“Mother, I’m leaving now. Please try to stay out of trouble,” she admonished with a laugh, bending to plant a kiss on her mother’s cheek. “And if you hear from Cody, please let me know immediately.” If she didn’t hurry, she was going to be late for Miss Barklay’s tea. And that, she knew, was an unpardonable offense. “I’m really worried about him,” Maggy added softly. Her mother’s eyes met hers for a moment, and Elizabeth smiled.
“Don’t worry, dear,” she said gently, patting Maggy’s arm. “I’m sure all is well.”
That, Maggy realized as she drove toward the academy, was simply a matter of opinion. How could all be well when she hadn’t seen Cody or Bobby in almost twenty-four hours?
Last night when she had sobbed her heart out on Cody’s shoulder, she’d admitted that she’d deliberately found fault with all the women prospects they had interviewed. Had Cody decided to find one on his own? The thought caused Maggy’s nerves to tighten in fear. She had so much to tell him; every moment that passed made her all the bolder. She had to find Cody, had to tell him what she’d decided. She had to tell him that she was ready to let her heart rule her head.
Pulling into the academy parking lot, Maggy grabbed her bag and hurried inside, her mind full of Cody.
“Margaret!”
Miss Barklay’s voice rang through the air and Maggy stifled a groan. Despite her personal problems and her worries, she had a responsibility to her boss tonight. Tonight, perhaps for the last time, she was Miss Margaret Magee, assistant headmistress of Miss Avalon’s Academy for Young Ladies.
Forcing a bright smile, Maggy moved through the crowded room, and headed toward Miss Barklay, who was talking to a large, distinguished-looking man.
“Margaret, I’d like you to meet Senator English. I’m sure you remember his daughter, Rebecca?” Miss Barklay’s inflection indicated that Maggy should remember the girl, not for her name or her father’s political standing, but for her infraction of the rules.
Maggy smiled and extended her hand. “Senator, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Your daughter Rebecca is a lovely young woman.”
“Why, thank you, Miss Magee,” Senator English replied, smiling as he took her hand. “Becky is quite fond of you, too. As a matter of fact, she’s spoken quite highly of you.” He glanced at Miss Barklay and a congenial smile lit his face. “It seems you two have similar tastes in literature?”
She knew he was speaking of his daughter’s contraband book—and her own. Aware of Miss Barklay’s probing eyes, Maggy returned his smile, instantly liking the man. “Yes,” she said with a laugh. “I guess we do.”
“Miss Magee,” he said sincerely. “I understand your credentials are impeccable. If you ever decide to leave Miss Avalon’s, please give me a call. I’m head of a committee that’s currently funding an experimental project that will hire capable educators to serve as fulltime consultants to students preparing for college. It’s my belief that in addition to a good basic education, students need a comprehensive program in order to pass the rigid tests required to get into a top-flight college.”
“Senator,” Miss Barklay interrupted sharply. “I’m sure Miss Magee appreciates your offer, but she has a very bright future here at Miss Avalon’s. Don’t you, Margaret?” Miss Barklay’s eyes were dark, and she was quite dearly annoyed that the Senator was trying to steal one of her staff out from under her nose.
“Thank you, Senator,” Maggy said, feeling genuinely flattered at the man’s offer. “That’s very kind of you. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Come along, Margaret, we have other guests to attend to.” Miss Barklay grasped Maggy’s elbow and steered her away from the senator, but not before he flashed Maggy a wink. Maggy smiled.
“Margaret,” Miss Barklay said as she dragged Maggy across the room. “I’d like you to meet Wadsworth Wellington. He is our new English instructor.”
Maggy turned, anxious to meet the man who thought Love’s Sweet Honor was worth a trip to her office.
Maggy’s eyes widened, and she stifled a smile. The man had the posture of a fishhook, the face of an apple left in the cellar too long, rheumy green eyes, and clearly not a romantic bone in his entire little body.
“Mr. Wellington.”
“Margaret,” he said with a flourish, extending a long, bony hand in her direction. Maggy took his hand. “And it’s Professor Wellington,” he clarified.
