Love Inspired June 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: The Cowboy's HomecomingThe Amish Widow's SecretSafe in the Fireman's Arms

by Carolyne Aarsen

  “This is incorrect. You undercharged me,” she said.

  Sally-Anne waved a hand in dismissal. “Professional courtesy. Your cousin is a member of the Paradise Small Business Association with me. Besides, your hair is the best word-of-mouth advertisement I could ever hope for.”

  “Thank you, so much,” Maggie said.

  “Thank you. Remember a good haircut is like a good marriage. You do your part, and I do mine.”

  “I’m not sure I can live up to my end of this...marriage. I haven’t looked this good in my entire life.” Maggie stared at herself in the mirror behind the counter. She swung her head and the layers moved and then settled in attractive disarray.

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You had the basic resources to start with.”

  “No. It’s all you, Sally-Anne. You’re an artist.”

  Sally-Anne purred. “Now I know why Jake likes you. You’re nice, even if you are breaking the heart of every woman in Paradise who is in love with Jake MacLaughlin.”

  “No. No. Jake and I... He doesn’t.”

  “No worries. I didn’t say this would stop the rest of us from trying.”

  Maggie couldn’t resist a laugh.

  “See you at the supper,” Sally-Anne said, as she handed a hot pink shopping bag to Maggie. “Oh, and here’s a coupon for fifty percent off a manicure.”

  Instinctively Maggie curled her nails into her palms. They were a mess from yard work. “Thank you.”

  “Are we still on for lunch?” Susan asked as she linked her arm through Maggie’s. “My treat.”

  “Sure.”

  “Patti Jo’s?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Maggie and Susan strolled down Main Street to the corner, where the red doors of Patti Jo’s Café and Bakery welcomed them. When Susan opened the door, Aunt Betty stood on the other side.

  “Mother,” Susan said. “Are you getting off work?”

  “Lunch break. I saw you two coming down the street through the window. May I join you?”

  “Of course,” Susan said.

  “Maggie.” Aunt Betty’s eyes popped wide. “Your hair. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without a ponytail. You’ve worn a ponytail since you were a little girl. You look so different.”

  “Is that good?”

  Aunt Betty cocked her head and stared at her. “I think it’s good, but Maggie, you’re a beautiful woman. Are you ready for that?”

  “What do you mean, Aunt B?”

  “You might not be prepared for the attention you’ll be getting.”

  “Mom is telling you to get used to it, Mags. Life as you know it is about to change.”

  “That’s a stretch.” Maggie fingered her bangs. “But, I guess I never realized how bad I looked before.”

  “You never looked bad. Simply a case of hidden potential,” Susan said.

  They’d only barely slid into a high-backed booth when Susan’s phone trilled. She dug in her leather satchel and pulled out her cell. “Excuse me. I’m going to slip outside and take this.”

  Maggie’s gaze wandered around the room, taking in the black-and-white tiled floor, the cute retro-style cherry-red and aluminum tables and booths. “How long have you worked here, Aunt B?”

  “I only work in the spring and summer. It’s very busy when the tourists hit town and I like having a little extra cash of my own to put away for the holidays.”

  Susan appeared back at the table. “I’m so sorry. A shipment just arrived and I’ve got to deal with the vendor. With the Founder’s Day supper I’ve got all sorts of merchandise I have to get on display.” She looked at Maggie. “Mom will take good care of you, Maggie.

  Aunt Betty patted Maggie’s hand. “It’s okay, Susan. We’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll stop by Saturday morning to help you dress for the parade.”

  “I can dress myself, you know,” Maggie said.

  “I’ll see you Saturday morning.” Susan waved and headed for the door.

  “Susan...”

  The waitress appeared at their table, cutting off Maggie’s opportunity to protest.

  “What do you recommend, Aunt Betty?”

  “The chicken Caesar wraps. Best in town.”

  Maggie smiled at the young redheaded waitress. “Two wraps then.”

  “And to drink?”

  “Iced tea, please,” Maggie said.

  Her aunt handed the menus to the teenage server. “I’ll have the same. Oh, and Julia, have you met my niece, Maggie?”

