Goodbye, Magnolia (Cornerstone Book 1)

by Krista Noorman

  “I doubt it,” she mumbled.

  Sarah returned to Maggie’s side and sat on the ottoman. “Don’t worry. He can’t steal those weddings from you. They both signed contracts.”

  Maggie nodded. “I know. I’m not worried about that. I just don’t like this uneasy feeling I get when he’s around. I don’t trust him.”

  “It’ll be fine. One wedding and then you never have to work with him again.”

  “Amen to that.”

  Sarah handed Maggie a stack of envelopes and magazines. “Here’s your mail.”

  “Thanks.”

  Maggie flipped through the letters and tossed the junk mail into a pile on the floor. She placed the important stuff on the coffee table, climbed onto the sofa, and wrapped herself up in the throw blanket that was draped across the back. She laid down and glanced over at the mail on the table. Sticking out was an envelope with the Walker’s Photography logo. She slid it from the pile and opened it. Inside was another copy of the “Simon Wants You” invitation with a hand written “Hope you can make it, Canon” in the bottom right corner. She tossed it at the pile on the floor and closed her eyes.

  Through her sleepiness, Maggie dreamt that Sarah had locked up and gone home for the night. She dreamt that she was all alone at her shop, sleeping on the sofa as people stood outside watching her like they were window shopping.

  Tap. Tap. Tap.

  What was that noise?

  Tap. Tap. Tap.

  There it was again.

  Maggie suddenly jumped awake when she realized someone was in fact outside the window, watching her, tapping on the glass. It was him. Of course.

  She dragged herself to the door and unlocked it.

  “Working late, Canon?”

  She grunted as she folded the blanket and tossed it across the back of the sofa, where it belonged. Taking a seat on the edge of the chair, she smoothed her hair and stared up at him without a word.

  “Looks like we’ll be working together for Angie’s wedding.” He walked over and sat on the ottoman, a little too close for her comfort.

  “Oh yeah?” Maggie tried to sound uninterested.

  “You’ll only have to put up with me for a couple hours.”

  “Sounds good,” she blurted.

  Simon looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn’t respond.

  “So, did they get a kick out of your new studio?”

  “They were thoroughly impressed.”

  She didn’t reply to that.

  “You wanna see it?” he asked.

  “No, thanks.” She looked down. “I need to get home soon.”

  “Just a quick tour,” he offered.

  “Maybe next time.” She stood and walked over to open the door for him. “It’s been a long day.”

  Simon looked at the floor and paused for a moment. Again, it seemed as if he might say something, but he stood instead and walked to the door. Pausing inches from her, he leaned in closer. “Thanks, Maggie.”

  The sound of her real name coming from his lips was strange. “For what?”

  “For reconsidering.”

  Maggie gritted her teeth for a moment. “If you’re talking about your proposal, I haven’t reconsidered anything. Angie’s the one who asked about your pictures, and I’ll do anything to make sure my brides are happy. Even if that means working with you.”

  Simon stepped back from her with a look of disbelief.

  “And I invited you into my space for this meeting today.” Now that she had started, she couldn’t stop. “You totally took those girls out of here without even considering how I would feel about it. These are my clients, my brides.”

  “Stop being so territorial.” He stepped into her personal space.

  Maggie pushed him out the door. “Goodnight, Mr. Walker.”

  He backed off, but continued to stare at her as she locked the door between them.

  She made eye contact with him for a moment through the window and thought she saw a look of disappointment in his eyes as he turned and walked away.

  Maggie wasn’t sure whether to be furious or burst into tears, but she needed to get out of there. She glanced at the clock on the wall. 8:26.

  Her computer was still on, so she plopped down in her big office chair and clicked the mail icon one last time. There were emails from earlier in the day she had never gotten around to reading as well as twenty-three new messages. One stood out to her. It was from her bride, Angie.

  Maggie!!!

