Maggie's Way (Montana Bound Series Book 1)

by Bradley, Linda

“You’re going into third grade, right?”

  “Yup. I stink at reading.”

  She cringed, admitting her problem. “Bradley had a hard time learning how to read,” I said. “He used to come home from school with his head hanging low. He thought he was stupid.”

  “I know the feeling, especially when your—”

  I pulled my head out of the refrigerator. She stopped, put the book down, then gathered the crumbs of food that Bones had dropped in front of his bowl, and let him lick them off the palm of her hand. “What were you going to say?”

  “Never mind.”

  “If you’ve got something to say, just say it. I won’t get mad.” I put my head back in the refrigerator. Nothing looked good. “Want to order pizza?”

  There was no answer.

  I shut the refrigerator to see if Chloe was still there. She had her head buried in the crook of her arm at the kitchen table. Muffled sobs and hiccups escaped as she cried. I approached quietly then sat across from her and played with the breast cancer teacup my mother had sent me.

  Bones stopped eating and plopped down in front of his bowl. He was in love with her. I could see it in his dark sad eyes as his brow furrowed with concern.

  “I have an idea.” I’d heard what John said, but I couldn’t help myself. “If you go to puppy school with me, we can work on your reading even more.”

  Chloe’s shoulders stopped shaking and the sniffles slowed.

  I handed her a tissue from my pocket. “Here, wipe your nose.” She took the tissue and inspected it with a grimace. “It hasn’t been used,” I said.

  Chloe dabbed her damp cheeks. She swiped at her eyes with the back of her hands. “Thanks. What did you say?”

  “Bradley’s a really good reader now. He’s got a job and everything. In fact, he’s got a great job and lives on his own.” I was happy for him, but living without him proved more difficult than I imagined.

  “You must miss him,” she whimpered. “Did you teach him to read?”

  “Yup,” I answered. “We had to work really hard.” I bit my lip remembering how painful it was for him. “Mostly he needed confidence. He needed to know he could do it. He also needed to understand that not everything comes easy.”

  Chloe swiped at her nose with the tissue as I spoke. Her hair was matted down. She was a hot mess, but then again, who was I to judge?

  She stuffed the tissue in her pocket. “Dad is always saying something about everyone has their brothers, mothers, doe-thers. Oh, I don’t know,” she huffed.

  I grinned at the old-fashioned lingo, thinking not many people speak to their children like that anymore. It had shamefully gone by the wayside. “Everyone has their druthers,” I said as she scratched her head. “He’s right, you know.” I wondered what else he was right about.

  “Will you really teach me to read instead of just reading to me?”

  All year I’d longed for a break from teaching and suddenly I found myself right back in the swing of it. “When do you turn eight?”

  “August seventeenth,” she answered.

  “August is the best month for a birthday. Bradley’s birthday is August twenty-second.”

  “My mom’s pretty mad at you. I’m not sure she’ll let me go to dog school with you and Bones. And my dad said, no dogs.”

  “Yeah, got that.” I sat back in my chair and crossed my legs. “Do you want pizza, or not?” I picked up my phone and started dialing the neighborhood pizza joint as Chloe nodded yes. “I’d like to order a ham and mushroom pizza.” Chloe wrinkled her nose as I spoke. I leaned over to her. “What do you want?”

  “Ham and pineapple,” she said. “Please?”

  “Make that ham and pineapple. Thin crust.”

  Chloe rubbed her stomach and gave a little smile.

  “Thanks. Yes, please deliver it.” I listened to the teenager with the raspy voice on the other end of the phone. “Yes, that’s my address,” I answered before hanging up. “Have any ideas?” I asked Chloe.

  “About what?” she replied.

  I rolled my eyes at her lack of focus. “How to get permission for dog school in trade for learning to read.”

  “Yeah, don’t ask my mom!” Chloe snorted. She put her hands on the table in front of her, one on top of the other. “You got a better shot at asking my dad.”

  I wasn’t sure about that. “We’ll work on it.” I didn’t know why it was important for a trade. I could have just told her I would help her with reading without dog school, but then again I knew why, she had a way with Bones that I didn’t understand. We could learn something from each other.