“Professor, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Maggy muttered, trying to extract her hand from his, which was cold and clammy.
“Actually, I’m not really an English instructor,” he confided, dipping his head toward her. “I’ve a Ph.D. in Linguistics.” His green eyes widened in delight. “Language is my passion. In fact words are the prevalent overlying factor in the social organization of humanity.” Maggy nodded her head blankly, glancing around the room as the man went on. “Really, Margaret, language’s true existence is not so much in the printed word, but in the sense of…community. Any disintegration of the community, whether geographical or by class differentiation, will cause distinct changes in the pattern of all of our words and languages. Don’t you agree?”
“Excuse me?” Maggy looked at him again, her mind whirling. Was this how she wanted to spend the rest of her life? Surrounded by pompous intellectuals who vied with each other to see who could be the most boring? Living her life boxed into a little room labeled Rules and Regulations?
“I say, Margaret, weren’t you listening to me?”
Maggy looked up at the professor, and a bright smile appeared on her lips. She knew without a doubt that this was not how she wanted to spend her life, and the professor, bless his unromantic heart, had just confirmed it.
Miss Avalon’s Academy for Young Ladies was a wonderful place, but it wasn’t for Maggy. Not anymore. There was a whole world out there waiting for her. Miss Avalon’s was her past. Now she knew that Bobby and Cody were her future.
“Professor.” Maggy laughed, throwing her arms around the startled man and planting a kiss on his cheek. “I was listening to you. In fact, I heard every word you said, and even a few that you didn’t. Thank you,” she gushed, kissing him again. “Thank you!”
“Margaret,” the professor stammered, freeing himself from her embrace and blushing down to the knot of his bobbing Adam’s apple. “Please, control yourself. This is hardly the time or the place.” He darted a glance around. “Meet me later at my place,” he whispered.
The front door screeched open and the well-modulated hum of the crowd subsided to a startled hush. It was like watching a slow-motion movie as all eyes turned toward the door.
“Mags!” Cody burst into the room with Bobby on his hip and her mother on his heels.
“Cody!” Maggy cried, pushing past the all-too-interested professor and the rest of the assembled faculty.
“Where have you been?” she demanded and Cody and Bobby exchanged glances. How could a simple little glance look so guilty, she wondered?
“Ma-ma,” Bobby cried, trying to climb out of Cody’s arms to get to her.
“Oh, Cody! Bobby!” Maggy threw her arms around the two of them, hugging them tightly, oblivious to the horrified gasps that surrounded her. “I’m so glad to see you!” She had lived in fear that Cody and Bobby had left her life. She had so much to tell Cody.
“Ma-ma,” Bobby cooed, winding his chubby arms around her neck and clinging to her. Maggy kissed him soundly on the cheek.
“Hi, Sport,” she whispered, giving him another kiss.
“I told you all was well, dear,” Elizabeth said with a smile. Maggy’s eyes rounded at the sight of her mother’s attire. It was a far cry from the outfit she’d had on when Maggy left the house. Elizabeth was now dressed in brown leather knee britches and—despite the oppressive heat—she wore a matching leather bomber jacket. On her head sat a leather aviator cap and goggles. Small tufts of gray hair escaped from under the earflaps of her cap, giving her mother the appearance of a blooming tulip. Her feet were adorned with her neon-green
running shoes, and she had Chester’s favorite pop beads looped around her neck.
“Nice outfit, Mother,” Maggy commented with a smile. “But don’t you think it’s a bit warm for bike riding?”
“Depends on what kind of bike we’re talking about.” Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled with delight. “Uh-oh,” she announced. “Here comes the dragon lady.”
“Margaret!” Miss Barklay marched up to them, her face red with anger. “What is the meaning of this? Who on earth are these—?”
“Mother.” Maggy frowned, ignoring Miss Barklay. “What do you mean it depends on what kind of bike riding? Just what kind of bike riding are we talking about?”
“Mags,” Cody broke in, bending to whisper in her ear. “I have to talk to you. Now. It’s important.” Cody grabbed her elbow in an effort to guide her toward the door, but Miss Barklay clamped a hand on her other arm.
