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

  “Did you have fun at the parade today?” he asked. “Every time I saw you, you were rushing off somewhere.”

  “I was on duty for the auxiliary.”

  He released a groan. “I never did find out what Bitsy’s next project is, and that should worry me.”

  “More fund-raising.”

  “That’s how I ended up being raffled off to start with.”

  “This time it’s benign. Beautification of Paradise, missions and hospital visitation. No abuse of firemen is planned at this time.” Maggie put a hand over her mouth. “Oops, except for the Firemen’s Ball this Christmas.”

  “I knew it. Why doesn’t she pick on Sam’s department instead of mine?”

  “That was discussed at the meeting, but the sheriff’s department only has three men.”

  “That’s too bad. No raffling us off, though, right?”

  “Oh, no, but it will be a Sadie Hawkins thing, where the girls ask the guys. There are three men for every woman in Paradise.”

  “Those are some pretty interesting odds.” Jake shook his head and eyed the beverage table. “I need a drink. What can I get you? Iced tea?”

  “Iced tea would be nice.” She smoothed the skirt of her dress, her gaze following Jake as he walked away.

  When he’d arrived at her door tonight his eyes had widened after one glance. Of course it was all a matter of timing. Everything had come together nicely. The haircut, the dress. She had Susan to thank for that. Who would have thought two weeks ago that brown-mouse Maggie would come out of her cocoon. If only her parents could see her.

  She had to admit, it was fun being all dressed up for one night; as long as Cinderella could go back to her real self in the morning, of course.

  Maggie lifted her wrist, fingering the delicate white miniature rosebuds and red satin ribbon. She had Jake to thank for the corsage. Having him escort her had turned out to be much less worrisome than she’d imagined. He’d been on his best behavior and hadn’t teased her or anything, which was good because now that she was aware of his tragic past, she was determined not to give him a hard time anymore.

  Jake was a handsome man, but more importantly, he was a nice man. A Godly man, who deserved happiness.

  All in all, the sort of man any woman would be thrilled to be in the company of. Including her. She enjoyed the growing ease of their burgeoning friendship.

  While he could definitely take her breath away, she knew that a man like Jake would never think of her as anything except a friend. That was probably a good thing, Maggie rationalized, since rebuilding her life was taking all her energy at the moment.

  Still, her gaze wistfully followed his broad-shouldered silhouette as he disappeared through the crowd, to the far end of the tent. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone like Jake really care for her?

  Tonight the past and the future didn’t matter, she reminded herself. For a few hours Jake MacLaughlin was hers, and she had one hundred and forty-seven raffle tickets to prove it.

  Maggie walked around the room, stopping at a large display on the history of Paradise.

  “Oh, Maggie, you look amazing.”

  She turned and grinned. Her cousin, as usual, was nothing short of regal in a white Grecian sheath. “So do you, Susan. Still a beauty queen.”

  “Do you like it? I texted a picture to Al. I want him to know what he’s missing. Three weeks of fishing with my father is much too long.”

  “What did Al think of the dress?”

  “Oh, you know Al. Not a jealous bone in his body. He sent me back a picture of a bass he caught today.”

  Maggie laughed.

  “Where’s your handsome date?” Susan glanced around.

  “My escort is getting a beverage.”

  “Are you glad you came?” Susan asked.

  Maggie nodded. “Yes. I really am. Tonight I was forced to realize how small my world had become. Thank you, Susan. For everything.”

  “That’s what fashion-consultant cousins are for.” Susan dispensed an air kiss. “Ooh, look over there. Bernice Harris stopped by as part of her tour. She’s doing a photo op for the Paradise Gazette.”

  “The Bison Queen.”

  “Yes. That’s right. Remember I told you about her?”

  “I saw her at the parade, signing autographs.”

  Bernice Harris was hard to miss with a Denver mile-high lacquered blond upsweep and a huge tiara. “What is that hairy thing she’s sitting on?”

  “That’s a stuffed bison. It goes with her on tour to promote the Paradise Valley bison industry.”

  Maggie shivered. “How unfortunate. That is one ugly bison.”

