The only thing that saved her more awkwardness on the drive home was having her own car. Sloan had followed her, and when they’d arrived at the house, he’d said good-night and used the outside stairs to go to his room.
Danielle was peacefully sleeping and Josie had gone to bed. Maggie was alone and couldn’t shut off her thoughts.
“Maggie, I—”
“Dear God—” She started at the unexpected male voice behind her. Her pulse throbbed when she turned around to face Sloan. “You scared me.”
“Sorry. Next time I’ll whistle. Or clear my throat. Or something.”
“Yeah. Something.”
She saw that he’d changed out of his expensive dark suit and silk, charcoal tie. The jeans and cotton shirt with its sleeves rolled up made him look every bit as attractive. Sexy, in a rugged way. That just proved dangerous thinking could happen even when you were cutting up vegetables.
They stared uneasily at each other for several moments, then finally she remembered he was a paying guest. She’d freshened his room that morning and replaced the towels.
“Is there something you need?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll get it for you right away. How can I help you?”
“You can talk to me.” He moved closer, stopping at the kitchen island that separated them. His light brown eyes darkened and began to smolder as he stared at her.
Her heart started pounding again and it had nothing to do with being startled. He didn’t want to discuss sheets, towels, the B and B’s choice of body lotion or lack of a chocolate on his pillow. This was personal and didn’t come under the heading of hospitality.
“It’s late, Sloan. I have a busy day tomorrow and you probably do, too. Can we talk another time?”
“I’d prefer to have a conversation now. If you don’t mind.” He folded his arms over his chest. “While you’re vulnerable.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s not what you’re thinking. I’d never take advantage of you. But I need to understand what happened tonight at Bar None.” He didn’t look confused as much as determined not to let her off the hook.
“Okay.” She gave him points for being straightforward. It was a little unexpected, given his well-publicized dating history. “But I’m not sure what you mean about something happening tonight.”
“Have you ever heard the expression when you bury your head in the sand you leave your backside exposed?”
“No. But I get it.”
“Do you?” he challenged. “If you think there wasn’t a thing tonight, then you’ve got more than your head buried in the sand.”
“Maybe you should define it for me,” she suggested. It could be something else, although that thought was proof of her attempting to bury her head in said sand.
“Okay.” Intensity shone in his eyes. “Tonight at the bar I was having a good time. Things were easy between us. Joking, laughing. Unless I miss my guess, you were enjoying yourself. Or am I wrong?”
She couldn’t tell a lie. “You’re not wrong.”
Some of the tension eased in his jaw and he looked a little surprised. As if he hadn’t expected her to admit he was right. “The truth is, I’d very much like to take you out again.”
Once more she had to be honest. “I can’t do it.”
“What? Have fun?”
“I have nothing against fun,” she said. “It’s going out with you I have a problem with.”
“Why?”
“It’s not fair to you. I have a child—”
“You can’t hide behind Danielle forever.” Sloan shook his head and the muscle in his jaw jerked. “Things were fine tonight until you mentioned your husband and realized you were having fun. Then it was as if you’d committed an unforgivable sin because for a little while you were a woman who was having a good time with a man and forgot to be a widow.”
“You make it sound as if I pull out that designation to wear as a Halloween mask.”
“Your words.”
“You don’t know me well enough to make that call,” she accused.
“I’ll tell you what I do know.” He put his palms flat on the granite island and leaned toward her. “I get that you lost your husband, the man you loved and built a life with. The father of your child. I also admit that I have no idea what you went through. But I do know that it’s been several years.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“I’m getting to that,” he said. “The night we kissed, you kissed me back.”
“How do you—”
He held up a hand to stop her. “You are forever bringing up my reputation with women. Even if only half of the stories are true, it implies that I have a certain level of understanding and familiarity with the fairer sex. I know when there’s a spark and when there isn’t.” His gaze held hers. “You and I could have started a forest fire with all the sparks swirling around us.”
Maggie realized he had a point. And she knew her own romantic history could never compete with his in terms of experience. She wasn’t good at pretending and wished she could take back that kiss. The fact that he had a point took a lot of the starch out of her comeback choices.
The best she could do was “An out-of-control fire leaves nothing but scorched earth behind.”
“That sounds like an Asian proverb and brings me to my point. I do have one,” he said. “Either you’re still in love with the husband you lost and there’s no room in your heart for another man. Or—”
She realized she’d been holding her breath, waiting for him to say the rest. Part of her was afraid to hear the or, but she couldn’t stop herself from asking, “Or what?”
“Or you don’t believe you deserve to be happy.”
That struck a nerve. “Since when does a building contractor dabble in psychobabble?”
“Almost never. But, for some reason, I can’t help it with you. So sue me.” He dragged his fingers through his hair. “If you’re still in love with your husband, that’s the end of it. But if you’re afraid to be happy, there’s something I can do about that.”
“Like what?”