“Margaret! What on earth is the meaning of this? Who are these people? And where are you going?”
Cody stopped abruptly and turned his attention to the stunned headmistress. “You must be Miss Barklay,” he said with a smile, grabbing her hand and pumping wildly. “I’m Wild Bill Cody. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, ma’am. I need to borrow Mags here for a moment, but we’ll be right back.” He plucked Bobby free of Maggy’s arms. “This here’s Bobby. Could you keep an eye on him for a minute?” Not giving the woman a chance to answer, Cody plopped the squirming toddler into Miss Barklay’s arms.
“Oh my!” Miss Barklay whimpered. She stared down her pointy nose at Bobby, and the child puckered up and blew a loud, wet raspberry right into her stunned face.
“Mags, let’s go.” Cody grabbed Maggy’s hand and headed for the door.
“Where have you been all day?” Maggy asked once they were outside. “I was so worried.”
“That’s what I have to talk to you about,” Cody said, slowly backing Maggy up against the dimly lit stone wall of Avalon Hall. “God, I missed you,” he whispered, dropping a quick kiss on her lips.
“Oh, Cody.” Maggy tightened her arms around his neck.
“Mags, honey, listen.” Cody lifted his hand to cradle her face. “You don’t have to worry about finding a woman for me anymore.”
“I know,” she said with a wicked smile.
“You know?” Cody frowned at her. “How do you know?”
“Because,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m going to accept the award for you.”
Cody stared down at her. “What!”
Maggy’s smile grew broader. “I said I’m going to accept the award for you.”
“Come on, Mags, you know you can’t do that.”
“Yes I can. Oh, Cody.” Sighing, Maggy pressed her temples against his chest. “I’ve got so much to tell you. I’ve done a lot of thinking and I realize now that everything you said was true. I was settling for crumbs in my life. Since I met you and Bobby, my life has changed.” Maggy stopped and looked up into his eyes. “Cody, Bobby’s future is just as important to me as it is to you.”
“But, Mags,” he protested. “What about your job? Your career?”
“Cody, my career is still important to me, but I realized that while it’s important it’s not the only thing in my life, not anymore. You’ve taught me so much.” She smiled. “Cody, you’ve shown me that life can be fun. It doesn’t always have to be rigid and uncompromising. You’ve given me something I never had before, the confidence to be myself. I guess maybe that’s why I just accepted my life before, just accepted the strict boundaries set for me by my position. I was hiding behind my job, Cody, hiding away from life. I don’t want to do that anymore,” she whispered softly, tears welling up in her eyes.
“No, Mags, that’s not true.” He shook his head. “I shouldn’t have said those things, Mags. I had no right.”
“You had every right, Cody. If it wasn’t for you…” Maggy’s voice faded as her heart filled with love.
“Oh, Mags,” he said softly, gathering her close again. “Last night, honey, when I saw how pained you were about finding me a woman, well, I finally realized just how hard it’s been for you. I know you never liked the idea to begin with, and I know the only reason you agreed to help me was to keep your mother out of trouble.”
“Cody, that’s not true. That’s not the only reason.” She cursed the day at the pool when Cody had asked her why she was helping him, and she had lied, telling him that keeping her mother out of trouble was the only reason. Why hadn’t she told him the truth?
“That first night, when your mom and I got arrested, I should have just taken Bobby and hightailed it back home. But I couldn’t. I was drawn to you from the moment I laid eyes on you. I can’t bear to see you so torn up like you were last night, knowing I was the cause. I knew you thought what I wanted to do wasn’t sensible, logical or—”
“Rational,” she supplied, looking up into his eyes and wondering why he looked so sad.
“Yeah, well, I knew last night I couldn’t hold you to a promise that goes against everything you believe in. It was wrong and unfair of me, and—”
“Oh, Cody,” she whispered, taking his face in her hands.
“No,” he said sharply, pulling away. “Let me finish. Maggy, I’ve never done a damn sensible thing in my life. But it’s not too late to start. I can’t let you throw away everything you’ve worked for. Don’t you see, honey, being headmistress was your dream. I can’t steal your dream from you. I just can’t. If I let you do this for me, if I let you accept this award, someday I know you’ll regret it. I’m grateful for the offer, Mags, you’ll never know how much it means to me. I’m very grateful, but I just can’t let you do that.” He smiled suddenly and touched her face.
