“My darling boy, the house will still be there after dinner,” Jemma said, giving Jack an indulgent smile. “Slow down before you choke on your food.”
“Yes, Mama.” Jack ate at a slower pace, but only moderately so. When the men finished, Thane offered to take both Lily and Jack with him to show Ian the house while Maggie and Jemma did the dishes.
“That was a delicious meal, Jemma. Thank you for inviting me,” Maggie said as she helped clear the table then began drying the dishes Jemma washed.
“I’m so glad you could come. I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to get away in the middle of the week, but so hoped you could join us.” Jemma smiled at her friend. “Did you enjoy the ride out here with Ian?”
“It was fine.” Maggie wondered what the woman had planned. As sure as she stood in the cabin drying dinner dishes, Jemma was up to something. “Not that I don’t always appreciate an invitation to come out here, because I most certainly do, but what inspired you to invite me to dinner tonight? Was there something you need help with?”
“Actually, there is. I wanted your advice on some color choices for the wallpaper in the house. You have such a wonderful sense of fashion and superb taste, I would truly appreciate your opinion.”
Flattered, Maggie smiled at Jemma. “I’m honored you’d value my opinion enough to ask.”
“Of course I value your opinion, Maggie, along with your friendship.” Jemma finished rinsing the last plate and handed it to Maggie then began putting away the dishes in the cupboard. “I also wanted your opinion on another matter.”
“Oh? What might that be?”
“If Ian is as good at kissing as he appears to be?”
Maggie nearly dropped the plate in her hand, managing to grab onto it before it crashed to the floor. “Jemma Jordan! What a question! How would I know and why do you care?”
Jemma giggled. “I care because it’s obvious the two of you are attracted to each other. He’s handsome, charming, fun, stable, and a good man. What more could you ask for?”
“Nothing. Not one thing. Ian’s practically perfect, if I was interested in becoming involved with a man, which I’m not.” Annoyed by Jemma’s prying, Maggie hung up her damp dishtowel and glanced around kitchen, looking for something to distract her from the uncomfortable conversation.
“But, Maggie, he’s clearly smitten with you. Has he done something to offend you? Is there something sinister about him of which we aren’t aware?” Jemma motioned for Maggie to take a seat in the rocker by the fireplace while she settled onto a side chair next to her.
“No, nothing like that. Ian is a fine man and reminds me a lot of Thane and Tully. Any woman would be fortunate to win his heart.” Despite her efforts to keep her tone light, Maggie’s voice held a note of regret.
“Why don’t you want to be that woman? It wouldn’t take much effort on your part to claim him as your own.” Jemma grinned when Maggie rolled her eyes and sighed in exasperation.
“You clearly aren’t listening to me, Jem. I’m not interested in falling in love, no matter how fine a man he is. I’ve done that once and it was more than enough.”
Jemma reached out and squeezed Maggie’s hand. “Maggie, I know you loved Daniel with your whole heart and it shattered when he died, but he wouldn’t want you to be alone for your entire life. You were such a young girl when he passed away. It’s not right or fair to deny yourself the opportunity to love again.”
Maggie had never stopped to consider what Daniel would want. She shook her head, unwilling to examine what Daniel would tell her, if he had the chance. “It doesn’t matter, Jemma. I can’t put myself through the pain of losing someone again.”
“What makes you think you’d have to? You might live long, happy lives and go peacefully together in your sleep when you’re old and gray.”
A brief picture of Ian with silver hair and wrinkles etched into his tan face filled her thoughts but she chased it away. “No. I won’t consider it. Besides, when did you turn into such a romantic? The moment you admitted your love for Thane was the moment your thoughts all addled.”
Jemma laughed. “My thoughts might be addled, but in such a wonderful, unexpected way. Being in love with Thane is the best thing that I’ve ever experienced.”
“He is a good man, Jemma. He deserves to be loved by someone as special as you.”