  Chloe told Bones to eat the rest of his dinner. Bones pushed himself up with his front legs and did as he was told.

  “I just don’t get how you do that. I tell him to do something and it’s a crapshoot.”

  Chloe smoothed her hair back from her face. She had her daddy’s green eyes and his laugh lines. “It’s all in the delivery.”

  We both laughed.

  “Let’s go watch television until the pizza gets here,” I suggested.

  Chloe slid her book across the table. “Will you finish the chapter first? I’m at the good part,” she said with a wink.

  “You said that last time,” I reminded her.

  “They’re all the good parts. I love that girl.” Chloe jerked at the purple string on her lap. Voodoo came flying off the floor and landed with a plop on the table knocking over the saltshaker. “Woe there, kitty cat,” she said as she quickly put the salt shaker upright, but not without leaving a mound of white crystals. “I’ll get that later.”

  I got up. “I’ll get it now.”

  “You always have to do stuff now,” Chloe said. “Why? It’s not like it won’t be there later.” She squinted and stuck her finger in the salt.

  “Don’t know. I just want it done now.”

  “You’re impatient. That’s what my dad calls me.”

  I went to the sink and moistened the sponge under the faucet. Chloe was right. There were lots of things I wanted right away, hence marrying Beckett way back when.

  “My dad says sometimes things take time. That I just need to slow down.” Chloe patted Voodoo’s head and stood up. “You gonna clean this up?”

  I returned to the table, wiped up the salt, then tossed the sponge toward the sink. It landed on the counter by the toaster. “Better luck next time.” I took Chloe’s book and we meandered into the family room.

  Chloe plopped down next to me on the sofa, her leg touching mine. She snuggled in with her head on my shoulder. I quickly inspected her for anything creepy that she may have picked up outside, then I checked my clothes, arms, and legs to see if I hosted any unwanted crawling creatures, too.

  I opened the book. There were a few crumbs stuck to the page. As I looked closer, I realized it was dog food. Listening to Chloe read to Bones had been painstaking. The words had scraped my ears like nails on a chalkboard. I thought about John and Brook who seemed like two educated individuals. I hoped this was just a hiccup for Chloe. Reading was so important. Liking it was half the battle.

  “Can Bones sit with us?” she asked.

  “Sure,” I replied.

  “Come on, Bones,” Chloe chimed as she patted the cushion. “Cesar says dogs shouldn’t be on the furniture unless they are invited.”

  “Kind of like people.”

  “Huh?”

  “You know. You shouldn’t go into other people’s houses without being invited.”

  Chloe leaned back, pulled her legs up, and crossed them. Bones lay on his back with all four paws in the air. Chloe rubbed his bare belly and Bones snored.

  “You are really good at that,” I said, finding my place in the book.

  “I love animals. I used to have fish, but they died. They’re not very good pets. You can’t walk them or pet them.”

  “Yeah, you’re right about that, now let’s see what happens here.”

  I read while Chloe peered into the book as I
tracked the words.

  The phone rang at nine o’clock. I was in the library touching up John and Chloe’s photograph. Chloe had curled up with Bones on the sofa after pizza and zonked out. “Hello. Yes. Actually, I have to wake her up. I’ll go get her.” I smiled to myself.

  “I’ll come over. She’s exhausted,” John said.

  “Sure thing. See you in a few minutes.” I put the phone down and waited in the foyer for John. When he came to the door, I pictured him riding his orange Harley through the streets of Grosse Pointe. Rebel, I thought, liking the image. The creaky screen door pierced the summer air. John grinned and came inside. The dim light in the entryway glowed in the stillness. “Hi,” I said. “How did things go with Brook?”

  “She’s impossible, but you don’t want to hear about that.”

  “I suppose you’re right. About earlier—”

  “Yeah, I’m sorry.”

