“Oh, Bitsy. Is it?”
Bitsy reached into the box and pulled out a few pastries.
“Chocolate scones. How did you know?”
The older woman carefully placed one between the fingers of Maggie’s right hand. “Julia from the bakery called me this morning. Told me I had to get these to you.”
“How did she know what happened?”
“Ha. News spreads fast in Paradise,” Bitsy answered. “The phone trees are still ringing.” She said a quick prayer of thanksgiving before Maggie bit into the delicacy.
“This is wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” Maggie announced, savoring the rich pastry. “I think everyone needs to help me eat them.”
“Oh, no, we brought our own,” Bitsy announced. Bags rustled as the women settled around the room and joined Maggie.
Maggie fumbled with the lid to the coffee and Aunt Betty reached over and removed the white top. “Can you lift that with those arms?”
“I think so. This coffee smells too good not to try.”
She gripped the warm container and lifted it to her lips, eyelids drifting closed as she inhaled the aroma. What a blessing simple pleasures were.
“How are you feeling, Maggie?” Aunt Betty asked.
“Sore. All over. But other than that, okay.” Maggie glanced down at her hands, grateful she wasn’t burned or worse. Grateful she was right-handed.
“You know you saved Mack’s life,” Bitsy said.
A general buzz began around the room at that announcement.
Maggie shook her head. “I did what any of you would have done.”
“The Lord certainly ordered your steps last night. Why were you out at night on your bicycle?” Bitsy continued.
“Silly, really. I was going to talk to Beck.”
“I thought we agreed that I would handle that.”
“The more I hang around Paradise, the more stubborn I become, I guess.”
“Not to worry. I have that problem under control,” Bitsy murmured.
“Is there something I should know?” Aunt Betty asked.
“No, Betty dear, this is one of those situations where ignorance is bliss. Trust me.”
“Good. I prefer to defer the problems to you whenever possible. You handle them so well.”
Bitsy turned to Maggie. “The bottom line is that Mack and I are plenty grateful you were the vessel the Lord chose to help him last night.”
Maggie bowed her head, humbled by the words. Aunt Betty beamed. “You made the newspaper again.”
“Not really? How did they manage to get it into the paper already?”
“Stayed up all night, I imagine. I told you, you sell papers. They’re calling you a hero. Heroes sell even more papers.”
Maggie nearly choked with laughter at the irony. Then she grimaced, clutching her side. “Ouch, that hurt.”
“Careful, dear. I hate to mention this, but they called and said that they want to do a feature article on you.”
“I’ll have to think about that.”
“When will they let you come home, Maggie?” one of the women asked.
“I haven’t any idea,” Maggie answered. “In fact I don’t know much of anything except that I have stitches under here and an assortment of bruises all over.”
“I’ve already made inquiries,” Bitsy announced. “You have twelve stitches on your arm and two bruised ribs. They are waiting on the results of your blood work to be sure your hemoglobin and hematocrit are normal.” She leaned in closer. “That means you lost blood.”
The ladies all nodded with fascination.
“The doctor will be making his morning rounds soon. They may want to keep you until tomorrow to watch for side effects of a concussion.”
“Oh, do you think she might have Dr. Ben or Sara Rogers as her doctor?” Aunt Betty asked.
“You never know,” Bitsy said.
“I’m curious how you got them to give you all that information?” Maggie asked, amazed.
“Official business, of course. I informed the charge nurse that I am the administrative assistant at the Paradise Sheriff’s Department and I am gathering investigative information regarding the fire, for the sheriff.”
Maggie grinned. Of course. Besides, who would argue with Bitsy?
“It’s the truth,” Bitsy said. “Sam will be needing that information. The fire department, as well. I’m merely anticipating their needs.”
“You anticipate other’s needs well, Bitsy. Thank you,” Maggie said. She lifted the rest of her scone from the table. “For bringing the pastries, too.”
“You’re a member of the auxiliary, Maggie, and our friend. We take care of each other. I assured the staff here that you will have plenty of care upon discharge, as well.”
