by Jeannie Moon
“You know, I spent a lot of time thinking about whether it was a good idea to come home. But I missed all of you.”
“We missed you, too.”
“Then let me work this out with Will on my own. I really care about him, Mom. And he seems to care about me. I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I think I should let myself try.”
Her mother stretched up and kissed Maggie’s cheek. It was barely there. “You’d better get going, you know how Grace and Claire are with lateness.”
Did she ever. Her sisters were obsessed with being on time. Maggie had spent eight years in the military, and even she wasn’t as crazy as Grace and Claire.
Mom stood just inside the door of her room, her hands crossed over her heart. “I love you, Mary Margaret, and I am so happy you are home. Don’t ever question that. We all are. But take things slow with Coach Fitz. This is new ground for you. For all of us.”
“I know, Mom. I know. But if the twins give me a hard time about Will, don’t be surprised if you find them locked in your pantry again.” Maggie smiled at the memory of the time her younger sisters locked her out of the house in a snowstorm. She was fifteen and in charge of the two girls while her parents had Matt at the doctor for a checkup. Once she was back in the house, she ambushed her sisters and locked them in the kitchen pantry. Her mother wasn’t amused at her discipline techniques, but her father declared she’d be a good cop someday.
“That wasn’t funny,” Mom said. “They were traumatized.”
“It was very funny, and I’m sure they’ve gotten over it. Now let me get dressed. Thanks for the muffin and coffee.”
Once her mother had left the room, Maggie could breathe. Her sisters were going to grill her about Will, there was no doubt about that, but how much she told them was up to her. Other than some kissing, nothing really happened between the two of them. Thankfully he’d kept his head on straight and didn’t take her to bed. Now that the alcohol had worn off, and she could think about what she wanted, Maggie knew she wanted to have sex with Will. No doubt about it, and it was a good thing the decision was made with a clear head.
Hearing her phone buzz, she picked it up expecting another text from her one of her sisters. It was Grace’s turn, as the twins had been alternating their messages, but she was pleasantly surprised to find a message from a very hot basketball coach.
How are you feeling? Hungover?
Eh. It could have been worse. I’m sorry about that. The wine went straight to my head.
Not a problem. I’ll see you around noon?
That’s perfect. I’m meeting my sisters for breakfast. I’m sure to be grilled about our date.
Ah. You’ll have to tell me how that goes.
I will. See you later.
Later.
And thank you for not letting me get carried away.
There was a pause in the message thread. She expected he really had to think about his response.
You’re welcome.
Did she tell him she fully intended to get carried away later on? Nah. She’d let him be surprised.
* * *
MAGGIE ARRIVED AT Lindsey’s, spotting her sisters right away. They were sitting on one side of a booth, while the other side of the table was empty, which Maggie assumed was her hot seat. The diner was completely decorated for Christmas. Garland framed each window, sparkly ornaments and lights adorned a big tree, and holiday music was being piped throughout the entire space. The whole staff wore bright red Santa hats, including Lindsey, the owner, who looked more like an elf with her long blonde hair and big blue eyes.
Claire was looking at her watch and Grace was chatting with Cooper Sammis. Poor guy, her sister was totally clueless about how he felt, even though Cooper was practically falling at her feet on Thanksgiving. Maggie’s arrival was well timed. She could put the man out of his misery. At least for today.
Sliding into the booth she smiled up at Cooper, and he looked at her like a kicked puppy. “Hi Coop.”
“You’re late,” Claire snipped.
Maggie glanced at her watch and rolled her eyes. “Two minutes, and since I only received the invitation for this command performance an hour ago, you’ll have to cut me some slack.”
“Hi, Maggie.” Cooper gave her his thousand-watt smile, and Maggie had to wonder if her lovely, sweet sister was stupid, blind, or both. The guy was a keeper, and he adored Grace.
“Cooper?” Grace cooed at him. Okay, maybe not clueless? “We want to talk to Maggie, could you let us have some privacy?”
