Goodbye, Magnolia (Cornerstone Book 1)

by Krista Noorman

  He leaned her back a little further.

  Maggie tried to wiggle out of his grip, which caused him to lose his balance, and sent them both splashing down into the lake.

  Their laughter traveled across the water.

  “I can’t believe you did that.” She splashed at him.

  “That was all you, Canon.” He splashed back.

  They circled each other in the water, splashing back and forth.

  “Maggie?” her mother called from the yard.

  “Yeah, Mom!”

  “We heard a splash, are you all right?”

  “Just goin’ for a swim.” She laughed at Simon, who had hidden himself under the dock.

  “I’ll go get you a towel,” Patty called back at her.

  Simon grabbed her arm and pulled her weightlessly through the water and under the dock with him. He held his finger up to his lips, as if they were little kids about to get in trouble. “Shhhh!”

  Maggie started to giggle.

  It was so dark under the dock, they could barely see each other. She hoped he couldn’t see how big her smile was.

  He suddenly reached for her, and the smile faded from her face as things took an unexpected but not completely unwelcome turn. Strong hands held her hips and pulled her closer to him. The water slipped like silk around and between them, and in an instant everything became very fuzzy.

  She immediately thought of Michelle’s reaction earlier. Michelle had always been a faithful friend to her and here she was with her boyfriend about to do God knows what. No! No! No! I can’t do this.

  But she was lonely, and it felt good to be held. It had been such a long time since any man wanted to be this close to her. So when Simon’s hands glided smoothly around her waist, she ignored her thoughts, and slipped her arms around his neck.

  Simon pulled her into a hug and rested his chin on her shoulder. His breathing was unsteady, coming in quick bursts now. They floated there motionless for a minute before he rotated his head away from her face. His wet hair tickled her cheek, and she reached up and touched it. Simon turned so his lips were pressed against the spot where shoulder met neck. He remained very still while she played with his hair. It wasn’t until Maggie raked her fingertips against his scalp, that he began to move. His lips slid excruciatingly slow up the side of her neck until he stopped at the spot just below her ear. As if to prod him on, Maggie hugged him tighter to her. She felt his lips part and his breath escape hot against her throat as he kissed her neck.

  Patty’s footsteps on the dock above brought them back to reality, and they froze where they floated.

  “Maggie, I’m leaving a towel here for you,” Patty informed her. “There’s one for Simon, too. You two better come in now.” Her mother wasn’t born yesterday.

  Simon let out a slow breath against Maggie’s neck and lifted his head away. His hands moved swiftly up her back, over her shoulders and down her arms, leaving little goosebumps in their wake. When he reached her wrists, he pried her arms from around his neck and they separated. The water felt much colder than it had just moments before.

  Never had Maggie felt such a mix of emotions. On the one hand, she felt horribly guilty for what had just happened. She had betrayed her friend and let herself be more influenced by her hormones than her morals. And Simon had basically cheated on his girlfriend ... with her. What kind of a person was she to let that happen? She had been in Michelle’s shoes and knew the pain of being cheated on all too well.

  There was another part of her, though, the part that longed to find someone, to be loved and wanted again, that was feeling pretty good about herself right about now.

  Simon turned his back on her to climb up onto the dock. Floating alone in the water, her heart still raced as she watched him. He grabbed her wrists and lifted her up. She fell forward a bit and gripped his forearms for support. His hands held her waist to steady her. They stood for several long moments, fighting the pull between them.

  But it only took one look into Simon’s eyes to realize this had been a mistake. He looked guiltier than she felt, and she knew he regretted it. Maggie swallowed hard.

  Finally, he let go and reached for one of the towels Patty had left for them. He wrapped it around her shoulders and rubbed up and down on her arms.

  “I can do it,” she spoke quietly.

  He grabbed the other towel, tossed it over his shoulder, and walked quickly across the yard, disappearing into his uncle’s house.

  Maggie felt like a complete idiot.

