No. He wouldn’t allow himself to go there again. Not yet. He understood how badly he’d messed up. He needed to earn his place in her life. Tonight was an opening that he’d gladly take. He wouldn’t push her.
“That’s a smart idea,” he said and turned to the stairs.
“You think I’m in over my head,” she said quietly when they were surveying the debris once more. “I can’t do it on my own.”
“I never said that.”
“But you’re thinking it.” She gave a humorless laugh. “Heck, I’m thinking it. With everything else going on right now plus Christmas around the corner, this wasn’t the time for a home renovation project. Especially when I know nothing about home renovations.”
“What inspired the remodel?” He arched an eyebrow. “Too many binge sessions of HGTV?”
“Maybe,” she admitted with a genuine smile then shrugged. “Those people get a lot done in an hour, even with commercials.”
“True,” he agreed, handing her a pipe cutter. “I brought everything you need based on how you explained the problem over the phone. You’re going to cut out the damaged ends of the pipe and then we’ll solder on a copper cap.”
“With a blow torch?”
He lifted the welding tool. “We’re not making crème brûlée with this thing.”
She looked dubious but followed his instructions and within a half hour and one check-in on Joey, the pipe had been capped.
“That was kind of awesome,” she said as she stepped back to survey her work.
“You did great.”
“I started this to have something of my own.” She bit down on her lower lip, sending another shockwave of awareness through Griffin. He tamped it down. This was the friend zone, and he wasn’t going to let his lust muck it up.
“You bought the house from your grandmother,” he pointed out. “It belongs to you.”
Maggie nodded then shook her head. “Yes, but in the four years I’ve owned it, nothing has changed. I haven’t made anything personal. Most of the furniture, other than the bedroom, belonged to her. It’s just like my job.”
“Being mayor?”
“I followed in her footsteps, and although I was elected to that first term, it felt more like I’d inherited the position.”
He put away the tools. “Your re-election changed that?”
“I thought so. During the campaign, I stepped out of her shadow. So much happened this year. I wasn’t very popular when I walked away from my wedding.”
“Trevor wasn’t the most well-liked guy after it came out that he’d cheated.”
“But we both shook off some of the expectations of our families and this town after the scandal. I had big plans for Stonecreek. I still do.” She sighed. “Instead of working on those goals, my focus has been smiling and playing hostess for the LiveSoft campaign.”
“Are you having second thoughts about trying to bring the company here?”
“Not at all. It’s a growing company with tons of potential that’s a perfect fit for the town. It would be a huge win for Stonecreek, but it feels like the competition is more about me doing a song and dance for Christian. No one is focusing on the substantive piece—the town as a whole is the right choice.”
“I don’t spend much time on social media, but from what I’ve seen substance is in short supply.”
“It’s all part of the game.” She ran her hand along the edge of the vanity’s pink marble top. “I get that. This town means so much to me. I’d do almost anything for Stonecreek, but tearing out old tile was for me. Does that make sense?”
“Yes,” he said slowly, “although some people would argue a pedicure or sitting down with a good book would also be a way to treat yourself.”
She picked up a tiny piece of broken tile and lobbed it at him, sticking out her tongue. “Some women get pedicures. I knock down walls.”
“Good to know,” Griffin said with a chuckle. “The town is lucky to have you, Maggie May.”
“Thanks,” she whispered.
“I was lucky to have you.” He cursed himself when she looked away.
“Tell me about Joey coming with you tonight.” She brushed at the front of her T-shirt like that would take care of the dust and grime covering it.
“Nighttime is tough for him. Sometimes the nightmares wake him, but tonight he couldn’t fall asleep. I could have forced him to stay with my mom but he’s my responsibility.”
She looked up at him and flashed a small smile. “He’s lucky to have you.”
Suddenly the air between them was charged with the same electric connection he’d felt the moment he’d laid eyes on her hurrying along the sidewalk in a wedding dress six months ago. He could never have imagined the changes that had occurred in his life since returning to Stonecreek and what an important part of it Maggie would become.
She licked her lips, and he nearly groaned. Instead of letting his body take the lead, Griffin picked up his toolbox and shrugged. “I should go check on him.”
Maggie blinked several times then nodded. “Sure.”
She led the way back downstairs, and they found Joey curled up on the sofa, fast asleep.
“He’s really adorable,” she murmured. “I hate what he’s been through.”
“Me too.” Griffin ran a hand through his hair. “Cassie was a great mom. It’s still difficult for me to believe she’s gone. I can’t imagine how he feels. The therapist says we need to address his anxiety and keep giving him love and reassurance so he begins to feel safe again.”
“You’re taking him to see someone?”
“Cassie already had a therapist in Seattle. She and the pediatrician here both recommended the same person. Do you know Lana James? She’s a few years older than my mom so I think she’s been around for a while.”
Maggie put a hand to her chest. “She’s who Morgan, Ben and I saw after Mom died. Grammy set it up. She’d just started her practice. There were only a few sessions, but it helped. She helped.”
“I didn’t think about the fact that you and Joey had that kind of loss in common. You were fifteen when your mom died, right?”
