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Maggie spent the next week sorting and packing their belongings.
She had convinced Spencer to move in while they were gone, which meant all the furnishings could stay. He would take good care of Aunt Irene’s house, treat it with the same care; he had loved Aunt Irene almost as much as Maggie.
With Kit on his favorite blanket, surrounded by toys, Maggie and Martin made their way through the ground floor, checking for anything she might have missed. Martin had been in York, setting up their home there, supervising the movers, and getting acquainted with his new workload.
She had not seen him so happy for quite some time.
He maneuvered the wheelchair on his own, like an old pro. They came back out to the lounge, after Maggie’s tearful goodbye to the kitchen. She felt foolish, but she didn’t care. So many memories surrounded her when she stood there, touching the scarred farmhouse table.
She wiped her cheeks, moved to pick up Kit—and halted when cold brushed her hand.
“Anthea—” The ghost appeared just behind Kit, her hands clasped at her waist. “You know we’re leaving.”
Anthea nodded, glancing at Martin. She glided over to him, one hand reaching toward his injured leg.
“You protected Maggie and Kit, and for that I am grateful.”
Anthea nodded, pressed one hand to her heart.
“We’ll miss you, too,” Maggie said. She picked up Kit—he was crawling with single minded purpose, headed straight for Anthea. “And we’ll be back. Spencer’s staying here while we’re gone, so don’t scare him in the middle of the night.”
Kit chattered, leaning away from Maggie, one hand trying to grab at Anthea. Martin tugged on Kit’s foot to distract him from the ghost.
“He seems to have inherited my gift.”
“Yeah.” She sighed, and smiled when Martin started laughing. His demeanor had changed dramatically since accepting the position at the university. A knock echoed through the foyer, reminding her that they had one more thing to do before they left. “They’re here.”
Maggie expected Anthea to disappear; instead, she glided over, one hand hovering next to Maggie’s cheek, then above Kit’s head. Kit stared up at her, his blue eyes intent, not blinking as she faded out.
“I never thought I’d miss a ghost,” Maggie said, shivering in the wake of Anthea’s goodbye. She gathered Kit close, rubbing his arm, and headed to the front door.
Spencer had already walked in, Lilliana, Enid, Ashton, and Patrick behind her. Maggie was surprised—and delighted—that Patrick had accepted her invitation. This was a gathering of the people she cared about most in Holmestead.
The people she would miss the most.
Lilliana moved forward and hugged both Maggie and Kit, holding on for a long minute.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving,” she whispered.
“Not forever.”
“It will seem so.” Lilli freed them and wiped her eyes. “Look at me. I am already a mess and I just arrived.”
Ashton squeezed Lilli’s shoulder before he took his turn, kissing Maggie on the cheek. “Thank you for trusting me with the shop.”
“You’re brilliant, Ashton. Just trust your instincts.”
Enid nearly pushed Ashton out of the way and wrapped her arms around Maggie. “My dear, sweet girl. You will be sorely missed.”
“You, too, Enid.” It was Maggie’s turn to fight tears. She and Enid had come a long way since Maggie’s arrival in Holmestead. “I’ll especially miss your observations on our fellow residents.”
Enid let out a shaky laugh and hugged tighter.
Kit’s complaining separated them. Enid laughed, and patted his arm. “You be a good boy for them, Christopher.”
He studied her, his gaze serious. Maggie almost expected him to nod and assure her he would.
Patrick stood behind Enid, patient, quiet, his hair as wild as usual. Maggie held her hand out to him.
“Thank you for coming, Patrick.”
“It was an honor to be invited, Maggie.” He shocked her by moving in and kissing her cheek. “Though I am saddened by the reason.”
“So am I.” She gave him a quick hug before he could back away.
Patrick stepped to Martin and laid one hand on his shoulder. “You are a remarkable archaeologist, and will make a brilliant teacher for the students fortunate to have you.”
“Thank you, Patrick.” Martin looked as stunned as she felt.
As if he’d used up his allotment of words, he retreated, a blush staining his cheeks.
Spencer filled the awkward silence, draping his arm across Maggie’s shoulder. “No need to be so maudlin. They’ll come and visit. Right, Mags?”
“Of course.” She didn’t want to strand Ashton, or lose touch with anyone here.
Spencer had officially moved in a couple of days ago, so he led everyone to the kitchen, where Maggie had already set out the food Spencer had left in the fridge for today.
As her friends gathered around the farmhouse table, chatting while they filled their plates, Maggie leaned against Martin’s shoulder, Kit tucked into her side.
“The van will be arriving soon, love.”
She let out a sigh, kissed the top of Kit’s head. “I’m going to miss them all so much.”
His hand spread across her back. “There is still time to change your mind.”
“Not a chance.” She sat on the arm of his wheelchair and cradled his cheek. “You gave up everything because my life was here. It’s my turn.”
“Not as much of a hardship as you make it out to be.” He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “I will miss them, as well. This is my home, Maggie; it has been since the moment I fell in love with you.”
She kissed him, not caring if everyone was staring. Kit gurgled, and she smiled against Martin’s lips before she eased back. “I can’t imagine my life without you,” she whispered. “Both of you.”
Applause bounced off the walls. Maggie felt heat flush her cheeks, but she waved at them, no longer embarrassed. They were her friends, her family.
Spencer strode forward and pulled Maggie to her feet, plucking Kit out of her arms. “This is supposed to be a party, am I right, sport?” He lifted Kit over his head, smiling as Kit giggled and waved his arms. “Time to fly.”
Maggie moved behind Martin and wrapped her arms around him, watching her best friend and her son soar around the kitchen, laughter following in their wake.
She would miss this place, these people—but she would also have moments like this to carry with her, and unbreakable ties to the village that had been her first real home.
Martin laid his hand over hers. “Pence for your thoughts, Mrs. Martin.”
“Just enjoying right now, with my family.”
“You created this family, love, with your generous heart.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “You gave me a family again, when I never expected to have one.”
Tears stung her eyes, and she swallowed several times before she found her voice.
“I love you, Martin.”
“I love you more, Maggie.”
Laughing, she held on to him, this miraculous man who had changed her life. No matter what the future threw at them, they would face it together. Take it on together.
Aunt Irene’s voice filled her mind, the words she had started every day with warming Maggie’s heart.
“Ready for your next adventure, my dear girl?”
Yes, she was ready.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Thank you for joining Maggie and Martin for their final adventure! Want more Maggie? Look for Witch in the Dell, with 3 mini mysteries, available at your favorite retailer. You’ll meet a younger Maggie and Spencer, and follow her as she solves her first mysteries.
Then join twelve-year-old Kit as he falls into his first adventure, and learns to deal with his own ghosts. You can find The Pharaoh’s Eye at your favorite retailer. Check it out here: https://catedeanwrites.com
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