Sloan stared at her for several moments without saying anything. Then he just smiled before turning away and walking out of the room.
Maggie had thought there was a lot to think about before. Now her mind was humming with questions about what Sloan planned to do about making her happy.
Chapter Nine
“Sorry I’m late, Maggie.” Jill Stone slid into the booth and let out a sigh. The redhead smiled across the table. “Bet you thought I was going to cancel again.”
“When one has children, plans are automatically subject to change at a moment’s notice. And I was so confident and optimistic that you would be here, I let the hostess seat me.” She grinned at her friend. “I’m just glad you made it this time. Let’s call it diner lunch, take two.”
“Works for me.”
“I know C.J. is in school. Where’s Sarah? I’m sure you didn’t leave her by herself,” Maggie said.
Jill laughed at the very idea of it. “My daughter is with her nana and papa. Adam’s folks are here from Texas for a visit. They love babysitting.”
“Aren’t grandparents the best thing ever?” Maggie was lucky to still have her mom. Unfortunately Danny’s parents had both passed away even before their son got married. It was sad that Danielle wouldn’t have a chance to meet the Potter side of her family. Again there was a stab of guilt over putting off children and the wish that she could change the past.
“The best ever,” Jill agreed.
“I guess C.J. is feeling better now?”
Jill shuddered. “It was a nasty virus. Went through the whole family. We ran out of tissues and poor Adam was blowing his nose on toilet paper.
At least I never made it here and exposed you. You’re lucky.”
Maggie’s luck was open to interpretation. She’d had lunch with Sloan the day Jill had canceled on her and it had been fun. But he’d also said that her declaration about no more kissing sounded like a challenge. One he’d so far resisted. And the other night he’d implied that he planned to do something to convince her to not be afraid to be happy.
“How’s Danielle?” Jill asked.
“Great. Growing too fast. Does it sound horrible if I say that she’s the most beautiful, brilliant, sweet, adorable child in the whole world?”
Jill pretended to be shocked. “She can’t be. My Sarah is the most stunning, smart, kind—”
“Yeah, yeah.” Maggie laughed. “I guess every mom feels that way about her kids.”
The server, Brandon Sherman, walked over. “Hi, Maggie. Jill. I see you two made the lunch date work this time. Everyone’s okay?”
“My children cooperated by staying healthy,” her friend said. “How are you, Brandon? What’s going on in your life? Not that we don’t enjoy hearing about everything, but it helps us remember what it was like to be young.”
“Yeah, you guys are pretty old. Just saying...” He grinned, then said, “I’m great. My online classes are okay. Getting some units out of the way.” The teen shrugged. “Just socking away money for school in the fall.”
“Where are you planning to go?” Maggie asked. “Somewhere warm?”
“I wish.” He grinned. “The University of Montana.”
“Do you know what you want to study?” Jill looked at the young man.
“Chemical engineering, I think.”
“Wow. Good luck with that,” Maggie said. “I guess you’re not going to follow your father’s footsteps into construction.”
Brandon winced. “I have two left thumbs where tools are concerned. And anyway, my dad would be a tough act to follow. He’s an artist.”
“It’s true,” Jill chimed in. “When Adam and I had our house built in the Lake Shore subdivision, your dad made the cabinets and they’re perfect. He works with Alex McKnight.”
“Aren’t they involved in the renovations at Blackwater Lake Lodge?” Maggie asked.
“They are,” Brandon confirmed. “And with the resort project breaking ground soon, there’s some job security for him. Plus, an added financial source for me if necessary.”
“You’re going places, Brandon. Your parents must be very proud of you.” Maggie admired the whole hardworking family.
“Not so much when it comes to cleaning my room or taking out the trash.” He grinned and it made him look impossibly young. “I’m glad you guys finally got together for lunch. Although, speaking of that, Maggie did okay when you canceled. She ended up eating with Sloan Holden.”
“Oh?” Jill’s eyes glittered with the need to know more.
“I’ll tell you later.” Maggie looked at Brandon. “As you probably already are aware, we don’t need menus. I’ll have the chicken salad with oil and vinegar dressing. And a diet cola.”
“Not me.” Jill was looking superior. “I lost weight when I was sick and have room to be bad. I’d like the Mama Bear combo and iced tea.”
The teen wrote it on his pad. “Coming right up, ladies.”
Maggie watched him walk away. “He’s so cute. Someday in the not too distant future he’s going to be a heartbreaker.”
“You’re so right.”
“But let’s talk about that burger and fries. You’re really going to eat it in front of me?” Maggie grumbled.
“Oh, yes. And I plan to savor every bite.”
“I may have to steal one, maybe two, of your fries.”
“Of course. What are friends for? On one condition,” Jill added.
“What?” Here we go, Maggie thought.
“You have to tell me how you ended up with Sloan. What happened?”
“Nothing.” Not that day anyway. “When you canceled, I started to leave just as he was coming in. We said hello and the hostess assumed we were two for lunch.” She shrugged. “So he insisted we sit at the same table.”