  You are the best photographer in the world! Thank you so much for setting up the meeting with Simon. His portraits are amazing, and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with for our wedding. I saw some of his other wedding work, too, and he does a very nice job. I thought maybe two photographers would be better than one, but he said I already chose the best photographer for the job, and you wouldn’t need the help of a hack like him. Simon is so funny!

  Thanks again! Can’t wait for the wedding!

  Hugs!

  Angie

  She suddenly felt very disappointed in herself.

  February 14, 2009

  Valentine's Day

  State Grounds was surprisingly empty for a Saturday night, but then it was Valentine's Day after all. Maggie sat just inside the front door on a comfy sofa, reading and drinking a mocha latte. There were several seating areas with mix-and-match furniture arranged around coffee tables of different shapes and sizes, as well as tall tables with bar stool seating toward the back of the shop. The place felt as cozy as home.

  The bells on the door jingled to signal someone entering, and she looked up from her bridal magazine. A young couple holding hands talked happily all the way to the counter. She watched them for a moment as she took a sip of her coffee and felt a little twinge of jealousy. It had been a long time since she’d had someone to share Valentine's Day with. Five years, in fact. As much as she hated to think about Ben, she couldn’t help it. He was in her thoughts on this most romantic evening of the year.

  Maggie met Ben Leary in the fall of 1991, her freshman year of high school, when his family moved to Hastings and began attending her church. He was charming and funny, not to mention dark-haired and handsome. Through high school, they developed a close friendship, one of the most important of her life. As much as she hoped there would be something romantic between them, they were always just friends.

  After high school, Ben went to Grand Valley State University in Allendale, while Maggie attended Cornerstone. Their colleges were within twenty minutes of each other, and they kept in touch occasionally, sometimes sharing a ride back to Hastings to see family and attend their home church. But it wasn’t until senior year of college that everything changed. Ben began to look at her differently. Every conversation felt more important, every look gave her butterflies in her stomach, and they were soon spending all of their time together. It was a natural, gradual thing, the way their relationship began. He told her he always knew if they got together, that would be it for him. And it was. At least it seemed to be. They were serious right from the start and engaged six months later.

  She glanced at the bridal magazine in her hand, remembering the days of planning their wedding, poring over the magazines, and browsing wedding photographer websites for hours to choose the perfect person to capture their special day. The wedding day that never was.

  There were signs. Looking back, Maggie could see them now, but in the middle of it all … well, there’s a reason people say “love is blind”.

  The biggest sign was Ben’s unwillingness to nail down a wedding date. After knowing each other for eight years, a quick engagement seemed like the next logical step in their relationship, but he dragged his feet for three years before committing to a date. Maggie chalked it up to their busy life — her opening her photography shop, him working long hours at a graphic design company. But it was more than that.

  Second sign. There were a lot of other girls in his life — girls from high school, girls from college, girls fro
m work. “Just friends,” he claimed. If only that had been the truth.

  They finally settled on June 26, 2004, five years to the day of their engagement. But a month before their wedding, Ben decided he wasn’t ready for marriage after all. He gave no other explanation. And that was the end. The life they were building and planning together was over, and Maggie was left devastated, alone, and broken. After nearly fourteen years, she felt like she never really knew him at all. And all those years she’d been in love with him seemed like a total waste.

  As Maggie let a few of the memories back in, she fought the tears. It had been nearly impossible for her to show up to work during those dark days. She remembered struggling to photograph a wedding the week after the breakup, barely able to contain her emotions. Between the bride getting ready and the start of the ceremony, she escaped to the bathroom, hid in the stall farthest from the door, and let herself sob into a giant wad of toilet paper. When the ceremony prelude music began to play, she shook off the tears, emerged from the stall, and glanced at herself in the mirror. At the sight of her puffy, red eyes and smeared makeup, the tears threatened to fall again. But she slapped herself on the cheeks a couple of times, splashed some water on her face, and shoved her pain deep down inside.

