"I'm Emory," she says, picking her way gracefully around the coils of rope that litter the deck. She's wearing cutoff jeans and a tank top and yet she looks like she stepped out of a photo shoot. The lobstermen must be smitten.
I swallow. "Um...hi. Yeah. I'm Maggie."
"Looking for my dad?" she asks pleasantly. I don't answer. What am I doing here? I ask myself. If Malone wanted anything from me, he's had weeks to find me.
Emory raises her eyebrows. "Did you want to see Malone?" she repeats, and I feel even more like an idiot.
"Um, yeah. Actually, it's no big...deal. I'll come back--"
"Malone!" she calls. "Someone to see you, cap!"
Malone emerges from the storage area in the bow, wiping his hands on a grease-stained towel. "Aye-aye, skipper," he says, grinning. He snaps the towel at her as he walks past, and she giggles and leaps away.
God, he seems so happy. Malone of the scowls and lines has what he needs to be happy, and it ain't me. I briefly consider jumping into the water to escape. Worked for Jonah.
Malone catches sight of me, and the smile on his face falls like a stone. "Maggie."
I take a big breath and release it. "Yup. Hi."
He jumps off the stern onto the dock and puts his hands on his hips, and even though his daughter is watching, I can't help feeling the effect he has on me. My chest feels tight, my eyes hot and dry.
"You met Emory?" he asks.
"Oh, yes. Yup. Sure did. She's...she's...beautiful."
His face softens into a smile as he glances back at the subject of our conversation. I swallow against the lump in my throat. "Yeah," Malone agrees. "So. What's up?"
"Oh...it's--well..." Any plans I had have evaporated. To hide the fact that my hands are shaking, I stuff them in my pockets. "Um, well, guess what? It turns out that Jonah...you know, my brother, well, he's the father of Chantal's baby. And he just figured it out, and they're together, I guess. Sort of. So no one thinks it's you anymore."
His bottom lip is so full and soft-looking among the black razor stubble. Those irritating lashes drop for a moment as Malone looks at the dock.
"You knew, didn't you?" I ask. "About Jonah."
"Ayuh."
"You could've told me, Malone." My voice sounds soft and trembly.
He sighs. "Chantal didn't want me to. I thought you should know, but...well. Not my call." He frowns and looks back at his boat. He starts to say something, then apparently changes his mind.
I give in to my urge to flee. "You know what, Malone? I have to run. But you know, nice seeing you and all. Have a good night." I wave to Emory, who looks as graceful as a swan even as she stuffs a bait bag. "Bye. Nice meeting you." She smiles back, very sweetly, and tears burn in my eyes.
Turning to leave, I actually take a few steps before stopping. I came for a reason, after all. "Listen, Malone," I say, turning around. "Um, I just want you to know that... Listen. I accidentally helped spread that rumor about you and Chantal. I'm sorry for that, and I'm sorry I never gave you the benefit of the doubt. You deserved better."
I force myself not to look away. His face is unsmiling, not exactly scowling, but not happy, either, God knows. "I've been thinking about what you said, too," I continue, my voice unsteady. "About Father Tim and me, and you and me, and me killing time with you..." I'm babbling again. "Well, whatever. I guess I also wanted to say that..." I take a deep breath. "Malone, I never meant to make you feel...inferior. I think you're...well. Not inferior at all." I swallow. "Pretty superior, actually."
If he were to give me anything at that moment, I'd say more. If he smiled, if he took a step toward me, if he said something. But he doesn't, just looks at me. Finally, he gives a slight nod. "Thanks," he says quietly.
And that's it. I wait another second, then nod and, painfully aware of my every move, walk back down the dock.
Malone doesn't stop me. He doesn't forgive me, and he lets me go.
"What was that all about?" I hear Emory ask, but though I hear the rumble of his voice, I can't make out the words. I run up the gangplank because I don't want them to know that I'm crying.
OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, I feel a bit hollow. After all, I've lost four people in my daily life--Father Tim, my mom, Colonel and Malone. They were a big part of things, even if only for a while. Obviously, my mother falls into a different category, as She Who Gave Me Life, and though we're starting a better phase of our relationship, it's strange to have her gone.
