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One night at the Inn wasn’t enough to convince Maggie to stay with Becky. Even if they were cramped together in two tiny rooms. Her pride was still too great.
And now, the little group of five had an out. A place.
Maybe... a home.
It was too soon to tell, and Becky had to go to work.
Theo disappeared on them after dropping the doughnuts off, and Gretchen began to pout, curiously enough. Especially when Rhett Houston appeared in front of Maggie’s room soon after Becky and Theo had left.
“It’s Mr. Houston,” Gretchen called back to her mother, who was five minutes into the luke-warmest shower of her life.
Despite the distinctly uncomfortable feeling of a shower that was far too short of steaming hot, Maggie’s anxiety had ebbed that morning, what with the second offer of a place to stay and the reassurance that she had something to do that day. Namely, learn more about this supposed farmhouse.
She killed the water, dabbed her skin dry, and pulled on a fresh pair of yoga pants and a thermal sweater before popping her head out to discover Rhett was not inside the room but rather out waiting in the hall.
“You four get dressed and ready. We’re leaving in about five minutes,” she directed, aiming her phone at Briar who couldn’t seem to resist the box of paperwork.
“Hey,” Maggie said to Rhett, whose tall frame leaned into the wall.
“Hey,” he replied, combing his hand through his hair. “Sorry to interrupt you all, but I just wanted to check in on you. And,” he began, searching for his next sentence.
Maggie found it for him. “You want your truck back.”
His lips formed a line, half smile and half apology. “Yep.”
“I already called Gunner this morning. He’s going to open the shop without Travis. Your truck should be done by the afternoon.” She smiled at Rhett, whose face lit up.
“Thank you so much, Maggie,” he replied earnestly. “I really didn’t want to ride in a tow truck down the Ohio back to the city.
“I don’t blame you,” she answered. “And, Rhett, I am so sorry it even came to this.” She gestured around herself at the bed-and-breakfast.
Rhett pushed off the wall and shoved his hands in his jeans pockets, then faced her fully, his face impassive, his voice quiet. “I’m not.”