She nodded and looked up at him, her beautiful eyes sad but clear. “He and I talked about it when I found him in the fields. Morgan was his age. If you think it would help, I’m sure she’d be happy to talk to him. She’s on a better path now and is great with kids.”
“Really?” The viselike band that’d had Griffin’s heart in a stranglehold for the past six weeks loosened the tiniest bit. He knew he wasn’t alone in all this, but for Maggie to get involved gave him a different kind of hope. “I should probably talk to Dr. James first, make sure she thinks Joey could handle it.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Maggie. That...um...” He cleared his throat when his voice cracked. Griffin wasn’t used to feeling...well...this much emotion. The woman standing next to him had changed everything. “That means a lot.”
She reached out and placed a hand on his arm, a gentle touch that he felt to his core. “If you’re going to stay in Stonecreek,” she told him, “you better get used to accepting help. I know that lone wolf thing is all hot and sexy, but we’re a pack community around here.” She inclined her head toward the boy sleeping on the sofa. “And you’re raising a child. You’re going to be coaching little league in a year or two if you don’t watch out.”
He leaned closer and nudged her shoulder. “You might need to repeat that last bit. I got caught on the part where you think I’m hot and sexy.”
She laughed, poking him in the ribs before stepping away. “And incorrigible.”
“In case I haven’t mentioned it before, I find five-syllable words vociferously sexy.”
“You have an indefatigable spirit,” she said with a wink.
“Six?” He held up his hands, palms out. “Now you’re just showing off.�
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She touched the bun on the back of her head and grimaced. “Look at me. I’m about the least sexy I’ve ever been.”
“Eye of the beholder,” he whispered, reaching out to tuck a loose lock of hair behind one ear.
Her eyes darkened and that crazy charge between them sparked to life again. She swayed toward him, and Griffin cupped her cheek with his palm. “Maggie?”
“Hmmm.”
“Tell me to kiss you.” He leaned closer but resisted the urge to press his mouth to hers. “Please.”
She stared into his eyes for several long seconds. “I’m not going to say that,” she whispered after a moment.
Disappointment lashed at him, but when he started to pull away, she covered his hand with hers. “Remember what I told you about wanting to feel in control.” She shifted so that only inches separated them, and her breasts grazed his shirtfront. “This is me taking control.”
Then she kissed him.
Her lips were soft and she tasted like mint gum and Maggie. He’d missed this. Missed her.
Desire and emotion swirled through him, mingling so that it was difficult to know whether it was his body or his heart so overwhelmed by the moment.
He didn’t wrap his arms around her or try to deepen the kiss. She was in control and her soft exploration was the most erotic thing he’d ever experienced.
Because it was Maggie. Because it gave him hope.
She made a sound, a barely audible hum of need but it seemed to break her out of the moment. She pulled back, her eyes clouded with desire, and raised a hand to her lips.
“I didn’t mean that,” she said, shaking her head.
He wanted to pull her to him, cover her mouth with his and prove that she not only meant it, but she wanted more. She wanted him, even if she wouldn’t admit it.
He gave her what he hoped was a gentle smile. “I’ll take it, just the same. Thank you.” Before she could answer, argue with him or find a way to shore up the opening in the wall she’d erected around her heart, Griffin walked into the family room. He scooped up Joey, relieved when the boy’s eyes remained closed.
“Call Andy Mason. He’s the best plumber in town and an old friend of mine. If you need any more help, let me know.”
She nodded, brushing the hair from Joey’s forehead. “Thanks for coming over tonight. I hope the rest of it is peaceful.”
“Good night, Maggie.”
“Good night,” she echoed, opening the front door to let them out.
The air was cold and smelled of snow. He walked to the SUV, a newfound hope making warmth spread across his chest. He wasn’t giving up on her yet. Not by a long shot.
Chapter Seven
Saturday night, Maggie once again had a smile affixed to her face, only this time it was natural. She stood to one side of the sanctuary in the church where she’d once planned to be married, waiting for the audience to take their seats.
The Stonecreek Christmas Pageant was a holiday tradition that had been part of the town’s busy December calendar since before Maggie was born. In fact, she’d played Mary twice, an unprecedented honor that her grandmother still reminded her of each Christmas season.
This year she had the responsibility of introducing the play since the event was being filmed for LiveSoft. She smiled at the kids who stood waiting behind the makeshift stage curtain they’d erected to one side of the pulpit. The group consisted of Mary, Joseph, shepherds and the wise men and women plus various barn animals played by children ranging in age from six to eleven. A few years ago they’d tried to use real animals for the pageant, but one of the sheep had relieved itself in front of the altar, leading to general pandemonium and a whole lot of tears. The building custodian put a moratorium on animals after that fiasco.
But tonight would be perfect.
The sanctuary was standing room only. The pageant was universally loved in town. Whether or not people had a child or grandchild participating now, everyone crowded in to see the current production. There’d be talk for days over coffee and at the local hardware store about the delivery of lines and how cute Mary and Joseph had been together. At least a half dozen of the holy couples from years past had gone on to date in real life when they reached high school. Trevor had been Maggie’s Joseph one year, although thankfully no one had reminded her of that recently.
