Maggie watched as the two SUVs pulled out of her drive, the kids waving at her from the windows. She’d been on the phone before sunrise, contacting the helpers on her list, the people who’d step up in case of emergency—and if last night’s fiasco didn’t qualify, she didn’t know what did—and made arrangements to get Isabelle and Caroline and the children safely on their way to the next safe house.
She swallowed past the lump in her throat, at their little faces pressed against the glass, even though it was only for a second. All her planning, taking every precaution she could think of, she’d still screwed up. The only bright side—knowing both families moved on with precautions and safeguards in place to get them to their next destination unscathed.
Turning, she started back into the house, but heard the sound of a vehicle coming up the drive, and saw Ridge behind the wheel. She couldn’t help noting that he looked tired. With everything happening last night, she’d barely had time to notice he hadn’t come home.
Home. Somehow it feels right to think about Ridge belonging here. With me. If only I knew he felt the same about me—about us. I love him so much.
He stepped from the car and climbed the steps. Without thinking, she opened her arms, and he stepped forward, allowing her arms to wrap around him. Putting her head against his shoulder, she let out a sigh, relaxing, feeling as though her world had righted itself on its axis.
After several moments of silence, Ridge stepped back, and smiled down at her. “Thank you, sweetheart. You’ve got no idea how much I needed that.”
“Rough night?”
Looping his arm around her shoulders, he led her into the house. Maggie had to admit, she loved the feel of his arm around her. There was an intimacy in his touch that made her feel wanted. Even without a word spoken, she felt a depth of emotion from the simple show of affection. She wasn’t sure he even realized he was touching her, yet whether it was intentional or not, it gave her a feeling of implied trust and caring.
They walked to the kitchen, and she patted one of the stools. He wearily sank onto it, while she walked around the counter and headed for the coffee maker. Popping in a pod, she chose one of the darker roasts. Ridge looked like he needed the extra boost of caffeine this morning. She didn’t want to pry, but she couldn’t help wondering where he’d been all night, and why he’d come home looking like he’d been run over by an eighteen-wheeler.
“Here,” she said, pushing the mug toward him. “You look like you need this.”
“Thanks.” He took a sip and she watched a little smile curl up his lip, before his gaze met hers. “Miss Maggie, we need to talk.”
Uh-oh. Does he know what I did? How did he find out?
“Yes, we do. I know I should have told you, but—”
“Shh. Let me go first.”
“But I want to tell you about…”
“Maggie, I work for the DEA.”
He watched her closely, studying her face like he was waiting for something, though she wasn’t sure precisely what. “Um, okay?”
“Just okay? Aren’t you wondering what a DEA agent is doing in your house?”
“I thought you installed security systems.”
Ridge smiled, his eyes twinkling in the sunlight streaming from the kitchen window, before his expression turned serious. “I do. But that’s not why I’ve been in your home. Maggie, sweetheart, you’ve been under investigation by the DEA.”
“I—I don’t understand. I have never had anything to do with illegal drugs. Heck, I don’t even like to take aspirin. Why in the world would the DEA be investigating me?”
Ridge cradled the mug between his hands, and for a second, he looked so lost Maggie wanted to hug him again. Sometimes, at the strangest moments, he’d have these moments where he looked vulnerable and insecure, and she felt the urge to wrap him within a blanket of her love and let him know everything would be alright. Instead, she crossed her arms around her middle, waiting for his answer, because none of this made sense. The DEA investigating her? Never in a million years had she expected that response.
“We’ve been monitoring drug shipments from Mexico through this area for the past six months or so. The Escondido cartel runs illegal drugs through South and Central Texas. Some of the worst stuff you can imagine. Cocaine, heroin, you name it, they’ve smuggled it into the country. We got a tip from a reliable source that the cartel was using your property.”
“No. Absolutely not. How could you even think that I’d allow something like that to happen here?”
“I didn’t believe it, Maggie. Not from the moment I met you, with your shotgun pointed at my head. Even then, I knew you’d never allow it. Unfortunately, the DEA doesn’t go by gut instinct. They needed solid proof. This is where I need to make a confession. I don’t know Henry Duvall. The DEA picked him up and asked for his cooperation. He was reluctant at first, but they were able to convince him to help. Having Henry call you, and recommend me and my services was the perfect excuse for me to be in your home.”