Jemma brushed at a stray tear and turned a watery smile on her guest. “But you deserve to be happy, too. A very wise woman told me before Christmas that one should never miss the opportunity for kisses. In fact, that very smart woman told me I should love Thane all I can while I can because I would never look back one day and wish I’d had more harsh words with him instead of kisses.”
Maggie scoffed. “She sounds like a bossy know-it-all to me.”
In fact, Maggie was the one who had sat in that very chair and offered the sage wisdom to Jemma when she struggled to figure out how to tell Thane she loved him.
“I wouldn’t call her that. She means well and she does share good advice. If only I could get her to accept a little of it.” Jemma raised an eyebrow at Maggie then broke into another smile. “Hasn’t Ian even tried to kiss you?”
“My stars, Jemma!” Maggie’s cheeks turned pink as she thought of the kiss she almost shared with Ian the previous afternoon. She would have not only allowed him to kiss her but also kissed him back if Ben hadn’t interrupted them with the invitation to dinner.
“Well, has he?” Jemma pried.
“If it will make you feel better and bring this painful conversation to a close, I’ll tell you that he almost did, but we were interrupted before it happened. Since averting that near disaster, I’ve come to my senses and will not allow myself to be in a similar situation.” Maggie rose to her feet and held out a hand to Jemma. “Now, if you are quite through with your interrogation, I’d like to see the progress on the house and the wallpaper samples that were so important that I needed to come for dinner tonight.”
“Wallpaper is a very serious topic.” Jemma grinned as she picked up a handful of samples, looped her arm around Maggie’s, and escorted her out the door.
“The house looks great, Thane. I can’t believe how quickly you’ve gotten everything finished. The outside appears completed.” Ian ran a hand over the smooth siding of the house as they walked along the front of the wrap-around porch. “I’m impressed.”
“I didn’t mind hiring some extra hands to help get it finished. There are some men in need of work and my wife is in need of her house.” Thane grinned as he opened the door and they walked inside. Lily ran into the parlor and spun around on her toes, singing a song she made up about “my bee-you-tee-full” house. The men grinned and moved down the hall to the room Thane would use as his office.
“I wanted your opinion on the type of wood I should use in here. We talked about putting in floor to ceiling shelves for books and I want to mount maps on that wall that show my mine holdings and property boundaries.” Thane turned around and looked at Ian. “What do you recommend?”
“That you and Jemma concoct better excuses to get Maggie and me together.”
Thane feigned an innocent expression while Ian shook his head.
“In case you’ve forgotten, you’ve already ordered the wood for this room, along with all the other rooms except for a few upstairs.” Ian frowned at his friend. “If you think I dinna see through your ploy to give us an excuse to ride out here together and back again, you are sadly mistaken. It seemed unduly convenient, especially with Tully out of town.”
“It was Jemma’s idea, but I admit, it didn’t seem like a bad one.” Thane leaned against a wall and crossed his arms over his broad chest, studying Ian. He liked the lumberman and thought he would be good for Maggie. She needed someone to love, someone who made her laugh and live again. “Look, Ian, I’ve known Maggie for a long time. I was there when she lost Daniel. Tully and I picked up the pieces and helped her move on as best we could, but something in her died with Daniel. She’s
determined not to allow anyone into her heart again, but she needs to love and be loved.”
Ian stared at him without making a comment.
Thane sighed and ran a hand through his hair before giving Ian an apologetic look. “It isn’t any of our business. However, Jemma thought if we gave you an excuse to be together that Maggie would give up her foolish notion to be alone and acknowledge her feelings.”
Ian straightened as he looked at Thane. “Feelings? You think she has feelings for me?”
Thane chuckled and reached over, slugging Ian playfully on the arm. “Are you blind, man? A woman doesn’t look at a man like Maggie looks at you unless there are some deep feelings flowing through her veins and heart. Whether she likes it or not, Maggie cares about you and, unless my wife is completely mistaken, you care about her, too.”
“I do, but so far she’s not been very receptive to my attentions.” Ian hated to admit the one woman who caught his fancy was the one who didn’t reciprocate his interest.
Thane shook his head and walked toward the door of the room, motioning for Ian to follow him. “In my experience, the best thing to do is not give up. Some women are definitely worth the wait.”