Thank you for everything, God, I say morosely as I clean Mrs. K.'s apartment. I'm glad I don't have cancer, I haven't amputated a limb, I'm not blind. I'm not an orphan, I have friends, health, home, all that crap. Then I immediately chastise myself and apologize for calling it crap...but God knows what I mean. I'm not exactly a mystery wrapped in an enigma.
"I think I'm going to take a cooking class," I tell Mrs. K. when I've turned off the Electrolux.
"You're already a magnificent cook! Pooh!" she cries staunchly, thumping her cane for emphasis.
"Yes, well, thanks, Mrs. K. But I might like to learn a bit more, you know? New sauces, new techniques, stuff like that. I'm trying to jazz up the menu at Joe's."
There's a master class being offered in Machias, twice a week for twelve weeks. I've already signed up. French Cooking with a Twist. It sounded fun.
"Well, as long as you don't change your lemon cake," Mrs. K. says. "Don't tamper with perfection, Maggie!"
Maybe at the class, I'll meet some new people. It would be nice to have someone else to pal around with. It's starting to dawn on me that getting out of Gideon's Cove once in a while isn't a bad idea. Chantal and I are still a little tentative with each other, but our friendship will survive her shtupping Jonah. After all, he may be my little brother, but he is also a grown-up. Theoretically, anyway.
Christy calls me later in the week. "Listen, I know the last time was a disaster," she says, failing to excite me about what comes next, "but Will knows this nice guy, a drug rep who came into the office last week. Can we give him your number?"
I sigh. I'm stretched out sideways on my bed, a pillow clutched to my side. It's no substitute for Colonel. I need to get another dog. "I don't think so, Christy," I say. "Not for a while. But I'll let you know, okay?"
"Is it Malone?" she asks. I had told her about my visit to the dock.
"Oh, Christy," I confess. "It was one of those things...I didn't realize how much he meant to me until it was too late. Dumb, huh? Stupid Maggie."
"You're not dumb," she chides. "It was a good learning experience. Think of it that way."
"You bet," I say with false bravado. "How are you feeling?"
Christy launches into a description of her fatigue and vomiting, then describes Violet's newest incisor in thrilling detail. I smile. "You still going out tomorrow?" I ask. "It's my day to babysit."
"Only if you want to," Christy says.
"I certainly do."
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
ON SUNDAY, I find myself back at St. Mary's. Christy, Will and Violet sit in the cry room, as Violet has discovered the church's impressive echo and enjoys piercing eardrums during Mass. Father Daniels is on the altar, his roly-poly figure barely contained in the vestments that once swirled gracefully around Father Tim. No danger in falling for Father Daniels, whose resemblance to Jabba the Hutt has been commented on many times.
My mind wanders as I sit there, a feeling of gentle peace engulfing me. The stained-glass windows, the flickering candles, the rock-hard pews and cracked kneelers seem familiar and dear to me. I'm glad I'm here. This is my church, I think. Father Tim was just a temp here, but the church belongs to me. Or it could, if I showed up once in a while.
Dear God, I pray as Father Daniels lifts the host high, please look after my family. And Octavio and his gang and Georgie and Judy and Chantal and all the rest. And thanks for everything. And this time, I'm sincere.
Mrs. Plutarski gives me the evil eye during the recession, but I don't care. I smile at my neighbors and wait f
or Christy and Will to fight their way out of the cry room.
"Nice Mass, wasn't it?" I ask.
"Was it?" Christy returns. "I couldn't hear a word. The Robinson twins were screaming the whole time."
We go outside and I stop dead in my tracks, causing Ruth Donahue to crash into me. "Sorry," I mutter.
Malone is leaning against the back of a bench, watching the door. Waiting, it seems, for me.
"Ooh, it's Malone," Christy murmurs. "What's he doing here? Hi, Malone!"
"Hi, Christy," he says. Then his eyes shift to me. "Maggie."
Adrenaline pricks at my joints, making my hands tingle almost painfully. "Hi, Malone," I say, and my voice squeaks. I clear my throat. "Hello."