  “She’ll make up for the ugly bison by getting the local firemen and police hunks in the photo.” Susan laughed. “See, there’s Duffy now.”

  “Duffy is so sweet,” Maggie commented as he posed with his arm around Bernice. “He bought me an ice-cream cone today at the parade.”

  “Be very careful of Duffy,” Susan said. “He falls in love at least twice a year.”

  “Oh?”

  “Our Duffy is like a big overgrown puppy dog. So unless you’re really interested, it’s best not to lead him on.”

  “I hope he doesn’t think... Goodness, Susan. Thanks for the heads-up.”

  “No problem.” Susan’s eyes widened. “Oh, no, Bernice’s dress is caught on the bison. I better go help. Catch up with you later, Mags.”

  Maggie turned back to the photo gallery of Paradise’s historic past. Black-and-white photographs of local citizens and landmarks had been blown up, framed and suspended by wire.

  “‘Over a hundred and fifty years ago, in 1859, the first settlers came to Paradise. The name started as a joke, but stuck. Paradise was founded during the mining boom and survives thanks to our thriving tourist industry.’”

  Maggie whirled around. “Mr. MacLaughlin. You have this memorized?”

  “I’m just Mack.”

  “Mack,” she said. The senior MacLaughlin was every bit as handsome as his son tonight, his snow-white hair combed back from a high forehead.

  “I’ve heard the history of this town enough times from my mother over the years that I better have it memorized.”

  “Has your family always had a hardware store in Paradise?”

  “Four generations. The old building was closer to the outskirts of town. Used to be we sat outside the store and knew everyone that passed by name. We can still do that, only not from June to September. Too many tourists.”

  She smiled.

  “Dad, I see you’re bending Maggie’s ear,” Jake said as he approached.

  “Just keeping her safe for you, son.”

  “Almost couldn’t find her,” he admitted with a smile for Maggie. “Thought for a minute you’d ditched me. Then I remembered you were the girl in the coral dress with the amazing hair.”

  Speechless, Maggie’s face heated at his words.

  “Thank you,” she said, when he handed her a tall glass.

  “So, Dad, are you here alone, or did you bring a date?”

  When Jake raised his brows pointedly, Maggie glanced between the two men, trying to read the underlying current.

  “I like to enjoy all the ladies in Paradise, son. I’m an equal opportunity flirt. You know that,” Mack said with a grin. “Speaking of lovely ladies, here comes Bitsy Harmony.”

  “Uh-oh,” Jake murmured, his warm breath tickling Maggie’s ear. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Where are you going?” she asked.

  “I’m going to get us a plate of hors d’oeuvres.”

  “Chicken.”

  “I’ll see if they have any.” He grinned.

  Bitsy slid into the space Jake vacated. “Where’s Jake running off to?”

  “Chicken,” Mack said.

  “I thought as much.”

  “You look festive tonight, Bitsy,” Maggie said. The older woman’s hair was wound into a soft braid on the back of her head. She wore a lovely silk shirtdress of royal blue
with gold flecks running through the material.

  “Thank you. But I tell you, I’ve been hearing about this mystery woman with Jake from everyone, so I had to check things out for myself.”

  “Mystery woman?” Maggie asked.

  “You. Everyone’s abuzz about the beauty on Jake’s arm.”

  Maggie inhaled her tea and began to cough.

  “You all right? I know CPR,” Bitsy said.

  “No. No. Definitely no need.” Maggie waved a hand in the air as she cleared her throat. “I’m fine.”

  “This is always such fun. Have you ever heard such music?” Bitsy continued.

  “They’re quite good,” Maggie agreed.

  “Bitsy plays in the Paradise band on occasion,” Mack said. “Clarinet.” He beamed with pride as his eyes met Bitsy’s.

  Maggie blinked. The tender expression that passed between the couple was unmistakable. Bitsy Harmony and Mack MacLaughlin were in love.

  Her heart melted. Then she froze with the realization that Jake didn’t have a clue. Well, she wasn’t going to be the one to break the news to him. No way. He obviously had some Bitsy Harmony issues and she was going to keep her distance from that ticking bomb.