“You want privacy here?” Maggie asked. “We’re in the busiest spot in town.”
“Yeah, of course. Hope to see you ladies at the bar later. We have a shoppers’ dinner special. Clam chowder, corn bread, your choice of sandwich, with waffle fries and a drink. We keep it cheap to lessen the damage to your credit card.”
“Mmm. Maybe we’ll see you later,” Grace said. “Your waffle fries are my weakness.”
That seemed to make Cooper happy, and as he walked away from the table, he caught Grace looking at his retreating form.
“Phew. I wish he wasn’t so sweet.”
Ha! She did know. “You know, I could almost forgive you for not responding to Cooper when I thought you were clueless that he was interested.” Maggie poured herself a cup of coffee from the carafe on the table, and added a dollop of cream. “But you know and you’re not moving on it? What is wrong with you?”
Grace dropped her head and Claire’s hand shot out and rubbed her back. “It’s complicated,” Claire said. “And nothing we’re going to talk about here.”
That stung. Her sisters had always been close. Naturally. It was the way it was with twins, but never had Maggie been made to feel like such an outsider.
“She didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” Grace’s hand shot out and grasped Maggie’s. “But we want to hear about your date with Will. I think it’s awesome. He’s so nice.”
They were hiding something from her. Something big. “What happened when I was away?”
“Nothing.” Claire was playing with her spoon, flipping it through her fingers at a faster and faster rate.
“Right. Okay.” They were lying to her. Both of them.
Claire smiled. “How was your date?”
“That depends. Are you going to report back to Mom and Dad? Because if you are, I don’t have anything to tell you. He’s very nice. We had a lovely dinner. I had too much wine.”
“Don’t be mad, Maggie. Mom’s worried.” Grace was always the peacemaker.
“Worried? About Will? Seriously? He’s nice, smart, handsome, and settled. What’s the problem?”
“She’s worried about you,” Claire’s hand shot out and covered hers. “That’s all. You’ve had a rough two years.”
“Yes,” Maggie said. “And that’s all the more reason for me to want to try to be normal again. To date. To have relationships. Maybe I’ll even get to have sex again! Yay!”
“Shhh,” Grace hissed.
“Shouldn’t you take it slow?” Claire sipped her tea.
“Slow?” Was her sister kidding? “I’ve been going slowly. I need to catch up now.”
“But Maggie…”
Now it was Grace. “No. There’s no ‘but Maggie.’ Listen to me.” She braced her arms on the table and pulled her sisters toward her. “I almost died. Twice. You don’t get to tell me how to live, and neither do Mom and Dad. I decide. Are we clear?”
No response.
No eye contact.
“Girls?”
“Yes,” the twins whispered.
“Excuse me? I couldn’t hear you.”
Her sisters, her lovely, altruistic sisters, didn’t know what to make of this Maggie. This Maggie was the naval officer. The leader. The survivor. She wasn’t a victim. Not anymore.
“Yes,” both of them said again.
Maggie sat back in on the bench seat and breathed out. “Good. Why don’t we eat? The blintzes look good, don’t you think?”
>
“Sure.” Grace opened her menu. “So, um, you really like him?”
“I do. He’s… he’s charming, and sweet… I… I feel very comfortable with him.”
“Really?” Claire’s eyebrows shot up. “What does comfortable mean, exactly?”
Maggie smiled, because she hadn’t been comfortable with anything or anyone in two years. “It means things are changing. Finally.”
* * *
MATT WAS AVOIDING him. Not easy when you were the head coach and he was the star player, but the kid was gifted. He managed to do just that. Will wasn’t ready to give up on him, but he couldn’t allow him to be a bully either. And that’s what this was all about. He wanted to keep Will away from Maggie.
He knew Matt had gone through some stuff. Maggie’s injuries had affected the whole family, but Matt didn’t have it that bad. He was a recruited athlete, a good student, and he had a great family. He had friends, a girlfriend, a future.