  July 6, 2009

  An Unexpected Meeting

  “I practically threw myself at him.” Maggie buried her head in her arms.

  “I’m sure it’s not as bad as you’re making it sound.” Sarah tried to comfort her.

  She lifted her head from the desk and looked up at Sarah. “Yes it is. I made a complete fool of myself. He had to pretty much pull me off of him.” She dropped her head again.

  Sarah started laughing.

  “Not funny.” Her voice was muffled by her arms.

  The phone rang, and Sarah leaned over to answer it. “Magnolia Photography. This is Sarah.”

  Maggie sat back in her chair and moved the mouse to wake the computer from screensaver mode.

  “Yes, she is. Hold one moment, please.” Sarah pressed “hold” and handed the phone to Maggie. “It’s Becky Bristol wanting to talk to you about her wedding.”

  “Oh, great. That’s next month. Thanks.” She grabbed the phone from Sarah and hit “line one”. “Hi, Becky. How are you? I was gonna call you next week to go over last minute details.”

  “John and I are calling off the wedding,” Becky blurted.

  “Oh, no,” Maggie replied. “Are you OK?”

  Sarah was perched on the edge of Maggie’s desk looking through some mail. She gazed curiously at Maggie.

  “Not really,” Becky admitted. “John cheated on me.”

  Maggie’s heart sank. “Oh, Becky, I’m so sorry.” She heard Becky sniffle.

  “I’m so sorry about this, Maggie. I feel so bad canceling on you so last minute.”

  “Don’t worry about me. What’s important is you and how you’re doing.” She knew exactly what Becky was going through and wished there was something she could say to help.

  “Well, obviously, I’ve been better. My mom keeps saying it’s a good thing I found out who he really is before we got married.”

  “Your mom is a very smart woman.”

  “I know she’s right, but a part of me still wants to marry him.”

  She shook her head in agreement, though Becky couldn’t see her. “That will pass. You’ll get through this in time. Trust me.” In about five years.

  “Thank you, Maggie,” Becky spoke quietly. “Someday when I do find the right guy, you’re the first person I’m calling.”

  “Take care of yourself, Becky.”

  When Maggie hung up, she couldn’t shake the depression that suddenly gripped her. Why did things keep happening that brought Ben to the forefront of her mind? The emotions she had dealt with surrounding her own breakup came rushing back. Getting through those days had been excruciating, not to mention humiliating. There were so many phone calls to make — the photographer, the hall, the church, the caterer, the florist, the list went on and on. Becky would have to deal with all of those things now.

  “The wedding’s off,” she announced to Sarah. “He cheated on her.”

  “Oh, no.” Sarah shook her head.

  Maggie put a large X over their names on her calendar and groaned when she realized it was too close to their date to book another wedding. She worried about the lost income.

  Just then, the front door opened, and Sarah flew from her perch to see who it was.

  “Hi, Sarah,” DeDe greeted her.

  Maggie came out of the office when she heard DeDe’s voice.

  “Hey Maggie. Do you want to go to lunch?”

  “Of course,” she replied.

  “Do you have time for a lun
ch meeting?” DeDe gave Maggie a big grin.

  She almost laughed out loud at how big DeDe was smiling at her. “What’s up, De?”

  “Do you have time to go to Grand Rapids with me?”

  The girls looked at each other and back at DeDe, who was acting very strangely.

  “I can make time.”

  “Good. You’ll need your sample albums and price lists.” She gave Maggie a once over. “And maybe give your hair a brush and touch up your makeup.”

  Maggie raised an eyebrow at DeDe.

  “Come on, Maggie,” DeDe ordered. “Chop chop.”

  She rushed around the office, grabbing everything she needed for this impromptu meeting. This wasn’t the first time DeDe had dragged her somewhere at the last minute to meet with wedding couples. She ducked into the bathroom and ran a brush through her hair.

  “De, you have to tell me what’s going on.” Maggie could barely stand the suspense.

  “I’ll tell you on the way.”