“Is that what happened with you and Jemma? I thought you’d only known her a few weeks before you wed.” Ian stopped in the hall and studied Thane, trying to picture him suffering from the same lovesick feelings he experienced.
“You could say we got off on the wrong foot and everything I did further aggravated her. She married me because of the kids, but by the time we left England we’d fallen in love. Neither one of us wanted to admit it, though. It took a few months for us to come to our senses, but since then, I couldn’t be happier. Jemma is…”
“Rather anxious for you to finish our house,” Jemma interjected as she and Maggie breezed inside the house, grinning at the men. “Maggie’s going to help me choose the wallpaper. Thane, did you ask Ian about the wood for the upstairs bath?”
“No, my lady, but I’ll get his opinion this very moment.” Thane executed a distinguished bow to the two women. Lily giggled as she ran up behind them.
“Carry me upstairs, Daddy!” Lily held out her arms to her father and he swung her up, kissing her cheek.
“Come on, Ian, let’s take a look upstairs. We’ve been given our orders.”
Ian grinned and waggled an eyebrow at Maggie then followed Thane and Lily upstairs while Jack trooped along behind.
Upstairs, the men discussed the benefits of specific types of wood to use in the bathroom. In the downstairs parlor, Maggie looked at Jemma’s choices for wallpaper and offered her suggestions.
When the men returned downstairs, Ian thanked Thane and Jemma for the meal and company. He suggested it was time to return to town before the evening grew too dark to see the road home.
Maggie hugged Jemma then picked up Lily and kissed the little girl’s rosy cheek. When she set her down, she gave Jack’s shoulder a friendly squeeze. “Thank you for a wonderful evening. I so appreciated not having to make myself dinner tonight.”
“It was a treat to have you join us. You know you’re welcome anytime,” Thane said, hugging Maggie. He lowered his voice and bent closer to her ear before he let her go. “Give Ian a chance, Mags. He’s a good man and would take good care of you.”
Maggie stiffened and pulled away from Thane, frowning with disapproval. “I don’t see how that is any of your concern, Thane Jordan. You and Jemma need to focus more on your house and less on stirring up trouble in the lives of your friends.”
“I’ve got time for both.” Thane smirked as he walked Maggie to the corral. He joined Ian in catching the horses.
Maggie swung up to the saddle. She gave Thane and Jemma a final warning glance before riding out of the ranch yard with Ian.
“That was an interesting dinner,” Ian mused as they rode along the quiet trail back to town. “Did you and Jemma talk about anything of interest while you did the dishes?”
Maggie could have sworn Ian had stood at the door listening to them talk by the knowing look on his face. “I’m sure nothing we discussed would interest you — just topics of importance to women. Girl stuff.”
“Girl stuff, huh? Why do you think that wouldn’t interest me?” Ian waggled his eyebrows at her. “I’m interested in girls in general, you in particular, and would love to discover more about your stuff.”
Too amused to be offended, Maggie laughed. “Mr. MacGregor, you do say the most outlandish things. What am I going to do with you?”
Ian gave her a rakish wink. “I’ve got a few ideas. Care to hear them?”
“No, sir. I don’t believe I do.”
Chapter Nine
Maggie clipped the last thread on the suit she’d spent the last several days creating for Ian. She wanted to finish it in plenty of time to have him try it on and make any final adjustments before he left for the lumber meeting in Portland.
It was a simple matter to take his measurements from the old suit, but she wanted to make sure it fit him perfectly. In addition to the pants, topcoat and vest, she’d also sewn him a shirt and a silk tie. She could hardly wait to see what the ensemble looked like on him.
An overpowering interest in how the suit appeared on his striking form stemmed from her fascination with fashion and certainly had nothing to do with the man who would model the clothes.
A quick glance on the wall confirmed Ian’s help at the lumberyard should have all left for the evening. She decided to walk over and see if Ian would like to join her for supper. Afterward, he could try on the suit.