“Henry? Is he okay?”
“He’s fine. Right now, he’s in Maui enjoying the sunshine and piña coladas on the beach on the department’s dime.”
“I guess that explains why he hasn’t answered any of my calls.”
Maggie took a couple of steps forward, and leaned her hip against the counter, shaking her head at her naïveté. She’d bought Ridge’s act hook, line, and sinker from the first day, barely questioning his sudden appearance in her life. “So, all of this was a sham, a way to determine if I was running drugs?”
“Yes…no…I never thought you personally were involved with the drugs. We were told there was a place on your land where the vehicles transporting the illegal merchandise would detour from the interstate. That’s what I’ve been doing late at night and early in the mornings. Trying to find the passthrough the drivers took.”
“Did you find it?” Maggie couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice. Her heart was slowly breaking with each word out of Ridge’s mouth. It had all been an act. A way to ingratiate himself into her world. Into her life. Had he ever cared for her at all, or was that all part of his undercover sting?
“Last night. We had surveillance on the north and south sides of your property, and caught the drivers and the trucks. Close to two point five million dollars’ worth of illegal drugs. We also captured one of the head men in the Escondido cartel, Diego Rivera. That was an unexpected bonus.”
She drew in a deep breath and started to turn away, barely holding onto her last shred of self-respect. How much more could she take? Each word stabbed like a knife to her heart, and she wanted to crawl into a dark corner and hide away until all the pain was gone. Until Ridge left, because seeing him, knowing he’d never cared about her, that she’d simply been a means to an end, felt like a death blow to her very soul. She’d given him everything, told him about her deepest, darkest moments, and now regret and shame filled her. Once she had time to think, she knew the regret would turn to anger, but she wasn’t there yet. Right now, all she felt was—hurt.
“Now you know I had nothing to do with drugs or the cartel or anything to do with your bust. Guess you’ll be leaving. Or am I still under suspicion?”
“Maggie, we know you weren’t involved. But somebody you know was; they provided the information about your land to Rivera. They turned off the security system while the trucks rolled through, restarted them when they left. I’m so sorry.”
“Who?” Her voice broke on the single word.
“It was Felicia.”
“What? No! She wouldn’t! Ridge, she’s my best friend.”
Ridge’s arms wrapped around her, even as Maggie struggled, striking at him over and over. A million questions spiraled through her mind, racing with blinding speed, tumbling in a chaotic swirl. She heard sobbing and realized it came from her.
Ridge slid to the floor, cradling her in his lap, and she wept at the betrayal of her trust and her friendship. She’d lost everything in one fell swoop—her best friend, her faith in others, and the man she loved. Could it get any worse?
“My Maggie, I’m so sorry. I’d give anything for you not to hurt so much. Sweetheart, please don’t cry. You’re breaking my heart.”
“I’m not. I was just a job to you. A means to an end.”
“No, Maggie. It stopped being a job the minute I met you. I knew in my heart you were innocent. You’re a lot of things, Maggie. Intelligent, opinionated, feisty, and sarcastic.”
She sniffed at his characterization. “Gee, thanks, I sound like a real pearl.”
“Shh, I’m not finished. You’re also caring, loving, giving. Everything you do, you do with your whole heart. There is no way you’d be involved with anything that would hurt others. But, sweetheart, my knowing it and being able to prove it were two entirely different things.”
She struggled to sit upright. “You could have simply asked me.”
Ridge shook his head, and cupped the back of hers, resting his forehead against hers. “That’s not the way it works. My objections were overridden, and I knew the only way to make this all go away was to prove your innocence. Which meant I had to figure out who was guilty, because the one thing I did know was somebody gave the Escondido cartel specific instructions on when and how to cross your land. But never, for one second, did I think you did it. Not after meeting you. Getting to know you.” He pulled back and stared into her eyes, and she nearly gasped at what she saw in his gaze. “Falling in love with you.”
“You…you love me?”
The corners of his lips quirked upward, and he gently brushed the hair off her cheek. “How could I not fall in love with you, Maggie Mine? You’re perfect—”
“I’m not!”
“You’re perfect for me. I never thought I’d find anybody who fits me so completely. I never wanted a doormat or a fragile flower. Can’t stand the Barbie-doll type. While everybody else might be looking for a quick one-night stand, that isn’t me. I want somebody strong. Independent. Thinks for herself. Beautiful. Isn’t afraid to speak her mind, even when it’s something I don’t want to hear. Compassionate. A fighter. In other words, I was looking for you. I love you, Mary Margaret White.”