Christian sat in the front row, sandwiched between his assistant Allyson on one side and Grammy on the other.
Griffin and Joey were behind them with Brenna and Marcus. Brenna’s daughter Ellie was making her pageant debut as a lamb. Trevor sat a few pews away. Despite his betrayal during their relationship, she still considered him a friend. They’d spent a lot of these December evenings together over the years. She’d gone to coffee with him before he left for his trip and was glad to see him so happy at the prospect of his new venture.
Suzanne Bayer, the youth minister overseeing the pageant, gave Maggie her cue from the other side of the stage. Maggie walked out, shielding her eyes slightly as one of the student volunteers working the lights shone a spotlight directly on her face.
“Welcome,” she said when she reached the microphone stand, “friends both old and new to Stonecreek and our annual Christmas pageant.” She inclined her head toward Christian, who winked and flashed what felt like a suggestive smile at such a public event. Maggie cleared her throat, ignoring Griffin’s narrowed eyes in the row behind the CEO. He couldn’t possibly have seen how Christian looked at her.
“This is one of my favorite events of the season,” she told the crowd. “In the craziness that often accompanies December, let’s take an evening to remember what Christmas is really about. The kids have worked hard this year and they have a special performance planned for you. Without further ado, I give you our Nativity play.”
She moved the stand to one side of the stage and lowered the microphone so that Lila Moore, the sixth grader who was narrating the pageant this year, could speak directly into it. As the girl spoke about the star of wonder appearing to the shepherds in the field, the kids in homemade robes tied with rope sashes filed onto the stage, along with a few floppy-eared donkeys and fluffy sheep.
Maggie watched from the shadows as the boy playing the star poked his head through the black curtain, only one star spoke getting stuck in the fabric. There was hushed laughter from the audience when a lamb sat back on his haunches and shoved a thumb in his mouth.
She glanced at the audience to see Christian watching the pageant with a look of bemused confusion on his face. It was almost as if he’d never seen children act before. He didn’t seem bored, so that was one thing in their favor at least.
Maggie’d watched the footage from his most recent visit to their rival town Timmins. He’d had a difficult time feigning attention at the gingerbread house contest where he’d been an honorary judge.
Behind him, Griffin leaned down to whisper something to Joey, who smiled broadly. Maggie’s heart stuttered as Griffin placed an arm around the boy’s small shoulders. Then he looked up and met her gaze. Her breath caught at the emotion he allowed her to see in his green eyes.
She turned her attention back to the pageant as Lila described Mary and Joseph’s journey and search for a place to stay with baby Jesus. The girl who was playing Mary, a tiny wisp of a thing with dark hair and big eyes made her entrance and the crowd applauded.
Mary was accompanied by a taller boy in the role of Joseph and another husky boy, who was acting as a donkey based on the floppy felt ears attached to the headband he wore and his gray sweatshirt and sweatpants. Someone had come up with the idea for Mary to ride in on the donkey so the kid with the ears was on all fours with the girl, who looked like she wanted to throw up from nerves, straddling his back, holding tight to the baby doll in her arms. At least they’d decided to forgo the actual birth of the baby and gone with a scenario where the Christ child had already be
en born as they traveled to the stable.
A hush fell over the audience as the trio made their procession across the stage. Even Maggie held her breath, wondering if the donkey was going to make it to the manger. The boy was quite a bit bigger than the girl playing Mary, but Maggie could see him wheezing for breath. Then a loud trumpeting noise broke the silence.
Maggie clasped a hand to her mouth. That couldn’t have been—
“You farted on me,” the donkey shouted, rearing up.
Mary tumbled from his back, smacking against the tile floor. “Did not,” she yelled back, scrambling to her feet.
“Jessica. Braden.” Mrs. Bayer leaned out from the other side of the church’s nave. “Stay in your roles.”
“She farted.” Braden threw up his hands. “I felt it.”
Laughter rang out from the audience and the other children let out a chorus of disgusted groans.
“Farting Mary,” one of the shepherds called, holding his staff in front of him like a shield.
“Shut up,” the girl, Jessica, hissed at the same time Mrs. Bayer hurried forward. But before she reached the pair, Jessica whacked Braden on the shoulder with the doll she held in her arms.
“She hit him with baby Jesus,” a girl dressed as a goat—or maybe a cow—yelled.
“It’s not baby Jesus,” the teacher said. “It’s my daughter’s doll. Everyone stay calm.” Her gaze darted to Maggie and she mouthed the words help me.
Right. Maggie needed to do something. Allyson was still avidly videoing the whole fiasco as the rest of the audience seemed to look on with a mix of horror and fascination.
“Close the curtain,” Maggie whispered to the volunteer standing behind her, then walked—with purpose she hoped—onto the stage. Suzanne Bayer was busy calming the donkey, who was furiously wiping at his back and complaining loudly about “fart juice.”
Maggie took Mary’s hand and lifted the doll out of her arms, doing her best to reswaddle it as she cradled the baby to her shoulder. She stepped closer to Lila, who was crying softly as she stared out at the crowd.
A Stonecreek Christmas Reunion Page 9