  I wasn’t sorry, but I didn’t have the gumption to admit it. “No worries.” Butterflies tickled my stomach when John stepped nearer. I wanted to know about Brook, wanted to know what happened when I left, and when she’d be going back to California. John’s emerald eyes spurred my curiosity. He held my stare. The scent of Old Spice drifted by, and longing clawed at my willpower. I swallowed, hoping to disguise my wavering senses. It wasn’t right, but, damn, it was tempting. The hair on my forearms prickled when John touched my hand.

  “Really, I am sorry about earlier. I have a lot to work out,” he said. “But I hope—” He paused to move closer.

  With one more step, he’d be on top of me. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

  “Thanks for entertaining the munchkin,” John said.

  “Any time,” I replied.

  “That’s progress.” His words were faint.

  “It really was no trouble. No one even got hurt this time around.”

  John snickered. “Phew.”

  His breath brushed up against me like a lover. I grinned. “She’s in by the television.” I pointed toward the kitchen. “Back there and to the left. I’ll show you.” I led the way. “We read part of her Junie B. book.” John tripped on the back of my foot when I stopped abruptly. We were nose-to-nose as he caught me. “Oops.” My nervous laugh caught in the air between us. “I have an idea.”

  “What?” John said. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”

  “It’s not that bad. Really, it’s not.” I took a deep breath. “I was thinking that I wanted to take Bones to dog school, but then I thought it would be good if there was another person. Chloe spends a lot of time with Bones, and well”—I hesitated, not quite sure how to spit out the exchange—“I’d like Chloe to come to dog obedience school with me.”

  I saw a flash of hesitance in John’s eyes. “Wait, before you say no, I’ll work with Chloe on her reading if she goes with me. She is really good with Bones. I feel like a dog owner flunky, not that I wanted to be a dog owner in the first place, and as you know, I’ve tried to get rid of him several times, but my stubborn neighbor just won’t comply.” I did my best to look pitiful without killing the effect.

  “Brook is not going to like this.”

  “Brook does not live with you and Chloe.”

  John lowered his voice. “Brook is Chloe’s mother and while she’s here, she can make life a living hell. Did we not discuss this earlier?”

  “When’s she leaving?” I couldn’t believe I asked.

  “Not sure. Depends on how fast she feels like she’s gotten what she wants.”

  “Why does she stay with you?” I blurted out. “It’s weird.”

  John’s thin smile grew. “I didn’t think you cared.”

  “I don’t.” I refrained from rolling my eyes.

  “Where else is she going to stay? We try to be civil for Chloe. She doesn’t have family around here and we have way too many bedrooms. And if you have forgotten, I’m out a nanny.”

  “It’s still weird,” I mumbled. “Can Chloe go to dog school with Bones or not? I’m admitting I need help.”

  “I know. And I am enjoying every minute of it. Let me see what I can do. It would be good for her. She doesn’t have many friends.”

  “When school begins, she’ll make more friends,” I reassured him.

  “She’s still really mad at me for moving. She needs to learn to read better and we never seem to find the time to practice.”

  I raised my eyebrow at him. “Oh come on, you’re a doctor. What doctor doesn’t have the time for that?” I prodded. He averted my gaze. He hemmed and hawed.

  “She throws a fit when I try to help her.”

  “Ah-ha. The truth comes out. You need me,” I said, searching his eyes. I wanted him to need me, too.

  “I just don’t have the energy to fight with her when I get home. As you know, the last nanny wasn’t any help and now she’s gone, no thanks to you.”

  “Yeah, we’ve already established that some time ago. I said I was sorry.” I inched closer. “Here’s my chance to make it up to you. I can take Chloe off your hands for a bit and she can work on her reading.” God, what am I getting myself into? Brook would put the kibosh on this whole idea, for sure.

  “I’d better get my daughter.”

  John’s words grazed my ears as he reached for Chloe who slept like an angel. A chill ran down my spine. There was something about the way he moved. His jeans hugged his hips. I needed to keep my distance, although I wasn’t showing great restraint. When John scooped up his daughter, a murmur escaped her lips, and I smiled.

  “Dad,” she mumbled.

  “I’m here to take you home,” he whispered in her ear, giving her a peck on the cheek. “You’ve had a busy day, princess.”