  The girl smiled. “No, but I heard about you.”

  “It wasn’t my fault!”

  “Excuse me? Oh, I meant Beck. He told me that he works for you. He actually talks about you a lot.”

  “You’re a friend of Beck’s?”

  The teen blushed. “Yes. He’s really brilliant, isn’t he?”

  “Yes. All that and something else,” Maggie agreed. “Nice to meet you, Julia.”

  “You, too.”

  “Wow,” Maggie said as Julia walked away, a dreamy smile on her face. “Can you say ‘crush’?”

  “You think so?”

  “For sure, Aunt B.”

  “Young love.”

  “Beck has tunnel vision. He probably has no clue.”

  “Speaking of romance, Maggie, how are you doing?”

  “Me? Romance?” Maggie looked up from the dessert menu. “What do you mean?”

  “This Saturday is the date you would have been getting married.”

  “I know. My bank account reminded me this morning.”

  “Apparently you aren’t bemoaning the loss.”

  “Only the dent on my savings after I sent a check to my parents for all the deposits they lost.”

  “Oh, Maggie, you reimbursed your parents?”

  “I was the one who ran.”

  “Hmm.” Aunt Betty shot a stern frown at Maggie. “I was under the impression that the engagement and arrangements were your parents’ idea.”

  “I’m thirty-two years old. I should have put my foot down before everything got out of control. And it was way out of control, believe me.” She took a small drink of water. “Anyhow. That’s behind me now.”

  “Is it? Have you talked to your parents since you left?”

  “No. I’m avoiding another conversation, as is my ‘head in the sand’ way.”

  “Maggie, you need to check in with them.”

  “I will. Sunday is Father’s Day. I’d planned to call then.”

  Maggie folded and unfolded her napkin. “Aunt B, why is it I’m so different from my parents? Do you think maybe I was switched at birth?”

  Aunt Betty chuckled. “I have often had similar thoughts about your Uncle Bob.”

  “Uncle Bob? Why?”

  “He and your father are so different.”

  Maggie considered her words. “I never thought about it before, but you’re absolutely right.”

  “Have you ever wondered how we live comfortably in Paradise on the income from a fix-it shop in a town of less than two thousand?”

  “Well, come to think of it...”

  “Your Uncle Bob is as smart as your father. Not book smart yet smart nonetheless. He simply expresses it differently. Actually, you’re a lot like him. Years ago Bob sold one of his fix-it shop projects to a big company in Denver.” Betty leaned closer and whispered. “He made a small fortune, Maggie, enough to allow him to fiddle happily with his projects for the rest of his life and not worry about the bills.”

  Maggie’s eyes widened.

  “So the fix-it shop is a front?”

  Aunt Betty laughed again. “I guess you could say that. He loves that shop dearly.”

  “I don’t blame him.”

  “You’re like Bob. Smart, but in a different way than most people. You both see the world differently. Don’t despise what God has given you, dear. You’re different. Period. He made you that way for a reason. There’s no condemnation in Him. Be proud. After all, there’s only one Maggie Jones, and I think
she’s pretty wonderful.”

  Warmth flooded Maggie. She reached out and grasped her aunt’s hands.

  “Thank you, Aunt B. I needed to hear that.”

  “Good. And you know, Maggie, the future looks very promising for you, here in Paradise. You’re a new committee member of the Paradise Ladies Auxiliary.

  “One step at a time, Aunt B. “I’ve only attended one meeting.”

  “Trust me. You are a new member and you’ll soon be a teacher at our high school.”

  “I have to interview first. Besides, I don’t even know who the other candidates are.”

  “Maggie, you’ve got better qualifications than anyone working at that school.” She paused. “Actually, I don’t think there are any other applicants.”

  “That’s odd.”

  “No, that’s Paradise. We’re a vacation destination. Not many folks live here year-round. Keep in mind that all you have to do is stay out of trouble and you’re in.”

  “You’re not the first person to say that.” Maggie shook her head. “You know, I don’t go looking for trouble. For some reason it just sort of finds me.”