  “No fair,” Sarah cried. “Tell me, too.”

  “All in good time.” DeDe grabbed Maggie’s bag and headed out the door.

  Maggie shrugged her shoulders at Sarah and gave her a frightened look as she followed DeDe. “I’ll call you later.”

  They hopped in DeDe’s minivan and drove west following State Street out of town past all the banks, fast food restaurants, and gas stations. After they passed Bob’s Gun and Tackle Shop on the outskirts of town, DeDe headed north toward Grand Rapids.

  “Are you gonna tell me before we get there?” asked Maggie impatiently.

  DeDe glanced over at her with that huge grin again. “The governor’s daughter is getting married.”

  “Woah!” Maggie exclaimed.

  “I’ve been hired to coordinate.” DeDe was bubbling with excitement.

  “Are you serious?” Maggie was so happy for her friend. “That’s huge.”

  “Yes, thanks to my wonderful connections.”

  “Congratulations! That’s amazing, De.”

  “This bring me to why I kidnapped you today.” DeDe smiled deviously. “Photographers from all over the state are vying for this job, but they’ve asked me to compile a list to help them in their decision. This is going to be a huge event on Mackinac Island next summer.”

  Maggie’s eyes widened. “Am I on your list?” She didn’t need to ask.

  “You know you are.” DeDe smiled.

  The idea of photographing the wedding of the governor’s daughter was exciting and intimidating at the same time. She suddenly developed a queasy sensation in the pit of her stomach. “Wait! Are we meeting them right now?”

  DeDe nodded. “They’re in town for the day and will be meeting us at my office to talk with you about their vision for the wedding and, of course, let you wow them.”

  She took a deep breath in. “Oh, I think I’m hyperventilating.” She breathed out slowly. “This would totally make up for the canceled wedding this morning and then some.”

  “Oh no, who canceled?” asked DeDe.

  “Becky and John.”

  “What happened?”

  “John cheated.” Maggie suddenly had a flash of her and Simon under the dock on Saturday. Thinking about the situation from the other perspective made her feel even more guilty about it. I’m a horrible person.

  “That’s awful.” DeDe looked at her searchingly. “How are you doing? I know that must remind you of things.”

  “I’m fine. Just sad for her.” Maggie shook off the feeling again. She couldn’t possibly be depressed after the news of the governor’s daughter. “So, who else will they be meeting with?”

  DeDe reached into her bag and handed Maggie the list of vendors. There were florists and cake companies as well as a few other photographers on the list. Simon was among them. She felt more nervous knowing that fact. Not only did she have to impress them, she had to compete against Simon for this one.

  When they reached DeDe’s office, Lacey Hartman and her fiancé, George Summers, were already waiting. Maggie remembered them both from the newspaper article she had seen months ago. DeDe made the introductions, and the four of them sat together to talk wedding.

  DeDe’s office was similar to Maggie’s meeting space, but had more of a modern feel to it, with white walls and modern furnishings.

  “Maggie, we were so impressed with the work we saw on your website. You have such a gift for capturing the moments, and that’s something we’re really interested in.” Lacey flipped her perfect shoulder-length blonde hair over her shoulder. It was a seemingly common thing for a girl to do, but her movement seemed much more graceful. She was as tall and beautiful as any supermodel, but she exuded such sophistication and class.

  “Oh, thank you,” Maggie replied. “That’s definitely my strength and what I focus on the most in my work.”

  “Have you ever shot a wedding on Mackinac Island before?” asked Lacey.

  “Yours would be my first, but I’ve been to the island several times. I love it there.”

  “We do, too. I go there often with my family. It’s always been a special place for me. George actually proposed to me there on the porch at the Grand Hotel, so there was really no question as to where we would have our wedding.” She glanced over at her fiancé, and he squeezed her hand.