  The band finished one song and started another. Bitsy looked up at Mack.

  “Our song.”

  Mack paused to listen. “From 1962. Right?”

  “What a memory.” Bitsy laughed, and Mack joined in at their private joke.

  He held out a hand to Bitsy.

  “Will you excuse us, Maggie?” he asked.

  She smiled. “Of course.”

  A moment later, Jake appeared at her side and handed her a china plate filled with appetizers. “Where did my dad go?” he said.

  “Dancing.”

  “My dad never dances.” Jake craned his neck, his gaze searching the crowded dance floor. “If he’s dancing, who’s he dancing with?”

  Maggie shrugged. “There are so many women here.”

  Jake took a crab wonton from the plate she held. “Hmm,” he said, as he popped it into his mouth.

  “Good?” she asked.

  “Better than good. Try one?”

  “I will. I’m pacing myself.”

  “Good for you. Someone has to do it. My plan is to eat my way through the evening.”

  She laughed as he devoured a bacon-wrapped wiener.

  “What did Bitsy have to say?” Jake asked as he examined the plate in her hand. He picked up a mini quiche and took a bite.

  “Jake, you’re going to have to stick around if you expect to keep up.”

  “Fair enough.”

  He took the plate from her and placed it on a nearby table.

  “I thought we were going to eat those.”

  “Let’s dance,” he said, taking her hand.

  She trailed behind him. “I don’t dance.”

  Jake stopped and turned around. “Don’t or can’t?”

  “I have many talents, but I can barely walk and chew gum at the same time. I’m a bit clumsy. Realistically, it’s safer for the world at large if I do not venture near the dance floor.”

  “You know, Maggie, that’s what I like about you.”

  “What’s that?” she asked, certain he was going to give her a hard time.

  “No pretense. I never wonder what’s on your mind. You always say what you think.”

  “I do?” Maggie asked, now curious.

  “Well, hello,” a sultry female voice interrupted. “You two are certainly having a good time.”

  Maggie tugged her hand from Jake’s and looked over her shoulder to see Sally-Anne approach in a body-clinging black sheath.

  “Sally-Anne. You look gorgeous.”

  “Thank you, Maggie. You, as well.”

  Maggie ran her fingers through her hair and smiled.

  “What do you think, Jake? Like my dress?” Sally-Anne did a twirl for him.

  “I am surrounded by beautiful women in beautiful dresses.”

  Sally-Anne turned to Maggie. “You can tell it’s an election year.”

  Maggie laughed.

  “Jake, you owe me a dance from last year,” Sally-Anne announced.

  “I do?” Jake faltered, his glance moving between the women. “Okay with you, Maggie?”

  “Of course.” Maggie glanced away, not eager to watch them on the dance floor. Was that a pang of jealousy deep in her heart? Maybe she was hungry; after all, Jake had eaten most of the hors d’oeuvres he brought back, all by himself.

  She weaved through people, targeting the buffet table, and had almost reached the casseroles when Beck Hollander stepped into her path.

  “Hi, Maggie,” he said as he adjusted his glasses. “You, uh, you look good.”

  “Thank you, Beck.” She assessed his neatly pressed black shirt and the black jeans and white skinny tie. Even his disheveled hair had a semblance of order tonight. The most remarkable change was the missing earbuds and smartphone. “You look very dapper.”

  “Dapper?” The tips of Beck’s ears beamed a heated red. “Is that good?”

  “Yes! Look it up.”

  “Do you...do you want to dance?’

  “Oh, Beck, thank you. I really don’t dance. But I’d be happy to discuss quantum physics with you later if the party slows down.”

  Beck grinned.

  “You have a nice smile. Smile more often.”

  Directly across the room, the redheaded teen from the café waved at them.

  “There’s Julia,” Maggie said.

  “Yeah.”

  “She likes you, Beck.”

  The teen shook his head.

  “Is that a problem?”

  “Liberal arts,” he mumbled.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Colorado State. Liberal arts major.”

  Maggie inhaled sharply. “Beck Hollander, are you telling me that you’re an academic snob?”