The team was clearing out of the gym and Matt hit the showers with the rest of the team. Will was just about ready to head to his office, when he saw Jim Benson hanging near the end of the bleachers. Damn.
Jim was as easygoing as a man came. Quite simply, he was a nice guy who loved his family. What Will didn’t know was if he was there to see Will about Matt, or Maggie. Either way, the look on the older man’s face told Will this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.
“How are you, Jim?” They shook hands but he still couldn’t make out what it was on his mind. “Thank you again for welcoming me with your family on Thanksgiving. It was a real pleasure being with all of you.”
“Obviously.” Jim grimaced. “I had no idea you were interested in Mary Margaret.”
Okay. At least now he knew why Jim was there. What did he say? He could evade or tell the truth. “I’m more than interested.”
“Oh?” Jim’s eyebrows shot up.
“Maybe I’m overstepping, I should let her speak to this, but I think Maggie and I could have something special going on. It’s a little soon, but I really care about her.”
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Jim rocked back on his heels, narrowing his eyes. He was thinking about what Will just told him, processing it like a good cop.
“My daughters are precious to me. But Maggie is different. She always has been. She was never content to sit on her laurels, you know? She worked. She wanted to be the best. Even now.”
Will sensed this in her. A competitive streak, a fire, which nothing could squelch, not even two near-death experiences. More than a metaphor, Maggie, quite literally, rose from the ashes.
“But when she was hurt,” he continued, “that love of life was gone. We seriously thought we were going to lose her. But she fought back. We made her feel guilty and selfish. I won’t apologize for it, but we were wondering for a long time if she’d forgive us.”
Will had to admire the man’s insight into his daughter. Someday, Will hoped he was half the father Jim Benson was. “I guess she found a way.”
Jim nodded. “Thank God. But we couldn’t do it all. PTSD is tricky. Everyone thinks a vet is going to snap and hurt people, but in most cases it’s quiet. They withdraw, avoid people. Getting her home was tough, but getting her to start living again, well, she needed something else, and it seems you’ve given that to her.”
“Excuse me?”
Jim grinned. “You think we’re blind? The way the two of you looked at each other on Thanksgiving, I knew this was coming. Mary Pat was in a little bit of denial, she still is, but I’ll get her to come around.”
“You’re okay with it, then?”
Patting his shoulder, Jim gave him a smile. “I’m fine. But…” He was still smiling. “If you hurt her, I might have to kill you. That’s just a little something to keep in mind.”
“All right, then.” Nothing like a warning.
“Look, Will. I know things happen. But Maggie is recovering. She talks a good game, but she’s not strong like she used to be.”
Maggie was damn strong, in his opinion, but he also didn’t know her like her family. “I’m always mindful of what’s happened to her. All I think about is how much she’s gone through and how much I admire her. But I think she’s stronger than you’re giving her credit for.”
“Good. That’s all I can ask for.”
Matt came out of the locker room, saw Will talking to his dad, and his face dropped. Reluctantly, he walked over when his father called him.
“Matty,” Jim said, “I’m going to lay this out.”
There was no response from the younger Benson, just a roll of the eyes.
“Your sister and Coach Fitz have something nice going on. It doesn’t change anything for you, but it could change everything for Maggie. While they figure this out, you will suck it up. Are we clear?”
Will had to admire Jim’s straightforward approach. It was no-nonsense, and practical. He reassured Matt, while looking out for Maggie. Father of the year material, all around.
“Sure. Whatever.” Matt nailed Will with a cold stare. “I’m going to the car.”
Jim didn’t say anything else when Matt walked away. “He’ll be fine. That was a better response than I expected.”
“Really?”
“Heh. Trust me. That was fine. Come by the house tomorrow. We’re decorating the house and tree, you can help.”
“Oh, okay. Sure. That sounds like fun.”
