor. But he worked out all right.”
Smiling, Martin backed her into the shop and closed the door. “My Maggie, protector of the wayward.”
He kissed her until she couldn’t think straight. All she could do was hold on, and thank the circumstances that brought this wayward man into her life.