  Beck squirmed uncomfortably.

  “I’m appalled.”

  “Okay, fine. I’ll talk to her.” Head bowed, he shoved his hands into his pockets and dragged his sneakered feet toward Julia.

  Pleased with her minor matchmaking success, Maggie strolled to where her aunt stood supervising the dessert buffet.

  “Margaret, aren’t you enchanting?” She came around the table and held Maggie’s hands while she inspected her outfit from head to toe. “I’ve heard all about that dress.”

  “Enchanting?” Maggie rolled it on her tongue. “I like that word.”

  “In my day they said fetching, but that sounds like a dog term.”

  “You’re right, Aunt B. Enchanting sounds like a princess cartoon. It makes me feel like twirling around and breaking into song.”

  “Oh, Maggie, you’re such a treat. Do you know that?”

  “I feel liberated, Aunt B. Free to be whatever I desire.”

  “Ah, so that’s it. Instead of your wedding day, this is your independence day.”

  “Yes. Exactly.” Maggie couldn’t help but grin widely.

  “May I congratulate you on the teaching position?”

  Maggie gasped. “What? I got the job? Who told you?”

  “I made a lunch delivery from the café to the school-board offices Friday afternoon.”

  “Does everyone know?”

  “No.” Her aunt laughed. “I ran into Beck’s father. He told me. He’s pretty close-lipped and I like to think I’m not as indiscreet as others in this town.”

  “Let’s not tell anyone yet. Please. At least not until I have the official word.”

  “Our secret.” Aunt Betty nodded with a gestured zip to her lips. “Now you can tell me where the handsome fire chief is.”

  “Sally-Anne caught him for a dance.”

  Aunt B cocked her head. “Ah, but the music has stopped and Sally-Anne is not a ‘catch and release’ kind of gal. Go reel him back in before Sally-Anne thinks he doesn’t have a home.”

  “Oh, he’ll find me. I’m not worried,” Maggie said with a newfound confiden
ce. She examined the dessert table. “Is that your German torte?”

  “It is. Hazelnut. Not Bitsy’s pie, though I do have a modest following of torte-heads here in Paradise.”

  “Torte-heads?”

  As Maggie laughed with her aunt, the warmth of Jake’s hand touched her waist. A shiver raced up her arms.

  “Are you going to save some of your torte for me, Mrs. Jones?” he asked.

  “There you are, Jake. Of course I will. First you had better take my niece to dinner before there isn’t anything left. I see the mayor is preparing to test the microphones.”

  “Uh-oh.” He looked to Maggie as he led her toward the main buffet table. “Why didn’t you help me back there with Sally-Anne?”

  “Help you? Oh, no, no, no. That isn’t in my job description. I won the escort, not the drama.”

  Jake watched her, seemingly considering her words.

  “Besides,” she concluded, “if you’re going to be the most eligible bachelor in Paradise you’re going to have to suffer the consequences.”

  “Good answer.” He shook his head and smiled, appeased. “Are you ready for some real food? We ought to fortify ourselves before the mayor and the town council get on stage for their annual ‘state of Paradise’ address.”

  She looped her arm through his. “I’m starving. Let’s go.”

  * * *

  The moonlit sky illuminated the front porch as they approached the door of the little cottage. Jake walked beside Maggie, and she found her steps slowing to delay the end of the evening.

  “The house looks good. Cozy,” he said, observing the potted plants in front of them.

  Overhead, a wind chime sang a gentle melody in the slight breeze.

  “Thanks.”

  “How’d the interview go?” he asked as he allowed her up the steps first.

  “My aunt says I got the job.”

  “What?”

  She glanced over her shoulder.

  He stood with his foot on the bottom step and looked at her. “Have you accepted?”

  “I haven’t gotten official notification yet. But yes, I’m going to accept.”

  He nodded thoughtfully, walked up the steps and held the screen. Maggie pulled her keys from her bag and unlocked the front door, her mind tumbling with thoughts.

  What did that nod mean in guy-speak? Was he glad she was staying?

  “Do you want to come in for a cup of tea?”

  “Sure.”