It was like having family again. Maggie fought the urge to get weepy over Bitsy’s comment.
“We’ll be bringing meals to your house once you get home, so you don’t have to worry about cooking,” Aunt Betty said.
“Thank you,” Maggie said. She nearly laughed out loud at the thought of her aunt inspecting her cupboards and finding only bags of cheese puffs and assorted boxes of toaster pastries.
“Where’s Jake?” Bitsy asked, lowering her voice.
“He was here last night,” Maggie said.
“He should be here now. I spoke to him in passing this morning. Told him we were on our way in,” she said.
That would explain Jake’s absence, Maggie realized. He wouldn’t come within a mile of anything that could even loosely be construed as a meeting of the auxiliary.
Before Bitsy could comment further, a no-nonsense nurse entered the room. Hands on hips, she looked around, a horrified expression on her face.
“The visiting hours don’t even begin until ten,” she said, examining her watch. “And you can’t possibly have this many visitors at one time.”
“We are not visitors, we are family,” Bitsy informed the nurse. She stood ramrod-straight and stepped smack into the nurse’s personal space.
The nurse opened her mouth, but Bitsy continued. “Ms. Jones has a very large, and very close, extended family.”
“You’re all her family?” the nurse asked, narrowing her eyes to inspect each and every one of the women.
Maggie’s visitors looked at each other and then to their leader.
“You’re new in town, aren’t you?” Bitsy asked.
“Yes. How did you know?”
“Everyone in Paradise knows that Betty is Maggie’s aunt, and myself and the rest of these ladies are practically family,” Bitsy said.
The nurse sputtered.
“However, as it happens we were just leaving.” She gave a nod to the other women.
Leave it to Bitsy to have the last word. At her order, the ladies of the Paradise Auxiliary scrambled to gather the remains of their breakfast and began filing past Maggie’s bed to say their goodbyes.
“We’re going to church, then for a little shopping,” Aunt Betty said as she gave Maggie a kiss goodbye. “I’ll be back in a while. If they discharge you early today, I’ll drive you. Otherwise Susan will take you home later in the day. She’ll be here soon.”
“Oh, I hate to be a nuisance.”
“It’s no trouble. You weren’t planning to ride home on your bicycle, were you?”
Maggie laughed. “No. Good point.”
Bitsy leaned over to plant a kiss on Maggie’s forehead. The gesture both surprised and touched Maggie. Bitsy Harmony and Jake MacLaughlin were more alike than they knew. Efficient bulldogs on the outside, and teddy bears on the inside.
With a quick wink Bitsy led the troops into the hall.
Aunt Betty gave a little finger wave and a salute as she marched past Maggie’s bed.
“’Bye, Maggie,” she called out on her way out the door. “See you at home, later.”
Home.
The word flowed over Maggie liked a sweet balm.
* * *
Mack’s breathing was deep and regular. Jak
e stood counting his father’s respirations as he slept in the big leather chair.
“He refused to nap in the bed,” Bitsy said, her hands on her hips as she stared at Mack.
“Like father, like son,” Jake said. “Two hardheads.”
“Oh, I think you have him beat.”
Jake raised a brow at her words.
“Care for some butternut-squash soup? Your dad’s favorite and I made a big batch. Though I will admit that it took me thirty minutes to figure out your newfangled stove.”
“Not really hungry,” Jake said. “But thank you for the offer.”
“When did you eat last?”
“Can’t remember.”
“Have a seat, and I’m not asking you. I’m telling you.”
He sucked in a breath and sat down at the table.
Bitsy placed a mat, a cloth napkin, silverware and a glass of milk in front of him. “Here you go.” A bowl of steaming soup and a basket of fresh bread teased his nostrils. His stomach growled in anticipation.
“Butter?” she asked.
“Yes, please.”
Jake bowed his head and prayed silently. He reached for a spoon and began to eat.
“Delicious. Did you make the bread?”