Tears filled her eyes, threatening to overflow, as she studied his face, reading the truth in his words. “I love you too, Ridge Boudreau. This is crazy. We’re crazy. We barely know each other.”
“Not true. We may have only known each other a short time, sweetheart, but we know each other intimately, in ways nobody else does. You know my secrets. I know yours. In spite of, or maybe because of that, we’ve found a love that’s truer, deeper, and I believe it’s going to last.”
She gave him a trembling smile. “I do love you, Ridge. I honestly love you. My heart was breaking, thinking about you finishing your case, your job, whatever you want to call it, and moving on to your next assignment.”
Ridge shifted until his back was against the counter, and she laid her head against his shoulder, her hand rubbing soft circles on his chest. How had their dynamic shifted on its axis in a matter of seconds? She’d gone from excruciating loss, her heart breaking, until now she felt as light as air, filled with a happiness she hadn’t felt in—forever.
“I told my boss this was my last assignment. I’m leaving the DEA, and I’m going to focus my attention on my security work.” He smiled at her, and she wanted to melt into a puddle. “I really am good at it. My company is the real deal, not a fabricated cover, in case you’re wondering.”
“So, you’ll be sticking around?”
He leaned over and brushed a soft kiss against her lips. “I’m not going anywhere, unless you’re going with me. I have an apartment in Shiloh Springs. It’s sat empty a lot, but…”
“Stay here with me.” The words rushed out of her mouth before she could stop them. “I mean, if you’re serious about leaving the DEA, about living in Shiloh Springs. You said you love me, so…”
She stopped talking and felt a wash of heat in her cheeks. What was wrong with her? She’d never been this forward in her life, had never even slept with anybody except her deceased husband, yet here she was, asking Ridge to move in with her.”
Ridge’s slow wolfish grin had her squirming, but he kept his arm secured firmly around her shoulders, his eyes twinkling in the sunlight spilling through the kitchen windows. “Miss Maggie, are you asking me to live with you?”
Mutely, she nodded. He slid a fingertip beneath her chin, tilting her head up until she met his gaze. “Darlin’, I’m not going to live with you.”
She drew in a sharp breath, and opened her mouth to speak, but he placed a gentle finger against her lips. “I’m not going to live with you—I’m going to woo you. I’m going to make you see yourself exactly how I see you, as a precious gift that I’ll never be worthy of receiving. Then, when I’ve convinced you I can’t live without you, I’m going to marry you.”
Marry me? He wants to marry me?
“Yes, love, I want to marry you.”
Realizing she’d said the words out loud, she ducked her head again, and felt a stir of hope deep inside. Her every wish, every desire, every longing rolled into one, personified in Ridge Boudreau. How had she gotten so lucky?
“You don’t have to convince me, cowboy. I am so head over heels in love with you I’d marry you tomorrow if you asked me. Shoot, I’d marry you today if we could get a license.”
“I’d take her up on it before she changes her mind, bro.”
Maggie jumped at the sound of Shiloh’s voice, and peered upward to see Ridge’s twin standing on the other side of the counter. She’d all but forgotten he’d spent the rest of the night, after helping her get the women sorted out and on their way. Ridge stood and offered his hand, helping her up, and she brushed her hands against her jean-clad thighs.
“I’m not going to change my mind, Shiloh.” She wrapped her arms around Ridge’s waist, leaning in to his side. “Thank you for your help. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Ridge glanced between Shiloh and her. “Did I miss something?”
“She can explain everything to you. I wanted to let you know I’m out of here. I’m heading over to the Big House, staying a few days before going back to work.”
“Don’t say anything to the folks, okay?” Ridge looked at Maggie, and she couldn’t doubt him, not with the love shining in his eyes. “We’ll be over later. I want to surprise them.”
“You got it. Congratulations, you two.”
They watched Shiloh grab his bag and head for the door, closing it quietly behind him.
“Where were we?” Ridge smiled at Maggie, and she knew everything was going to be okay. No, better than okay. Everything was going to be perfect.
“I think you were about to kiss me.”
“Ah, Miss Maggie Mine, it will be my pleasure.”