  She had mastered that over the years.

  But on nights like this, watching couples parade their love in front of her, the sadness was nearly overwhelming. Funny how her life’s work revolved around weddings, and it no longer phased her, but the sight of a couple holding hands made her nearly break down. Maybe it was because the everyday moments were what she missed the most. She missed having someone to share her days with, the good and the bad, someone to build a life with.

  She hadn’t been in a serious relationship since Ben. There had been the occasional date now and then, mostly guys her friends and family had set her up with. None ever made it past the first date.

  The truth was Maggie’s business had occupied so much of her time over the past five years that she rarely stopped to think about how lonely she felt. She liked it that way. She would never have survived alone this long had it not been for her business to keep her company.

  She took another sip of her mocha and returned her attention to the magazine, looking for photography inspiration in the “Real Weddings” section.

  “Happy Valentine's Day, Maggie.”

  Maggie looked up as Bill set a muffin on the table in front of her with a little paper heart attached to a toothpick stuck in the top.

  “Aw, that’s so sweet. Thanks, Billy.”

  “You bet.” He grinned sweetly and went back to work behind the counter.

  The door jingled again. “Maggieee!”

  She was startled but jumped up as soon as she saw who it was.

  “Michelle?” Maggie hugged her old college roommate. “Oh my goodness, what are you doing in Hastings?”

  “Can’t I just stop by and visit my roomie?”

  The girls took a seat together on the sofa.

  “Of course. It’s been way too long.” Maggie tucked her legs up under her.

  “It’s good to see you,” Michelle said.

  “You, too. You look great.” She noticed Michelle’s usually long brunette tresses had been trimmed just above her shoulders. It was a good look on her. “How’s Jeremy? Any big plans tonight?”

  Michelle shrugged her shoulders. “I have no idea how he is. We aren’t seeing each other any more.”

  “Oh, Chelle.” She was sad for her friend. Michelle and Jeremy had been dating for a couple years. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s no big deal, Mags.” She dismissed it casually. “We’ve been broken up for a few months now.”

  Maggie was a little shocked that this was the first she had heard of their breakup. “I guess it’s been longer than I thought since we last talked. Are you seeing anyone new?”

  “Not really.” Michelle paused. It seemed like she was going to say more, but she didn’t. Instead, she dug into her purse for some money. “How ‘bout you? Any big Valentine's plans?”

  “Just me and Billy,” she nodded toward Bill, who happened to look up at her at that moment and grin.

  “Friend of yours?” Michelle asked.

  “He and his sister own the place.”

  “Ah.” Michelle laid her purse next to Maggie. “Be right back.” She walked to the counter and ordered.

  Maggie watched out the front window as more couples and groups of couples passed by on the sidewalk. It was a clear night, not a cloud in the sky, which made for bitter cold temperatures. She imagined all of the couples snuggling to keep each other warm and suddenly felt a little sick to her stomach.

  Michelle sat on the sofa next to her friend and turned to face her. “So, what’s it like having another studio right down the street from yours?” She took a sip of her coffee.

  Maggie tensed up at the mention. “It’s nice that he wants to help his uncle and everything, but what about his studio in Grand Rapids? Who’s taking care of that?”

  “Oh, he hired someone as his office manager,” Michelle replied. “Some pretty young thing just out of college. And he travels back and forth. He works some days here, some days there.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Well, he should just stay out of Hastings and leave me alone.”

  “So you’ve seen him,” Michelle remarked.

  Maggie nodded.

  “Hmmm, I’m sensing a little bitterness.”

  She didn’t feel like rehashing their run-ins over the past couple months. “The thing is, he’s everywhere in this little town. And I can’t seem to get through an entire week without him bringing up his darn proposal.”

  “What proposal?” Michelle sounded concerned.

  The door jingled again.

  Maggie scrunched up her nose at Michelle. “Speak of the devil,” she whispered.