“I did.”
Head down, avoiding her gaze, he continued eating, hoping that Bitsy would wander into the next room.
No such luck.
“Do you feel better?” she asked minutes later when his spoon hit the bottom of the bowl.
He relaxed his shoulders. “I do. Thank you.”
“Glad to hear it, because you’re going to need your strength when you start thinking and finally realize that all of this was your fault.”
Stunned, Jake raised his head and blinked. “Excuse me?”
“I said—”
“I heard you,” he growled.
“The way I figure it, you’re about to do some soul-searching and you’ll come to the conclusion that not only are you at fault for not realizing your father doesn’t have a clue that dryer vents need to be emptied more often than once a year, but...”
Jake opened his mouth, but Bitsy whipped her palm up into the air faster than he could come up with a sharp retort.
“But you are also going to blame yourself for Maggie’s injuries. After that, I dare say you’ll decide you do a lousy job of protecting those you love and retreat into that fire helmet of yours forever.”
“Is that so?” He bit out the words.
She crossed her arms. “Yes. Pretty close I imagine.”
Anger flared within him, and he fought for control. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Prove me wrong, helmet head. I dare you.”
He jerked back at the words. “What did you just call me?”
“You heard me.”
Jake was speechless, though he searched high and low for an appropriate comeback. The woman didn’t mince words and he had no response for her little reverse psychology game, because deep down inside he waged the battle of a lifetime, trying to discern whether he really was at fault.
“Romans 8:1. ‘Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’”
“Now you’re going to preach to me?”
“I’m almost seventy years old. Not a lot of time to waste being nicety-nice. So I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get you to realize that it’s time to get on with your life. Because until you get on with your life, Mack can’t and won’t.” She huffed. “And frankly, the two of us are running out of time.”
“A little self-serving, aren’t you?”
“Maybe, but that’s not all I see. I see a man with lots to offer and a bright future, who refuses to allow God to take care of those he loves, who instead, somehow thinks that it’s his responsibility.”
She pointed a long finger at him. “Setting yourself up for a big fall there, Jake.”
Jake closed his eyes and looked away.
“Pride. Pure pride when you think you can do God’s job better than He can.”
He felt her hand on his shoulder. “I know this will be difficult for you to believe, but I’ve come to care a good deal about you, Jake. You’re a good man. You deserve the best. Think about what I’ve said, would you?”
Jake nodded.
“Now I have to head over to the hospital. The Paradise Ladies Auxiliary is giving Maggie a hero’s welcome home. I’ve got pies cooling on the porch.”
“When is she being discharged?”
Bitsy glanced at her watch. “Anytime now. I’ll come back for Mack later and he can hang out with us at Maggie’s. Keep an eye on him for me until then, will you?”
“Yeah. Of course. I’m staying home until he’s feeling better.”
“Good and I left you a pie on the counter.”
She gave him a nod and headed out the door.
“Jacob?” his father called out.
“Dad, you’re awake? How are you feeling?”
“Fine. Just a little sore.”
Jake walked into the living room. “I’ll tell Maggie to drag slower next time.”
Mack chuckled. “You do that, would you, please?”
Jake grinned, relieved his father was going to be okay.
“How do you suppose a tiny thing like Maggie managed to drag me out the door? I’m gobsmacked every time I think about that.”
“Adrenaline and prayer are a pretty potent combination.”
“I guess so.” Mack looked up at Jake. “Bitsy’s right you know, son.”
“Yeah, I know, Bitsy’s always right, but we’re not going to tell her that, are we?”
Mack laughed. “I do occasionally. It keeps me in pies.”
“That’s not my strategy. I will admit she is right. Today. I’m still going to need a little time to figure out what I’m going to do about it.”
“Pray, Jacob. That’s what you do when you can’t figure out what’s next. You pray. Call His name and He’s there for you.”
“I’ll do that, Mack.”
“Oh, and I find it helps to get a little padding on the floor before you get down on your knees and repent. But that’s just me.”