  Aunt Betty smiled. “I know, dear. Maybe you could try to be more alert.”

  “I will.” Maggie nodded. “Um, Aunt B?”

  “Yes, dear?”

  “What exactly does a committee member on the Paradise Ladies Auxiliary do?”

  “Why, whatever Bitsy tells you to do.”

  “I was afraid of that.”

  Her aunt laughed.

  * * *

  “Isn’t that Maggie Jones?” Duffy said as he shoved another bag of groceries into the fire truck.

  “Huh? Where?” Jake picked up a twelve-pack of soda and glanced around. His gaze took in the Pay ’n Pak they’d just come out of, and moved down the street. “I don’t see her.”

  “Over there in the window of Patti Jo’s, with Mrs. Jones.”

  Jake turned around. “I can’t tell. They’re sitting in that high booth.”

  “When she stood up a minute ago, I could see her.

  “All I can see is the top of that woman’s head and there isn’t a ponytail.”

  “I’m telling you, that’s Maggie.”

  “Duff, you need glasses.”

  “Chief, I already wear glasses.”

  “Why don’t we go get a couple dozen cookies and find out?” Jake said.

  “Cinnamon oatmeal raisin?”

  “Chocolate chip.”

  “I’m not going with you for chocolate chip,” Duffy returned.

  Jake pulled the keys from his pocket and tossed them in the air. Caught off guard, Duffy struggled to catch them.

  “Then you can wait here,” Jake said.

  “No way. I think Maggie likes me. I’m not letting you cut into my territory, either.”

  “Dream on. The only female in your future is a dalmatian. And for your information, Maggie and I are strictly friends.”

  “Ha!” Duffy crowed, struggling to keep up with Jake’s long strides. “That’s a good thing, because you two have nothing in common. I never met two more opposite people.”

  Jake stopped walking and glared at Duffy. “What are you talking about?”

  “You and Maggie. She’s about as laid-back as they come.”

  “So?”

  “Well, you’re, uh...not.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “No offense, Chief, but you’re kind of tense.”

  “I’m not tense. I just like things...structured.

  Jake started walking again.

  “Did you know she’s into plants and bees and stuff? She wants to open an organic nursery.”

  “How is it you know so much about her?” Jake asked, irritation mounting to an all-time high.

  “She told me.”

  “When did you and Maggie have the opportunity to engage in such a deep conversation?”

  “When I took her report.”

  Jake snorted. “Opposites can complement each other,” he muttered.

  “Are you telling me you’re staking claim here, Chief?”

  “No.”

  “Sure sounds that way to me.”

  “I told you. Maggie and I are friends. Period.” Jake pulled open the door to Patti Jo’s and Duffy smoothly slid into the café ahead of him.

  “Don’t turn around, Duff. Play it cool for once, will you, please?”

  “I can do subtle.

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Watch me.” He stood stiffly at the counter. “Two dozen cinnamon oatmeal raisin, please.”

  “Make that one dozen and a dozen chocolate chip,” Jake said.

  “You get an extra cookie for every dozen,” the young redhead at the cash register informed them.

  Jake narrowed his eyes to read her name tag. Tiny print. Maybe he was the one who needed glasses. “Hey, great, Julia. Make them chocolate chip.”

  She nodded.

  “Oh, and could you do me a favor?” he asked.

  “Sure.”

  He leaned against the glass and lowered his voice. “Could you tell me if that’s Betty Jones and her niece in that booth?” He gave a nod of his head in the direction of the window.

  “Yes, sir. Mrs. Jones and her niece, Maggie.”

  “Told you so,” Duffy said. “You take care of the bill. I’m going to go say hello.”

  “Wait a—”

  “That’s twelve dollars, sir.”

  Jake tossed a ten and a five on the counter. “Keep the change.” He grabbed the bag and swiveled around to follow Duffy to the booth.

  “Duffy and Jake. What are you boys up to?” Betty Jones greeted them with a smile.

  “Doing a little grocery shopping for the fire station,” Duffy said.

  The woman with Betty turned away from the window, the layers of her hair caressing her head as she moved.

  “Maggie?” Jake choked.

