“Joseph, this is Maggie’s husband, Andrew,” Jan said. Joseph made his way to the sofa near where Andrew was standing and lowered himself down onto it.
“Oh, I was hoping Maggie was back,” Joseph said sadly.
Andrew looked around at the people Maggie worked with. Even though he’d known she worked with people with disabilities, he’d never put a face or name to any of them. His admiration for Maggie grew as he stood there. Not only because she worked here but also because everyone seemed to like her so much.
“Maggie is really missed around here, I see,” Andrew said to Jan as she led him into the cheery kitchen and offered him a mug of coffee.
“Yes, she is. Maggie’s really good with the residents, and they respond well to her. She takes an active interest in every one of them. And she’s been working here for almost five years, so they’ve all become quite attached.”
“How many residents live here?” Andrew asked as he looked around the kitchen. There was a small table by a sunny window, colorful mugs hanging from hooks under the cabinets, and a glass jar filled with cookies on the shiny white counter. The place looked like any family might live there, and from what Andrew could tell, the group of people who did were a family in their own right.
“We have six total,” Jan said. “Two of the residents are at their jobs, and one is visiting her mother for the day.”
Andrew looked surprised. “Her mother lives around here?”
Jan nodded. “Yes. Her mother is older and could no longer care for her on her own. Plus, living in a place like this helps the residents gain independence. Most earn their own money and enjoy full lives, just like you and I do. The only difference is they may need a little supervision, so that’s why they live here. We also help them keep track of any medications they take and doctor visits. Otherwise, they’re all very self-sufficient.”
Andrew was impressed. There was so much more to Maggie’s job than he’d given her credit for.
After saying good-bye to Jan, Cindi, and the other residents, Andrew and Kaia drove to the burger place and met up with Kyle and Ashley. As they ate, the kids talked about school, new movies that had just come out, and their plans for the weekend. The mood was light and easy, and Andrew was happy to see Kyle smiling and at ease. Best of all, he enjoyed feeling like he was a part of his kids’ lives again. After all they’d been through the past couple of weeks, he was finally back on the right track, and it felt good.
That night, before going to bed, Andrew tried one more time to call Maggie, but she didn’t answer. He left a message, asking her to call him on Saturday, and then turned out the light. As he lay there in the darkened room, he wondered where Maggie was, and who she was with. He realized that Maggie may have done that very same thing, months ago, in this very bed, wondering about him. He hoped he’d get a chance to make it up to her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Maggie and Rob took off on his bike the next morning, after Maggie had taken a few photos of the Victorian home and the rolling surf below the cliff on which the house sat. The home looked regal and inviting in the daylight, which made Maggie feel silly for thinking how spooky it had looked the night before. Soon, they were huddled on the bike, riding the curvy scenic highway and enjoying the beautiful ocean views.
Today, they didn’t make as many stops so they could get to their destination before nightfall. They stopped for lunch around one o’clock at a cute little roadside café and ate greasy burgers and fries. Rob promised the food at his home would be healthier than what they’d been eating.
“I have a lovely housekeeper who preps dinner for me every night before leaving for the day. I usually grill something and eat a salad or pasta. If I ate like this all the time, I’d weigh a ton,” Rob said as they sat in the red-vinyl booth and let their lunch settle.
“Wow, a housekeeper, huh? Must be nice,” Maggie teased.
Rob shrugged. “I’m not very good at that stuff. Emma, she’s a gem. She makes sure everything runs smoothly so I can just have fun.”
Maggie shook her head and grinned. “Spoiled.”
At Mendocino, they turned off the coast road onto Highway 128 toward Navarro. Rob’s home was tucked away in the Anderson Valley, part of Mendocino Wine Country. As they rode through hills and valleys, Maggie admired the miles of perfect rows of vineyards. Giant pine trees lined properties, and homes sat high on hills, overlooking the acres of luscious grapes. Maggie marveled at the fall colors of the plants. Rows and rows of red, yellow, and orange leaves created a breathtaking scene for the eye to behold.
Rob eventually turned into a driveway that led them slowly up a steady incline toward a Tuscan home. When Rob pulled up in front of it and stopped, Maggie felt like she was staring at a palace.
Maggie slid off the bike and removed her helmet, shaking out her hair. She stared at the beautiful stucco home that boasted a large veranda, arched doorways, and a tiled roof. It was painted a soft mustard color and trimmed in reddish-brown. If Maggie hadn’t known better, she’d have thought they were in Italy.
“This is your home?” she asked Rob, her eyes wide.
Rob grinned. “Yes. This is it. Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful,” she said. She turned and looked all around. In the driveway was a lovely stone fountain. Well-tended rose bushes, red and pink geraniums, and an array of other colorful flowers grew around the base of the home as ivy trailed up the walls. The arched front entry was framed in red brick, matching other brick accents around the exterior. Across the driveway from the home was a five-car garage, built to match the house. Maggie wondered just how many cars Rob owned that he needed such a large garage.
“Let’s go inside,” Rob offered. He’d taken the saddlebags off the motorcycle, and Maggie followed him around the side of the house and under the upstairs veranda to a large pair of glass doors. Above them, the upstairs veranda spread out over the entire side of the home, with a black wrought-iron railing flanking the edge. He unlocked the doors, and they entered the combination kitchen–family room area.