This time Jake laughed. “Good idea. You’re pretty smart, Dad. Pretty smart.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Mother, she’s here,” her cousin Susan called out. Susan carefully assisted Maggie from the car to the porch, where Aunt Betty held the screen door open.
“Finally home again. Thank You, Lord.” Her aunt stopped to examine Maggie in the shaft of sunlight that streamed into the small foyer. “Oh, my, look at you.”
“Lovely purple shade, isn’t it?” Maggie laughed.
“I called your folks to let them know what happened, but I had to leave a message,” Susan said.
“I think they’re on a cruise until school starts,” Maggie said.
“I want to give you a big bear hug, Maggie, but I don’t want to hurt you,” Aunt Betty said.
“Really, I’m fine. I just took a tumble.”
“Through a window, as I understand. Rambo style.” Uncle Bob appeared in the hallway.
“Uncle Bob!” She smiled.
“Sorry I haven’t gotten over here sooner, Maggie. Business in the shop is booming. Beck and I can barely keep up.”
Maggie laughed. “That’s good, right?”
“Are you kidding? Absolutely and I owe it all to you. Frankly, I was a little shocked when I had a minute to review the receivables payroll, Maggie. You’ve done more business while I was away than I’ve done so far this year.”
“More good news.”
“Yes, it is. But I would like you to consider helping me part-time again, when you’re up to it.”
“Sure, Uncle Bob.” She turned to her aunt. “It smells wonderful in the house, Aunt Betty. What’s cooking?”
“Right now, stew, but we’ve got anything you want, Maggie.”
“Have any puffed cheese balls?”
“Maggie, really? You wa
nt puffed cheese balls?”
“Let her have them, Betty,” Uncle Bob said. “She’s a hero. She can eat anything she wants.”
“Thanks, Uncle Bob. You’re my hero for saying that.”
“Mags, you look pale. Let’s get you to your room,” Susan said.
“I’m fine. I look much worse than I feel.”
“Are you in pain?” Aunt Betty asked.
“At the moment, no, not at all. They insisted I take a pain pill for the ride home. It knocked me out. I only hope I didn’t snore.”
“It was pretty loud,” Susan added.
Maggie groaned with mortification.
“Stop that, Susan. She’s kidding, Maggie,” Aunt Betty assured her.
Susan laughed. “So you’re all goofy from the drugs are you, cousin?”
“That’s putting it mildly. I am definitely feeling no pain.” She took a few wobbly steps forward.
“Lean on me,” Susan said, leading her along the hallway.
Maggie nodded and glanced into the kitchen as they moved down the hall. She blinked, then grabbed the doorjamb and stepped back. The pain medication seemed to be causing hallucinations. She was seeing double. And triple.
“Wait.” Inching into the small kitchen she heard a gasp, and realized it was her own. Every bit of counter space was filled with foil-and-plastic-wrap-covered dishes. Homemade pies, cakes and cookies were artfully arranged on platters that covered the table. There wasn’t an inch of table top to be seen.
“Where did all this come from?” Maggie asked, aghast.
Aunt Betty walked over to the delicacies. “Well, let me see. Ah, strawberry-rhubarb pie from the mayor’s wife. Patti Jo’s bakery sent cookies and a box of pastries.” She bent to examine a large carrot cake. “From your friends at the Paradise Gazette.”
“Ah, yes. My new friends at the Paradise Gazette.” She laughed.
“The casseroles are from the good ladies of the auxiliary. Every single one brought a casserole. You’ve got something for every day of the week for a month.”
“One casserole would have done me for a month. Who’s going to eat all that?”
“We’ll help,” Uncle Bob promised, pinching off a piece of pie and popping it into his mouth.
“Yes, there’s that,” Aunt Betty said, slapping at his hand. “I imagine you’ll have a few visitors. What’s left we’ll stick in here.” She walked over to the refrigerator and pulled open the door. “Hmm.” Her voice trailed off with a note of confusion.
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