  “Told you,” Duffy said under his breath, with an elbow to Jake’s side.

  “Your hair,” he breathed.

  “She had it done at the Emporium. Doesn’t she look nice?” Aunt Betty interjected.

  “Man, I’ll say,” said Duffy. “You look sort of exotic with those bangs. Right, Chief?”

  A slight pink tinged Maggie’s cheeks.

  “You look good, Maggie,” Jake said.

  “Thank you,” she murmured.

  “Going to the parade?” Duffy asked.

  “Yes. Susan asked me to help her hand out flyers for the Paradise Ladies Auxiliary,” Maggie said.

  “Oh, brother. What’s Bitsy selling now?” Jake asked.

  “I have no idea. We’ll have to wait and see,” Maggie returned with a grin.

  “I’ll take whatever you’re selling,” Duffy interjected.

  Jake shook his head. Yeah. That was subtle.

  “Be sure to look for the fire department in the parade. We always ride the vintage pumper and pass out plastic fire hats to the kids. They love us. Right, Chief?”

  “Yeah. Right.”

  Jake was still adjusting to the new Maggie in front of him. Sure she looked great, but he liked the old Maggie, as well.

  This whole do-over-Maggie thing must have been Susan’s idea. Susan had a new project every year. Now thanks to her, Maggie would be beating men off with a stick at the supper for sure.

  Jake released a frustrated breath. Nope, he didn’t like that thought one bit.

  Chapter Seven

  Jake’s hand touched the small of Maggie’s back as he led her toward the huge tent covering the park’s grassy knoll. Overhead the sky was clear and the trees twinkled with tiny white lights. As they crossed the lawn the scent of summer flowers and pine floated on the faint breeze. The soft crooning of a saxophone called their names, welcoming them to Paradise’s biggest event of the year.

  Maggie shivered in anticipation.

  “Cold?” Jake asked.

  “No,” she murmured. Not cold, simply giddy with excitement. The Founder’s Day event
might be something Jake took for granted, but to Maggie this was more than special. After all she was the bookworm who never even attended her high school prom. Tonight she was making up for the lapses in her history.

  Inside the tent the space had been transformed, becoming a glittery paradise. More tiny lights crisscrossed across the high ceiling. The subdued lighting served to enhance the dreamy atmosphere.

  Long dining tables covered with white linen tablecloths filled a corner of the tent. Folding chairs were elegantly disguised with white slipcovers. Each table held a scattering of golden glitter and a centerpiece of yellow blooms: tulips, peonies, lilacs, lily of the valley and daisies.

  Across the room and against the wall, an endless buffet table barely contained its overflowing bounty. Tiny canapés, fresh shrimp, bowls of salsa with red and blue chips and other appetizers started the feast, which continued to the far end of the buffet, finishing with a lavish array of desserts. A beverage bar occupied the last bit of space at the end.

  A small stage dominated the rest of the tent with chairs casually placed around the area. An old-fashioned four-piece band was beginning a set, and already several couples were lured to the stage, swaying as the musicians played familiar melodies from bygone eras.

  Maggie softly hummed to the music.

  Jake’s breath tickled her ear. “You sing, too?”

  “Humming. That’s what the tone-deaf do. They hum.”

  He laughed. “I’ll have to keep that in mind. I’ve been advised not to sing loudly at church anymore. It frightens young children.”

  She chuckled.

  As they stood listening to the band, a stream of Paradise’s citizens stopped to say hello to the chief and meet Maggie.

  “They’re all curious about you,” Jake said.

  “That’s because I’ve been on the front page of the Gazette twice.”

  “No, it’s because it’s not often I show up in public with such a lovely lady.” He paused and adjusted his collar. “Wait, I never show up with a lovely lady.”

  Maggie smiled and gave a small laugh.

  “Have I told you how nice you look tonight?” Jake asked.

  “Yes, several times, but don’t let that stop you.”

  It was Jake’s turn to smile. “You do look lovely, Maggie.

  “You clean up nicely, too.”

  Jake was as at home in the gray suit as he was in his fireman’s turnout coat.