  “Oh, sorry,” Michelle spoke quietly as she stood up. “Did I forget to mention that I asked him to meet me here? We’re going to dinner.”

  Simon greeted Michelle with a bear hug and a quick kiss on the lips. “You ready to go?” he asked.

  Michelle pointed in her friend’s direction. “Coffee with Maggie.”

  Maggie held her hand up and shook her head. “Oh, no, that’s OK. Don’t let me keep you.” As much as she liked catching up with Michelle, she hoped they would leave.

  He glanced over at Maggie. “Coffee sounds great.”

  She suddenly felt like bolting as she watched Simon walk to the counter.

  “I guess we’ll have to finish our conversation later.” Michelle nodded in Simon’s direction. “You’re welcome to come out with us tonight. It’ll be like our old college days.”

  “Oh, please, no.” Maggie had always hated being around Michelle and Simon when they were in college, and there was nothing that would convince her to go out with them now.

  Michelle took another sip of her coffee.

  Simon returned and took the seat closest to Michelle. He gave her knee a squeeze. “Long time no see.”

  Michelle grabbed his knee and squeezed back as tight as she could. This was a game they played in college. Who knew why they found this type of pain amusing. Michelle was never a match for Simon and always ended up screeching as he tightened his grip on her knee.

  “Ow! Uncle! Uncle!” she cried.

  “Well,” Maggie spoke as she stood. “That’s enough of a college flashback for me.” She tucked her magazine in her bag and slid her coat on.

  “Hot date tonight, Canon?” Simon’s gaze was intense.

  She gave him a sarcastic grin.

  “Come with us, Maggie,” Michelle begged her friend one last time. “Simon will pay.”

  “What am I paying for?” He grabbed her knee again.

  “Our dinner.” She smacked his hand off.

  “You guys have a nice time.” She leaned over and gave Michelle a hug. “We’ll get together again soon and finish that conversation.”

  “You bet.” Michelle kissed h
er on the cheek. “Call me.”

  Maggie was ten steps down the sidewalk when she realized she had forgotten her half finished coffee. She walked back to get it, but stopped when she spotted Simon watching her through the window. They held eye contact for a moment before he looked back at Michelle. She decided to abandon her poor latte.

  The bitter cold made the light dusting of snow on the sidewalk crunch underfoot. At first, she walked toward her car, but the thought of an empty apartment wasn’t very appealing, especially on this night. Instead she headed to the office to get some work done.

  How pathetic am I? Working on a non-wedding Saturday and on Valentine's Day.

  Once inside, Maggie brewed a small pot of coffee and settled in for the night at the computer, her constant companion.

  Her phone suddenly vibrated. One new text message.

  “You work too much.” It was from Michelle.

  “Your point is?” she replied.

  “Last chance for a free meal.”

  “I don’t want to be a third wheel. Just you and me another time, OK?” Maggie pressed “send” and tossed her phone into her purse.

  A few hours later, her eyelids began to droop while designing an album. She was determined to completely exhaust herself so she would fall fast asleep the second her head hit the pillow. No time to think about being all alone on this romantic holiday. The clock read 11:38 P.M., when she heard a knocking at the front door.

  She peeked out of her office to find Simon standing outside, holding a small bag. She hesitantly unlocked the door for him. “Did you have a nice dinner?” She tried to sound polite.

  “Yeah. Sorry to bother you.” He held out the bag. “Michelle asked me to bring you some dessert.”

  “That was sweet of her. Thanks.”

  “You should’ve come out with us. She felt bad you were all alone tonight.” He smiled sweetly at her.

  “Well, I’m fine. I got a lot of work done.”

  Simon took a step back from the door and nodded politely. “Goodnight, Canon.”

  “Night.”

  Maggie locked the door and walked back into her office. It was a relief he hadn’t hovered or tried to make conversation. She pulled a take-out container from the bag and discovered a mouthwatering piece of raspberry cheesecake within.