“Insisted? You didn’t want to?” Jill gave her a “what the heck is wrong with you” look. “I saw him at the chamber of commerce meeting last week. He’s gorgeous.”
“Looks aren’t everything.”
“No, but it’s not a bad start. And he’s renting a room from you. Is he a jerk?”
“Not so far.” It would be easier if he were. “He seems like a nice guy. He’s not around much, but when he is, Danielle won’t leave him alone.”
“Oh?”
“On his very first morning at Potter House she was fussy and didn’t want either Josie or me. Plus, I was trying to get breakfast on the table.” Maggie remembered how he’d jumped in to help. Like a white knight to the rescue. “He made the mistake of taking her outside, which is her favorite place to be. Now he’s her hero. The way she acts, you’d think he walks on water.”
“So put a check mark in the good-with-kids column.” Clearly Jill was being a loyal friend and wearing her matchmaker’s hat.
Still, Maggie was relieved when Brandon arrived with their food, salad for her, burger and fries for Jill. Then he set the drinks in front of them.
“Ketchup is on the table.” They gave him a really-this-is-us look and he shrugged. “I know you know, but it’s habit. Anything else I can get you?”
“No,” they both said.
“Enjoy your lunch.”
Maggie knew her friend well and was aware that she would go back to digging for information on Sloan unless she changed the subject. “How are things with you and Adam?”
Jill glowed, and it had nothing to do with her red hair. Quite simply she radiated happiness. “I don’t want to say perfect, but it’s pretty darn close. Adam is a wonderful man. Handsome, smart, funny, kind. Great with the kids.”
“This is coming perilously close to mom bragging,” Maggie teased.
“It’s different. Trust me.”
“How so?”
Jill looked thoughtful, as if trying to find the words to explain. “With kids you love them unconditionally because they come into your life tiny, sweet, innocent. Their future is a blank slate. But when a man becomes part of the equation it’s complicated. Everyone comes with flaws and baggage.”
“But it’s worked out for you.” Maggie wasn’t asking. She didn’t need to. The truth was there on Jill’s face, the happiness that made her glow.
“Yes, it worked out pretty darn well.” She picked up a fry and bit into it. “We love the new house. It’s big and beautiful, but the best part is that Adam has an office right off the family room. I don’t mean I like that he has to do paperwork, just that he’s home when he does it. Close to the activity.”
“Must be nice having him there.” Maggie speared some lettuce with her fork.
“It is. He helps C.J. with his homework, and when the weather’s nice they play ball outside. My son adores Adam and I’m glad C.J. has a positive role model.”
“That’s so great.”
Smiling, she said, “And he’s so sweet with Sarah. He plays with her, whether it’s a tea party, dolls or just tickling to make her giggle. That makes us all laugh. It’s the cutest thing.”
“Children laughing is the sweetest sound.”
Maggie felt regret stab her in the heart. Danny never had the chance to see his daughter, let alone play dolls with her or hear her laugh. The sadness that was never far away welled up and stole her appetite. She picked at her salad and sipped her cola. Jill went to town on her burger and ate most of it, but left a few bites.
“I’m so full.” She looked across the table and frowned. “Don’t you want some of these fries?”
Maggie shook her head. “No, th
anks.”
“Are you sure?” Jill pushed. “I thought we’d have to arm wrestle for them.”
“Actually, I’m not that hungry.”
“Is everything all right?” Jill leaned forward a little. “We’ve been friends for a long time, so I’ll know if you’re just putting on a brave face.”
“Okay, then, I’ll come clean.” Maggie knew her friend was right and would see through her. “I envy you. I’m not proud of it, and I don’t want to say jealous because somehow that sounds resentful and spiteful. So I’ll say it this way. I’m envious of the fact that you have such a beautiful family.”
“I know you mean it in the nicest possible way and are happy for me,” Jill said.
“Absolutely true. You have everything that I ever wanted.”
Jill reached over and squeezed her hand. “You can still have it. The right man will come along. Maybe he already has. Sloan seems—”
“No. A person gets one shot at happy-ever-after, and mine died with Danny.”
“Maggie, keep an open mind. You just never know what’s going to happen.”
True. If she had, she would have agreed to have the child her husband had so intensely wanted. Her chest tightened with sadness, regret and a healthy dose of guilt. If he could have known his daughter she might feel differently, but right now she felt that she owed a debt that could never be repaid.
Guilt was turning out to be Maggie’s new best friend. It pricked her now because she’d turned this lunch into a slushy, mushy outing and her friend needed lighthearted. Subject change pronto.
“Speaking of not knowing what’s going to happen, what can you tell me about the man who bought your old place by the marina on the lake?”
“His name is Jack Garner and he’s a writer. His first book was a runaway bestseller. Apparently he’s working on the second one and was looking for a quiet place. He liked that mine had an apartment for his office and one for living space. Plus, views of the lake and mountains.”
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