  Funny, I never thought of Chloe as a princess.

  John trudged back to the front door carrying a human rag doll. I did my best not to check him out from behind, but it was impossible. What was I supposed to focus on?

  “Let me get the door,” I whispered as I scooted past him in the foyer. He stopped directly in front of me, grinning at Chloe who had her eyes shut, and was practically snoring.

  “I am serious about dog school,” I said.

  “I know, princess,” he said with a sly smile. “Goodnight.”

  His lips touched my cheek.

  Chloe hadn’t been the only one kissed by a prince.

  Chapter 25

  Two days passed. I hadn’t seen Chloe. I hadn’t seen John, and I hadn’t seen my mother. Besides going to radiation, I spent my time cleaning out closets and coloring photographs. Like a seventeen-year-old trying to decide on what dress to wear to the prom, I even made a list of pros and cons of getting involved with John. Were we already involved? I didn’t think a couple of kisses quantified anything. I threw the list away as soon as I finished it. It was silly to think we could mesh. It was foolish to test the waters. I needed to live by myself.

  Beckett had left behind little things here and there. I believed he had purposely done it to keep one foot in the door. I mustered up the courage to read Beckett’s journal in between cleaning frenzies. After radiation, I collapsed on the sofa with Bones. In fact, I read it to Bones, even if his eyes eventually closed, while he rested his head on my lap. I didn’t finish it, though. I read the passage dating back to the last anniversary we spent together. Beckett must have spent hours logging his thoughts, orchestrating the synopsis, hoping that I would understand when the time came.

  I should have felt like a fool, but I didn’t.

  I carried the last of three boxes into the garage. Beckett said he’d be over to get them by seven. I opened the box labeled knickknacks and put his journal on top of his college pennants, little league trophies, and Scout paraphernalia. I kept the plastic container of tennis balls for Bones. Maybe he’d like them instead of my flowers.

  I tossed the canister on the workbench, touched the cover of Beckett’s journal, and closed the top. With a heavy sigh, I commended myself on my own progress. It was time to let go and Beckett was l
etting me.

  The garage was the place where Bradley painted his derby cars, the place where he hit the workbench with my car the day he got his driver’s permit, the place where Beckett taught him to tie fishing knots, and how to build a birdhouse. Distant memories conjured up long-lost spirits. They swirled around me like an invisible cyclone, reminding me that we had purpose.

  I envied couples that stayed together, like my parents, especially in today’s world, but for some maybe it’s not meant to be. I supposed not all stories had a happy ending. Mom said I wasn’t a failure, and I thought maybe she was right because I believed in love and loyalty. A twinge of longing nipped at my heart. Hope.

  I wondered if being divorced had become commonplace due to means. I shook my head. My armpit burned, reminding me that I had other pressing issues to deal with. Divorced or not, I wanted to keep on living. Dr. Masterson, my radiation oncologist, reassured me that my treatment was going well. I trusted her judgment. I should have known her when I accepted Beckett’s marriage proposal.

  Beckett scuffled up the driveway slowly. He was dressed in khaki shorts and a navy polo. “No class today?”

  “No class. It’s good to have a break. I really should think about not teaching in the summer. That would be a treat. You would know.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. We’d had this disagreement before. I viewed summer vacation as a blessing, a time to rejuvenate, and take care of Bradley. Sometimes Beckett thought I should be slaving away at some summertime gig for a few extra bucks that would eventually be spent on childcare.

  “Your boxes are over there,” I said, pointing to the workbench. I hoped he wouldn’t open them, knowing the journal would spark discussion, and I didn’t want to rehash the past.

  “It’s quiet around here today,” he said.

  “Yeah.” Trails of dust gleamed in the cascading light flooding the garage. “It’s nice.”

  “Paul said he delivered the sofa yesterday. Is everything done?”

  “Yup. It’s done.” I hoped Beckett didn’t want to come in. The awkward air between us unnerved me. There was nothing left to say.

  “Good.”

  Beckett went to his stack of boxes and opened the top box. I winced as he took out the journal.