His hands are cupped over his coat in a rather strange way, I notice, and the lines around his eyes crinkle as I come closer. Hope aches suddenly and sharply in my heart, and I swallow. He looks happy--for Malone, that is. Happy to see me.
Just then, Emory pops over to his side. "I'm starving," she announces in that perfectly confident way beautiful girls have. "Malone, can we get some breakfast? There's a cute little diner down the block." Her eyes light upon me. "Oh, hi. Maggie, right?" She tucks her arm through Malone's.
"Right. Hello," I say. I feel the blush creep up my neck, feeling very much like an outsider.
"Dad? What do you say? Breakfast?"
"Sure, Emory. Give me a second, okay?" Malone says.
An awkward silence falls over our little group. My heart is thudding. A crow calls in a nearby tree. Will clears his throat. "Hey, Maggie, we'll see you later," he says, towing my sister away.
"Right!" Christy says joyfully. "See you later." Her eyes are dancing.
Malone gives his daughter a pointed look. "Em, go find something to do for five minutes," he says.
"Sure, Malone," she says, trotting up the stairs of St. Mary's. We both watch her go, then, because there's no one left to look at, turn to face each other. My face prickles with heat. Malone swallows. It seems neither of us knows what to say.
Then, with one hand still cupping his stomach, Malone reaches into his coat and pulls out a very small puppy.
"For you," he says, handing the warm little bundle of fur to me. "It's a girl."
She's sound asleep, cuddled against my chest before I'm fully aware that I have her. Pale blond fur, silky ears, black nose. I can feel her little spine through her fur...clearly she needs a good meal. "Oh, Malone," I whisper, my eyes filling.
"Ten weeks old. Half yellow Lab. She's had her first shots."
"She's so beautiful. Aren't you, honey? Malone, thank you." I stroke her tiny little head and give Malone a watery smile.
He's not smiling back. He's practically glaring. My smile falters.
"It's Matthew," he growls.
I blink. "I thought you said she was a girl." He doesn't answer. "You want me to name the dog Matthew?"
"No, Maggie," he says, looking away. "That's my name."
The dog shifts in my hands and groans, a tiny, funny sound. She wakes enough to chew on my thumb with her needle-sharp teeth, but I barely notice.
"It was my father's name, too," Malone says, still looking down the block. "My mom called me Little Malone when I was a kid, and then eventually she dropped the 'little.' Since my father knocked us around, I didn't really feel like using his first name anyway, so I just go by Malone."
His longest speech to me by far. Ever, maybe. "Oh," I manage.
His eyes snap back to me. "Maggie," he says, stepping closer. He takes a deep breath. "I've been thinking about what you said, too, about me and how I don't let people in. Talk. Whatever." He rolls his eyes, then swallows. "I'm not really the type, Maggie."
My shoulders drop a little. "Well, I guess not every--"
"But I'm willing to try."
My mouth pops open.
"Seems like I have a thing for you, Maggie," he says quietly, meeting my eyes with some difficulty.
My eyes are suddenly full of tears. "Well, that's great, Malone," I whisper, "because I know I have a thing for you."
Those slashing lines soften as he smiles. "Then why are you crying?" he asks.
"Oh, these are the good tears. Happy, lovey-dovey tears. You know. The kind when things go great and you didn't expect--"
Mercifully, Malone cuts off my words as he kisses me, right there in front of the church, on Main Street, clear as day for anyone to see, an intent, hard kiss that nearly makes me drop the puppy.
"Does this mean you guys are ready? I'm gonna faint soon." Emory is smiling at us from the door of St. Mary's.
"Sure," Malone calls. He puts his arm around my shoulders. "I hear Joe's has the best breakfast in Washington County," he says to me.
"You're right," I answer. My words are so ordinary, but happiness is rolling through me in big, warm waves. "The desserts are excellent, too."
"Good, because I think you still owe me a piece of pie."
He smiles and my heart swells. We walk down the street, the three of us--four, if you count my new puppy--and open the door to Joe's Diner.
*
ISBN: 9781459222847
Copyright (c) 2007 by Kristan Higgins
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