Maggie locked the door to her shop and strolled toward the end of town in the direction of the lumber mill. The fragrance of loamy earth blended with the sweet and spicy aroma of flowers. As she made her way past a row of houses with neat yards, she smiled, enjoying the pleasant evening.
“Hello, Mrs. Eagan. Lovely day, isn’t it?” Maggie smiled at the pastor’s wife as the woman rushed toward her carrying a basket full of groceries.
“It is a lovely day, Maggie.” Mrs. Eagan smiled at her and slowed her steps. “Are you keeping busy with orders for summer dresses?”
“I certainly am. Your new shirtwaist should be finished next week. I’ll let you know as soon as it’s ready for a final fitting.”
“That would be fine, Maggie, dear. Enjoy your evening.” Mrs. Eagan hurried down the street toward the parsonage.
“I plan to,” Maggie muttered to herself, anticipating an evening of enjoyable conversation if Ian agreed to dine with her. Reluctant to examine the reason the mere thought of spending an hour or two in his presence left her undeniably invigorated, she nearly skipped the rest of the way to the lumber mill.
Maggie checked in at the office to see if Ian was there. The door was locked so she walked across the meadow to his house. The brand on the gate caught her eye. An amused smile rode her lips as her hand grazed over it and made her way up the walk to the front door.
She knocked on the door three times in succession and waited. And waited. Briskly tapping on the door again, she still received no response. No one moved around inside and she finally decided Ian must not be home.
All of his horses were accounted for when she walked over to the pasture. As she stood by the fence, trying to decide what to do, Cap trotted over, seeking attention.
“Where’s Ian, Cap? Is he around here someplace?” The horse bobbed his head, giving Maggie the impression he tried to respond to her question. “Should I keep looking? Is that what you’re telling me?” The horse rubbed his head against her arm, making her grin. “Okay, boy. I’ll keep looking. You behave yourself.” She gave his head a thorough rubbing then walked back toward the house and tried knocking one last time.
She wondered if Ian might be at the river, fishing or some such thing, and decided to check. The green grass of the meadow absorbed her footfalls as she strolled over to the bank and looked out at the water.
Ian appeared below her, shirtless, with his back turned toward her.
Ensnared by the sight of his tan, muscled skin, she lost the ability to speak while she ogled him. He disappeared into the water and resurfaced, tossing back his head and sending water droplets dancing in a glittering arc into the air.
As Ian began to rise out of the water, Maggie’s mouth formed a perfect “O” at the sight before her. He brought to mind stories she’d read of Greek gods in mythology books with his broad shoulders, chiseled form, and golden head.
Before she saw more of him than she dared, Maggie forced her feet to move and silently started back in the direction of the house.
“Maggie?” Ian’s voice drew her to a halt before she reached the path to the lumberyard.
“Yes?” Embarrassment sent flames of heat up her neck and across her cheeks. Maggie’s gaze bore into the ground in front of her while Ian dashed her plans of escaping unnoticed.
“Lass, what are you doing out here?” Ian touched her arm. She turned around, shocked to find him wearing nothing more than a towel wrapped around his waist.
Water glistened in his hair and on his skin, accelerating her desire to reach out and slowly brush away each drop. He looked even better from the front than the back, if that was possible.
For one brief, wild moment, she wondered what he would do if she traced the outline of one of his muscles with her finger. Daniel had certainly never looked like that beneath his shirts, but then again, he’d been a smaller, much younger man.
“I… um… I was going to… that is, I wanted to tell you, um…” Maggie stuttered and stammered, forcing Ian to hold back a chuckle. She refused to meet his gaze although her eyes continued to travel up and down the length of him.
“Yes, lass, what is it? Just spit it out.” Ian took pleasure in her discomfort although her scrutiny of his anatomy left him a little unsettled. By the look on her face, he assumed she liked what she saw.
“I wanted to invite you to dinner and have you try on your suit to make sure it fits, but I couldn’t find you.” Maggie turned her back to Ian and started walking. “We can do it another time.”
Thimbles and Thistles: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Baker City Brides Book 2) Page 9