Maggie marveled at the beauty of the interior. The tile floor gleamed, and large, thick rugs lay beneath the leather sofas and the long oak dining-room table. The kitchen was a mixture of brick, oak, and copper, with creamy marble countertops softening the masculine look of the room. A tall, open red-brick fireplace separated the family room from the large living room, so the fire could be enjoyed from both sides. The place was magnificent, yet very cozy, and suited its owner to perfection.
Maggie followed Rob through the living room into the foyer and up the stairs, which were made of gleaming mahogany and covered with a cream-colored runner. Black wrought-iron railing flanked the stairs and curled up to the second floor. They turned right at the top and followed a hallway that overlooked the main living room below. At last, Rob turned right again and opened a door for Maggie.
“Here we go. I hope you’ll be comfortable in here,” Rob said as he entered the room and set one of the saddlebags on the bed.
Maggie laughed with pure joy. She’d never seen such an elegant yet welcoming bedroom in her entire life.
“What’s so funny?” Rob asked, frowning. “Don’t you like it?”
Maggie smiled wide as she spun and took in the beauty of the room. The brick fireplace, oversize four-poster bed, thick coverlet in gold and brown tones, cushy rugs, and gorgeous dark-red tile floors were incredible. A large arched window stretched across one entire wall, dressed up in creamy-white sheers, muting but not blocking the setting sun.
“Of course I like it,” she said, smiling up at Rob. “A person would be crazy not to like this room. I’m laughing because I can’t believe how incredible your house is.”
Rob grinned. “It is pretty amazing, isn’t it? I never set out to own a Tuscan mansion on a hill, but here I am. I’ve been blessed.”
Maggie walked to the window and pulled aside the
sheer curtain for a better view. Looking out over the valley from this hilltop home made her feel like she was standing on the top of the world. She looked to her left and saw, far below, down by the highway, an adorable smaller version of Rob’s home. “Who lives down there?”
Rob walked up behind Maggie and looked in the direction she was pointing. “That’s not a house. That’s where my neighbors have wine-tasting events for tourists. As a matter of fact, they’re having a group here tomorrow night, and we’re invited. It’s kind of an end-of-season harvest festival. There will be music, food, and, of course, wine.”
Maggie was suddenly conscious of how close Rob was behind her. She felt the warmth of his breath on her neck and smelled the scent of the outdoors on him from their long ride. She turned and smiled up at him, trying to act casual about his closeness. “That sounds fun” was all she could manage to say.
Rob stood there, gazing down at Maggie. His brown eyes were a rich mahogany. Maggie took a breath as she stared up at him. Goose bumps tickled her skin. Finally, he smiled warmly and turned toward the bedroom door.
“I’ll check to see what Emma left us for dinner tonight,” Rob said, his voice husky. “I called her earlier and told her I had a guest, so I’m sure she made us something delicious.”
Maggie watched as Rob walked across the hallway and dropped the other saddlebag in front of a closed door, then turned and headed back down the hallway. She stared at the door across the hallway for a long time, trying to calm her pounding heart. We’re just friends, she told herself. She didn’t understand exactly why his standing so close to her had unnerved her, but it had. It’s been a long day. That’s all it is. She would feel better once she cleaned off the dust from the ride and changed clothes. Then everything would feel normal again.
Later, after a delicious grilled steak and freshly tossed salad, Maggie and Rob sat in front of the fireplace in soft leather chairs as the logs snapped and crackled. Outside, the night air had chilled and fog rolled in from the coast, nestling into the crooks and crannies of the valley. Inside, the fire fought against the cold and won, filling the room with a warm glow.
Maggie was relaxed and happy, sitting in her cushy chair, enjoying Rob’s company and the coziness of the family room. She hadn’t felt this content in a long time. Rob had served a delightful red wine with dinner, and although Maggie had been careful not to overindulge, it had lifted her spirits and softened any tension she’d felt earlier.
“Tomorrow, I can take you on a tour of the vineyards and introduce you to my neighbors, the DeLucas,” Rob offered. “Gino and Adrianna are third-generation vintners. Their family came over from Italy in the early 1900s and have owned the winery and vineyards here ever since.”
“That sounds nice, to be a part of something like that for generations. You don’t hear of family businesses being passed down much anymore. It’s heartwarming to think they’ve been here for so long,” Maggie said as she gazed into the fire. “Is that their wine-tasting building that I pointed out earlier?”
Rob nodded. “They’re the people who invited us there tomorrow night. Would you like to go?”
“It sounds lovely,” Maggie said, smiling over at Rob. “All I brought were jeans, though. Will I have to dress up?”
Rob waved a hand through the air to brush away Maggie’s concern. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”
Maggie wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but didn’t care. She was enjoying the moment, and that was all that mattered.
Later, they headed upstairs to their rooms. Rob stopped at the door to Maggie’s room to say good night.
“I’m happy you came,” Rob said, standing close to Maggie. “This is the most fun I’ve had in a very long time.”