  “Lacey and I are looking for someone who can capture the beauty of our day and showcase not only our ceremony and the details of the wedding, but also the unique atmosphere of the island.” George Summers was a handsome man. At first glance, one might have mistaken him for John F. Kennedy, Jr. The son of a senator, he was proper and well-spoken, but not in a condescending way. He had a certain charisma that made people instantly comfortable around him.

  “Absolutely. There’s so much charm to the island.” Just thinking about the island made Maggie want to go for a visit. There was something so magical about it. “One of the reasons I love my job is that each wedding is different. Every couple has a different story — how they met and fell in love, when they knew that they were meant to spend the rest of their lives together. It’s those stories that I’m drawn to. The weddings, these celebrations of love, all the little details — the dress, the shoes, the flowers, the decorations, the food — well, that’s all beautiful. But it’s the moments that make it what it is. It’s the looks, the touches, the kisses. It’s about your story, and that’s what I want to capture.”

  George smiled at Lacey, and she squeezed his hand this time.

  They spent an hour looking through albums, discussing the details of Maggie’s coverage, and going over the special requirements for their wedding. She was already looking forward to it, and they hadn’t even hired her yet. But she felt very confident the meeting was going well.

  After Lacey and George had said farewell, Maggie collapsed into one of DeDe’s chairs.

  “You were perfect,” DeDe praised her. “Now, we wait.”

  “When will we know?” Maggie was already anxious.

  “As soon as they decide, good or bad, I’ll let you know.”

  July 24, 2009

  Surprises

  “Happy Birthday, Maggie.” Tom hugged her tight. “I’m sorry I’m a couple days late.”

  “Oh, that’s OK.” She waved it off. “Just another year older, right?” As the years passed by, birthdays didn’t seem to hold as much meaning to her any more. And thirty-two was certainly nothing special at all.

  “I want to make it up to you,” he replied. “Can Sarah and I take you across the street for some coffee?”

  “Sure. I could use a break.” She was presently working on pictures from the two weddings she had photographed in July and had been glued to her office chair all week. On her birthday, she had worked the day away, despite Sarah’s attempts to get her to take the day off.

  The three of them wandered across the street to State Grounds.

  Maggie opened the door. The coffee shop was strangely quiet, and the lights were off in the back, which she found rather odd.

/>   Suddenly, the lights flipped on. “SURPRISE!” cried the waiting crowd.

  She jumped and nearly knocked Tom and Sarah over backwards. Laughter overtook her.

  “You guys!” She gave Tom and Sarah a dirty look. “I can’t believe you did this.”

  “Well, we had help.” Sarah hugged her.

  DeDe approached and gave her a hug.

  “I suspect you had something to do with this, De.”

  “Guilty.”

  Maggie was beaming. This was completely unexpected. No one had thrown her a surprise party since she was in high school. She glanced around the room. Her parents were there, as well as Vi and Dave. Uncle Pete had stopped by, and there were a slew of her wedding friends, including Jamie and Shannon. She scanned the faces. No Simon. No Michelle. She was disappointed, but pushed the feeling aside.

  Suddenly, a pair of hands covered her eyes from behind and a horribly camouflaged voice said, “Happy birthday, Magnet.”

  Maggie screeched and pulled the hands away. “Kay?” She whipped around and threw her arms around her high school best friend. Standing next to her was their other partner in crime. “Brooke? I can’t believe you guys are here!” It had been several years since they last saw each other and even longer since they were all together.

  “Tommy called us,” Brooke replied as she took her turn hugging the birthday girl.

  After high school, as so often happens, the friends went their separate ways. Kay moved to Virginia to attend Liberty University on a basketball scholarship, while Brooke went to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Both were married with small children now, which made it more difficult to get together.

  The girls found a table in the corner, where they could chat.

  “How are you, Magnet?” Kay asked.

  Maggie grinned. “I love that you still call me that.” Magnet was the nickname she’d been given by P.J., otherwise known as Pastor Jon. He liked to say Maggie, Kay and Brooke were together so much that they were attached magnetically at the hip. The nickname stuck and it’s what everyone in the youth group called her. Well, all but one.