No! The desperate cry echoed in Maggy’s mind, and she shivered as her stricken eyes met his.
“I appreciate all you’ve done for Bobby. Honey, he loves you more than anything in this world. Don’t think I don’t know how hard it was for you to come to this decision.” He sighed and dragged a hand through his hair. “You’re one very special lady. But I can’t and won’t let you do it. You deserve more, Mags, so much more.”
Maggy’s chest constricted with pain. Deserved? She stared at Cody with eyes blinded by tears. Stubbornly she blinked them back. Cody didn’t love her. He was grateful and appreciative, but it wasn’t love. Not the way she loved him. How could she have been so blind?
She had expected Cody to be thrilled and overjoyed at her offer. Apparently he wasn’t. He was grateful and appreciative, but she didn’t want his gratitude, she wanted his love!
Tears of humiliation burned her eyes; Maggy stubbornly blinked them away as she stepped out of Cody’s arms. What a fool she had been! She was willing to sacrifice everything for him, to let her heart rule her head, and Cody had turned her down. Rejected her. How could she love him so much and not have her love returned? He couldn’t love her and hurt her like this. Nothing had ever hurt like this.
“Now, honey, Bobby and I have to leave tonight. That’s what I came here to tell you. I’ve hired Priscilla and she’s going to accept the award for me. We’ve got a lot to do before the ceremony tomorrow night. I just came back to get our stuff.” Cody grabbed her tightly around the waist, pressing her close to him. “I want you to come to the award ceremony. Promise me, now?” he whispered fiercely. “Promise me!”
“I promise,” she whispered hoarsely. Cody gathered her up in his arms again, crushing her to him. With a wordless cry, Maggy went willingly, knowing it would probably be the last time she ever held Cody in her arms. She clung to him, holding on to him tightly, trying to memorize the feel of him in her arms.
“Mags,” Cody said, finally releasing her. “I have to go now.” He bent to kiss her brow. “Are you all right?”
She looked up at him. All right? He was walking out of her life and he wanted to know if she was all right?
Maggy nodded solemnly. She didn’t think she would ever be all right again.
“
Good. Mags, I’m sorry, but I’ve got to run. Bobby and I are driving back into Chicago tonight. Do you want to come in and say goodbye to him?”
Maggy shook her head. “I’ll see him tomorrow,” she lied, knowing she would never see either of them again. If she had to say goodbye to Cody and Bobby now, she’d fall apart.
“Bye, Mags.” Cody pressed a quick kiss on her brow, then turned and headed back inside. Wordlessly Maggy watched him, loving him.
Cody and Bobby were gone from her life as quickly as they had entered it. A sob caught in her throat and Maggy sagged against the wall, letting the tears finally come.
Great racking sobs shook her body, and Maggy cried until she had no more tears. How ironic, she thought, dabbing at her face. How utterly ironic that the first time she let her heart rule her head— Maggy pressed a hand to her throbbing temples, unable to bear thinking about it.
Perhaps it was better this way, she reflected, trying to stifle a fresh flood of tears. Cody had found the woman he needed, Bobby was going to get his scholarship, and Cody’s bosses at Adventure Publications were going to be pleased. All of Cody’s problems were solved. Cody was going back to his world, and she would be left with hers.
Her world.
Pulling herself upright, Maggy glanced around at the familiar grounds of Avalon Academy. Once upon a time all of this had been enough, but that was before a handsome, outrageous rogue had drowned her in his charm and stolen her heart.
I don’t have a right to steal your dreams, Cody had said. But without knowing it, that was exactly what he’d done. He was her dream.
“I love you, Cody,” she whispered, knowing he couldn’t hear her. Oh, Cody, I love you.
Chapter Ten
“Dear, I think Chester and I will go skinny-dipping this afternoon.”
Baby Makes Three: Heartwarming Love and Laughter Page 13