Maggie smiled up at Rob. It was hard not to be affected by his nearness. He was so easy to be around that Maggie felt as if she’d known him for years instead of days. “I’m glad I came, too,” she said.
Rob leaned down. He was so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. “Good night, Maggie.”
Maggie stared up into Rob’s eyes and held her breath. She thought, for one moment, he was going to kiss her. And, as bad as it sounded, a little part of her wished he would. But then she thought of Andrew and the kids, and she backed up toward the door. “Good night, Rob,” she said, then made a swift retreat into her bedroom.
Maggie changed for bed, then pulled back the cozy comforter and crawled between the soft sheets. The light on the nightstand gave the room a warm, golden glow. She lay back against the plump pillows and thought about her day with Rob. It had been like a dream, riding along the coast road, then through the golden valley as the sun sunk slowly in the west. Coming to this beautiful hilltop home, and then relaxing by the fire, so comfortable and content. Maggie had felt carefree and unencumbered, as if she had no responsibilities or ties to hold her back. Today, she was the best version of herself, someone she’d almost forgotten she could be.
“But I do have ties and responsibilities,” she said aloud to the empty room. “And children who I love, and a husband.”
Maggie thought about Andrew and everything they’d been through the past couple of years. Their troubles hadn’t started the day she’d found out he’d been cheating. They had started long before that, but Maggie hadn’t let herself acknowledge them until that fateful day. Married couples disagreed, even argued at times. Couples married as long as she and Andrew had been often fought about money, bills, and what was expected of each other. But their problems had grown deeper. Over the years, she’d lost respect for him and his dreams and goals, just as he’d lost respect for hers. They’d started drifting apart. She was left to care for the home and kids almost all alone while he pursued his own work and ambitions. Eventually, she’d become lost in being a mother, a wife, and an employee, and no longer looked forward to fulfilling her own dreams. And she had also lost the best part of herself in all of it.
Maggie lay in bed thinking about what had become of her life long after she’d turned the light out. She had always been the good mother and wife, the good daughter and sister, the good employee and volunteer. She’d always done what was expected of her, even when she was tired of maintaining the image that she had created for herself. Now, she no longer knew what she believed or cared about. Did she still love Andrew? Did she want to try to work things out with him? She didn’t know. What she knew for certain was how Rob had made her feel when she thought he might kiss her. And it had felt good.
Maggie arose early in the morning, and showered and dressed for the day. She was about to head downstairs when her cell phone buzzed on the nightstand. Andrew. Sighing, she answered it. “Hello.”
“Hi,” Andrew said quietly. “I’ve been trying to call you, but you haven’t answered. I talked to Cassie, and she said you went away for a few days. With some guy. Is that true?”
Maggie’s defenses rose. “I didn’t go away with ‘some guy,’ as you put it. I rode down the coast with Matt’s former business partner, Robert. He has a nice place down here in the wine country, and he invited me along for the scenery and to take some pictures.”
Andrew didn’t reply right away, and Maggie could imagine him struggling to digest what she’d said.
“Oh, well, are you having a nice time?” Andrew finally asked, his voice calm.
“Yes, I am. It’s beautiful here. The valley is ablaze with fall colors. Rob’s home is practically a palace, and I can see for miles from my upstairs window. It’s amazing.”
“That’s nice, I guess,” Andrew said.
Maggie couldn’t tell by Andrew’s tone if he was fine or upset. “How are the kids? I got your text that Kyle was home.”
“The kids are fine,” Andrew said, sounding happy. “Kyle and I talked about him going to the tech college next semester, and we all had dinner together last night, including Ashley. She’s a nice girl.”
“That’s wonde
rful,” Maggie said, stunned but pleased. “I’m so happy that you and Kyle are talking about him changing schools. He thought you wouldn’t want him to.”
Andrew’s voice softened. “I’ve realized it isn’t really about what I want. It’s what Kyle wants that counts. I don’t know why I’ve been fighting with him about it all this time. It’s time I stop thinking I know what’s good for him and let him decide.”
Maggie could hardly believe what Andrew had just said. Maybe he was changing after all.
“Someone came to the house yesterday, looking for you,” Andrew said.
“Really? Who?”
“Cindi, your friend from the group home. She rode her bike all the way out here to see if you had come home yet.”
Maggie’s mouth dropped open. “She rode all the way to our house? Oh, my goodness. I can’t believe it.”
“She misses you,” Andrew said. “She was disappointed to hear that you were still away. Kaia and I drove her home so she wouldn’t ride her bike all the way back to town.”
“Oh, that was nice of you. Cindi’s a sweetie.”
“I had a chance to meet some of the people you work with there. I guess it never really occurred to me exactly what you did at work,” Andrew said.
Maggie frowned. “Why? What did you think I did?”
“I’m ashamed to say I never actually thought about what you did at work,” Andrew said. “I didn’t realize how attached everyone there is to you, or how important you are to them.” Silence filled the miles between them. Andrew continued. “What I guess I’m trying to say is I didn’t realize how important you are to so many people who count on you. You have a complete life I didn’t know anything about, and I never took the time to ask you about it.”
Maggie's Turn Page 19