“Seeing Maggie later?”
The man was incorrigible. “What? The twins didn’t get anything out of her at breakfast?” Will joked.
A laugh burst from Jim’s belly. “Not enough. So, are you?”
“I’m picking her up in about an hour and we’re going shopping.”
“Shopping?”
“Hey, it makes her happy.”
“Good man, Coach,” Jim said as he walked out. “Good man.”
* * *
“HE INVITED YOU over tomorrow?”
“I couldn’t say no. He’d just given us his support by telling your brother to kill the attitude.” Will held Maggie’s hand as they walked around the outlet shops. The shopping center was set up like an Italian town: there was an ice skating rink, arches, and pedestrian walkways that were lined with different shops. So far he and Maggie hadn’t bought a thing, but they had gotten coffee, cookies, and chocolate.
Maggie stopped. She stared at their joined hands until she tilted her face toward his. The Christmas lights that framed all the rooftops and arches in town shone off her beautiful skin, sparkled in her eyes, and color reflected off her hair. It had gotten cold, and her cheeks and nose were a soft shade of pink.
“Um, there’s an us?” Her voice was low, soft. As light as a snowflake.
Will saw all he ever needed, all he ever wanted, in Maggie’s emotion-filled dark eyes. Pink stained her cheeks as a single tear tracked toward her chin. With his thumb, he grazed her cheek, and lingered there, catching the tear.
Pressing his lips to her temple, the warmth of her skin was a marvel. It took away the chill that had been part of his life for far too long.
Maggie pressed her body into his, and Will whispered the answer in her ear. The adoring sigh that came out on a breath made him fall a little but more.
“We are most definitely an us.”
Chapter Ten
‡
IT HAD STARTED to snow.
It wasn’t a hard snow, but a gentle reminder that the first day of December was in two days. Maggie hadn’t seen snow in three years—the last time she was home for Christmas. And remembering how she spent the past Christmas in a rehab unit in Texas, the snow made her happy.
It was yet another reminder that things were changing.
Maggie was curled into the corner of the couch at Will’s house, staring out the big front window, amazed at how things had changed in a few short weeks. She’d gone from hopeless to hopeful. Her life was far from perfect, but when Will settled next to her, handing off a mug of coffee, Maggie figured it was pretty
damn close.
“I love the snow. I’ve missed it.”
“I like it too, but I could use a break from it. The last two winters have been brutal.”
“Mom told me. But anything is an improvement for me, so I’ll take it.”
“True enough.”
The coffee was good, hot, and spiced up with a splash of Irish Crème. She was snuggled against the most amazing man she’d ever met, and they were an us. How wonderful was that?
The snow just made everything perfect. Finally, it was starting to feel like Christmas.
“Where are your Christmas decorations?” Maggie was in the mood for some Christmas bling, and Will’s house was in desperate need.
“In the basement. I have several big closets down there for stuff.”
“Stuff?”
“Yeah, things my parents gave me when they moved, mementos, Christmas decorations and the tree…”
Maggie was shaking off what she just heard. “Excuse me. Did you say the tree is in the basement?”
“Well, yeah.”
“It’s decorated then? You’ll get another one for the living room. If you rearrange some furniture you can put the tree in the big window.”
“We can do that now. I’ll go get the tree.”
As Will headed for the stairs, realization smacked Maggie upside the head. “Please, tell me, is this tree fake?
Seeing where this was going, he walked towards her, putting on a tough guy act that no one in their right mind would fall for. “What of it?”
“We cannot speak of this again. We need to go out and find a tree.” A fake tree. Maggie was appalled. Sure, she knew people had allergies, or cats, or they worried about fire, but she hadn’t had a real Christmas in years. One of the reasons she came home was just to catch the scent of a real tree.
“What’s wrong with the fake one?”
“Let me count the ways. Get your coat.”
“My coat? Maggie, are we really going out for a tree?”